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Re: (meteorobs) Meteor Detection on FM--a new experience.
Hello, I've recently again become interested in detecting meteors by FM. I tried this in a limited
way about 2 years ago but didn't have much success. I was somewhat constrained by the location of my
FM receiver and an available antenna. I have several FM receivers to play with: an old Scott FM kit
rcvr, a Technics FM/AM rcvr, and a C. Crane CC-Radio with AM/FM, TV, and weather. I also have a
six-element Radio Shack FM yagi FM antenna. In browsing around the web for info about meteor obs by
FM radio, I haven't found too much, frankly, that details this procedure. What I have found roughly
says, attach a directional FM antenna to an rcvr, point it upward 20-30 degrees from the horizontal,
tune to a dead band, and listen. The preferred listening time is from midnight to 6 AM. In my most
recent round of browsing, I see someone talk about filters, and some suggestions that using a TV
rcvr might be better. I do have a RS digital VM and can use it to convert analog to digital. That
may be a possibility for some use of software and a PC. I'd like to try listening for meteors by
FM, but it would be good to start simply. What do you suggest that would most likely meet with
success?
I listened to a meteor recording on a NASA site, but I have a feeling the quality of the recording
is far superior to anything I might get off of FM. What's the story with TV? Can one use an old TV
rcvr or does one have to buy some rcvr that will tune into the TV band? Is it the same procedure as
used with FM?
Thomas Ashcraft wrote:
> Mark,
>
> Sounds like you are making good progress.
>
> The *best* time to get tuned in and find optimum working frequencies is
> local dawn when morning sporadic meteors are most plentiful. From local 6
> pm to midnight is the time of *least* sporadic meteors and you may only
> hear one meteor every few minutes. In the dawn you should be hearing one
> meteor every few seconds and maybe more depending on your situation.
>
> The 6 element Radio Shack FM yagi is cheap...( $20. if I remember
> correctly?)...but it is an excellent antenna for the FM frequencies of 88
> MHz to 108 MHz. If you do get the other receiver to work tv carriers you
> may have to get a different antenna to match the frequency you are working.
>
> Some FM receivers are better than others. Most home entertainment receivers
> seem to have fairly sloppy tuning and allow strong local stations to smear
> through adjacent frequencies. You might test other FM radios because some
> can be actually quite well tuned. And some are dismal.
>
> Also, once you get your Icom R 10 and work tv carriers you might still
> think about keeping your FM setup then you can monitor at two frequencies
> and this can be very useful and interesting as you will find out.
>
> Best of luck and keep asking questions as it will save you lots of time.
>
> Tom Ashcraft
>
>
> -------------------- Begin Original Message --------------------
>
> Message text written by INTERNET:meteorobs@atmob.org
>
> "
> Hi everyone,
>
> I recently missed out on the Orionids due to overcast skies here in Central
> Iowa.
> Have been experimenting/tinkering around to try to detect meteors with my
> Fisher brand FM receiver.
> I live in the country smack in the middle of Iowa. Most of the FM
> frequencies seem to be used. The most promising frequency I've found so far
> is a Chicago frequency 89.7 MHz FM which just barely comes in (low signal
> strength LED indicator on my receiver) it usually comes in for short
> periods at a time on my receiver. Otherwise I get 2-3 other stations which
> drift in and out but do not register on either the signal strength
> indicator LED or the Tuned LED indicator of my receiver. I am using a cheap
> Radio Shack 6 element FM antenna which I presume is a Yaggi style
> directional antenna? I have it oriented roughly 70-80 degrees at approx.
> 15-20 degrees elevation.
> So far, I have received some short "bursts" of music lasting 1-2 secs which
> are fairly loud and which I can positively identify as music from the
> Chicago Christian music station or atleast I think so.
> During such short "bursts" I have noticed that both the Tuned LED indicator
> and the signal strength LED indicator have also lit up on my receiver.
> Tonight (11/13/01) from 12:00-01:00 AM I detected roughly 4 of these
> outbursts.
>
> My questions are:
> Am I doing this right?
> Am I actually detecting meteors?
>
> I have ordered a better receiver Icom-R10 which should be coming soon. I
> hope to use it to monitor TV video carrier frequencies for what will
> hopefully be a better setup for meteor detection.
> Any advice or assistance from meteorobs members would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
> Mark Mikutis"
>
> -------------------- End Original Message --------------------
>
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