Strange signal on 530.1MHz

[richardrosa]

Greetings All,

While tuning my SDR through the UHF TV band yesterday, I came across a strange signal on 530.1MHz (TV channel 24).
The signal fades in and out, and ONLY is received when my TV Antenna is pointed East.
The antenna is a 4 Bay Bow-Tie, located in Marlboro, NY.

At various times, there is audio (FM Wide modulation).
The audio lasts for about 15 min at a time, and consists only of someone singing what sounds like Native American chants.

This is most likely a signal from some sort of skip or ducting.
Any idea what this transmission is and where it might be coming from?
And why is it in a frequency allocated for TV?

Monitored on:
06/05/25 at around 5pm
06/06/25 at around 10am


Thanx.


Richard Rosa

 

[nd5y]

It might be a pro audio type wireless microphone and not skip. Most of those are on locally vacant TV channels now.

 

[richardrosa]

It might be a pro audio type wireless microphone and not skip. Most of those are on locally vacant TV channels now.

Thank you.
That is most likely what this is. I did not realize that wireless mics were allowed in this section of the spectrum.

However, it is DEFINITELY skip or ducting. The signal fades in and out a manner akin to an atmospheric phenomenon.
Based on direction and contents, I'm guessing that this is coming from the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.
It is surprising that something that low power can travel that far (I'm assuming that these mics ARE low power).

Thank you again for helping solve this mystery.

Richard Rosa

 

[nd5y]

However, it is DEFINITELY skip or ducting. The signal fades in and out a manner akin to an atmospheric phenomenon.

You sure about that? It could fade because the user is moving around. Wireless mics are low power. I don't know the exact power level. More details about operation are at https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/broadband-division/wireless-microphones