DXER ham radio news 09/09/18
Daily DXER ham radio news

NEWS UPDATE — Our team is now back to the original creew: Martin, A65DC/SA6MIW Paul, A65DR/G7SLP/KW4CM Delia, VE7HDW Thomas, SM0CXU/PY2ZXU. We are now preparing to be active 160–10m All Modes. Our 160m setup is not perfect but we will do our best. Preparations are in full swing and we are all excited to go. AUGUST […]
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Video Engku Nasir Engku Mansor, 9W2VWT from Sungai Besi, Malaysia in All Asian DX SSB Contest 2018.
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Col, MM0NDX and Jonathan, MM0OKG will be active as EL2EL from Monrovia, Liberia, 5–9 November 2018.
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Many thanks to Bennett Z. Kobb, Kim Andrew Elliott, and Christopher Rumbaugh for authoring “Comments of the High Frequency Parties†that is now filed with the FCC.
Update: please also check out this FAQ.
Here’s the introduction:
The Public Notice in MB Docket 18–227 requests comment on “whether laws, regulations,
regulatory practices or demonstrated marketplace practices pose a barrier to competitive
entry into the marketplace for the delivery of audio programming … [and] concerning the
extent to which any such laws, regulations or marketplace practices affect entry barriers for
entrepreneurs and other small businesses in the marketplace for the delivery of audio
programming.â€The Commission’s Rules do pose barriers to entry and unnecessarily restrict the licensing
and delivery of programming by International Broadcast Stations.These rules originated in a period when the government utilized or countenanced privately owned, high-frequency (HF, 3–30 MHz) broadcasters as voices against foreign adversaries.
The rules prohibit stations directed primarily to U.S. audiences. They impose detailed
language, announcement, advertising and record keeping practices, require monitoring of
foreign market particulars, and mandate a minimum DSB transmission power level that is
excessive for domestic service and textual and image content.These and certain other obsolete restrictions are overdue for review and revision or deletion.[…]
Click here to download and read the full document as a PDF.
Click here to check out the FAQ regarding the HF Broadcasting Filing.
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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rich (WD3C), who writes:
Was browsing the Anon-Co site the other day and noticed they are selling replacement rotary encoders for the some Tecsun models.
As I have a PL-660 with a bad encoder decided to order one and replace it. The cost was only $5.95 with free shipping and took about 6 days from Hong Kong.
With a bit of un-soldering the replacement only took about 20 minutes and now works better than new, as the original was always a bit temperamental.
Wow–thank you for pointing this out, Rich! I didn’t reallize so many parts were available including knobs, encoders, antennas, back stands and battery doors–essentially, all of the parts that are proone to damage or loss.
Click here to browse Anon-Co’s catalog for radio parts.
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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric (WD8RIF), who writes:
This came in the most recent ARRL Contest newsletter:
The Sun, The Earth, and Near-Earth Space: A Guide to the Sun-Earth System by J. A. Eddy is a readable and accessible textbook that explains the dynamics of the Sun and its interaction with the Earth’s ionosphere. It’s available as a free download, courtesy of NASA and the International Living with a Star Program. Anyone using the ionosphere as a medium for radio wave transmission and wants to better understand propagation should find this book of interest. (Ward, N0AX)
Thank you for the stellar tip, Eric!
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Many thanks to Jon Hudson with SDRplay who shares the following on the SDRplay Facebook page:
We have released a new YouTube video which covers some items that have been asked about by our users. First up we talk about synchronizing VFO A and VFO B between SDRuno and the rig. This leads into a discussion of using the band switches in SDRuno and use of the LO LOCK button.
Then we cover how to use an RSPduo as a panadapter and a couple of configurations that can be used to expand ease of use and flexibility.
See the video here:
Click here to view on YouTube.
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DK1BT, DL4WK, DL6SAK, DL7DF, DL7KL, DL7UFR and SP3CYY will be active from Barbados as 8P9AE during November 6–20, 2018. QRV with three stations from 160–10m on CW, SSB and Digi. Webpage
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Many thanks to Bennett Z. Kobb, Kim Andrew Elliott, and Christopher Rumbaugh for authoring “Comments of the High Frequency Parties†that is now filed with the FCC.
Update: please also check out this FAQ.
