Tsunami Made Me Think
 

Hi,

Well, as usual, I have another question for the experts.

When the Tsunami hit last week, I grabbed my shortwave and tried to find
'live' info as fast as I could. Understanding that power might not be
available in the region, I just tried some of the larger outlets and didn't
hear anything I couldn't hear on CNN or CBC. In fact, even during the 'shock
and awe' campaign - I was not really hearing up-to-date info from a foreign
country. So, I gotta' ask:

What's the secret? I'm pretty new to shortwave and really might be expecting
too much, but I assume using SW for local / regional updates on serious news
is part of the fun. I understand the time differences and programing
schedules, but I've never heard "Up to the Minute" disasters, assasinations,
etc. I mean God forbid this stuff happens, in fact I hope there won't be
earthquakes or tornados - but they certainly do happen and I bought my radio
*exactly* to hear these broadcasts.

Would anyone please provide me with some instruction, a weblink or some
plain common sense in trying to listen to radio ' Live as it Happens'.

I constantly read posts on folks hearing the USS YorkTown on XXX USB, but
when I try to tune in, I've never heard the ship. (I *do* understand how to
enable these modes on my radio.) Do I need a mega antenna - I only use the
coil-out wire or whip. However, if I can receive Radio Japan clearly, surely
I should be able to hear anything inbetween that location. (T.X.Wattage /
time of year / weather all being equal - not that they are either.)

Can anyone help me advance to the next level of this hobby? Yes, VOA and
Radio Canada are great, but I know there's more and I wanna' hear it. And,
I'm willing to put the effort in - it's a great hobby.

I live on the east coast of Canada and use a Sony ICF GR7600GF with
syncro-lock when DX'ing.

Thanks, any help would be great.
Mike T.

Do I need a mega antenna - I only use the
coil-out wire or whip.

When all other things are equal, the antenna will make the difference
between hearing a faint signal and not hearing it. As far as the "mega" part
goes, if you mean an large antenna on a 200' tower or a huge beam-- well, to
be sure, those would make a huge difference, but since few of us seem to
have that sort of room available (not to mention time and money) even a
longish wire placed somewhere outdoors will probably help quite a bit.

Jackie

Given that CNN, Fox, and the other big networks have reporters,
and stringers, all over ther world, they often have better news
resources then local broadcasters.
To get the "low" power regional SW outlets you will need to move to
an area with very low noise. But even this will not give you world
wide
access. The big boys, NSA etc, have monitoring sites at MANY locations
because no one location, no mater how good the equipment, can receive
everywhere in the world.
About the best most of us can do, is to put up a 70~150' "long" wire
antenna, away from noise sources in your home, coupled with a 9:1
tranformer, using good coax to your receiver. I use the double
shielded
coax with braid and foil, more to keep noise out then to stop any loss.
I think John Doty has the "best" single solution:
http://www.anarc.org/naswa/badx/ante...e_antenna.html
And his 9:1 transformer is a very usefull additon:
http://www.anarc.org/naswa/badx/ante..._longwire.html
Terry

Buzzygirl wrote:

Do I need a mega antenna - I only use the
coil-out wire or whip.

When all other things are equal, the antenna will make the difference
between hearing a faint signal and not hearing it.

At the same time, when all other things are equal, the receiver will (can) make
the difference between hearing a faint signal and not hearing it...

And, at the same time, when all other things are equal, the listeners location
and noise level will (can) make the difference between hearing a faint signal
and not hearing it...

It's all in the variables.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

As far as the "mega" part
goes, if you mean an large antenna on a 200' tower or a huge beam-- well, to
be sure, those would make a huge difference, but since few of us seem to
have that sort of room available (not to mention time and money) even a
longish wire placed somewhere outdoors will probably help quite a bit.

Jackie

Mike Tschel. wrote:
Hi,

Well, as usual, I have another question for the experts.

