Questions tagged [weather]
Questions about how weather affects radio equipment and/or transmission of radio signals
18
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Newbie needs help with Wouxun KG UV9D Plus
Just got a radio (a Wouxun KG UV9D) from someone that is supposedly "new in box" although I'm really struggling with being able to listen to anything with it. Not sure if it's me or if it's ...
- 1
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2
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548
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How to weather protect lightning arrester mounted directly on ground rod?
I have a very simple home HF setup, just one wire antenna. I'm having a ground rod installed soon, and am planning the best way to set up my exterior buss bar.
I'd really like to do an all-in-one ...
- 438
3
votes
1
answer
332
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Open source RS41 decoder
I would like to decode the signal from a RS41 radiosonde (from a weather balloon), which are suggested open-source software to do that?
I tried RS but after compiling the code and executing ...
- 33
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4
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377
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Weatherproofing coax connection to balun
How should a coax-to-housing connection like this be weatherproofed? It doesn't seem like taping is going to do much good here
- 411
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3k
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Why does the audio on my FM transceiver cut out every 5.5 seconds?
Specifically, my Icom ID-4100a.
What's interesting, is that this happens in MR and VFO modes... but NOT when using the built-in WX stations. For example listening to WX-01 (162.550 MHz), no problem. ...
- 3,885
4
votes
1
answer
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Antenna system components in the rain
An antenna system often consists of more than the feedline and radiating wires: such as fixed or tapped loading coils, LC traps, baluns, toroids, air variable capacitors, roller inductors, feed horns, ...
- 13.2k
6
votes
2
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161
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Propagation effects of noctilucent clouds
I know auroras are a propagation mode, but I was wondering with the recent outburst of noctilucent clouds (as reported on www.space.com) brings with it any interesting propagation modes, either on HF ...
- 939
3
votes
2
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415
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What is the legality of data modes over UHF/VHF in the US?
Cheap & simple transceivers are readily available online that allow you to transmit serial data over UHF/VHF frequencies such as 433MHz (approximate range of 1000m). It seems that these are ...
- 367
4
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2
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338
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Wireless temperature data logger in the USA on 433MHz
I'm a newly licensed ham tech. I am trying to figure out if I am doing everything correctly to setup a wireless temperature monitoring station that uses the 70cm band (specifically 433.4MHz) in the ...
- 367
1
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2
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570
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Tuning an antenna with cold weather
I have a 20m long dipole that starts at 2m above the ground and ends at perhaps 20m above the ground. It was -10 °C here tonight (that's +14 °F), currently around zero (32 °F) and my antenna is out of ...
user885
6
votes
2
answers
692
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Weather Imaging with NOAA satellites - legal?
I would like to build an antenna for receiving NOAA weather satellites. They're receivable at around 137.5 Mhz. I'm a total new to amateur radio stuff. I know that it's not legal to communicate as ...
- 225
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346
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Rain and RF noise
I noticed when operating Field Day this year that during a period of rain, the RF background noise went up as well, from about S2 to S5-6. I was operating inside a tent, with the antenna outside the ...
- 6,178
4
votes
1
answer
327
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How can I operate in the rain safely?
For Field Day this year, most stations on the East Coast received a large amount of rain. I've heard our reports at around 2 inches of rain. Being Field Day, we were operating outdoors inside tents, ...
- 6,178
2
votes
1
answer
290
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What FCC rule allows Skywarn and other spotters to restrict repeater use?
When amateur radio operators associated with the national weather service "close the net" on a repeater and request only severe weather reports on that frequency, what FCC ruling is in effect, given ...
- 12.1k
4
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5
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How does one know when band conditions are optimal and what factors to consider?
On many of the DX sites, one will find many variables for solar weather to include flux, A, K, sunspots, etc… I’d like to know how to read those and know what to look for. As I understand it, the sun’...
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How to keep a disconnected coaxial connector weatherproof?
The advice I have seen on lightning safety is that if you don't have high-quality lightning protection (and associated grounding) installed on your feed line, it is advisable to, during a storm and ...
- 24.4k
4
votes
1
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What factors (out of operator control) can affect the range?
Some factors, such as the antenna type and power output can be easily adjusted by an operator to manipulate the range of a radio signal. However, others (such as the weather) are out of operator ...
- 1,744
25
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6
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14k
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How can I protect equipment against a lightning strike?
A lot of aerials (almost by design) would be rather good attractors of lightning. What steps do I need to take in the field to keep my gear safe against a lightning strike?
I'm presuming the obvious ...
- 1,744