RE: Meteor scatter, beacons, and radar at 6m

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Lester Veenstra

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Sep 20, 2023, 1:55:54 PM9/20/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com, Fletch, K4...@arrl.net, Tim Urban N4WLO, Rob Suggs, meteorscat...@groups.io, Larry Cagle, Robert Ehresman

May suggest to those SARA member interested in the Meteor Detection project;

If you have any kind of 6m receive capability, be it an RTRL-SDR or a Flex 6700,

If you have a long wire antenna or 6El beam, you duplicate the receive configuration I am using;

And stand back to see what you can collect from the Mobile City site.

 

Start by downloading the free WSTJ package at :  WSJT Home Page (sourceforge.io)  ,

And then installing it on whatever computer system you have that can get audio from your 6M receiver.

Set up the receiver for USB at “carrier” frequency of  50.230 MHz with a 2.7 KHz bandwidth or wider.

Configure WSJT-X to hear the audio from the receiver, MSK144  mode, and let’s get reports on what decodes you can get.

 

Do not worry about the frequency readout on the WSJT-X display.

 

 

 

 

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

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Robert Ehresman

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Sep 20, 2023, 2:29:32 PM9/20/23
to Lester Veenstra, sara...@googlegroups.com, Fletch, K4...@arrl.net, Tim Urban N4WLO, Rob Suggs, meteorscat...@groups.io, Larry Cagle
Folks:

Really any digital modes capable HF+6 radio will suffice. Me, I have an IC-7200 and an IC-7300 that work nicely. 

A beam is not required but is definitely very advantageous. A dipole will work best broadside to Mobile AL. In Huntsville AL that means bearing ~190 degrees. A dipole will likely receive far less decodes than a beam. 

Meteor trails have highest energy slightly before dawn. Setting up to listen all night is a reasonable approach but dont expect as much early evening. Mornings after dawn are pretty good too.

Also, for fun, it might be interesting to actually make QSO schedules with other hams. There are several internet sites for this sort of activity. Pingjockey.net is probably the most prolific. 


Do please use frequency other that 50.230 😀. 50.260 is the North American calling frequency. 

Also pskreporter.info will do MSK144 spotting. Be sure to put in an antenna specification on WSJT-X and enable pskreporter under reporting to be accepted as a monitoring station on pskreporter. But you can go there anytime to see activity.

73;
Bob KV4PC 

Hugo Post

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Sep 20, 2023, 4:04:53 PM9/20/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com, Lester Veenstra, Fletch, K4...@arrl.net, Tim Urban N4WLO, Rob Suggs, meteorscat...@groups.io, Larry Cagle
Hi Lester, pls resend the printscreen but with higher resolution.
Regards Hugo

Op wo 20 sep 2023 om 20:29 schreef Robert Ehresman <robert....@gmail.com>:
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Lester Veenstra

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Sep 20, 2023, 4:55:45 PM9/20/23
to MeteorScat...@groups.io, Hugo Post, sara...@googlegroups.com, Fletch, K4...@arrl.net, Tim Urban N4WLO, Rob Suggs, Larry Cagle

Sorry   trying again

 

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

From: MeteorScat...@groups.io [mailto:MeteorScat...@groups.io] On Behalf Of Lester Veenstra M0YCM via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2023 4:49 PM
To: 'Hugo Post'; sara...@googlegroups.com
Cc: 'Fletch'; K4...@arrl.net; 'Tim Urban N4WLO'; 'Rob Suggs'; meteorscat...@groups.io; 'Larry Cagle'
Subject: Re: [MeteorScatterChatter] [SARA] Re: Meteor scatter, beacons, and radar at 6m

 

 

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

Error! Filename not specified.

 

 

 

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

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Mike Otte

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Sep 20, 2023, 5:53:25 PM9/20/23
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what frequency?

I am using a sdr  and sdr# to receive.   What freq should I set it to?