When the Tsunami hit last week, I grabbed my shortwave and tried to
find
'live' info as fast as I could. Understanding that power might not be
available in the region, I just tried some of the larger outlets and
didn't
hear anything I couldn't hear on CNN or CBC. In fact, even during the
'shock
and awe' campaign - I was not really hearing up-to-date info from a
foreign
country. So, I gotta' ask:

What's the secret? I'm pretty new to shortwave and really might be
expecting
too much, but I assume using SW for local / regional updates on
serious news
is part of the fun. I understand the time differences and programing
schedules, but I've never heard "Up to the Minute" disasters,
assasinations,
etc. I mean God forbid this stuff happens, in fact I hope there won't
be
earthquakes or tornados - but they certainly do happen and I bought
my radio
*exactly* to hear these broadcasts.

Would anyone please provide me with some instruction, a weblink or
some
plain common sense in trying to listen to radio ' Live as it
Happens'.

I constantly read posts on folks hearing the USS YorkTown on XXX USB,
but
when I try to tune in, I've never heard the ship. (I *do* understand
how to
enable these modes on my radio.) Do I need a mega antenna - I only
use the
coil-out wire or whip. However, if I can receive Radio Japan clearly,
surely
I should be able to hear anything inbetween that location.
(T.X.Wattage /
time of year / weather all being equal - not that they are either.)

Can anyone help me advance to the next level of this hobby? Yes, VOA
and
Radio Canada are great, but I know there's more and I wanna' hear it.
And,
I'm willing to put the effort in - it's a great hobby.

I live on the east coast of Canada and use a Sony ICF GR7600GF with
syncro-lock when DX'ing.

Thanks, any help would be great.
Mike T.


What are your circumstances? Do you live in a relatively quiet area? In
a house or a condo? Do you have a large yard? Knowing some of these
details would help.

The Sony 7600GR is a great radio, but it's not intended to be a DX
machine. In order to get the most of out of it, see how long a length
of wire you can attach to it before you have problems with overload.
You might also considering getting the AN-LP1 active loop, which works
well with the 7600GR.

Eventually, I predict you'll want a more robust receiver, since this
will both expand your listening capabilities and at the same time
increase the number of antenna options open to you. If you're patient,
you can find something nice on ebay for a reasonable price. (Do you
homework though, as it's also possible to get ripped off this way.)
Steve

The BBC was hard and heavy on it on Saturday night. XM 131, Sirius
114.

On Fri, 7 Jan 2005 01:35:38 -0500, "Mike Tschel."
wrote:

Hi,

Well, as usual, I have another question for the experts.

When the Tsunami hit last week, I grabbed my shortwave and tried to find
'live' info as fast as I could. Understanding that power might not be
available in the region, I just tried some of the larger outlets and didn't
hear anything I couldn't hear on CNN or CBC. In fact, even during the 'shock
and awe' campaign - I was not really hearing up-to-date info from a foreign
country. So, I gotta' ask:

What's the secret? I'm pretty new to shortwave and really might be expecting
too much, but I assume using SW for local / regional updates on serious news
is part of the fun. I understand the time differences and programing
schedules, but I've never heard "Up to the Minute" disasters, assasinations,
etc. I mean God forbid this stuff happens, in fact I hope there won't be
earthquakes or tornados - but they certainly do happen and I bought my radio
*exactly* to hear these broadcasts.

Would anyone please provide me with some instruction, a weblink or some
plain common sense in trying to listen to radio ' Live as it Happens'.

I constantly read posts on folks hearing the USS YorkTown on XXX USB, but
when I try to tune in, I've never heard the ship. (I *do* understand how to
enable these modes on my radio.) Do I need a mega antenna - I only use the
coil-out wire or whip. However, if I can receive Radio Japan clearly, surely
I should be able to hear anything inbetween that location. (T.X.Wattage /
time of year / weather all being equal - not that they are either.)

Can anyone help me advance to the next level of this hobby? Yes, VOA and
Radio Canada are great, but I know there's more and I wanna' hear it. And,
I'm willing to put the effort in - it's a great hobby.

