New Broadcast Test Coordinator

The following announcement was posted on the IRCA and NRC eLists today. A hearty thanks Les for his tireless efforts over the past years, and an equally hearty thanks to Jim for volunteering to take over where Les left off. --- Brandon

We were all unhappy to hear of Les Rayburn's resignation as Broadcast Test Coordinator. He had revitalized DX Tests for both IRCA and the NRC, his creativity and energy will be sorely missed.

We have however, been fortunate to have a volunteer for the position come forward from IRCA, Jim Pogue. He will be getting assistance from J.D. Stephens, a former IRCA CPC chair, as well as Brandon Jordan, and Les will be helping for a smooth transition of the duties of the position. Both the IRCA's Board and the NRC Board have approved Jim as the new Broadcast Test Coordinator. Others who wish to volunteer to assist Jim may contact him via email at KH2AR [at] comcast.net.

We appreciate Les Rayburn's past service and Jim Pogue's offer to continue as the Broadcast Test Coordinator for Both Clubs!

73

Nick Hall-Patch
President, International Radio Club of America

Wayne Heinen
Board Chair, National Radio Club

Breaking news: WNJC-1360 test this Saturday!

Late breaking DX news, just received from John "Duke" Hamann at WNJC 1360khz in Vineland, NJ. They're doing another maintenance test! More details to follow but here's the early word:

--Les

==================================================

I got all my parts in for working on the transmitter this coming Saturday. This test will be a little different.

I will have the transmitter off from about 9 pm till midnight for a phaser update.

Once I bring the transmitter back up I will have it running the following patterns
12 - 12:30 am: 1000 watts omni-directional
12:30 - 1 am: 2500 watts omni-directional
1 - 1:30 am: 4000 watts n directional
1:30 - 2 am: 4000 watts ne directional
2 - 2:30 am: 4000 watts e directional
2:30 - 3 am: 4000 watts se directional
3 - 3:30 am: 4000 watts s directional
3:30 - 4 am: 4000 watts sw directional
4 - 4:30 am: 4000 watts w directional
4:30 - 5 am: 4000 watts nw directional
5 - 6 am: 5000+ watts omni-directional

Hopefully this test will allow for many more people to listen for the station. I still need the Quasi-QRSS file I was going to mix that in. Also I am offering a $25 gift certificate to HRO to the first one who can identify all 20 sweepers and SFX used ;) I will be playing them every 20 mins or so. For example the 20th century fox theme and the ive fallen and I cant get up fx. Trying to make it a little more interesting ;) Anyway hopefully word can get out for this quickly.

That is confirmation that the quasi-QRSS code was not broadcast last test :) Full details forthcoming.

-- Brandon

WNJC-1360 NJ Transmitter Test (QRSS Mode Added!)

Date: Sunday, June 10th (Late Saturday night, early Sunday Morning).
Time: 00:00AM until 04:00AM Eastern Time (0400-0800 UTC). Test may extend until 6:00 AM Eastern.
Modes of Operation: 4,000 Watts ND. Transmitter testing and maintenance ongoing during the evening.
Programming: Morse Code ID's, Sweep Tones, Voice ID, SFX, quasi-QRSS 2.5khz Slow Speed Morse Code

Test Material: Morse Code ID's, Sweep tones, and a "QRSS" (Slow Speed Morse Code ID'S). The quasi-QRSS signal is encoded at 2.5khz. Dot length is 5 seconds in length.

You can attempt to detect the quasi-QRSS signal using only your radio, computer soundcard and some free spectrum analysis software such as Argo from www.weaksignals.com.

QSL Information: Reception reports are desired via e-mail (first choice) and snail mail (only if e-mail is not available) Station would prefer to received recordings of the test (MP3, CD, or cassette). Submit reports to: les @ highnoonfilm.com and please put "WNJC DX Test" in the subject line.

All standard mail reports should go to:

Les Rayburn
High Noon Film
100 Centerview Drive Suite 111
Birmingham, AL 35216

SASE Required for QSL.

Our special thanks to John "Duke" Hamann, KC2DUX for including this test material during the transmitter mainteanance!

++Best bet for up to the second DX Info is on the #mwdx chat room at www.starchat.net. Join us during the test nights!++

KXTO QRSS Sample File

For those who wish to experiment with receiving QRSS (slow speed Morse Code) transmissions prior to the KXTO Test, Brandon Jordan who runs the very informative www.dxtests.info web site has posted a sample file that will closely match the actual file for the test. It's available at:

KXTO 10 Minute File.wav

You can download a free Spectrum Analyzer called "Argo" at:

www.weaksignals.com

Keep in mind, that what you're really looking at is a audio frequency spectrum analyzer, not RF. You're feeding an audio signal from your radio (headphone jack, or other output) into one of the inputs on your computer soundcard (MIc, Line, etc.) and then viewing what that audio looks like.

Using this technique it's possible to detect slow speed Morse Code signals well below the noise, sometimes as much as -20db! Using this technique, world wide reception of the KXTO DX test may be possible.

In advance of the test, I'd concentrate on looking at the carrier signals of various AM stations using USB, LSB, and CW modes. Adjust levels on the receiver output, soundcard input, etc. until you get nice, clean images that are free of distortion. It's easy to overdrive the soundcard with too "hot" of a signal.

The actual transmission will be at 2.5khz and you should be able to literally "read" the dots and dashs of the QRSS transmission spelling out, K-X-T-O.

In Morse that looks like-

K= Dash Dot Dash
X= Dash Dot Dot Dash
T= Dash
O= Dash Dash Dash

It's a great mode, and potentially a nighttime IBOC-Beater! You can learn lots more at:

http://www.w0ch.net/qrss/qrss.htm

http://www.ussc.com/~turner/qrss1.html

73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF

KXTO 1550khz Reno, NV DX Test (QRSS Mode Added!)

Date(s): Daily from July 1st thru the 15th, 2007.
Time: 00:00AM until 04:00AM Pacific Time (0700 -1100 UTC)
Modes of Operation: Normal, except when test material is running near TOH and BOH. Night time power of 96 watts ND. July 14th & 15th ONLY- Full power of 2500 watts ND.
Programming: Morse Code ID's, Sweep Tones, Voice ID. Quasi-QRSS 2.5khz Slow Speed Morse Code

Test Material: Morse Code ID's, Sweep tones, and a "QRSS" (Slow Speed Morse Code ID'S). The QRSS signal is encoded at 2.5khz. Dot length is 5 seconds in length.

You can attempt to detect the QRSS signal using only your radio, computer soundcard and some free spectrum analysis software from www.weaksignals.com. Download the software called "Argo".

Notes: Please do not telephone the station during the test or afterwards. The test is being done by remote control and automation.

QSL Information: Reception reports are desired via e-mail (first choice) and snail mail (only if e-mail is not available) Station would prefer to received recordings of the test (MP3, CD, or cassette). Submit reports to: les @ highnoonfilm.com and please put "KXTO DX Test" in the subject line.

All standard mail reports should go to:

Les Rayburn
High Noon Film
100 Centerview Drive Suite 111
Birmingham, AL 35216

SASE Required for QSL.

Our special thanks to Jose and the staff of KXTO, and especially to member Paul Walker, who arranged this test and many others! Thanks Paul!

++Best bet for up to the second DX Info is on the #mwdx chat room at www.starchat.net. Join us during the test nights!++