Re: Ham radio information needed
Oh... where to start with this Eric Dollard character:
1) The solar cycles didn't 'start' during the renaissance, that's just when Western science noticed them and started counting.
2) The 'Dark Ages' had nothing to do with the sun. They refer to a so-called "intellectual darkness" after the collapse of the Roman Empire. There are those who suggest climate change over Europe during this period didn't help, but I don't know if there is any sound evidence for that.
3) The sun "operating on half power"? Even allowing for hyperbole, is grossly misleading.
4) Ask an astronomer if it's possible (or was recoded in 1980) for the Earth's orbit to wobble following a CME.
5) Anyone who knew what they were talking about would never use the words "radio astrology" - even in a slip of the tongue.
6) Sorry, I couldn't watch any more... It seems this guy has gleaned a few facts, not really understood them, and made a video.
Yes, this solar cycle has been less active than we are used to. I remember listening to New York taxis on 40-odd MHz in the UK during the peak of cycle 21. That hasn't been possible this cycle - but maybe NY taxis don't use those frequencies now. But ask any HF broadcaster (BBC, VOA, etc,) how the sun's (in)activity has affected them. Not that much.
There's too much misunderstanding distributed by (well-meaning?) pundits about the sun that is keenly consumed by those eager to be scared by what they don't really understand.
I was a professional radio engineer. I use amateur radio frequently. I used it to chat to a guy in MASS, USA on 26 Jan and I was only using 10 watts of SSB on 21 MHz. The ionosphere is there and 'working' normally. Yes, really!!
Meteor-scatter is a bit of an esoteric communications medium, although is (or was) used commercially for low priority, low data-rate communications, and is used by some radio hams. Moon bounce is another, possibly even more esoteric form of communications; it requires very high ERP and very high gain receive antennas. Not something easily done when the mains supply is gone.
When the mains has been out for a month, and your solar panels and batteries are not working as well as the brochures said they would, get your Morse Key out if you need to communicate!
Nick
Reply With Quote
In the early morning on 1-26 I came across what sounded like ATC traffic on 5600 LSB. Sounded like the controller was in New York. I am located in Norfolk, Va. I could not find out exactly where it originated and if it was on any air traffic lists. If anyone could give me some insight as to what it was I would be grateful. I have tried on other nights since then to listen to that frequency and I have heard nothing else there. Thanks, M B
Bookmarks