Ralf Siemieniec's 2010 Entry
Stations Heard: 185
The summer contest always interferes with the annual parish fair which runs for a full week and is by far the largest party event in the region. This does seriously affect my available time to go for DX, the other drawback are due to the regular thunderstorms during almost any night somewhere around in this time of the year. Anyway it was fun to hunt radio stations. In this years contest I decided to use my most advanced crystal radio.
The schematic features a double-tuned circuit with an additionally antenna matching cap. The whole device was designed to gain highest Q values. I used polystyrene coilformers of the german manufacturer Reinhöfer which already offers the possibility to gain high Q values. Here I incorporated the first improvement. In the previous version of this receiver, I removed some of the coilformer material by drilling holes. Now, the manufacturer took over this idea and removed all but the absolutely necessary material. In the end, just some small bars are left forming a kind of skeleton. The coils have an inductance of 185µH and were wound with 460 x 0.02mm litz wires. Removing all but the absolutely necessary material further increased the Q value by another 150, peeking at 1220 at 1750 kHz. The Q values were always measured using the same device, an Agilent 4285A Precision LCR Meter. However, the accuracy of the absolute value isn't that good, but the gain in Q by removing the material should be accurate. The coupling between the coils is made variable by an old-fashioned wire dial cord.
To preserve the high Q, I used TRW silver-plated air variables in the antenna and detector circuit. Coupling of the coils is made variable by a somewhat old-fashioned technique as used in old tube radios. All variable caps are completed by 6:1 vernier dials. The second improvement relates to the audio matching transformer which was replaced by a model having an input impedance of 1 MegOhm. As a consequence, now only one 5082-2835 schottky diode is used as detector (before there were two paralleled diodes). Housing is done by low-loss polypropylene sheets which keeps the Q up. I completely enclosed the device to keep dust away from the caps (dust in between the plates causes a lot of losses and is a real Q killer).
The last improvement is found at the headphones. Most of the contests before were run with soundpowered headphones from Dynalec which was big step ahead compared to the Baldwin Type C's I used before. Meanwhile I luckily got those RCA Big Cans. Having the armatures readjusted, these headphones amazingly improved the sensitivity of the whole setup. However, the Dynalec headphones are definitely more comfortable to wear.
The antenna is something I always considered as the most serious limitation. I live in a five-storied house which disallows for long antenna wires. Instead I use the balustrade of the balcony as antenna, ground is formed by the heating pipes. This is far from being perfect but the best I can do. Sometimes I use a 15m wire leading to the opposite garage roof, anyway this isn't a good idea in summer because of the many thunderstorms and all those lightnings.
Radioboard Contest 2010 auf einer größeren Karte anzeigen. View a larger a larger map
