(meteorobs) Alternate radiometeor observing frequencies

[Jay Salsburg]

Hello Paul

It is possible to receive forward scatter from Meteors on the 6 meter (50
MHz) band from as far as 300 Miles away, but with certain requirements; the
transmitter is sufficiently powerful, and you have an adequate Antenna. A 6
meter Antenna for forward scatter reception at the 300 mile distance is
certainly possible but must be quite large, a 6 element Yagi, which
translates to 3 meters wide and about 18 meters long. This antenna must be
tilted to point it to the proper angle of incidence. If a TV transmitter is
within about 40 miles, it may be too close. A distance greater than 50 miles
but less than 100 miles allows for a more modest antenna pointing more
vertical than horizontal.

-----Original Message-----
From: meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org
[mailto:meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org] On Behalf Of Paul Goelz
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 8:59 AM
To: meteor science and meteor observing
Subject: (meteorobs) Alternate radiometeor observing frequencies

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 

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