(meteorobs) Alternate radiometeor observing frequencies

[Paul Goelz]

This morning I tried monitoring the carrier frequency listed for US 
ATSC (digital) broadcast channel 2.  It is listed as 54.310MHz so I 
tuned to 54.309MHs (USB) and found a very faint residual carrier that 
faded in and out.  That would be consistent with an over the horizon 
source (as opposed to something local).  So far, so good.

The residual carrier produced a tone of about 500Hz instead of the 
expected 1KHz, so I re-tuned the receiver to 54.308.5MHz (to produce 
a 1KHz note) and monitored the spectrum.  It did indeed seem to be 
displaying meteors, as well as some horizontal squiggelies consistent 
with meteor trails.

Anyone else tried this frequency?  I have no idea where the 
transmitter is.... I don't think channels 2-6 are being used in this 
area (or even in the US?).  I thought I read that all US broadcasting 
had moved to the UHF band, vacating the low band for other uses.

Paul

Paul Goelz
pgoelz at comcast.net
Rochester Hills, MI
www.pgoelz.com