I was running something like this for a while. The data are still up
at http://www.aa6e.net/aa6e/monitor.html . The software is specific to
the IC-R8500 and Linux / Python, but anyone is welcome to a copy on
request.
W1RFI had some comments to the effect "better not to measure". I think
he meant that the burden is on the BPL people to show they are
complying with Part 15. Hams want to operate at super-low noise levels
that are hard to justify to the powers that be. If your noise level
increases from S1 to S4, it's really bad for you, but the public is
going to say "So what?". Nobody guarantees you an S1 noise
environment. You're lucky if you've got it. Maybe Ed can elaborate.
BPL promises S9+ if it's in your neighborhood. It won't be subtle.
And they say it's coming to New Haven... not so far from my QTH.
73, Martin AA6E
--- Jeff Burns <jeff_list@burnshome.org> wrote:
> I read recently that a BPL trial is starting in my state. The trial
> is not
> near my QTH, but it made me think I should document my current noise
> environment before BPL moves into my community. What is a practical
> way to
> get the documentation? I have a few ideas that require programming a
> computer. I will present them hear in the hope that someone will
> develop the
> software.
>
> My first thought was to scan through all the HF bands with a
> camcorder set
> to look at my transceiver. This way the audio and frequency would be
> documented. By periodically tuning to WWV, the exact time and date
> would
> also be documented. The biggest problem with this is the time
> required to
> manually scan the radio. If the process could be automated, data
> could be
> collected during all hours of the day, and my time at the radio can
> be spent
> making QSO's.
>
> Since my transceiver (Elecrftat K2) is computer controllable, the
> computer
> could be used to slowly scan through the bands. The video would still
> be
> used for the documentation. This level of automation would be easy to
> implement.
>
> Since I already have audio routed from the transceiver to the
> computer sound
> card, why not let the computer record the data? This would be very
> helpful
> to me since I do not have a camcorder of my own. Documenting audio is
> easy.
> The only problem is selecting a compression algorithm that gets the
> audio to
> a manageable size without losing needed information. Documenting the
> frequency is a bigger problem. A file format that records both the
> audio and
> frequency is needed.
>
> It would also be nice if the program followed a strict schedule for
> the
> scans. I can envision posts to newsgroups like "I captured a digital
> pulse
> at 0335 on 3.146 MHz. Did anyone else catch this?"
>
> A program that can both tune the radio and record the data would make
> unattended data collection easy. With an easy way to take the data
> many hams
> from across the country would likely make the measurements.
>
> I do not think I have the programming skills to get a program like
> this
> implemented in a timely manner. Perhaps someone else can take up the
> project. It also maybe possible put together a system to do this with
> existing software. I would like to hear ideas on how to do this.
>
> Jeff Burns
> AD9T
>
>
>
>
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> RFI@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>
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