I have come into a small inheritance from which I believe I can modernize my DX-ability centered around the Perseus SDR. But I, too, would like some advice, particularly on finding an adequate laptop computer through which to operate.
I see the Perseus as a device which can enable the BCB DX'er, particularly a retiree such as I, do DX sunrise, sunset and any sunset to sunrise hours at any time after the actual reception fact. In other words, during the long, DST summer hours, one can, if he has sufficient storage capacity, go back to an auroral night in the fall and pick off many good IDs. I also look at it as a good companion for travels, allowing one to do band surveys anywhere. It would have been fun to have the Perseus along a couple of years ago when I was in Shanghai, Beijing and Xi'an, assuming I could have found a location where ambient noise didn't destroy the medium wave band. (I came back with several dozen 45- and 60-minute cassette airchecks on FM broadcasters in those three cities.) Specific advice I would like to hear: 1- the best options for laptop computer, which I would prefer not to connect to the Internet, capacity? What kind of soundcard I'd need? Anything else I'd need to make it work? 2- Easiest way to run Perseus off car battery. I've read Mark Connelly's recent recap of his experience, and when I say "easiest" way, bear in mind that I have no confidence whatsoever in my ability to construct anything. 3- Antennas, at home and on the road. Obviously, if the Perseus is my primary receiver, I'll need something broadband. After rereading John Bryant's article from a year or so ago on his experience with the prototype new K9AY system, that sounds like the ideal ... and I actually have enough space to put a couple of K9AYs 105 feet apart ... but equal length of lead-in to get to anyplace I would set up the receivers would be difficult. What would be more difficult would be to get XYL approval. A gazebo (another target for the small inheritance) would fit in her vision; a couple of K9AYs would not! The Kaz, Pennant and Flag, from what I read, appear to be sufficiently broadband to handle an entire Perseus span (correct me if I'm wrong), but again, I have a long mowable backyard to consider ... mowable being the operative word. (We own two houses on nine 30 by 120 lots, giving us 120 by 270 to play with; the second house is our guest house for family gatherings.) But that neither of the three is ground-dependent works in their favor. The easiest to install, it appears to me after visiting Pat Martin in Seaside in 2008 when I was back in the Northwest for a 55th high school reunion in Corvallis, would be the EWE, assuming I could set up an adequate ground system. Even something as simple as the connections on either end of the antenna challenge my lack of confidence in my construction capabilities. In my ancient, feeble mind, I envision a flexible EWE format, involving at least one leg in a portable cement block, so the one antenna (or maybe two antennas) could be reoriented for the next recording session. Does that make sense? For on-the-road, what's the best compromise for broadband portable? I suppose a wire outside a window would be adequate for band survey purposes. You'll notice I'm not really considering phasing, since in looking at my personal reality, my actual live time at the dials will be minimal. I have visions of how the late, great Roy H. Millar, the pioneer in setting tapes to record overnight DX in the '50s and '60s so he wouldn't annoy his wife, would use a Perseus-based system. And I also have visions of how the late, great Ted Vasilopolous, a DX-ing "purist," who thought unattended overnight DX'ing by machine was cheating, would feel about the technology now available to us. Vasilopolous belittled Millar, in the pages of NRC's DX News in 1956, as the "Sleeping DX'er of Issaquah." I admired and appreciated both those guys, whom I was fortunate enough to have visited in their homes in 1958, back when I should have been snapping whips. (Isn't that what whippersnappers do?) And while I'm dredging through the remnants of my memory, I can't help but think how Perseus (and the other similar systems) would be Gordon Nelson's dream come true. Qal R. Mann, Krumudgeon _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: [email protected]
