No comments are necessary unless I just really screwed something up. This is just some evidence of how a really good sound card can help with weak signal work.
There has been a lot of sound card discussion lately. I’m not wanting to add to that, but Jim (K9YC) has recommended several cards and even given a receive level recommendation of whatever sound card you’re using. I thought I’d give an example. This morning, I was toodling around on 10 m trying a little JT9. Now, at this moment, my hex beam cannot be rotated. I have it pointed west to work SOTA. Here is a snippet of what I heard (and one I worked). Pay attention to the receive levels (pay no attention to the +26 [WA4MIT]. The guy literally lives about three blocks away). The first column is time (U), receive level at my station, I don’t remember what the third column is, frequency shift, and message. The “@“ denotes JT9. 1534 -23 0.1 677 @ CQ G6UQI IO82 1534 -10 0.3 598 @ W9MDB F5JQF 73 1534 -20 0.8 781 @ ON7BL RRR 73 1534 -22 -2.6 981 @ AB3OF R TU 73 1535 -16 0.1 785 @ KQ8M ON7BL 73 1535 -23 0.2 1181 @ CQ N3GTY FM05 1535 -15 0.1 1296 @ G4CFS KB0PPQ R-12 1536 -19 0.1 678 @ CQ G6UQI IO82 1536 -23 -2.8 982 @ CQ 9H1FF JM75 1537 26 0.2 981 @ 9H1FF WA4MIT EM63 1538 -21 0.1 677 @ CQ G6UQI IO82 1538 -23 -2.8 980 @ WA4MIT 9H1FF -05 1539 Transmitting 28.078 MHz JT9: G6UQI W4JBB EM63 1540 -16 0.1 676 @ W4JBB G6UQI -24 1541 Transmitting 28.078 MHz JT9: G6UQI W4JBB R-21 1542 -20 0.1 676 @ W4JBB G6UQI -24 1542 -22 0.8 780 @ N7FN KQ8M -13 1542 -23 -3.0 982 @ CQ 9H1FF JM75 1543 Transmitting 28.078 MHz JT9: G6UQI W4JBB R-21 1544 -16 0.1 675 @ W4JBB RRR 73 1545 Transmitting 28.078 MHz JT9: G6UQI W4JBB 73 These are levels I *regularly* see with my K3 and my sound card which is a Creative Labs E-MU 0204 (discontinued). The one I worked from England is long path for me since I’m pointing west and live in Alabama. When I last tested my SignaLink, the NF was 20 - 30 dB higher than the NF of the 0204. The 0204 only cost about $20 more than the SLUSB not counting cables which are easily made and you’d have to make for the SLUSB anyway. I have yet to try this with my KX3. Although I’ve done the temp compensation for it, I don’t have an after-market heat sink and am apprehensive to try a high duty cycle mode like JTx or Olivia. So, take Jim’s advice. Get a nice sound card for about $100 or so (or less in the case of the Numark) if you really want to hear (and work) some weak signal stuff. 73, Joel - W4JBB ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
