Mfj-462b

[E-Man]

Anyone use one of these?

MFJ-462B CW/RTTY/ASCII/AMTOR Decoder:

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-462B

Overall it did not receive favorable reviews at eham.net, but it sounded like possible operator error or compatibility issues with receivers with some reviewers?

MFJ sure makes it sound interesting, but whats the real deal? Thanks

 

[ka3jjz]

Avoid it like the plague. It's way too limited in the number of modes it can receive.

You're far better off with a software solution. You didn't say what you are interested in seeing; don't be fooled by MFJ's mention of news agencies (if they still have that old text on their website) - news agencies went to satellite a long time ago. See the Utility Monitoring Central website that's
listed in my sig for a nice comprehensive listing.

73s Mike

 

[E-Man]

Thanks Mike, I almost bought one of these on ebay, but now glad that I was outbid at the last second.

I thought it may help with CW, but the rest is unknown territory for me, thats what caught my interest the most. Yes they still mention news agencies.

Besides CW, what else is readable?

 

[ka3jjz]

It's true that there are a couple of programs out there that do somewhat of a job on CW, but in fact, every one of them would be fooled by a poor fist (poorly sent CW), noise, fading and so on. Best to learn it through one of the many ham courses out there. For example, the ARRL (I think it still does, it's been awhile...) sells tapes that teach you CW at a graduated rate. The human ear is still the best.

What else is readable? Man that's a question that's almost impossible to answer without writing a book. Though the majority of modes that the military uses are unreadable, some are - many stations, for example, use ALE to initiate a contact, then will move to another mode (sometimes voice, sometimes not...). The Coast Guard, planes in flight, ships at sea (although many are now moved to satellite), oil rigs (they use ALE, too), diplomatic stations (generally just the unclassified stuff, natch), the list is quite large. There are still stations out there that send weather warnings using Sitor-B, FAX stations sending weather maps (FAX photos went the way of the dodo years ago...)..you'll have to narrow what you are interested in - that will help determine what decoding software you will need.

73s Mike

 

[K2GOG]

I had one and was lucky enough to get rid of it at a hamfest. It did nto work all that great, except for RTTY when set up correctly. Even then, it was limited in use. You would be better off with a software solution as others mentioned.

 

[E-Man]

It's true that there are a couple of programs out there that do somewhat of a job on CW, but in fact, every one of them would be fooled by a poor fist (poorly sent CW), noise, fading and so on. Best to learn it through one of the many ham courses out there. For example, the ARRL (I think it still does, it's been awhile...) sells tapes that teach you CW at a graduated rate. The human ear is still the best.

I have the ARRL Morse Code tapes, but I have lost interest in trying to learn Morse Code at this moment. I have read threads on CW decoding and would be interested in software, but what grabed my interest the most was MFJ's advertising:

Tap into secret shortwave signals, Eavesdrop on the world.

Interested in what I may be missing, and expanding my listening or reading in this case.

.you'll have to narrow what you are interested in - that will help determine what decoding software you will need.

Being way green in Utility Monitoring (I did check out your link), I guess I would be interested in anything that would be interesting, (not interested in non readables) if that helps? and to keep it simple.

I would be using a DX-398 and Vista.

Thanks for your Time.

 

[ka3jjz]

OK you're not going to make this easy, are you?

Put these 2 articles into your bookmarks...

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/HF_Military_Communications

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Utility_Monitoring

Before we get really up a creek here, a couple of things need doing. First off, you need to learn a bit about propagation - the science of how a HF signal travels in the ionosphere. The first article has a basic link from AE4RV - once you understand the basics, the 2nd article has numerous links on the topic. I've said this before and it's worth repeating - you don't need a doctorate in solar physics here, but a basic understanding of the topic is critical to your success in this game (apart from patience....military stuff doesn't work, by and large, on a schedule...)

The next item is antennas. An indoor loop is OK, but the better the antenna, the better your results are going to be. We have an extensive wiki article on the subject. Of course everyone's situation is different, and you will undoubtedly need to make a choice...

Vista is a new OS, and as such, you can expect issues when installing software (from what I've read, it's generally advisable to install with administrative rights, not as a user...). PC ALE and SeaTTY (the first is free, the 2nd is very inexpensive) will get you started on the cheap. Both have Yahoo groups for support (see the 'links' page on the Utility Monitoring Central website). I would examine the other packages too, just to inform yourself about what's out there.

However, before we get too serious with the software issue - the 398 will get you started, but it isn't what I would call a top of the line (or even a pretty good) receiver. If you decide to get into this, a better desktop, coupled with a better antenna, is going to serve you far better. That 2nd article also has links to receiver reviews. We're deep into hamfest season - don't ignore that as a possible source.

Both of those pages have potential targets to get you started. Don't believe Mighty Fine Junk's hype about 'secret shortwave signals'. It's a bunch of malarkey. The really good stuff is on satellites. Join some of the Yahoo groups (including UDXF) and learn what others are hearing. There's still good stuff to hear, it's generally not 'secret'.

