![w8bya](/img/default-banner.jpg)
- 54
- 228 402
w8bya
United States
Приєднався 11 гру 2010
Videos for everyone regardless if you are an engineer, technician, ham or home hobbiest. Mostly RF related centered around the practical uses of various test equipment hardware or software. Sharing antenna experimentation & ham radio apps are also an interest of mine.
RADIO ALGERIA 153 kHz 2024 02 24 20h 34m
Nice LWBC Propagation this evening and Algeria was coming in well.
Переглядів: 100
Відео
German Low Frequency Weather Station DDH47 Decoded 2024 02 21 00h
Переглядів 1106 місяців тому
Too bad I had a lot of lightning around me causing the FSK decodes to be incomplete in some places. Frequency was 147.300 kHz, Feb 21, 2024.
3 Simultaneous TACAMO VLF Transmissions on Jan 11, 2024
Переглядів 1577 місяців тому
First time I have ever seen all three TACAMO frequencies in use at the same time and lasting most of the night.
Decoding HGA32 DCF39 EFR Digital Data on VLF Using Sorcerer
Переглядів 1687 місяців тому
Jan 4, 2024 brought an evening with above average LF and VLF propagation. I took advantage of this and used Sorcerer to decode the digital data from EFR stations in Germany & Hungary.
Hey, What Time Is It ???????
Переглядів 1177 місяців тому
Hearing time stations on HF is a piece of cake.....here however are a number of time stations from different parts of the world as heard from the Midwest USA (Indiana) on VERY low frequencies.
Receiving Longwave Broadcast Stations From Morocco, United Kingdom & Algeria From Indiana 12/25/2023
Переглядів 957 місяців тому
Christmas night 2023......a night with good propagation let me receive 3 of the few remaining AM LWBC stations still in operation around the world. BBC4 from the UK will shortly no longer be in service since going on the air in the 1930's !
Full TACAMO FSK Decode & MSK VLF Transmission From E6B on Dec 28, 2022
Переглядів 589Рік тому
Managed to capture a full VLF TACAMO transmission from a E6B out over the Atlantic on ~17.8 kHz. You can see the transmission start out using FSK (along with the decode) then transition over to MSK. Also the decoded characters matched those on 11.175 MHz !
Radio Algiers 3, Tipaza Algeria on 252 kHz Longwave, April 18, 2023
Переглядів 225Рік тому
Radio Algiers-3 on 252 kHz was captured despite lightning QRN here in the Midwestern part of the USA. What is so sad is, if you listen closely, ~20 seconds into the video you will hear RTE-1 from Ireland, almost as if holding up it's hand in the deep water saying here I am ! Here I am ! RTE-1 last transmissions were also captured last night and saved as a separate video on this YT channel.
Final Transmission From RTE 1 Ireland's Longwave Giant on 252 kHz
Переглядів 346Рік тому
I was very lucky to have captured the final farewell signoff message from Ireland's longwave giant on 252 kHz. Here in the Midwest USA this time of the year we already have lots of lightning static which makes hearing the entire message spotty at times. This was captured on April 18, 2023 at approx 1 AM local Indiana time.
BBC-4 LW-AM RECEPTION 198 kHz 2023 04 08 23h 42m
Переглядів 240Рік тому
I have been trying for several years to capture the BBC's longwave AM broadcast station on 198 kHz before it is shortly decommissioned. Finally after trying a new antenna I had some success. Not exactly comfortable, arm-chair listening here in the Midwest USA but at least some words made out.
LW AM Radio Morocco Reception 2023 04 03 21h 39m
Переглядів 149Рік тому
We had a quiet night as far as static and lightning crashes and Radio Morocco on 171 kHz was coming in very nicely here into the Midwestern part of the USA. I have been trying to capture this as there are only 5-6 long-wave AM radio stations left in the entire world !
How to Make Microwave Rain-Scatter Contacts
Переглядів 1,4 тис.Рік тому
A beginners look at Microwave (uW) Rain-Scatter (RS) propagation. Included are several videos that show typical 10 GHz RS DX QSO's being made using CW, SSB, and FM modulation. 73
Hydraulic Top Link for 3-Point Hitch New Holland Boomer 45
Переглядів 2,1 тис.Рік тому
A quick look at my newly installed hydraulic top-link for the Boomer-45 3-point hitch.