Here’s the introduction:
The Public Notice in MB Docket 18–227 requests comment on “whether laws, regulations,
regulatory practices or demonstrated marketplace practices pose a barrier to competitive
entry into the marketplace for the delivery of audio programming … [and] concerning the
extent to which any such laws, regulations or marketplace practices affect entry barriers for
entrepreneurs and other small businesses in the marketplace for the delivery of audio
programming.â€The Commission’s Rules do pose barriers to entry and unnecessarily restrict the licensing
and delivery of programming by International Broadcast Stations.These rules originated in a period when the government utilized or countenanced privately owned, high-frequency (HF, 3–30 MHz) broadcasters as voices against foreign adversaries.
The rules prohibit stations directed primarily to U.S. audiences. They impose detailed
language, announcement, advertising and record keeping practices, require monitoring of
foreign market particulars, and mandate a minimum DSB transmission power level that is
excessive for domestic service and textual and image content.These and certain other obsolete restrictions are overdue for review and revision or deletion.[…]
Click here to download and read the full document as a PDF.
Click here to check out the FAQ regarding the HF Broadcasting Filing.
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Daily DXER ham radio news

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rich (WD3C), who writes:
Was browsing the Anon-Co site the other day and noticed they are selling replacement rotary encoders for the some Tecsun models.
As I have a PL-660 with a bad encoder decided to order one and replace it. The cost was only $5.95 with free shipping and took about 6 days from Hong Kong.
With a bit of un-soldering the replacement only took about 20 minutes and now works better than new, as the original was always a bit temperamental.
Wow–thank you for pointing this out, Rich! I didn’t reallize so many parts were available including knobs, encoders, antennas, back stands and battery doors–essentially, all of the parts that are proone to damage or loss.
Click here to browse Anon-Co’s catalog for radio parts.
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Daily DXER ham radio news

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric (WD8RIF), who writes:
This came in the most recent ARRL Contest newsletter:
The Sun, The Earth, and Near-Earth Space: A Guide to the Sun-Earth System by J. A. Eddy is a readable and accessible textbook that explains the dynamics of the Sun and its interaction with the Earth’s ionosphere. It’s available as a free download, courtesy of NASA and the International Living with a Star Program. Anyone using the ionosphere as a medium for radio wave transmission and wants to better understand propagation should find this book of interest. (Ward, N0AX)
Thank you for the stellar tip, Eric!
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Daily DXER ham radio news

Many thanks to Jon Hudson with SDRplay who shares the following on the SDRplay Facebook page:
We have released a new YouTube video which covers some items that have been asked about by our users. First up we talk about synchronizing VFO A and VFO B between SDRuno and the rig. This leads into a discussion of using the band switches in SDRuno and use of the LO LOCK button.
Then we cover how to use an RSPduo as a panadapter and a couple of configurations that can be used to expand ease of use and flexibility.
See the video here:
Click here to view on YouTube.
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WA7BNM Contest Calendar — 1200Z, Sep 15 to 1200Z, Sep 16
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WA7BNM Contest Calendar — 0000Z, Sep 15 to 2359Z, Sep 16
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WA7BNM Contest Calendar — 1600Z-2200Z, Sep 15
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WA7BNM Contest Calendar — 1600Z, Sep 15 to 0700Z, Sep 16 and 1600Z-2400Z, Sep 16
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WA7BNM Contest Calendar — 1400Z, Sep 15 to 0200Z, Sep 16
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WA7BNM Contest Calendar — 1200Z, Sep 15 to 1200Z, Sep 16
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WA7BNM Contest Calendar — 1000Z, Sep 15 to 1000Z, Sep 16
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WA7BNM Contest Calendar — 1600Z, Sep 15 to 0400Z, Sep 16 and 1600Z-2200Z, Sep 16
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WA7BNM Contest Calendar — 1600Z, Sep 15 to 0359Z, Sep 16 and 1400Z-2000Z, Sep 16
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Stan, LZ1GC will be active as 5W0GC, from Apia, Samoa, 28 September — 14 October 2018.
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NEWS UPDATE — I want to inform the radio amateur commuunity, that after months of hard work — the preparation of 5W0GC &ammp; YJ0GC DXpedition 2018 is in the final phase! The antennas and the technical equipment (transceivers and amplifiers) have been tested and now are packed! We are ready! 1. Stan, LZ1GC will travel […]
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An upconverter lets you hear signals below the tuning range of RTL-SDR dongles, so signals less than 30MHz, that’s the entire shortwave / medium wave / longwave spectrum will be audible with a suitable antenna. Works by adding 125 MHz to received signal, so a station on 3MHz will show up at 128 MHz, which falls into the tunable range of every RTL-SDR.
Plus in the name for $65 with free worldwide shipping means it contains a noise source for experimenters: antenna and filter tuning is possible out of the box if you have the knowledge and necessary equipment.
