Fw: Student grant

[Tom Crowley]

We have a student who received a SuperSID grant and needs assistance.  If you can help, please contact me.

Tnx,

Tom Crowley

SARA Grant committee chair

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From: Russell Kohrs <rhk...@shenandoah.k12.va.us>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2026 12:03 PM
To: jpett...@gmail.com <jpett...@gmail.com>; Tom Crowley <crow...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Student grant

 

Hello Gentlemen,

So, we are FINALLY collecting data. It has taken a while for our IT folks to get a computer for us that wouldn't log itself out. 

Our setup is a laptop with an external soundcard sampling at 96,000. Not sure if it should be 16bit or 24bit sound, so we're trying both. I have the antenna, which is a square shaped loop antenna wrapped around a PVC frame plugged into the sid monitor which is then plugged into the computer via USB for power and the microphone jack on the soundcard. Hopefully, this sounds correct.

The config file is configured as specified in the instructions.

However, we're getting mainly noise. We have it located outside in the greenhouse, which is away from other computers and the main school building by over 100 ft. This should be enough. The main screen for the monitor doesn't display the peaks for the 2 stations we're listening to, NAA and NLK, but starts out high on the left and ramps down to the right side. The day/night signal has not yet come through. 

Above is an Excel version. Very clearly just noise. So, per the manual we have moved the antenna farther from the laptop and rotated it 90 degrees today to see if this helps. I'll check on it tomorrow. 

Years ago when I had a setup, I remember having issues with nothing but noise, but then in consultation with one of the fine folks at SARA realized that something very simple was wrong with the setup and, once fixed, the day/night signal came through and all was well.

I'm not so sure I'm going to see good data tomorrow. 

Would there be a chance that I could talk with someone by phone or even video just to be a second set of eyes on what we have setup? Thanks!

On Mon, Jan 26, 2026 at 9:30 PM Russell Kohrs <rhk...@shenandoah.k12.va.us> wrote:

Hello Jonathan,

Thank you very much! 

On Sun, Jan 18, 2026 at 12:47 PM <jpett...@gmail.com> wrote:

Russell,

 

My apologies for the delay. Your SuperSID kit will be going out next week. I will send you a tracking number when I send it.

 

Kind regards

 

Jonathan Petttingale

SARA SuperSID coordinator

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Russell H Kohrs

Virginia Cave Board Member

Environmental Science Teacher - Massanutten Regional Governor's School
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Geology -- Laurel Ridge Community College

Yearning to be traveling to another outcrop...

 

"At the back of our brains, there is a forgotten blaze or burst of astonishment at our own existence. The object of the artistic and spiritual life is to dig for this submerged sunrise of wonder."

-G.K. Chesterton

--

Russell H Kohrs

Virginia Cave Board Member

Environmental Science Teacher - Massanutten Regional Governor's School
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Geology -- Laurel Ridge Community College

Yearning to be traveling to another outcrop...

 

"At the back of our brains, there is a forgotten blaze or burst of astonishment at our own existence. The object of the artistic and spiritual life is to dig for this submerged sunrise of wonder."

-G.K. Chesterton