50.258500   USB   1500 offset?





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Mike Otte W9YS

Mike Otte

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Sep 21, 2023, 9:22:28 AM9/21/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com
Turns out I answered my own question.  Set the frequency to 50.230.

This morning at  5am local  10UT  I was observing meteors with WSJT MSK144.

In a little more than 1 hour,  MSK144 decoded  32 times and  provided 18 events.

Some events that decoded multiple times showed the freq changing (probably doppler).

Receive station is  4 ele yagi pointed south and elevated 45 deg 3ft above the ground,  usb TV preamp, nooelec smartee sdr, PC windows 10.
You can see my grid sq is EN52cg

Thank you N4WLO

73
Mike w9ys

--
Mike Otte W9YS
WSJT_Log_2.txt
N$WLO_6.png
n4wlo_2.png

Tim Urban

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Sep 21, 2023, 9:54:36 AM9/21/23
to Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
Mike,

Thanks for the data.

Tim N4WLO

Lester Veenstra

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Sep 21, 2023, 9:58:08 AM9/21/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com

USB “Dial frequency”  50.230000 

The MSK digital carrier will appear centered at 1.5 kHz on the audio output of the receiver, ~3 KHz wide,

The MSK144 demodulation  assumes it will find the signals of interest at 1.5khz with a software uncertainty (search criteria) of 100 Hz.

Again, ignore the displayed frequency in the WSJT software.

 

 

 

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

image001.png

Lester Veenstra

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Sep 21, 2023, 10:55:10 AM9/21/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com

Looking better and better

 

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

From: sara...@googlegroups.com [mailto:sara...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Otte
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2023 9:22 AM
To: sara...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [MeteorScatterChatter] [SARA] Re: Meteor scatter, beacons, and radar at 6m

 

Turns out I answered my own question.  Set the frequency to 50.230.

 

This morning at  5am local  10UT  I was observing meteors with WSJT MSK144.

 

In a little more than 1 hour,  MSK144 decoded  32 times and  provided 18 events.

 

Some events that decoded multiple times showed the freq changing (probably doppler).

 

Receive station is  4 ele yagi pointed south and elevated 45 deg 3ft above the ground,  usb TV preamp, nooelec smartee sdr, PC windows 10.

You can see my grid sq is EN52cg

 

Thank you N4WLO

 

73

Mike w9ys

 

On Wed, Sep 20, 2023 at 4:53 PM Mike Otte <mike....@gmail.com> wrote:

what frequency?

 

I am using a sdr  and sdr# to receive.   What freq should I set it to?

 

50.258500   USB   1500 offset?

 

 

 

On Wed, Sep 20, 2023 at 3:55 PM 'Lester Veenstra' via Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers <sara...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Sorry   trying again

 

Error! Filename not specified.

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

From: MeteorScat...@groups.io [mailto:MeteorScat...@groups.io] On Behalf Of Lester Veenstra M0YCM via groups.io


Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2023 4:49 PM
To: 'Hugo Post'; sara...@googlegroups.com
Cc: 'Fletch'; K4...@arrl.net; 'Tim Urban N4WLO'; 'Rob Suggs'; meteorscat...@groups.io; 'Larry Cagle'
Subject: Re: [MeteorScatterChatter] [SARA] Re: Meteor scatter, beacons, and radar at 6m

 

Error! Filename not specified.


 

--

Mike Otte W9YS


 

--

Mike Otte W9YS

Lester Veenstra

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Sep 21, 2023, 10:56:08 AM9/21/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com

Looking better and better

 

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

From: sara...@googlegroups.com [mailto:sara...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Otte


Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2023 9:22 AM
To: sara...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: [MeteorScatterChatter] [SARA] Re: Meteor scatter, beacons, and radar at 6m

 

Turns out I answered my own question.  Set the frequency to 50.230.

 

This morning at  5am local  10UT  I was observing meteors with WSJT MSK144.

 

In a little more than 1 hour,  MSK144 decoded  32 times and  provided 18 events.

 

Some events that decoded multiple times showed the freq changing (probably doppler).

