Index

Band i

Introduction

There are many websites dedicated to TVDX but none have related specifically to Band I and what is available to European DXers via Sporadic E and eventually TEP and F layer propagation. For the last few years I've been collecting on screen logos as well as sourcing them from the net to aid identification of the many different signals available during the summer months of Sporadic E. Using data from the UKWTV club, my own loggings and ITU transmitter lists I've compiled a number of maps showing what targets are available in both Western and Eastern Europe as well as some of the closer Middle East and African transmitters. One feature I'm pleased to include on the website is a Google map showing band 1 transmitters that are likely targets during Sp E, clicking on any of the markers will bring up details of the station and a link takes you to the on screen logo.

One area of particular interest is the measurement of precise transmitter frequencies commonly known as offsets because most will be offset from the nominal frequency of the channel. Many older and poorly maintained transmitter drift within their given offset allocation and over a period of time using visual observation a concise list of transmitters can be created to aid identification of signals buried under interference or that are too weak to see.

Spectral waterfall images of a signal are another way of identifying individual transmitters, while most will only produce a single clean trace many of the Russian and East European transmitters appear to have a life of their own so there's a selection of the most unstable and bizarre that I've recorded.

New this summer is an online receiver that allows anyone to tune and listen into signals on Band I. The system can be used to monitor for TV audio, Italian feeders or even 'watch' video channels using spectral display software. Full coverage is from 24MHz up to UHF using a variety of antennas and more details of the online PCR1000 can be found here.