Friday, December 6, 2013

The reverse beacon network is KILLING ME!!!!!

The loop horizontal and nothing. 
In my last post I wrote about how my Alexloop was just not getting out in the condo, I was checking the Reverse Beacon Network as I called CQ at 5 watts from my condo and there was ZERO spots! Well from that post I received lots of great suggestions on how to get VE3WDM's signal from the antenna to the world. So here is what I tried........I mounted the Alexloop in the horizontal position in the condo and it netted no spots on the Reverse Beacon Network. I then put the Alexloop on the balcony seeing that we are 60 feet in the air I felt this was a sure thing. The last option for me was to place an antenna on the balcony as it was open season to the condo cops.  I placed (in the cover of darkness) the Alexloop on the balcony and called CQ on 20m and 40m and then check the Reverse Beacon Network. To my surprise there were no spots and now I am really stumped and frustrated. The Alexloop is out in the open 60 feet in the air and no spots what the heck is going on......do those dam condo cops have ham radio jammers!!!!!! Up to this point I have only use the RBN to check for spots but there is also WSPR and I have had some bloggers suggest I use this. At this point I am not able to get WSPR up and running as there seems to be some software issues. My goal now is to sort out the issues and give WSPR a go both with the Alexloop in the condo and out on the balcony. This coming weekend I hope to get on the air with WSPR and give that a go! Im really not frustrated I see this as a challenge, for me to get ham radio on the air from a condo will but only  help others in the same situation as me get on the air.

8 comments:

Dick said...

Hi Mike. Sorry to learn that you are still having that problem. Have you used a dummy load to assure yourself that the rig(s) is outputting to specs? At night, on 40M, you should raise another VE ham. How about your old portable vertical on the balcony, do you still have it for a test?

Paul Stam PAØK said...

Hi Mike, this is very strange indeed. As you suggested, maybe trying wspr. See if there are spots. I hope not that concrete with steel in the building kills your signal. How is reception with a transistor radio. An old method to find out if there are dead spots in the building. Good luck, I hope you solve the problem. Have a nice weekend, 73 Paul

Anonymous said...

Hello Mike,
almost sure you're aware, that RBN will only spot you
at 12wpm or faster ?
Good Luck!
Peter/DL3PB

VE9KK said...

Good afternoon Dick, yes I am very much stumped for sure. I have things setup for WSPR and may try that Sunday evening to see how that work. I do have the LP 100 watt meter as the last device before the antenna and it confirms I am getting out. I have also used my K3 and KX3 rigs and get the same results with both. As for the portable vertical I don't have they anymore. Im going to keep at it and solve the issue.
Mike

VE9KK said...

Good afternoon Paul, I am gong to give WSPR a go on Sunday evening and see how that works out. As for the concrete and re-bar that may be doing a number on the signal out.....but I did try the Alexloop on the balcony in the cover of darkness and it still netted me nothing on RBN.
You have a nice weekend as well.
Mike

VE9KK said...

Hello Peter, thanks for stopping by and I was not aware the speed had to be 12 or higher. I have been sending out between 17 and 22 WPM so that seems to be fast enough. Thanks for the input and I am going to keep at it.
Mike

Bert, PA1B said...

Hello Mike, try your luck in a contest.
Then you'r sure that the antenna is working.
One wire of my inverted Vee is partly laying flat on the roof, but I still make contest QSO's and 1000 MPW contest QSO's.
My signal is still crossing the Atlantic.
Even 2 x 5 mtr wire should work on 14 MHz.
Goodluck, 73, Bert

VE9KK said...

Very nice to hear from you Bert, not to worry I am in no way giving up it was you that gave me the faith in QRPp cw contacts using an attic dipole. This is just a new challenge that in the long run will work out. Thanks for the encouragement.
Mike