 

Receive station is  4 ele yagi pointed south and elevated 45 deg 3ft above the ground,  usb TV preamp, nooelec smartee sdr, PC windows 10.

You can see my grid sq is EN52cg

 

Thank you N4WLO

 

73

Mike w9ys

 

On Wed, Sep 20, 2023 at 4:53 PM Mike Otte <mike....@gmail.com> wrote:

what frequency?

 

I am using a sdr  and sdr# to receive.   What freq should I set it to?

 

50.258500   USB   1500 offset?

 

 

 

On Wed, Sep 20, 2023 at 3:55 PM 'Lester Veenstra' via Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers <sara...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Sorry   trying again

 

Error! Filename not specified.

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

From: MeteorScat...@groups.io [mailto:MeteorScat...@groups.io] On Behalf Of Lester Veenstra M0YCM via groups.io


Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2023 4:49 PM
To: 'Hugo Post'; sara...@googlegroups.com
Cc: 'Fletch'; K4...@arrl.net; 'Tim Urban N4WLO'; 'Rob Suggs'; meteorscat...@groups.io; 'Larry Cagle'
Subject: Re: [MeteorScatterChatter] [SARA] Re: Meteor scatter, beacons, and radar at 6m

 

Error! Filename not specified.


 

--

Mike Otte W9YS


 

--

Mike Otte W9YS

Douglas Decker

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Sep 24, 2023, 12:01:11 PM9/24/23
to Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
My systems setup is a 6 meter cubicle quad turnstile antenna at 10ft above ground with a vswr less then 1.5 to 1.

30 ft of Rg8x to a RTL-SDR V3.

Running a  Dell Optiplex 3040 Mini Tower Desktop Computer, Intel Core i5-6500 up to 3.2GHz Professor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Wi-FI, RGB Keyboard and Mouse, Windows 10 Pro.
SDR# v1.0.0.1919 software and WSJT-X version 2.6.1
I have not detected any transmissions from Tim N4WLO and even got online with him and he pointed his antenna toward me and still nothing.
Airline miles between Tim and me are about 500 miles as the crow flies.
Have ordered and received a LPF for 50 mhz and a preamp for 50 mhz(17db gain <.6db noise figure), have not built yet but on the schedule.
Screenshot 2023-09-24 085653.png

Not sure why not receiving but still working on it.
The next step maybe to move to my RSP1A sdr and see how that works with every else the same.

Doug K5WMT
Screenshot 2023-09-24 085653.png

Lester Veenstra

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Sep 24, 2023, 1:24:32 PM9/24/23
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Any hits on the MSK144 system?

 

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

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Douglas Decker

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Sep 28, 2023, 5:36:32 PM9/28/23
to Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
I have not had a lot of time, very small.

Attached is a zip file(7zip) that contains all the info I have on the 6 meter quad turnstile.

I am not the inventor just an assembler trying to figure it out and share.

The two PDF's and the word document tell you everything you need to know, but sure you will have questions.
I have pictures of most steps and a lot of the center piece which is where I am getting a lot questions about.

I am strongly encourage you to take the time and maybe loose fit parts so that you can tape the loops on it to check for lowest vswr before cutting and drilling for final assembly.
when I did mine I hade to cut 13 inches off from the loops which is from loop screws to loop screws. The length I started with was 249 and had to cut it off by 13 inches to 236 to get it right.
I stayed with the rg63 phasing harness at 49 inches connector to connector.
used a Nano VNC to test the antenna for vswr with all connections made and phasing harness in place. Used painters  tape to hold the 
wires and then cut and drilled the 4 supports that actual form the loop. The cemented it all together and let dry before doing  final assembly.