TACAMO Signal Received on 17.8 kHz VLF December 12, 2022
Переглядів 516Рік тому
I was VERY lucky to have captured a TACAMO (Take Charge & Move Out) transmission on 17.8 kHz VLF ! My local time was after midnight going on 1 AM. What is incredible is that this signal (FSK then MSK) originated from a very high flying aircraft with a 25,000' long trailing wire antenna weighing over 4000 pounds. They pump over 200,000 watts of RF into that wire that allows our nuclear subs arou...
Review of 2022 New Holland Boomer 45 Compact Tractor
Переглядів 19 тис.Рік тому
Not a lot of info or videos of the newer New Holland Boomer compact tractors so I thought I would help out with this video.
EXTREME 10 GHz Rain-Scatter Spreading From W8MQW
Переглядів 362Рік тому
EXTREME 10 GHz Rain-Scatter Spreading From W8MQW
AWESOME 10 GHz SSB QSO with KB8VAO/P, Flat Conditions
Переглядів 2462 роки тому
AWESOME 10 GHz SSB QSO with KB8VAO/P, Flat Conditions
New 10 GHz Beacon, KA8ABR/B EM79PI !!!!
Переглядів 2802 роки тому
New 10 GHz Beacon, KA8ABR/B EM79PI !!!!
Tower Mounted 10 GHz Dish with Elevation
Переглядів 1,7 тис.2 роки тому
Tower Mounted 10 GHz Dish with Elevation
Testing Common Plastics at 24.2 GHz for Insertion Loss
Переглядів 3873 роки тому
Testing Common Plastics at 24.2 GHz for Insertion Loss
Initial Testing of VHF Design LO-PLL-SHF12 as a Beacon on 10 GHz
Переглядів 6893 роки тому
Initial Testing of VHF Design LO-PLL-SHF12 as a Beacon on 10 GHz
SDR Console & SDR Play RSPdx Amplitude Settings Study
Переглядів 9543 роки тому
SDR Console & SDR Play RSPdx Amplitude Settings Study
10 GHz Rain-Scatter CW & SSB QSO with W9ZIH, 330 km
Переглядів 6213 роки тому
10 GHz Rain-Scatter CW & SSB QSO with W9ZIH, 330 km
LOTS of 10 GHz ACS (Air Craft Scatter) on W9ZIH, 330km
Переглядів 3993 роки тому
LOTS of 10 GHz ACS (Air Craft Scatter) on W9ZIH, 330km
10 GHz Microwave Rainscatter Contact Between W8BYA & K8ZR/P
Переглядів 3953 роки тому
10 GHz Microwave Rainscatter Contact Between W8BYA & K8ZR/P
Common Mode Chokes (CMC) For VLF - HF
Переглядів 1,7 тис.3 роки тому
Common Mode Chokes (CMC) For VLF - HF
VLF DX Using a Simple 40m Dipole & SDR Receiver
Переглядів 4303 роки тому
VLF DX Using a Simple 40m Dipole & SDR Receiver
MLA-30 Plus vs 40m Dipole VLF - HF Shootout
Переглядів 5 тис.3 роки тому
MLA-30 Plus vs 40m Dipole VLF - HF Shootout
Very interesting. Useful information. Dave N9HF
Loved it
Really appreciate your insights. I was/am looking at this exact year/model from a private seller. I would be using this tractor on hilly/rocky/uneven terrain, so your input as to center of gravity and tip-over tendency is super helpful Probably no the tractor for me.
I am glad the video helped you out. Something that I just had done on my Boomer 45 was to have the rear tires loaded with juice. The rear tires are fairly large and they put in around 55 gallons in each tire. That added over 1000 pounds which has made a HUGE difference in how the tractor works & handles. For example, I have about 40 triax loads of fill/clay that I am using to cover rocks & bricks I am spreading inside the perimeter of my 2-acre pond to control muskrats. In order to push the bucket into that hard clay I would have to be in 4WD 100% of the time and had to be very careful not to raise the loader too high even with a 650 pound rear blade on the rear. Now with the rear tires loaded I can get full loads in 2WD without spinning the rear tires and feel 1000x safer about keeping the loader 3'-4' off the ground. You may want to consider doing the same.
@@w8bya Thanks!!!
Great vid, now just to convince my dad to buy one 😅😂
Such a good review. Can tell you're an engineer haha
Thanks for showing different equipment.
