USCG Marine Weather broadcast, Chesapeake, Virginia 8764 kHz; only my second ever copy

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2d2dMOMIeI Hi there, this is only the second time I've copied the Marine weather transmission from Chesapeak, Virginia, so nice to hear this again. Recorded in Oxford UK on 27/06/26 at 23:25 hrs UTC using an ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna as the auxiliary and my end-fed wire via a Howes matching unit as the main antenna, into my MFJ noise cancelling unit. Thanks for watching and 73.

90m band D-layer test at the end of the eclipse: Shannon VOLMET 3413 kHz - poor signal returns

 Hi there, as the influence of the eclipse diminishes and 90m band conditions return to normal, the signal from Shannon has degraded significantly - as expected.

Links to previous videos in this series:    • 90m band D-layer test during the eclipse: ...      • 90m band D-layer test during the eclipse: ...      • 90m band D-layer test during the eclipse: ...   Recorded in Oxford UK, using an Elad FDM DUOr and a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop (outdoors). Thanks for watching and 73.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfbDcHxTLkc

90m band D-layer test during the eclipse: Shannon VOLMET 3413 kHz at 18:19 UTC - 5 minutes after max

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8p9Xtl0kgs

Hi there, the signal from Shannon VOLMET was even stronger, a few minutes after the eclipse maximum. Perhaps there is a time-constant associated with D-layer absorption? Final video to come, detailing how the signal had deteriorated again after the eclipse had finished. Here is a link to the previous videos, recorded 35 minutes from maxium and at maximum:    • 90m band D-layer test during the eclipse: ...      • 90m band D-layer test during the eclipse: ...   Recorded in Oxford on the 12th of August at 18:17 hrs UTC, using an Elad FDM DUOr and a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna (outdoors) via an NTi AntennaJet RF splitter and GI1000 galvanic isolator. Thanks for watching and 73.

90m band D-layer test during the eclipse: Shannon VOLMET 3413 kHz - much improved signal at maximum

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNQUJoSxz1I

Hi there, as expected, the 90m band signal from Shannon was much stronger just before and through the maximum of the solar eclipse. Here is a link to the previous video, recorded 35 minutes from maxium:    • 90m band D-layer test during the eclipse: ...   Recorded in Oxford on the 12th of August at 18:12 hrs UTC, using an Elad FDM DUOr and a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna (outdoors) via an NTi AntennaJet RF splitter and GI1000 galvanic isolator. Thanks for watching and 73.

90m band D-layer test during the eclipse: Shannon VOLMET 3413 kHz at 17:38 UTC - 35 mins to maximum

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E53wqr_SM4o

Hi there, this is the first of four videos detailing a propagation test recorded during the 12th of  August 2026 total solar eclipse, monitoring Shannon VOLMET on 3413 kHz (90m) starting at 17:38 UTC, which was approximately 35 minutes ahead of maximum eclipse.

The 90m band sits right in the region most affected by daylight hours D-layer absorption, which is driven by solar UV/X-ray ionisation of the lower ionosphere. During a solar eclipse, that ionising radiation is temporarily reduced over the observing path, so a reduction in D-layer absorption and a corresponding improvement in received signal strength on lower HF frequencies should be observable. That's the theory anyway! Next video will demonstrate the signal from Shannon at maximum eclipse.

Recorded in Oxford UK using an Elad FDM-DUOr and a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna.

Thanks for watching and 73.

One of my final recordings: BBC Radio 4 longwave 198 kHz Shipping Forecast copied on the JRC NRD535

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqSvvvomQh8

Hi there, very nice longwave AM audio with the NRD535 - much nicer than the sometimes slightly muddy sound from the 525. That isn't to say the 525 isn't a great receiver - it really is one of the best ever. As for Radio 4 on longwave...what a shame it's nearly all over (and now it is). Recorded on 05/06/26 at 00:48 hrs BST. Thanks for watching and 73.

S30 'The Pip' on 3756 kHz and the Squeaky Wheel - now another 'pip' on 3363 kHz copied in Oxford UK

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUPO0ljhmUk

Hi there, I guess we are referring to both of these signals as the Pip - well I am at least. There's still life on the shortwave bands! Recorded on 08/07/26 at 00:23 hrs UTC using a JRC NRD535 and a long-wire antenna. Thanks for watching and 73.