Shortwave? Yes, I do.
December 28, 2007 6:33 PM Subscribe
So, I got a shortwave radio for Christmas, and I've already picked up a weird signal....
On 400 kHz, every 3 seconds, I hear "R O" being broadcast in morse code. Any idea what this could be? My first thought was that it could be a nautical / airplane buoy of some sort, since I live in ROchester, NY, but I don't know where I could look something like this up.
Also, to threadjack my own thread.... any ideas how I can improve reception across the board of all stations. My radio came with a retractable cord antenna extender thingy, but is there something else I could try?
On 400 kHz, every 3 seconds, I hear "R O" being broadcast in morse code. Any idea what this could be? My first thought was that it could be a nautical / airplane buoy of some sort, since I live in ROchester, NY, but I don't know where I could look something like this up.
Also, to threadjack my own thread.... any ideas how I can improve reception across the board of all stations. My radio came with a retractable cord antenna extender thingy, but is there something else I could try?
Best answer: What is sounds like is an NDB, a Non-Directional Beacon for air navigation, and the frequency is correct.
A little research shows that it's a Outer Marker and Compass Locater -- a combined Outer Marker for an ILS approach and low powered NDB, on the ILS approach to Runway 28 at Greater Rochester Airport. In particular:
Outer marker information
Type: OUTER MARKER BEACON & COMPASS LOCATOR
Name: BREIT
Frequency: 400 kHz
Identifier: RO .-. ---
Location: 43-07-35.537N / 077-33-14.155W
4.5 nm (27290 ft.) from the approach end of runway 28
posted by eriko at 7:00 PM on December 28, 2007
A little research shows that it's a Outer Marker and Compass Locater -- a combined Outer Marker for an ILS approach and low powered NDB, on the ILS approach to Runway 28 at Greater Rochester Airport. In particular:
Outer marker information
Type: OUTER MARKER BEACON & COMPASS LOCATOR
Name: BREIT
Frequency: 400 kHz
Identifier: RO .-. ---
Location: 43-07-35.537N / 077-33-14.155W
4.5 nm (27290 ft.) from the approach end of runway 28
posted by eriko at 7:00 PM on December 28, 2007
Although Usenet is basically a wasteland of spammers and flamers, there are still a few diamonds in that rough. One such place is rec.radio.shortwave. There are a lot of old-timers in there that will give you a lot of great technical information on DXing. Yeah, Shortwave isn't quite as prevalent as it once was, but it's a great hobby, if you're willing to chase those faint signals. Good luck!
posted by tcv at 8:06 PM on December 28, 2007
posted by tcv at 8:06 PM on December 28, 2007
And in case you don't know what tcv is talking about ... First, there's Usenet itself, which dates back to the early 80s; it required newsreader client software. In the mid 90s a massive collection of Usenet archives was set up by DejaNews for web browsing. Then in 2001 Google bought DejaNews and renamed it Google Groups. Here's the rec.radio.shortwave newsgroup. I won't go into how to post, that's harder. But you'll probably find your answers (many times over) just by searching. And, as most newsgroup do, they have a FAQ.
posted by intermod at 10:09 PM on December 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by intermod at 10:09 PM on December 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
Also, the guys in the Amateur Radio groups will be more than happy to talk to you about anything radio related, including your antenna. I got my license when I was fifteen after my uncle introduced me to it and it's a dying hobby since the net came about.
posted by cdmwebs at 11:05 PM on December 28, 2007
posted by cdmwebs at 11:05 PM on December 28, 2007
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posted by dhammond at 6:47 PM on December 28, 2007