View Ralf's Full Log
Nr date UTC Station kHz Country Location
1 23.07.10 15:41 Radio Slovenija 1 918 SLO Ljubljana-Domzale
2 23.07.10 16:48 MR4 1188 HNG Marcali
3 23.07.10 16:59 Magyar Katolikus Rádió 1341 HNG Balatonszabadi
4 23.07.10 17:31 Voice of Russia 1323 D Wachenbrunn
5 23.07.10 18:08 Radio Tirana 1458 ALB Fllakë
6 23.07.10 18:20 Vatican Radio 1530 CVA Santa Maria di Galeria
7 23.07.10 18:24 Trans World Radio 1548 MDA Maiac/Grigoriopol
8 23.07.10 18:32 MR4 873 HNG Kozármisleny
9 23.07.10 18:37 Romania Actualitati 855 ROU Tancabesti
10 23.07.10 18:40 Radio Skopje 1 810 MKD Ovce Polje
11 23.07.10 18:42 On Radio 801 D Ismaning/München
12 23.07.10 18:44 mdr info 783 D Leipzig-Wiederau
13 23.07.10 18:46 România Actualitati 756 ROU Lugoj-Boldur
14 23.07.10 18:49 Radio Bulgaria 747 BUL Petrich
15 23.07.10 18:52 China Radio International 702 MCO Le Col de la Madonne
16 23.07.10 18:55 Rai 1 657 I Bolzano
17 23.07.10 18:57 Ceský rozhlas 2 639 CZE Liblice
18 23.07.10 19:01 Radio Timisoara 630 ROU Ortisoara
19 23.07.10 19:05 Muravideki Magyar Radio 558 SVN Murska Sobota
20 23.07.10 19:09 MR1 Kossuth Radio 540 HNG Solt
21 23.07.10 19:12 Deutschlandfunk 549 D Nordkirchen
22 23.07.10 19:15 Rai 1 567 I Bologna
23 23.07.10 19:17 SWR Cont.Ra 576 D Mühlacker
24 23.07.10 19:20 SWR Contra 666 D Rohrdorf
25 23.07.10 19:23 Radio Tunis 684 TUN Mednine (Harboub)
26 23.07.10 19:25 BBC Radio 5 Live 693 G Droitwich
27 23.07.10 19:28 Radio Nacional 1 738 E Palau de Plegamans
28 23.07.10 19:31 Deutschlandfunk 756 D Ravensburg
29 23.07.10 19:34 France Info 837 F Nancy-Nomeny
30 23.07.10 19:37 France Bleu 864 F Villebon-sur-Yvette
31 23.07.10 19:39 AFN Power Network 873 D Oberursel-Weißkirchen
32 23.07.10 19:41 Rai 1 900 I Milano
33 23.07.10 19:43 Rai 1 936 I Venezia
34 23.07.10 19:45 România Actualitati 909 ROU Ortisoara
35 23.07.10 19:47 Ceský rozhlas 2 954 CZE Dobrochov
36 23.07.10 19:48 Radio Tunisia Cultural channel 963 TUN Tunis-Djedeida
37 23.07.10 20:04 Ukrainske Radio 1 972 UKR Mykolayiv/Kopani
38 23.07.10 20:08 Alger Chaîne 2 981 ALG Ouled Fayet
39 23.07.10 20:10 Voice of Russia 999 MDA Maiac/Grigoriopol
40 23.07.10 20:13 GrootNieuwsradio 1008 HOL Zeewolde-Flevoland
41 23.07.10 20:16 SWR Cont.Ra 1017 D Wolfsheim
42 23.07.10 20:19 Macedonia 1 1044 GRC Perea/Malgara
43 23.07.10 20:22 Rai 1 1062 I Trento
44 23.07.10 22:04 Talksport 1089 G Brookmans Park
45 23.07.10 22:07 Rádio Patria 1098 SVK Jarok
46 23.07.10 22:09 Radio Beograd 1 1107 SRB Novi Sad
47 23.07.10 22:10 AFN Power Network 1107 D Grafenwöhr
48 23.07.10 22:13 Rai 1 1116 I Cuneo
49 23.07.10 22:16 Glas Hrvatske 1134 HRV Rasinovac
50 23.07.10 22:19 Radio Horizont 1161 BUL Targovishte
51 23.07.10 22:23 Radio Capodistria 1170 SVN Beli Kriz
52 23.07.10 22:29 România Actualitati 1179 ROU Galbeni-Bacau
53 23.07.10 22:33 Absolute Radio 1215 G Moorside Edge
54 23.07.10 22:36 France Info 1242 F Marseille-Cabriès-Réaltor
55 23.07.10 22:38 France Bleu Elsass 1278 F Sélestat
56 23.07.10 22:40 COPE 1296 E València
57 23.07.10 22:45 România Actualitati 1314 ROU Craiova
58 23.07.10 22:49 France Info 1377 F Lille/Camphin-en-Carembault
59 23.07.10 22:53 Big L Radio 1395 HOL Trintelhaven
60 23.07.10 22:54 France Bleu 1404 F Ajaccio
61 23.07.10 22:56 Sodruzhestvo 1431 D Wilsdruff