I provide this information now, not in a complete form for those who need get started before I can come back and finish documenting correctly. Did this because I will be overly occupied for the next two weeks. So any information better then no information.

quad.7z

Douglas Decker

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Sep 28, 2023, 10:34:42 PM9/28/23
to Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
Sorry. Updated  ZIP File. left some pictures out. Picture below is what this is all about.
Picture#15.JPG

Lester Veenstra

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Sep 29, 2023, 10:32:04 AM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com

Excellent but no need  to fabricate center junction

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JJ1IAdJjL._SL1500_.jpg

 

 

 

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JJ1IAdJjL._SL1500_.jpg

image001.jpg
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Facility 406

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Sep 29, 2023, 11:54:17 AM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com
On 9/29/2023 07:31, 'Lester Veenstra' via Society of Amateur Radio
Astronomers wrote:
> Excellent but no need  to fabricate center junction
> https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JJ1IAdJjL._SL1500_.jpg

What is the original application of those plastic crosses? I've not
seen them before.

I see mention of turnstile antennas, then see pics of crossed loops,
commonly called an "eggbeater".

Turnstile:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/SatelliteAntenna-137MHz_closeup.jpg

Eggbeaters:

https://static.dxengineering.com/global/images/prod/xlarge/msq-satpack1_xl.jpg

Squared-off eggbeater:

https://www.giga.co.za/ocart/image/data/Antenna/Egg/70cm_Egg_beater_1.jpg

Eggbeater fan dipole:

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fAqT8WDCrxw/maxresdefault.jpg

Kurt

Jim Hannon

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Sep 29, 2023, 12:15:36 PM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com

I always thought the QFH antenna was called and eggbeater. Amazon.com: 1.6GHz 1.7GHz L-Band qfh-Antenna DIY Kit : Electronics

Jim Hannon

-- 
WB0TXL
Web Site  http://www.ocrslc.net/
Blog  htps://jimhannon.wordpress.com/
YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz0wapCwlH6IOGE_EFk-Y4A
Lat 42.19868 Lon -91.65438

Douglas Decker

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Sep 29, 2023, 12:21:03 PM9/29/23
to 'Lester Veenstra' via Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers

So where did you find these. I looked a lot?

Douglas Decker

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Sep 29, 2023, 12:33:43 PM9/29/23
to 'Lester Veenstra' via Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers

just checked  1" id pvc is 1.33 inches od...will not fit thats why I forgot for a minute and siad wow. Now ugh.

Lester Veenstra

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Sep 29, 2023, 12:34:20 PM9/29/23
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PVC Center point

Lester B Veenstra  K1YCM  MØYCM  W8YCM   6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)

les...@veenstras.com

 

452 Stable Ln

Keyser WV 26726 USA

 

GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)

GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

 

 

Telephones:

Home:            +1-304-289-6057

US cell          +1-304-790-9192

Jamaica cell:    +1-876-456-8898

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: sara...@googlegroups.com [mailto:sara...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Facility 406
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2023 11:54 AM
To: sara...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [SARA] Re: Meteor scatter, beacons, and radar at 6m

 

On 9/29/2023 07:31, 'Lester Veenstra' via Society of Amateur Radio

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Lester Veenstra

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Sep 29, 2023, 12:36:06 PM9/29/23
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Dave Typinski

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Sep 29, 2023, 12:37:08 PM9/29/23
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On 9/29/23 11:54, Facility 406 wrote:
> On 9/29/2023 07:31, 'Lester Veenstra' via Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
> wrote:
>> Excellent but no need to fabricate center junction
>> https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JJ1IAdJjL._SL1500_.jpg
>
> What is the original application of those plastic crosses? I've not seen them
> before.

They're for people who make furniture using PVC pipe.
--
Dave


Facility 406

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Sep 29, 2023, 12:38:56 PM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com, Jim Hannon
On 9/29/2023 09:15, Jim Hannon wrote:
> I always thought the QFH antenna was called and eggbeater.

