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Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
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Originally Posted by OregonJim
Hills are not a problem for shortwave, as it uses skywave propagation - the signals bounce around in the ionosphere before getting to you - not like local AM/FM, which uses groundwave.
A good place to start for an antenna (listen only, no transmit) would be a length of wire about 30 feet long, placed outside. Higher is better. However, unless you have a downconverter, most SDR dongles won't tune down into the shortwave bands below 30MHz.
Thanks. 30ft is a long way in this cramped country but I may be able to do that -- if I did though in which direction would I lay it? I see downconverters are available and, while they're often more costly than the SDR dongles, they're not prohibitively expensive.
Apologies if this is going off topic but I hope the details may be useful to others.
Thanks. 30ft is a long way in this cramped country but I may be able to do that -- if I did though in which direction would I lay it? I see downconverters are available and, while they're often more costly than the SDR dongles, they're not prohibitively expensive.
Apologies if this is going off topic but I hope the details may be useful to others.
30ft is just a suggestion. You don't need to be exact for receiving. The longer it is, the more 'capture area' to improve the signal. Just keep it away from power lines and noise sources.
Yes, there are a several downconverters available, most seem to be in the $50 - $100 range (U.S.).
Just bizarre. Maybe not a good idea to listen to these stations before bed, they sound like crazy nightmare fuel.
I've not heard any which I thought would be disturbing to anybody who doesn't know what they are. However, MAD was part of our lives and I find it intriguing.
I've not heard any which I thought would be disturbing to anybody who doesn't know what they are. However, MAD was part of our lives and I find it intriguing.
Well since the Cold War is over (not considering the current state of relations recently between the West and Russia); in this context number stations are just outright bizarre and just have that creep factor.
Also there are still number stations broadcasting still so... yea.
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
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Originally Posted by Jeebizz
Well since the Cold War is over (not considering the current state of relations recently between the West and Russia); in this context number stations are just outright bizarre and just have that creep factor.
Also there are still number stations broadcasting still so... yea.
They're still the easiest and most deniable way of communicating with somebody "in the field" and whilst we're not currently in a cold war I'm sure people are in place ready for any changes in situation.
I had used both cheap and relatively expensive shortwave radios and both have static in the signals. No fancy circuitry in the expensive models don't seem to work if shortwave signals are hard to pick up. If shortwave could work like groundwave i.e a regular AM radio, shortwave would be easy to pick up and more fun to listen to.
Last edited by BSDvsLinux; 03-05-2016 at 04:09 PM.
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
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I just bought a crystal radio on Amazon because of you people! I hope you're happy!
I've a feeling I'm in a radio blackspot since even the nearby airport tower isn't clear as it ought to be. That makes me wonder whether a proper SDR would be worth it?
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