Best way to find active HF frequencies?

[Back40]

Is there an effective and easy way to scan HF frequencies to find active frequencies? Especially after SHTF?

Anything better than just slowly turning the dial until I find something?

 

[Optimist]

It's just another kind of sentry duty, Back40.

 

[sauced07]

Software Defined Radio might help.

 

[Back40]

It's just another kind of sentry duty, Back40.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of - having to assign valuable labor to monitoring frequencies four or five hours a day.

 

[sauced07]

Thing is, picking up chatter a ways out can make all the difference

 

[sauced07]

Is there a way to rig a yagi antenna, a motor and some type of compass to turn a radio listening station into something like a sonar station on a sub?

 

[Optimist]

Could use one of the old television rotation setups that were used to get fringe reception.

 

[Jayclimber]

This will get you pointed in the right direction...

https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/shtf-survivalist-radio-frequency-list/

There are standard SHTF frequencies to preprogram for just such a scenario. So you would scan these first according to the rules in place for monitoring comms after or during an event.

 

[HandLoad]

Load FLDigi, watch the waterfall, as You tune up/down. Put select digit on fast tune (most significant digit) to speed your scan... that is the "T/S" button on the 718.

The waterfall will give you notice as You tune, that You are approaching an active frequency.

 

[Back40]

This will get you pointed in the right direction...

https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/shtf-survivalist-radio-frequency-list/

There are standard SHTF frequencies to preprogram for just such a scenario. So you would scan these first according to the rules in place for monitoring comms after or during an event.

That's super helpful! Thank you.

 

[Back40]

Load FLDigi, watch the waterfall, as You tune up/down. Put select digit on fast tune (most significant digit) to speed your scan...

The waterfall will give you notice as You tune, that You are approaching an active frequency.

Ok, I'll practice with that, thank you!

 

[Optimist]

Appreciate your posting that, Jay. Lot of info in 31 pages....

 

[HandLoad]

Is there a way to rig a yagi antenna, a motor and some type of compass to turn a radio listening station into something like a sonar station on a sub?

There are "rotators" for aiming a Yagi or Quad or "other" sort of Antenna, but they are not made for constant movement. Idea is that You either: know the azimuth to an intended station; or that You tune in an unknown, and peak the reception by turning the antenna.

I'll bet that with the advent of SDR, an operator could construct something like what you envision, but antenna rotator would have to be special made for constant motion.

You could do it in Software, if You had an Antenna Array (multiple antennas, all connected in some manner (look up "Elephant Cage" Antenna array, if You have some spare change to spend)

 

[sauced07]

This will get you pointed in the right direction...

https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/shtf-survivalist-radio-frequency-list/

There are standard SHTF frequencies to preprogram for just such a scenario. So you would scan these first according to the rules in place for monitoring comms after or during an event.

Thanks. I printed out a few of those