Awesome
I enjoyed your video. I suspect that the larger size of the modified YouLoop, being larger in relation to the wavelength at the higher frequencies helps explain its poorer performance at those frequencies. As the diameter approaches and becomes greater than about a 10th of the wavelength, it starts to favor the electrical component of the signal rather than the magnetic component. So at that size, it is not a good electrical antenna (too small) nor a good magnetic antenna (too large), at the higher frequencies.
As I found out much later the amplifier in the MLA30 is extremely poor. It is very noisy. Also this is a MLA30 clone so it really was not a fair test at VLF. Something tells me if I had a low noise amplifier in the antenna it would have worked better across all frequencies.
@@w8bya Your video and response has inspired me to do my own comparison of my MLA30+ and passive YouLoop. Both loops are about the same size. Furthermore, there is a gain control potentiometer inside the MLA's box that some people have played with to get better signal-to-noise performance. And differences in bias-t voltage also seems to have an effect on gain and performance. I haven't tried yet.
@@alhearn3209 Awesome that you are running your own experiments ! I knew about the pot when I got the antenna and adjusted it as I listened to several stations. I also made sure I was using a good quality bias-T at the receiver. Do not recommend using the voltage available from the RSPdx or any wallwarts that do not use a linear PS. Let me know what you learned. 73
A very fine arrangement. I hope and trust you will get many years of service from it. I presume you have in mind a way of supporting the ethernet cable to the arm or to the plate on the back of the dish so as to avoid any undue strain on the connector, as well as a way of weather-sealing the connector.
Thank you. eager to get it operational. The inclinometer now lives in a UV stable tupperware like small tote. That will protect it and the connector from the elements. 73
Do you have a clue what these thick vertical bands of noise (?) are good for? The only vague ideas I have are they a) tell other radio operators that these frequency bands are currently occupied for an ongoing or upcoming communication and b) prepare and help any receiving entity (human or computer) to indicate, guide and prepare their radio for an upcoming communication, e.g. how you place the demodulation mask around 12:10 onwards on the vertical center of these thick vertical bands.
They are RF signals using MSK modulation that are encrypted and used for military communications.
Gedas... Thanks for taking the time to explain this set up... Very Nice !! W1VLF
Hi Paul. Awesome ! Glad this helped. 73
So happy to see a clean install on a Boomer 45 and thanks for the lead to the supplier. Price in 2024 up to $225, still very competitive against other kits. The video of the tractor is great, but not quite ready to give 'thumbs up'. As with (too) many UA-cam videos, should focus on what needs to be said and not ramble. Your voice and pace are good, just too many words.
Well now I'm bummed out. At least you got something useful out of it which was my intension.
@@w8bya Yes, the basic review of the top link is a great help to the next guy, like me, seeing how it fits on an actual tractor. It was a gamble, but though a little feedback would be appreciated more than leaving you in the dark why only 19 people admitted "liking" it out of 1700 views.
@@KC7HP So I had another look at the video and didn't think it was that bad. Though I do admit, I tend to ramble, not going to apologize for it, it's just the way I communicate w/o a script or any post editing. But your point is well taken & appreciated. I also checked a few of my other videos, those over 15k or 20k views and they average about 1% likes, just like this one.
What are you using for a VLF receiver?
n/m, I just realized it would be the RSPdx
@@w7txt Yes sir.....RSPdx, nothing special. What a scary treat it was to see all that TACAMO activity. 73
@@w8byajust incredible. I want to get set up on VLF reception, after my current backlog of projects is clearer. What kind of antenna do you use? I've been looking at the stormwise ferrites.
@@w7txt That can be tough to answer because I use different VLF & LF antennas for different things and during different times of the year. During this capture I was using a HB active vertical since it was winter time & we only had several lightning threats. During the summer I switch over to a HB passive, tuned loop antenna. The loop sits a foot off the ground on a pair of cinder blocks and has a much smaller bulls eye when sparky shows up.
I love reviews from fellow engineers… lol.
What mode are you in, CW..?? What software are you using..???
