519 KHz Signal Question

[BOBRR]

Hi,

Have a simple long wire ant. outside of about 60 feet, then a UnUn, and a coax run up to the house.
20 miles due West of Boston.

Have been trying to monitor Navtex.
Have a nice spectrum display on receiver, so easy to see signals.

But, no signal, ever, at 518.0 KHz.

There is one at around 518.6, which I assume is too high for Navtex.
True ?

And, surprisingly, it seems to move around a bit during the day and evening, going
up to perhaps 519.0 KHz. (the same for looking at it in any mode)

Any idea what this might be ?
If a Beacon, shouldn't it be steady at one of the frequencies I see it at ?

Agree that it is not Navtex ?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[sunwave]

Hi,

Have a simple long wire ant. outside of about 60 feet, then a UnUn, and a coax run up to the house.
20 miles due West of Boston.

Have been trying to monitor Navtex.
Have a nice spectrum display on receiver, so easy to see signals.

But, no signal, ever, at 518.0 KHz.

There is one at around 518.6, which I assume is too high for Navtex.
True ?

And, surprisingly, it seems to move around a bit during the day and evening, going
up to perhaps 519.0 KHz. (the same for looking at it in any mode)

Any idea what this might be ?
If a Beacon, shouldn't it be steady at one of the frequencies I see it at ?

Agree that it is not Navtex ?

Thanks,
Bob

There are 21 areas that has 518khz listed here https://www.dxinfocentre.com/navtex.htm

I am guessing their transmitter is drifting. Next time you see this happen take a video recording. Upload it to you YouTube then share the video link in this thread. That will help us help you better. We need to see a visual for this "remote" troubleshooting method which is the RR forums.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Hi,

Have a simple long wire ant. outside of about 60 feet, then a UnUn, and a coax run up to the house.
20 miles due West of Boston.

Have been trying to monitor Navtex.
Have a nice spectrum display on receiver, so easy to see signals.

But, no signal, ever, at 518.0 KHz.

There is one at around 518.6, which I assume is too high for Navtex.
True ?

And, surprisingly, it seems to move around a bit during the day and evening, going
up to perhaps 519.0 KHz. (the same for looking at it in any mode)

Any idea what this might be ?
If a Beacon, shouldn't it be steady at one of the frequencies I see it at ?

Agree that it is not Navtex ?

Thanks,
Bob

What type or model receiver are you using???

 

[BOBRR]

What type or model receiver are you using???

Hi

Icom R8600

Regards,
Bob

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Hi

Icom R8600

Regards,
Bob

Are you using FSK mode? I know the 8600 has an internal FSK decoder. My experience with the IC-R9000 which also has an FSK mode, but requires external decoder. My point being that unless you are using FSK the BFO might be different frequency for USB/LSB or CW. The displayed frequency may be off.

 

[dlwtrunked]

Hi,

Have a simple long wire ant. outside of about 60 feet, then a UnUn, and a coax run up to the house.
20 miles due West of Boston.

Have been trying to monitor Navtex.
Have a nice spectrum display on receiver, so easy to see signals.

But, no signal, ever, at 518.0 KHz.

There is one at around 518.6, which I assume is too high for Navtex.
True ?

And, surprisingly, it seems to move around a bit during the day and evening, going
up to perhaps 519.0 KHz. (the same for looking at it in any mode)

Any idea what this might be ?
If a Beacon, shouldn't it be steady at one of the frequencies I see it at ?

Agree that it is not Navtex ?

Thanks,
Bob

Agree that NAVTEX would not be drifting and also, you should only see it come on twice a day. Boston transmits 5 times during the day - it is West Atlantic F on the link below

List of Navtex stations - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Do you see any navigation beacons between 200 and 500 kHz?
If everything on your end is right, this should be easy.

 

[spongella]

Use SSB mode and tune until signal starts to decode. It is NAVTEX. Here in NJ it's never strong but usually copy-able.

 

[ind224]

I'm way out of the projected service area (Great Lakes got a special mention of no coverage) but for about 8 minutes I had what should have been a good signal but mark and space would not jibe then it sounded like a sweeper came and went and suddenly I have great decode. Real time 2122 EST.