Category: DX Commander

Let’s chat 1) Verticals 2) Dipole and 3) Loops – and how we a) multiband them and b) give them gain… Let’s discuss.

OK, ears on guys.. Listen in the background, chat or call in..! Just for fun 🙂

Please listen to this and let me know your thoughts. Thank you to Tamitha for listening and responding to this amazing issue. @TamithaSkov – Tamitha’s channel is here

https://www.youtube.com/@TamithaSkov

(Edited( My chat with ChatGPT:

Theories About LDEs

Ionospheric Reflection
Signals might reflect between layers of the ionosphere under rare atmospheric conditions.
This could trap and delay the signal before it eventually escapes back to Earth.

Magnetospheric Propagation
Signals could bounce around within Earth’s magnetosphere, possibly traveling vast distances before returning.
The timing fits with the larger dimensions of this region.

Lunar or Planetary Reflection
Though unlikely, a signal could reflect off the Moon, planets, or debris in space. The timing is usually inconsistent with known distances, though.

Artificial Causes
A signal might reflect off a satellite or even space junk. This doesn’t explain delays of many seconds but fits shorter LDE reports.

Waveguide Effects in Plasma
Plasma waves in the ionosphere or magnetosphere might form a kind of "waveguide," trapping the signal and delaying its return.

Extraterrestrial Influence
Some speculative theories involve signals reflecting off unidentified objects or phenomena in deep space.

Psychological or Equipment Issues
Sometimes LDEs are mistaken for receiver artifacts or operator error, though this doesn’t explain all cases.
Characteristics of LDEs
They are often reported on HF bands but can occur at other frequencies.
The delay doesn’t usually correspond to a simple round-the-world trip (which takes ~0.13 seconds for HF signals).

They tend to occur during geomagnetic storms or unusual ionospheric conditions.

LDEs remain an exciting mystery, so if you’ve encountered one, you’re part of a rare group of hams!

Callum said:
The calculations suggest the moon it had altitude of 8.81 degrees and directly behind me – and since I have a 2 element yagi, I have quite a strong rear lobe.

ChatGPT
That changes things significantly, Callum! If the Moon had an altitude of 8.81 degrees and was directly behind you, your Yagi’s rear lobe could indeed have picked up the signal and sent it moonward for an Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) bounce. Two-element Yagis typically have a rear lobe that’s strong enough for this to be plausible, especially with the Moon positioned in a favorable low-altitude arc.

If this was indeed an unintended EME bounce, it’s a remarkable example of how even a rear lobe can open up fascinating propagation paths!

I asked ChatGPT for a bullet point script for this video:

Suggest it could be a re-stream or retransmission.
Exploring the Options
Discuss the Possible Causes:
Introduce the counterarguments: others heard it live over the air.
Long-Path and Short-Path Propagation:
Dive deeper into the rarity and intrigue of LDEs.
Offer evidence from reports of other listeners, the wide skip zone, and the global nature of the anomaly.
Presenting the Evidence

Briefly recap why most other explanations (re-broadcast, EME, short-path/long-path) are unlikely.
Conclusion and Engagement

Conclude by suggesting the LDE as the most likely explanation, while acknowledging its mystery.
Emphasize the need for collaboration and further reports.
“This is more than just a re-broadcast—this is a genuine anomaly.”

“Did you hear this too? What are your thoughts on what caused it?”
Encourage viewers to share their experiences and ideas in the comments.

Call in to the Net. I *should* be on 145.375 FM. Call, listen or live-chat. All welcome.

Today I made some shack-upgrades, dispatched 8000 pounds (3,500 kilos) of DX Commander product to DX Engineering and I tell you a story!

Here’s the "Elevator Pitch" for the book I mentioned…

Title: Charity’s Adventures and the Destiny Machine
Genre: Historical Fiction with a Touch of Mystery and Fantasy
Setting: Warwick, England, 1831

In the quaint town of Warwick, 15-year-old Charity Carlton discovers that her ordinary life on the family farm is about to take an extraordinary turn. When her schoolteacher, the enigmatic Mr. Harold Packwood, entrusts her with a centuries-old artifact known as the Destiny Machine, Charity and her loyal friend Stanley are thrust into a web of intrigue that stretches from the heart of England to the distant sands of Egypt.

This machine, originally gifted by Saladin to King Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade, has been safeguarded for generations by the mysterious League of Destiny—a secret society sworn to use its power to foresee and alter potential disasters for the good of the county. But when the League’s ambitious chairman, Jeremy Upton, and Charity’s estranged and embittered step-aunt, Lady Tavistock, conspire to seize the machine for their own ends, Charity, Mr. Packwood, and Stanley embark on a dangerous journey to protect it.

Facing peril at every turn, from suspicious spies trailing them to stolen secrets buried in the archives of Oxford, Charity must unravel the truth hidden within the pages of history. Along the way, she discovers a shocking family secret—her step-aunt’s bitter resentment is based on a long-lost inheritance waiting for her signature in an Oxford bank. With the League divided and time running out, Charity must learn to master the machine’s enigmatic workings, influencing events before catastrophe strikes.

Filled with intrigue, period charm, and a touch of adventure, Charity’s Adventures and the Destiny Machine blends historical fiction with a touch of fantasy, exploring themes of destiny, friendship, and courage. Will Charity and her friends preserve the legacy of the League, or will the forces of greed and ambition unravel the carefully woven threads of time itself?

Why This Book Stands Out:

Rich historical details set against the backdrop of 19th-century England.
A compelling heroine balancing farm life with hidden responsibilities.
Intriguing character dynamics, from the cunning Lady Tavistock to the steadfast Mr. Packwood.
A blend of mystery, adventure, and the timeless struggle between good and ambition.

Perfect for readers who enjoy historical adventures with a sprinkle of fantasy, Charity’s Adventures and the Destiny Machine promises an engaging journey through time, secrets, and self-discovery.

Let me know if this is the sort of thing you might like in book, spoken word and or film..?

Join me. Just having fun 🙂

Finishing off the DX Engineering Order and I’ve been fixing stuff! #paypal #dxengineering

Name, signal and weather report please 🙂
Tools: N1MM logger, ARCP Remote control for TS-990s, Acom Director for Acom 2000s, 8×2 Antenna Genius for antenna switching, SonoBus for remote audio and CamDesk to view waterfall via HDMI capture card.

All our Christmas money is stuck in PayPal and nobody can seem to get it to us. What to do? Well the first thing is that we’re having to switch PayPal off and move back to Stripe – however if you know a solution, let me know. In the meantime, no PayPal sorry. #paypal

Give me your name, signal report and weather 🙂