Here I was in a CW-U mode but it really does not matter as we are not trying to listen to the stations. The panadapter display as well as the waterfall display will look identical regardless of the mode chosen. I like using SDRConsole most of the time. It has some shortcomings but it's pleasant UI makes up for them. 73
@@w8bya Ok, thanx for the info, I figgered you were in some type of CW mode. Using a homebrew 3 foot loop here with SDRplay, works good. I think VLF is the final frontier of ham radio, not much is really known about it yet. I'm from Cleveland, K8TND since 1960. In Florida now. :-)
@@fatherd.6016 A loop is a good choice for your location since it will let you null out strong noise sources. But given your location in Fla your QRN level is going to be very high except during winter. GL 73
@@w8bya Yep, the loop is working good. Gotta noise level of -125 on my SDRuno tonite. Logged a couple new stations. I was using spectrum lab, but it sucks.
@@fatherd.6016 Sounds great. Here is a capture from 5 minutes ago....I see TBB from Turkey is on at 27.600 kHz. See if you can spot it. drive.google.com/file/d/1YZrM7h0YBjK_86oFCgYPs_z22E2XqJlV/view?usp=sharing
Great catch!
This tutorial was simply SENSATIONAL 👌.. I think you are definately the person to do a similar video on SSB 2 tone procedure and generating an S9 signal with the cheaper signal generators out there , eg Feeltech FY 6800 etc, as there minimal voltage out is .0001v. Much appreciated ✌️73oz😊
Thank you for taking the time to comment and making suggestions. So many projects, so little time :-) Let me see what we can do. 73
@w8bya that's OK mate I have nearly everything sorted, understanding dBm took me ages.. HANGING to find a FLUKE 8920A , not having to worry about a matching power sensor is a win win. ✌️from 🇦🇺 🪃
@@gixerags750 Awesome ! Just remember that the instrument you end up with has enough bandwidth to accurately measure the RF at the frequency of interest. For example the 8920A would not be a good choice to measure power at say 10m or 6m etc. since it only has a 20 MHz BW. 73
@w8bya DRAT ! , I'm an 11m ChookBand fan boy...oh well ,back to the options. Peace ✌️
@@gixerags750 No worries. You know here is another possibility for you to consider. During the last 1-2 years there has been an explosion of really cool, small, & portable VNA and SA units for super cheap prices. If you wanted to get a pretty reasonable power reading you could try padding down the RF output (by a known measured amount) and feed that into one of these new portable SA's. You would be within a dB I imagine of the "real" power level.
Thank you for taking the time to shoot this video. I agree that NH needs to put a few more videos out on the Boomer series. Recent ones are hard to find. Your video really helped my research on picking the right size tractor.
Boomer 37 2016 tractor went into limp mode tractor dealer said two injectors were plugged up because of regen. 4500.00 bill.
Bummer ! Did your tractor do regens more often than normal?
Wow! Good Reception and fine decoding. Could you give me the settings for the MMTTY decoding soft pse, best 73 Michael DB1ID
Yes if you look at my MMTTY settings in the video you can use them as a starting point. I am sure I could have optimized some of the values to get more solid decodes. Also the only other key information is that they were using 50 baud. GL
Thx a lot
Your CMC results are impressive, the ones I built and measured on FT240-43 cores have about the same ultimate attenuation (38dB) at about 5MHz but just 20dB at 1.5MHz, they do maintain 30dB beyond 30 MHz. (I was going for the 160m-10m range). My chokes are wound with twisted pairs from CAT5 cable, each pair is nominally 100 ohms characteristic impedance so I used two runs either side of the toroid. (22 turns each). Previous attempts using coax on the same cores I found the higher frequencies deteriorated with a high number of turns. My feeling was that the capacitance between turns of coax was causing the isolation to deteriorate. The CAT5 wound chokes seem to offer better wideband performance from the plots I have made. I have transmitted up to about 200w through them, but not inclined to try too much more with these windings. FWIW I also have the electricity supply to the entire shack going through a number of common-mode chokes... this has also helped considerably with noise. I will have to investigate other core materials and perhaps explore LF bands more. 73
If you are putting two CMC of the same material and design at the antenna and two in series at the radio you are gaining very little by using the 2nd CMC's. If however they are of different material and design and put in series that can be of benefit.@@basshorseman998
Cool 😊
Interesting that the 33' vertical should out perform an LW loop. What kind of matching were you using? We're you using a preamp? I'd like to do the same.
Is that software SDR Console? Nice! 73 VK4QP
yes, that is SDRC. The UI is so comfortable it's hard to go back to UNO, even though SDRC leaves out some important features. 73
They should have kept the telescoping steering wheel that shibaru had. I got in one of these at my dealer and really disliked reaching forward to the steering wheel
What antenna were you using? Very good copy.