Similar, but twisted into a smaller package, and the QFH gets its name
from the appearance, four wires (filars), with a twist (helical):

https://www.dxzone.com/dx33863/how-to-build-a-quadrifilar-helix-antenna-for-weather-satellites.jpg

And:

https://uuki.kapsi.fi/pix/qha/qha.jpg

Then, there is the helical antenna, which I considered for a project,
but it takes up the same amount of space as crossed dipoles, at many
times the amount of material used, adding considerable cost, weight, and
wind loading, but with the same pattern:

https://cdn.comsol.com/wordpress/2018/05/helical-antenna-image.jpg

The above image (not me, pulled from the web) has the antenna set up for
satellite use, but see all that is really needed, which is just a
turnstile Yagi:

https://strapitech-uploads.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/army_satcom_79f29b4742.jpg

And the one above is relatively large:

https://www.tserecon.com/cdn/shop/products/AntennaHandheld12.4_700x.jpg?v=1610641804

Kurt

Dave Typinski

unread,
Sep 29, 2023, 12:43:15 PM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com
Pipe dimensions cheat sheet attached.
--
Dave


On 9/29/23 12:33, Douglas Decker wrote:
> just checked 1" id pvc is 1.33 inches od...will not fit thats why I forgot for
> a minute and siad wow. Now ugh.
>
>
> On 9/29/2023 9:31 AM, 'Lester Veenstra' via Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
> wrote:
>>
>> Excellent but no need to fabricate center junction
>>
>> https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JJ1IAdJjL._SL1500_.jpg
>>
>> https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JJ1IAdJjL._SL1500_.jpg
>>
>> Lester B Veenstra K1YCM MØYCM W8YCM 6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)
>>
>> les...@veenstras.com <mailto:les...@veenstras.com>
>>
>> 452 Stable Ln
>>
>> Keyser WV 26726 USA
>>
>> GPS: 39.336826 N 78.982287 W (Google)
>>
>> GPS: 39.33682 N 78.9823741 W (GPSDO)
>>
>> Telephones:
>>
>> Home: +1-304-289-6057
>>
>> US cell +1-304-790-9192
>>
>> Jamaica cell: +1-876-456-8898
>>
>> *From:*sara...@googlegroups.com [mailto:sara...@googlegroups.com] *On
>> Behalf Of *Douglas Decker
>> *Sent:* Thursday, September 28, 2023 5:37 PM
>> *To:* Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
>> *Subject:* Re: [SARA] Re: Meteor scatter, beacons, and radar at 6m
>> Home: +1-304-289-6057 <tel:(304)%20289-6057>
>>
>> US cell +1-304-790-9192 <tel:(304)%20790-9192>
>>
>> Jamaica cell: +1-876-456-8898 <tel:(876)%20456-8898>
>>
>> *From:*sara...@googlegroups.com [mailto:sara...@googlegroups.com] *On
>> Behalf Of *Douglas Decker
>> *Sent:* Sunday, September 24, 2023 12:01 PM
>> *To:* Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
>> *Subject:* [SARA] Re: Meteor scatter, beacons, and radar at 6m
>>
>> My systems setup is a 6 meter cubicle quad turnstile antenna at 10ft above
>> ground with a vswr less then 1.5 to 1.
>>
>> 30 ft of Rg8x to a RTL-SDR V3.
>>
>> Running a Dell Optiplex 3040 Mini Tower Desktop Computer, Intel Core
>> i5-6500 up to 3.2GHz Professor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Wi-FI, RGB
>> Keyboard and Mouse, Windows 10 Pro.
>>
>> SDR# v1.0.0.1919 software and WSJT-X version 2.6.1
>>
>> I have not detected any transmissions from Tim N4WLO and even got online
>> with him and he pointed his antenna toward me and still nothing.
>>
>> Airline miles between Tim and me are about 500 miles as the crow flies.
>>
>> Have ordered and received a LPF for 50 mhz and a preamp for 50 mhz(17db
>> gain <.6db noise figure), have not built yet but on the schedule.
>>
>> Screenshot 2023-09-24 085653.png
>>
>>
>> Not sure why not receiving but still working on it.
>>
>> The next step maybe to move to my RSP1A sdr and see how that works with
>> every else the same.
>>
>> Doug K5WMT
>>
>> On Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 12:55:54 PM UTC-5 Lester Veenstra wrote:
>>
>> May suggest to those SARA member interested in the Meteor Detection
>> project;
>>
>> If you have any kind of 6m receive capability, be it an RTRL-SDR or a
>> Flex 6700,
>>
>> If you have a long wire antenna or 6El beam, you duplicate the receive
>> configuration I am using;
>>
>> *And stand back to see what you can collect from the Mobile City site.*
>>
>> Start by downloading the free WSTJ package at : WSJT Home Page
>> (sourceforge.io) <https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx.html> ,
>>
>> And then installing it on whatever computer system you have that can
>> get audio from your 6M receiver.
>>
>> Set up the receiver for USB at “carrier” frequency of 50.230 MHz with
>> a 2.7 KHz bandwidth or wider.
>>
>> Configure WSJT-X to hear the audio from the receiver, MSK144 mode, and
>> let’s get reports on what decodes you can get.
>>
>> Do not worry about the frequency readout on the WSJT-X display.
>>
>> Lester B Veenstra K1YCM MØYCM W8YCM 6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed
>> USNSG CTM1)
>>
>> les...@veenstras.com
>>
>> 452 Stable Ln
>>
>> Keyser WV 26726 USA
>>
>> GPS: 39.336826 N 78.982287 W (Google)
>>
>> GPS: 39.33682 N 78.9823741 W (GPSDO)
>>
>> Telephones:
>>
>> Home: +1-304-289-6057 <tel:(304)%20289-6057>
>>
>> US cell +1-304-790-9192 <tel:(304)%20790-9192>
>>
>> Jamaica cell: +1-876-456-8898 <tel:(876)%20456-8898>
>>
>> --
>>
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Standard Pipe Dimensions.pdf