62 23.07.10 23:00 China Radio International 1440 LUX Marnach
63 23.07.10 23:03 Sunrise Radio 1458 G Brookmans Park
64 23.07.10 23:05 France Bleu 1494 F Bastia
65 23.07.10 23:08 BSKSA 1521 ARS Duba
66 23.07.10 23:10 România Actualitati 1530 ROU Mihaileni
67 23.07.10 23:12 France Info 1557 F Nice-Fontbonne
68 23.07.10 23:16 Alger Chaîne 1 531 ALG El Ain Beida
69 23.07.10 23:19 France Info 603 F Tramoyes
70 23.07.10 23:21 BBC World Service 648 G Orfordness
71 23.07.10 23:24 Radio Jamahiriya 675 LBY Benghazi
72 23.07.10 23:26 Radio Suisse Romande Option Musique 765 CH Sottens
73 23.07.10 23:29 Radio Slovenia 1 558 SVN Murska Sobota
74 24.07.10 18:51 Rai 1 1575 I Gorizia
75 24.07.10 19:03 România Actualitati 1593 ROU Ion Korvinn/Dobrogea
76 24.07.10 19:08 Rai 1 1584 I Terni
77 24.07.10 19:11 Evangeliumsrundfunk 1539 D Mainflingen
78 24.07.10 19:17 Trans World Radio 1467 F Roumoules
79 24.07.10 19:19 China Radio International 1458 ALB Fllakë
80 24.07.10 19:21 Rai 1 1449 I Belluno
81 24.07.10 19:27 Voice of Russia 1431 D Wilsdruff
82 24.07.10 19:29 Deutschlandfunk 1422 D Heusweiler
83 24.07.10 19:31 Voice of Russia 1413 MDA Maiac/Grigoriopol
84 24.07.10 19:34 Trans World Radio 1395 ALB Fllakë
85 24.07.10 19:37 Radio Orient 1350 F Nice-Fontbonne
86 24.07.10 19:39 România Actualitati 1332 ROU Galati
87 24.07.10 19:45 Radio Christo Botev 1296 BUL Pleven
88 24.07.10 19:50 Radio Novi Sad 1269 SRB Srbobran
89 24.07.10 19:55 MR6 Radio Debrecen 1251 HNG Szombathely
90 24.07.10 19:59 Radio Bulgaria 1224 BUL Vidin
91 24.07.10 20:03 Voice of Russia 1215 KAL Bolshakovo
92 24.07.10 20:07 France Info 1206 F Bordeaux-Néac
93 24.07.10 20:18 România Actualitati 1152 ROU Cluj-Napoca/Feleacu
94 24.07.10 20:20 Rai 1 1143 I Sassari
95 24.07.10 20:24 Rai 1 999 I Perugia
96 24.07.10 20:27 Deutschlandradio Kultur 990 D Berlin-Britz
97 24.07.10 20:29 Radio Shumen 963 BUL Shumen
98 24.07.10 20:31 France Info 945 F Toulouse-Muret
99 24.07.10 20:37 ERA Net 729 GRC Athens
100 24.07.10 20:43 Ukrainske Radio 1 675 UKR Uzhhorod-Korytnyany
101 24.07.10 20:46 RTT Tunis 630 TUN Tunis-Djedeida
102 24.07.10 20:48 RTBF 1 621 BEL Wavre
103 24.07.10 21:42 RTT Tunis 585 TUN Gafsa
104 24.07.10 21:55 Voice of Russia 1548 MDA Maiac/Grigoriopol
105 24.07.10 22:06 Radio Beograd 202 1503 SRB Beograd
106 24.07.10 22:09 France Info 1494 F Clermont-Ferrand
107 24.07.10 22:29 Radio Beograd 1 1296 SRB Vranje
108 24.07.10 22:44 Antenne Saar 1179 D Heusweiler
109 24.07.10 22:50 LBC News 1152 1152 G Saffron Green
110 24.07.10 22:56 RTBF Vivacité 1125 BEL Houdeng
111 24.07.10 22:59 SER 1080 E Huesca
112 24.07.10 23:03 ERTU Greater Cairo Radio ? 1071 EGY Abu Za'bal
113 24.07.10 23:09 Talksport 1053 G Droitwich
114 25.07.10 15:24 Radio Koper 549 SVN Beli Kriz
115 25.07.10 17:55 Radio Iasi 1053 ROU Iasi
116 25.07.10 17:58 China Radio International 1215 ALB Fllakë
117 25.07.10 18:03 Ceský rozhlas 2/6 1332 CZE Moravske Budejovice
118 25.07.10 18:19 Ukrainske Radio 3 1431 UKR Mykolayiv/Kopani
119 25.07.10 19:24 Radio Crne Gore 1 882 MNE Podgorica
120 25.07.10 19:29 Rai 1 819 I Trieste
121 25.07.10 20:18 Radio Nacional 1 774 E El Palmar
122 25.07.10 20:27 France Info 711 F Rennes/Thourie
123 25.07.10 20:29 France Info 792 F Limoges-Nieul