I use Ham It Up upconverters for years, so post contains references to predecessor called v1.3 BareBones, without Plus in the name, PCB board still available for $40 at manufacturer website. Official shop on Ebay also available, check that PCB board version is v1.30a2, and seller is nooelec:
We’re still talking about the predecessor, which can be bought also for much more, ripoffs at $63 and $105 available:
That’s a good sign, if something is in demand, opportunists will try, just use the Official Nooelec Order page to avoid spending more than necessary.
Official Prices
Ham it Up Plus in metal enclosure, subject of this review: $65 plus shipping from manufacturer.
Ham it Up Plus, PCB board only: called Barebones, $50 plus shipping from manufacturer.
Upgrading an existing Ham It Up is easy: enclosure kit for 1.3 and higher sold separately for $16, 125 MHz TCXO upgrade kit is a tenner, noise source kit is another ten dollars. If you got a v1.3 in a metal case you’ll only need to drill one more hole to accommodate one more SMA connector, but at least Nooelec thought of punters who love soldering.
Ham It Up Generations
Let’s look at differences, original version with surface-mounted 100 Mhz oscillator, the first I bought from Nooelec and reviewed five years ago, unpopulated noise source:
Version 1.3a1, you won’t meet these any more, the basis for further improvements, fix 125 MHz oscillator, included here for identification, this is not the latest model:
Version 1.3a2, now what we call the Ham It Up v1.3, distinguishing feature from predecessor are addded screws for easier case mounting:
Version 1.30b1, the latest model also called Plus, easiest to categorize by two SMA antenna connectors above passthrough switch.
Connectors
SMA female, package comes with barrel connectors to connect SMArt family, rtl-sdr.com v3, SDRplays, AirSpy, nominally everything for enthusiasts.
Power options
Needs 5 Volts via USB Type B cable, which is not supplied, nor can be ordered from Nooelec, big thick square-ish cable for printers, probably used for dependability, USB-B connectors work, SDRPlay also fancies the standard.
Unfathomable, cannot understand, makes me constantly wonder why there’s still no micro-USB port (read: Android smartphone charger plug), or mini-USB (bigger brother, GoPro or Uputronics). All above are 5V, more readily accessible, users can buy a smartphone charger paractically anywhere, whereas you gotta hunt for a printer USB cable.
Just in case, PCB got positive and negative inputs just in case you want to run it off a battery bank, properly labeled. Personally, I just run the upconverter off a $15 power bank, probably not as good as dedicated batteries, but certainly better than a switched-mode power supply or occupying USB port from host computer, and enables easy mobile operation.
Performance
Manufacturer site details two claims, quoting:
†Input, output and LO filters configured for substantial sensitivity and selectivity improvements†and “Ultra low-noise linear power regulator (LP5907), with voltage noise under 10 µVRMS!â€
I can neither confirm nor deny those claims, what’s clear is that in the sub 30 Mhz region the Plus is better than the predecessor; I tended to hear more with the Plus, often substantially more, to the point that a faint signal came in loud and clear — but it must be noted that shhortwave reception is very much down to external factors such as atmospheric propagation, so look at the following knowing that switching upcomverters took 15 seconds, same station / dongle / everything:
Regardless of the possibility of tester error, with the same gain setting on the dongle, newer Plus has a noticeably noisier waterfall.
What’s not tested: reception range supposedly extends down to 300 Hz, so it’s theoretically possible to listen to time signals and other low frequency signals, stations I wasn’t interested in as I had no equipment capable of receiving it, hence I have no suitable antennas for proper reception.
Noise source: well, I simply had no time to dwell into the quagmire of “How to use it?â€, at first glance, I’d need a directional coupler, and a few weeks off on a beach to soak up the topic and sunkissed margaritas, so this will have to wait. However, just like a sunroof or a towbar it’s good to know the possibility is at hand should it be needed.
Worth it?
Certainly worth the extra few dollars over the regular version, if for nothing else, it’s the latest Ham It Up with extra goodies.
Question gets a little complicated once we throw cost and the availability of higher-class all-in-one SDRs into the equations, and I mean the SDRPlay RSP1: total reception system cost including three antennas is around $140 with an RSP1A, but that’s $140, not $50 for Plus board only.
If you already have an RTL-SDR dongle, true sub-30 MHz capabilities are $50 away, hint: order the Rattlesnake antenna pack for $15 and enjoy three antennas, free worldwide shipping and lots of interesting signals for years to come.
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Studio Photos of over 20 RTL-SDR dongles on the market:
More than 200 high-resolutions PCB, case and comparison images by clicking here.
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