Lester Veenstra

unread,
Sep 29, 2023, 12:46:28 PM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com, Jim Hannon
Yes but the turnstile is for 6m as part of the meteor detection and location study.
Nice simple alternative to traditional dipole turnstile.

Lester B Veenstra K1YCM MØYCM W8YCM 6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)
les...@veenstras.com

452 Stable Ln
Keyser WV 26726 USA

GPS: 39.336826 N 78.982287 W (Google)
GPS: 39.33682 N 78.9823741 W (GPSDO)


Telephones:
Home: +1-304-289-6057
US cell +1-304-790-9192
Jamaica cell: +1-876-456-8898


-----Original Message-----
From: sara...@googlegroups.com [mailto:sara...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Facility 406
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2023 12:39 PM
To: sara...@googlegroups.com; Jim Hannon
Subject: Re: [SARA] Re: Meteor scatter, beacons, and radar at 6m

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Lester Veenstra

unread,
Sep 29, 2023, 12:54:13 PM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com
Fits 3/4 PVC pipe

Lester B Veenstra K1YCM MØYCM W8YCM 6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)
les...@veenstras.com

452 Stable Ln
Keyser WV 26726 USA

GPS: 39.336826 N 78.982287 W (Google)
GPS: 39.33682 N 78.9823741 W (GPSDO)


Telephones:
Home: +1-304-289-6057
US cell +1-304-790-9192
Jamaica cell: +1-876-456-8898


> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sara-list/2ac0a789-f00b-18bd-2f05-f1915494a7bf%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

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Lester Veenstra

unread,
Sep 29, 2023, 1:01:31 PM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com
Uses nominal 3/4 PVC Pipe

Lester B Veenstra K1YCM MØYCM W8YCM 6Y6Y W8YCM/6Y 6Y8LV (Reformed USNSG CTM1)
les...@veenstras.com

452 Stable Ln
Keyser WV 26726 USA

GPS: 39.336826 N 78.982287 W (Google)
GPS: 39.33682 N 78.9823741 W (GPSDO)


Telephones:
Home: +1-304-289-6057
US cell +1-304-790-9192
Jamaica cell: +1-876-456-8898


