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(meteorobs) FM Stations
Hi Damien,
I'd send a private reply to you, but I think others might find the book
worthwhile. What you need is a copy of a book titled "FM Atlas." It lists
FM stations in North America by frequency as well as by location. It gives
exactly the type of info you need. For example, it indicates the power
level of the station. It also has maps (by state or province) so you know
where the station is located.
The book is available from the Ontario DX Association for $27 + tax +
shipping. Shipping is $4. (This is all in Canadian funds. To the U.S., the
shipping is $7, but there is no tax. I assume the $27 and the $7 are in
equivalent U.S. funds, but for readers in the U.S. check with John [see
e-mail address below] to get the real story on this.) Their mailing address
is Ontario DX Association, P.O. Box 161, Willowdale Postal Station,
Toronto, ON, M2N 5S8.
However, before you drop the order in the mailbox Damien, check out
http://www.odxa.ondot ca in case you can order over the net. Also, the mail
order guru is John Houghton. Phone 905-571-1622 or e-mail
johnhoughton@home.com. He'll be able to tell you if the book is in stock --
and send it out right away perhaps.
In the meantime, this is what you need to do:
1. Find a clear frequency in your area.
2. Point your antenna southwest. Best antenna directions for signals during
the Quadrantids are north/south, northeast/southwest and
northwest/southeast. If your antenna is mounted horizontally, then you need
to look for stations at least 700 km away. Unfortunately, from Rimouski,
700 km south will put you in the Atlantic Ocean. I'd try southwest and
listen for signals from maybe Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore or
Washington.
3. Buy a map of the U.S. (most of these will go far enough north to include
Rimouski). Draw three circles centred on Rimouski -- one at 700 km, one at
1300 km and one at 2000 km. As I mentioned above, stations about 700 km
away are the closest you can hear with a horizontally-mounted antenna and
2000 km is the farthest you can hope for. Stations 1300 km away will
provide better signal duration and amplitude than stations closer or
farther (all other things being equal). However, that is totally academic
since we have no control over meteor orientation. This will give you an
idea of station possibilities. When you get a copy of FM Atlas, you can
look for cities with high-power stations -- this will help you select the
direction to aim your antenna.
4. Here's a list of stations in Washington (frequency, callsign, power).
Pick a low frequency, but I think all these frequencies may be clear in
Rimouski. You might search the Internet, to see if ay of the stations have
a website.
88.5 WAMU 50 kW
89.3 WPFW 50 kW
90.1 WCSP 36 kW
90.9 WETA 15 kW
93.9 WKYS 24 kW
96.3 WHUR 24 kW
97.1 WASH 26 kW
98.7 WMZQ 50 kW
99.5 WGAY 22 kW
5. Try http://www.odxa.ondot ca/meteor.html. I know, it's a cobweb page, but
one of these days I'll get back to an update. The basic info is valid
however.
Let me know how you make out next week during the shower.
Phil
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