Merovingian
Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2006
- Messages
- 206
I am continuing my efforts to build up a small antenna array to be able to put my two SDR radios to use. I've got two discones for VHF and UHF and my Wellbrook loop for SW is on the way. I still have more work to do with getting a junction box to hold the lightning arrestors and coax connections before I can use my SDRs.
What I am wanting to also do is to detect meteors entering the atmosphere overhead by detecting DTV pilot carriers from distant stations (VHF Lo 2-6). Some people use meteors to see how far of a signal they can receive, I'm only interested knowing when a meteor enters the atmosphere overhead. Here in the US we use to have a radar fence in operation but the government shut it down several years ago. We use to have higher powered analog TV stations but now they are digital and lower power than before in most cases, I think, so that only leaves DTV signals as a continuous semi high powered RF source for detecting reflected signals.
So I am thinking to setup a 3 element 6m yagi antenna like a Cushcraft A503S and pointing it straight up and maybe adding an LNA4ALL preamp to boost the possibly weak signals. I don't want anything too directional which is why a 3 element antenna, I want it to be able to cover most of the sky.
My question to those with greater knowledge and experience with meteor detection: Is my thinking "sound" with what I'm wanting to do? Should I be using a different antenna, frequencies or a different technique (does straight up work?)?
What I am wanting to also do is to detect meteors entering the atmosphere overhead by detecting DTV pilot carriers from distant stations (VHF Lo 2-6). Some people use meteors to see how far of a signal they can receive, I'm only interested knowing when a meteor enters the atmosphere overhead. Here in the US we use to have a radar fence in operation but the government shut it down several years ago. We use to have higher powered analog TV stations but now they are digital and lower power than before in most cases, I think, so that only leaves DTV signals as a continuous semi high powered RF source for detecting reflected signals.
So I am thinking to setup a 3 element 6m yagi antenna like a Cushcraft A503S and pointing it straight up and maybe adding an LNA4ALL preamp to boost the possibly weak signals. I don't want anything too directional which is why a 3 element antenna, I want it to be able to cover most of the sky.
My question to those with greater knowledge and experience with meteor detection: Is my thinking "sound" with what I'm wanting to do? Should I be using a different antenna, frequencies or a different technique (does straight up work?)?
