Hem SAQ Forum SAQ Transmissions 2025-07-01 – SAQ test transmissions received

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  • #12963 Svara
    Erik Wijkamp
    Gäst

    The SAQ-Grimeton test signals were received well in the Netherlands on July 1st, 2025, starting 13:58 and 14:58 local time (CEST).

    The equipment I used:
    1) WebSDR Twente (as a monitor) on an Android Tablet
    2) Kitradio (Arne Sikö), with an external active speaker
    3) The Lokchonk UX22 audio interface
    4) SAQrx software, version 0.98 – 48k, on a Windows 11 laptop

    The antennas I used:
    1) Loop antenna (20cm round), this belongs to the kit of Arne Sikö
    2) Loop antenna (35cm round), this was a degaussing coil of a Grundig CRT TV
    3) Ground Plane (GP) antenna at 5 mtrs height, as e-probe with the UX22 sound card

    Method:
    The testtransmission moment was not known, only the time slot. The WebSDR was used as a monitor, to know when the test signals were transmitted.
    When the first signals were transmitted and visible on the WebSDR, SAQrx was started here with the GP antenna connected to input 1 (high impedance).
    When that gave results too, the 20cm loop was connected to UX22 input 2 (low impedance) and connection to input 1 was disconnected. The 20cm loop turned out to have to be aimed very precisely and gave excellent results. I had no experience with this loop receiving SAQ, but it worked fine and the signal again shows up on SAQrx.
    Then I connected the 35cm CRT loop to input 2, instead of the 20cm loop, and also I aimed it.
    Both loop antennas already were made resonant at approximately 17.2 kHz.

    The 20cm loop antenna was connected to the kit radio, that was tuned to SAQ. There still appeared to be a small difference between the on the kitradio expected and the real tuning.
    There is also a slightly delayed reception on the laptop, compared to the kit radio, which displays real-time signals.

    I made some recordings with both SAQrx and WebSDR Twente, that’s always fun.
    (*) formerly degaussing coil of a Grundig TV, CRT 42cm diameter.

    A good signal on the webSDR Twente (but you use it yourself too, as a monitor).
    And a 4/5 on the local receiving in my back yard.
    I was busy with all the equipment i used, so I had no time for decoding the repeated test message.

    Now it’s just a matter of waiting patiently… for the real broadcasts of July 2, 2025.

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    • #12967 Svara
      Richard Williamsrich.g.williams
      Deltagare

      A better antenna this time! A good 25m length at height 3.5m connected to Ground at the far end, feeding through the primary of an isolating transformer and then to a nearby Ground. The secondary of the isolating transformer is connected directly to a Windows 11 HP Laptop sound input via a 470 Ohm resistor in series (needed to keep the Jack input working). Will record and process using Audacity. No amplifier, no analogue filtering, no resonance, this time – the antenna signal is more than adequately strong.

      Ran some tests earlier (thought I could see some very faint carrier at 17200 Hz?) other VLF stations giving very strong signals. Looking forward to recording SAQ live transmissions on the 100th year later today.

      Best regards,

      Richard.

    • #12965 Svara
      F4LIY
      Gäst

      SAQ test signals received in JO20bb about ten dB above local noise. 60cm aperiodic loop and purely analog OM RX. Transmission ranges heard: approximately 1:45 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. and briefly at 2:50 p.m…. No KiwiSdr found or the received signal was strong…
      73’s Ludo

    • #12964 Svara
      petra steinpetra stein
      Deltagare

      That are good news.
      Very good news!

      We thought that some drop was taking place, we didn’t see anything at all in webSDR Enschede either, but now we should look on our site!

      If possible, could you specify the time ranges of the signal flow being considered? This will allow us to better investigate the problems in our operational processes.

      Unfortunately nothing was to be seen with long wire 10m directly on low impedance external USB sound card and behind it notebook with w10 and https://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/spectra1.html. We take the 12kHz and some signals over SAQ point for a working summary around the full above describes “Rx-system”. But may be it were some mistakes.

      We’re using the 12 kHz point before and some signals(?) above the SAQ point to verify the functionality of the “Rx system” described above. However, there may be some errors. We’re now quite certain of this and are also looking into our processes. Perhaps the monitoring wasn’t fully staffed, especially on the webSDR.

      vy 73
      a “only listner” community
      QTH Erfurt / DE

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