124 25.07.10 20:31 SWR Cont.Ra 828 D Freiburg
125 25.07.10 20:36 Radio Blagoevgrad 864 BUL Blagoevgrad
126 25.07.10 20:40 NDR Info 972 D Hamburg
127 25.07.10 20:44 ERA Sport 981 GRC Athens
128 25.07.10 21:00 mdr info (SWR Cont.Ra) 1413 D Ulm
129 25.07.10 21:04 AFN Power Network 1485 D Garmisch-Partenkirchen
130 25.07.10 22:10 Radio Studio X 1584 I Momigno
131 28.07.10 18:32 Radio Târgu Mures – Radio Neumarkt 1197 ROU Bod/Brasov
132 28.07.10 18:36 Antena Satelor 1314 ROU Ortisoara
133 28.07.10 18:57 Radio Târgu Mures 1593 ROU Miercurea Ciuc
134 28.07.10 19:14 Radio Murski Val 648 SVN Nemcavci
135 28.07.10 19:23 Radio Horizont 963 BUL Sofia/Dragoman
136 28.07.10 19:27 Radio Belarus 1170 BLR Sasnovy
137 28.07.10 19:46 mdr info 1188 D Reichenbach
138 28.07.10 20:01 Oldiestar 603 D Zehlendorf
139 28.07.10 20:04 WDR 2 720 D Langeberg
140 28.07.10 20:07 mdr info 882 D Wachenbrunn
141 29.07.10 19:47 Voice of Russia 693 D Zehlendorf
142 29.07.10 19:51 Radio 5 747 HOL Zeewolde-Flevoland
143 29.07.10 20:24 AFN Power Network 1143 D Hirschlanden
144 29.07.10 20:43 Radio Oltenia-Craiova 1314 ROU Cerbu
145 29.07.10 20:52 Radio Valjevo 2 1368 SRB Beloševac
146 29.07.10 21:14 Radio Maria 675 HOL Lopik
147 30.07.10 17:54 Radio Nacional 5 1314 E Tarragona
148 30.07.10 18:37 Radio Sweden International ? 1179 S Sölvesborg
149 30.07.10 19:05 ERA Chania 1512 GRC Chania
150 30.07.10 19:17 Radio Asteras ? 1566 GRC Kilkis
151 30.07.10 20:24 SER Murcia 1260 E Murcia
152 30.07.10 20:52 ERA Sport 792 GRC Perea/Malgara
153 02.08.10 21:26 Radio Nacional 1 684 E Sevilla/Los Palacios
154 02.08.10 21:34 SER 1026 E Tarragona
155 02.08.10 21:38 mdr info 1044 D Wilsdruff
156 02.08.10 21:42 Voice of Africa 1251 LBY Tripolis
157 04.08.10 20:50 Radio Vitoria 1602 E Vitoria
158 04.08.10 21:12 Deutschlandfunk 1269 D Neumünster
159 04.08.10 21:25 BBC Radio 5 Live 909 G Brookmans Park
160 04.08.10 21:33 România Actualitati 603 ROU Oradea
161 06.08.10 19:34 Antena Satelor 630 ROU Voinesti
162 06.08.10 19:38 România Actualitati 567 ROU Satu Mare
163 06.08.10 19:46 Radio Vlanderen Info 927 BEL Wolvertem
164 06.08.10 19:52 Ukrainske Radio 1 936 UKR Lviv-Krasne
165 06.08.10 23:01 Radio Slovenia 1 549 SVN Beli Kriz
166 06.08.10 23:09 Radio Slovenia International 1170 SVN Beli Kriz
167 06.08.10 23:13 Alger Chaîne 1 549 ALG Sidi Hamadouche
168 06.08.10 23:19 Notturno Italiano 900 I Milano
169 06.08.10 23:26 Radio Nacional 1 585 E Madrid/Majadahonda
170 06.08.10 23:31 Notturno Italiano 657 I Neaples/Marcianise
171 06.08.10 23:41 Radio 538 891 HOL Hulsberg
172 06.08.10 23:50 Country Radio 1062 CZE Prague
173 06.08.10 23:56 Radio Nacional 1359 E Arganda del Rey
174 06.08.10 23:58 KBS World 1440 LUX Marnach
175 07.08.10 00:05 Gold 1548 G Saffron Green
176 09.08.10 19:00 Vatican Radio 1611 CVA Santa Maria di Galeria
177 10.08.10 18:33 Radio Cluj 909 ROU Jucu
178 10.08.10 18:43 Radio Miskolc 1116 HNG Miskolc
179 10.08.10 18:53 Radio Târgu Mures 1323 ROU Târgu Mures
180 10.08.10 18:57 Missionsradio Werner Heukelbach 1323 D Wachenbrunn
181 10.08.10 19:02 MR6 Radio Györ 1350 HNG Györ
182 10.08.10 19:10 Challenger Radio 1368 I Villa Estense
183 10.08.10 19:19 Rai 1 1431 I Foggia
184 10.08.10 19:29 România Actualitati 711 ROU Sighét Maramuresh
185 10.08.10 21:02 France Info 1404 F Grenoble