73s Mike

 

[gcgrotz]

Hi E-Man and Hi Mike:

I've had similar experience with CW programs. They are good to watch the screen while I try to decode it in my head. The only really good copy I've seen is on the ARRL bulletin or CW practice broadcasts.

I think it is this month's QST that has an article about this very subject with much the same conclusion about CW decoding.

 

[bagmouse7]

There is a lot of CW activity every night around 7050 MHz. Every now and then some RTTY as well.
Good luck.

 

[E-Man]

Well over the last several days I have been doing alot of reading, almost to the point of info overload, but very interesting stuff. My reading and research is by no means complete. It looks like for me, my desire to keep things simple is not going to be as easy as I had hoped.

Here are my thoughts so far:

Antenna's- unfortunately, an outdoor long wire is not an option for me at this time, what I would like to try, is to pick a couple of good performing Antenna's that I could put up in the attic, this one would fit no problem:

http://www.grove-ent.com/grovehvu.html

I dont know how this one would perform?, I picked it because of its 24' length that would fit in my attic. I have been to the Ant. pages and there is so many Ant.'s, I really need some direction here, again what I would like to do is pick a couple of top performers and install them in my attic, (then hopefully not have to go up there for awhile). Several years ago I ran RG6 Quad for future feed lines.

Reciever- I really have been happy with my DX-398 and my Sony AN-LP1, but I really have not ventured out to far, mainly its use has been BBC and similar broadcasts. (49 and 60m)
Im going to go forward with my DX-398 for now, but I have been reading up on the ICOM R75, seems like for the price a good choice for a future upgrade.

Target- ALE looks very interesting, I am still reading up on it, I think this will be a good starting point, with ALE does the operator have the choice of data and voice comms?

Thanks Mike, for your help and time, and thanks to everyone else that has provided input, it is appreciated.

 

[ka3jjz]

That antenna will be OK for the higher frequencies, but as you get lower, it's going to be less and less efficient. 2 things I can think of that might be a better bet would be the PAR SWL antenna (yes, it's longer, but as long as you can keep the wire from bending in on itself I doubt that it will make a difference) and perhaps, if you know how to use some simple tools like a drill and soldering iron, the Carpet Loop (which would take full advantage of the space in a small attic, since the antenna element is strung around its perimeter). I haven't seen any reports about the PAR in an attic, but in theory it should work OK - certainly better than a 24 foot piece of wire, anyway...a note to Dale would be in order to see what he says (he's the owner, and is well known for answering tech questions). You can find the link for the Carpet loop in the antennas wiki.

Re ALE - it's not possible to predict what mode will be used after an ALE test is conducted. The operator can decide to switch to voice (fairly common on HF-GCS) but other modes are certainly possible.

73s Mike

 

[E-Man]

Thanks Mike, after your recommendation and the great reviews on eham.net:

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3707

I ordered this Ant. from Grove:

http://www.grove-ent.com/ANT8.html

Im not exactly sure how I am going to ground it up in the attic, I could drop about a 4' length of #6 CU and with a ground strap, connect to my water heater, but somewhere outside the pipe changes from copper to plastic to my well, so not sure how good of a ground it would be?

 

[ka3jjz]

As I wrote before, Write Dale at Par Electronics. Be as specific as you can - the receiver, how much room in the attic, everything that might affect your particular application. He's very well known (as you saw in the EHam reviews) for helping folks out 73s Mike

 

[gcgrotz]

The AN-LP1 got a great review from "Passport To Worldband Radio" Made me wish I had one.

I agree with the PAR recommendation, I had the EF-SWL up for a while and it works great. You could probably cut some off (or just use your own wire so you don't cut that beautiful flex-weave) or loop the whole 43 feet around the rafters in the attic. I had mine stapled to the 4ft high wood fence in the back yard when I first got it and listened to Radio New Zealand every morning. The only reason its not up now is because I put up a 40 meter dipole for ham use and have no other room. I want to get it back up somehow though...

 

[E-Man]

The AN-LP1 got a great review from "Passport To Worldband Radio" Made me wish I had one.

I agree with the PAR recommendation, I had the EF-SWL up for a while and it works great. You could probably cut some off (or just use your own wire so you don't cut that beautiful flex-weave) or loop the whole 43 feet around the rafters in the attic. I had mine stapled to the 4ft high wood fence in the back yard when I first got it and listened to Radio New Zealand every morning. The only reason its not up now is because I put up a 40 meter dipole for ham use and have no other room. I want to get it back up somehow though...

I am really happy with my AN-LP1, it made a huge difference over the wind up.

Looking forward to receiving the the PAR, its on backorder, hoping to get it in a week.
I plan on setting it up in the back yard, before putting it in the attic.

I have read somewhere? to stay away from the wood, I very may have been reading about a TX Ant.? a little confused as dry wood is not very conductive?. I havent figured out how the best way to mount it up in the attic, was thinking on kinda zig zaging it around the rafters? I could lay it on the insulation but then I would only be around 16 inches away from electrical wiring. I also have several other Ant.'s in the attic, but it is my understanding this should not be an issue as long as they are not making contact and all Ant.'s are receive only.

Thanks again Gcgrotz for your input.