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Re: [CQ-Contest] Topband: noise

To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Topband: noise
From: k3bu@optonline.net
Reply-to: k3bu@optonline.net
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:57:25 +0000 (GMT)
List-post: <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
> 
> We used two receivers, and used the IF outputs from those to 
> drive a 
> comparator. In one input was N; and in the other input was S+N, 
> and the output was 
> the difference or S. We got good recordings and could not have 
> without that 
> system. It requires the same phase thru both paths for the 
> comparator to 
> work.
> 
> I have two TS-850's, which have an 8.83 MHz IF output. I wonder 
> about the 
> comparator circuit and what circuitry to use beyond that, or 
> whether to try 
> and insert that back somewhere into the 850?
> 
> Bob W7LR 

I have been using "el-cheapo" version of this by using two radios, two antennas 
and feeding it into headphones and "my comparator" - my own scrambling brains. 
Even if not scientifically perfectly balanced cancelling, it helped in many 
situations when I would hear and copy weak signal with both rigs going, where 
either of them alone produced no detectable signals. I couldn't even tell which 
one was supplying S+N and which just N or ?. Switching to different antennas 
helped to optimize for the best confirguration, but needs few repeats to zero 
in on best combination. This is why it helps on first ? or AGN? that stations 
repat their call or reports few times. Couple that with rolling polarization 
shift (tens of seconds) the topband stalwarts know that it pays to repeat and 
don't go away after the first ??.

The coming wave of SDRs is poised to take advantage of the effect by using 
multiple antennas, with multiple RXes and replacing our sclerotic brains with 
better DSP algorithms. Less manufactured noise in RF and mixer circuits, 
absence of mushing crystal filters will also help and days of digging out 
signals -30 dB under the noise are around the corner. 

73 Yuri, K3BU
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