Introduction In a recent YouTube video I saw a demonstration of a commercial HF radio communicating over a distance of 90Km using NVIS and digital voice. Using SSB the received signal was barely above noise level, and hardly decipherable. However, when the digital voice modem was switched on, the signal was very clear. I decided… Continue reading HF SSB vs. Digital Voice
Author: Jeremy Clark
RTL-SDR for LF Beacons
Introduction In my previous post (Ref.1) I examined how the RTL-SDR with the up converter can be used to receive the LF/MF/HF bands. Low power radio navigation beacons are located in the LF band and can be received by the RTL-SDR. Figure 1 shows a table of LF radio navigation beacons located in the Toronto… Continue reading RTL-SDR for LF Beacons
RTL-SDR for HF 0-30MHz
Introduction The standard RTL-SDR receives from 25 – 1725MHz, which does not include the LF band from 30-300KHz, the MF band from 300KHz – 3MHz and the HF band from 3 – 30MHz. However with the use of an up-converter, these bands can be received (100KHz – 65MHz). Fig.1 shows the 1st version of the… Continue reading RTL-SDR for HF 0-30MHz
Celestial Navigation Basics – Aim Off
The sun is shining, it’s early morning and I’m on my deck, Colombian coffee in hand, reading a fantastic book “China Clipper: The Age of the Great Flying Boats” by Robert Gandt (Ref.1). It is the amazing story of the American airline Pan Am crossing the Pacific in 1935. In order to fly safely with… Continue reading Celestial Navigation Basics – Aim Off
RTL-SDR for Marine HF Weather Fax
Introduction Up to date weather information is critical for sailors and can make the difference between a safe or a hazardous passage. Marine HF Weather Fax has been working reliably for many years and is an independent source of valuable information. NOAA’s Marine Weather Fax page (Ref.1) has all the information you need to use… Continue reading RTL-SDR for Marine HF Weather Fax