-----Original Message-----
From: sara...@googlegroups.com [mailto:sara...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Dave Typinski
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2023 12:43 PM
To: sara...@googlegroups.com
> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sara-list/2ac0a789-f00b-18bd-2f05-f1915494a7bf%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

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Facility 406

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Sep 29, 2023, 3:15:44 PM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com, Jim Hannon
On 9/29/2023 09:46, 'Lester Veenstra' wrote:
> Yes but the turnstile is for 6m as part of the meteor detection and location study.
> Nice simple alternative to traditional dipole turnstile.

Having monitored around 6m since the mid-80's, and operating on 6m
occasionally from the mid-90's onward, I've been following this 6m
project as best I can. With a little luck, I can get in on it.

I also enjoy building antennas, and have played with both turnstiles,
and eggbeaters, in the mid-VHF range, since the early 90's, with the
occasional UHF model. I bought an M2 VHF Eggbeater (back when they were
$99 at HRO!!!) to improve upon the 137 MHz turnstile a local school was
using for their satellite receive station. I once built a 10GHz
eggbeater, just to see if I could.

Kurt

Steve Berl

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Sep 29, 2023, 4:19:30 PM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com
I think there is a mistake in your cheat sheet. 
In the EMT section the ID is bigger than the OD. Perhaps the columns are switched?

On Fri, Sep 29, 2023 at 9:43 AM Dave Typinski <dav...@typnet.net> wrote:
Pipe dimensions cheat sheet attached.
--
Dave

--
-steve

Douglas Decker

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Sep 29, 2023, 6:50:37 PM9/29/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com
So before I leave town. 

There are as many names for antennas as there are opinions. My use of term cubicle was probably my add to infer compact design. It’s really hard to compare antennas for 144 or 440 antennas to 50 mhz as size now becomes a Big factor (no pun intended). Turnstile infers two elements ie 90 degrees separated. So you can have a dipole turnstile and you can have a quad turnstile. A quad turnstile requires a similar footprint but is taller. A quad turnstile has more gain than a dipole. Both have a similar pattern. PVC is easier to work with and cheaper then metal.

A single dipole is not Omni directional.

So I guess I am stirring the pot. I was working under low cost. Hugh gain and easy construction for beginners.

C u all later when I get from my mothers 99th birthday celebration.


Doug K5WMT.


On Sep 29, 2023, at 3:19 PM, Steve Berl <stev...@gmail.com> wrote:


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Dave Typinski

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Sep 29, 2023, 7:17:41 PM9/29/23
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Thanks a bunch for catching that, Steve! Corrected PDF attached.
--
Dave
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Standard Pipe Dimensions.pdf

LTO Observatory

unread,
Sep 29, 2023, 8:51:46 PM9/29/23
to Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
Outstanding information.  Many thanks, Douglas.

- Jay, W0AIR

LTO Observatory

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Sep 29, 2023, 8:58:39 PM9/29/23
to Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
Did anyone attend (or Zoom) the EUCARA sessions at Astropeiler Stockert a couple of weeks ago?  I understand there were presentations on both the UK and Belgian meteor systems.

- Jay, W0AIR

Lester Veenstra

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Oct 4, 2023, 9:29:38 AM10/4/23
to sara...@googlegroups.com
Dave: Easier to ask rather than re-read the email trail
Which method did you use for the 90 degree phasing line / matching?

Just starting measurements on a single square loop
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sara-list/1f9801d9f2f6%248831c520%2498954f60%24%40com.

Douglas Decker

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Oct 5, 2023, 12:03:36 AM10/5/23
to 'Lester Veenstra' via Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
Not sure if you meant Doug...but I used a 49.1 inch rg63 piece of coax
with N connectors. tip to tip is 49.1 inch. you can look at the NANOVNA
chart I attached in a previous email.


On 10/4/2023 8:29 AM, 'Lester Veenstra' via Society of Amateur Radio
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