I live on the east coast of Canada and use a Sony ICF GR7600GF with
syncro-lock when DX'ing.

Thanks, any help would be great.
Mike T.

Back during the first Gulf War, I was able to hear scud alerts on Kol Israel
Radio and Saudi Arabia. That was pretty intense... music or programing
interrupted by a loud tone (similar to our EBS alerts on radio/TV), followed
by excited instructions being given.

DesignGuy wrote:

Back during the first Gulf War, I was able to hear scud alerts on Kol Israel
Radio and Saudi Arabia. That was pretty intense... music or programing
interrupted by a loud tone (similar to our EBS alerts on radio/TV), followed
by excited instructions being given.

And all the military nets went nuts those first few days too! Aircraft being
diverted and everything else.

There was certainly some good listening back then.

dxAce
Michigan
USA

In article ,
Mike Tschel. wrote:

Well, as usual, I have another question for the experts.

When the Tsunami hit last week, I grabbed my shortwave and tried to find
'live' info as fast as I could. Understanding that power might not be
available in the region, I just tried some of the larger outlets and didn't
hear anything I couldn't hear on CNN or CBC. In fact, even during the 'shock
and awe' campaign - I was not really hearing up-to-date info from a foreign
country. So, I gotta' ask:

What's the secret? I'm pretty new to shortwave and really might be expecting
too much, but I assume using SW for local / regional updates on serious news
is part of the fun. I understand the time differences and programing
schedules, but I've never heard "Up to the Minute" disasters, assasinations,
etc. I mean God forbid this stuff happens, in fact I hope there won't be
earthquakes or tornados - but they certainly do happen and I bought my radio
*exactly* to hear these broadcasts.

I think this was kind of a special case. It was on Boxing Day, and the
broadcaster that I'd expect to be the best to cover it, Radio Australia,
seemed to be completely shut down for the holidays. Even now they're
on a half-assed schedule.

Keep listening. I've heard, live, the second plane hit on 9/11
and the Tienamen Square Massacre had some hair curling coverage.
" 'Li Peng shall have no peace', that one was writtten in blood."
(A BBC reporter reading the grafitti at the scene).

I live on the east coast of Canada and use a Sony ICF GR7600GF with
syncro-lock when DX'ing.

Try for Canadian Coast Guard, the North Atlantic can be a pretty
rough place.

Mark Zenier Washington State resident

"dxAce" wrote in message
...


DesignGuy wrote:

Back during the first Gulf War, I was able to hear scud alerts on Kol
Israel
Radio and Saudi Arabia. That was pretty intense... music or programing
interrupted by a loud tone (similar to our EBS alerts on radio/TV),
followed
by excited instructions being given.

And all the military nets went nuts those first few days too! Aircraft
being
diverted and everything else.

There was certainly some good listening back then.

*THIS* is exactly the type of radio listening I'm hoping to hear!

So far, some great help and links and I appreciate that. What are the
'Military Nets'...can I just Google and find some info? I also have a
'communications receiver' (A fancy way of saying a 150 khz to 1.2 GHZ
radio.) Also, I live in a big city - so the local RF noise floor is pretty
brutal. I run with a long wire - supplied with the Sony GR - but it's only
used indoors. Would it be worthwhile stringing up some generic wire and
appropriate coax just for the hell of it? Actually, I'm gonna' try this
first - it's cheap and easy! Opinions. My feeling is the antenna is *almost*
more important that the radio itself - gotta' try that long wire this
weekend.

You help is really appreciated - please get back to me on the Military Net.
I'm very curious what type of listening I might expect. (If I'm able.) If
I'm considering a different radio, we're talking about the really expensive
stuff right? I realise those radios are not priced because they have 'rack
ears' of look cool - perhaps this will be my 2nd course of action.
Interesting stuff shortwave.

Warm regards,
Mike T













dxAce
Michigan
USA