[RFI] Portables for sniffing RFI

[JW]

 Yes, I think the utility value of these Coastal Navigator units has gone up in 
recent years reflecting an increasing price; I know two hams here in Texas 
who have bought units, and I own a couple myself (always 'carry a spare' .. 
right?)


Two bad the Bendix 555A don't work with the Sense feature, they are a little 
more sensitive and have an actual BFO, as the Coastal Navigator "BFO" function 
simply modulates the last IF amplifier with an audio tone putting that tone 
on any CW carrier that is received. I used the Bendix w/BFO a few years back 
to track down three different carriers on 160 meters to 3 different addresses
averaging a mile away - wireless dog fences is what I chalked it up to,
and they have gone away now.


The Bendix units will work to determine a bearing, but one cannot, however,
remove the 180 degree ambiguity of the source in one sitting. 


The operational procedure, BTW, with the Coastal Navigators is to run the 
volume up all the way up and then vary the RF gain to maintain a usable 
signal out the speaker, noting the change in noise level as the antenna
is rotated.


de Jim WB5WPA

     On Thursday, July 11, 2019, 6:33:12 PM GMT-5, D C _Mac_ Macdonald <k2gkk at hotmail.com> wrote:  
 
 #yiv0607105162 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}The eBay folks that have them are certainly proud of them! 
73 de Mac, K2GKK/5​Since 30 Nov 1953​Oklahoma City, OK​USAF, Retired ('61-'81)​FAA, Retired ('94-'10)

From: RFI <rfi-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of JW via RFI <rfi at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2019 16:52
To: rfi at contesting.com; Leonard Halvorsen
Subject: Re: [RFI] Portables for sniffing RFI Done the "right way" (always gets the job done) - Here is what I use:


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The rotatable cardioid (nearly unidirectional) pattern achieved in the "Sense" 
position (as opposed to the DF position which uses just the loop antenna) is 
worth its weight in Gold in IDing a true signal bearing. Once the actual 
direction is established, the Loop (DF mode) is used for fine bearing 
resolution.


I have used the Coastal Navigator receiver to successfully find noise sources 
on 160 meters that were 5 miles away ... a noise source DF'd with this receiver
stands no chance remaining unlocated! 


And they do turn up on eBay. 


I have tried the Bendix model 555A and the Sense function does not work - you have
been warned on that one.


de Jim WB5WPA

     On Thursday, July 11, 2019, 1:25:04 PM GMT-5, Leonard Halvorsen via RFI <rfi at contesting.com> wrote: 
 
 What's the general consensus on good portable radios for use in
tracking-down RFI (and general listening)? I have heard the Tecsun-880 is a
good performer. Any other recommendations???

Leo H.
WA2AMW
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