Hi there Bill. I have been playing with a 33' tall elevated vertical lately. Thus far it outperforms every VLF antenna I have tried thus far, even my large 36T, tuned, passive loop antenna. 73
Bird forever ! 👍👽👍
Thanks a lot great video
Thanks ! Glad you liked it.
Does that windshield wiper motor cover hinder your view out the front windshield?
I don't mean to be disrespectful... But honestly all I hear is a bunch of racket and static and I get to listen to that for free from my wife lol...
Interesting and good advice, I couldn't believe how loose those connectors are, certainly true about getting what you pay for.
Does the software name the signals like that ?
No, you taught us more than your power measurement process. Learned about your instruments, language of RF electronics, and a few more things. Pace was good, it takes time to absorb the information.
A fairer test would be to use same size loop on both. I made my MLA-30 loop slightly larger using small aluminum tubing. After watching this I plan to make the loop much larger. How about a test with both loops same size and posting results here?
I can understand exactly what you are saying and why, and that would be an interesting test but I also see great benefit to stack one antenna up against the other even if they are not the same size just to see which one comes out on top and if so by how much and at what frequencies.
New Holland is a top tier quality tractor. Quality product and reliable support.
I thought your wife was amazing for the Siglint SA Christmas Present…. After getting a peek at your yard of antenna towers… I’m now convinced I was correct. I am quite familiar as my wife is amazingly patient with my love of the RF hobby. Here’s to great spouses! 👍🏻 Thanks again for the great and informative videos!
Here Here ! A toast to our wonderful spouses.
Thanks for your continued help Gedas. I hope we can make our contact soon from FM09VC.
Hi there Kevin. Looking forward to that contact very much. Let me know if I can help in any way. 73
I’m looking for a how to video on replacing the 4w-n-2w shifter arm on a boomer 40 hp
Excellent & Thank You so much for the very Informative Video ⚡🙏⚡
The 1.9L engine is used in the entire Boomer lineup, 35-55hp. The only difference is the ECM programming between the models..
I think I mentioned that in the video which was one more reason I liked the 45 even more.
@@w8bya you mentioned 45-55 but it is also in the 35-40
Just bought a SSA3021X Plus and have unlocked all the options on it as well as 3.1GHz since I really wanted to start to test some antennas I made and also some filters among many other things, and now I finally bought one as my first ever and with your video I learned quite much how to use it all so thanks!
Thank you
Nice. I am from Algeria (Ouargla) Great work 👌👏
I popped the one mirror off - it didn't break but I am trying to figure out how to put it back - it has a large spring, some type of large screw. Anyone had this happen???
Sorry to hear that. I can't say I have ever looked mine over. Maybe you can use the other side (which is still good) as a guide. Or maybe call your NH service/dealer and ask them.
I enjoy your methodical comparison approach, no nonsense. YouLoop received in the mail an hour ago, feeding HF+ Discovery. YouLoop bought for portable use, not expecting much indoors with my metal roof ;-)
Way cool Gedas! Makes me want to get back into listening at night!
Hey....I know you !!!!! <g>. Yes by all means give it a go. It's a lot of fun and so many different signals. Tons more as you go lower in frequency too. 73
Hi, for that distance I would consider it to be an excellent reception, big congrats on that. So far there's no decommisioning date specified for Radio 4 LW so we can hope it will stay for some time. Any trace of 225 kHz Poland in your QTH?
Thanks ! It was a real thrill to hear the news from the mighty BBC world service. Now that we have some breathing room as far as BBC is concerned I will tune the loop for 225 kHz and have a listen for them. I know they run some serious power but I suspect their directional array does not favor the west as usually their carrier is pretty weak.
This was super interesting and a really well produced video! I don't have any microwave capability yet, but you've got me thinking and I'll be keeping an eye out for a dish and other gear I can pick up. N5DAH
That is awesome to hear ! Trust me once you tag along with someone and see how easy and fun it is or after you make your own first contact you will kick yourself for not trying sooner 🙂 There are a large number of uW folks in the DFW area if you need any help getting in touch with them shoot me an e-mail and I will get you their e-mails. I will send you an invite to the Midwest-Microwave group where you can read the mail and ask questions. We have a lot of folks from all over the states since even on 10 GHz we can make QSO's well over 1000km away. 73
very impressive, good catch, such a long distance over Atlantic!