The gremlins are at it again. Don't know why but for some reason the list bounced Gary's message. Now let's see if it bounces my attempt to post it for him... patrick On 14 Dec 2009, at 19:21, mailman-bounces@mailman.xmission.com wrote:
From: gwclark@gwclark.com Date: 14 December 2009 19:21:37 MST To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Radio meteor recording attempt
Kurt,
I have been working on a similar forward-scatter meteor detection system. Currently, I am using a scanner that will pick up the FM broadcast band. I tune it to a frequency that has a number of stations with 100KW output that are located 500-800 miles away. This frequency must also be clear of local stations. There are a number of freqs that can be used in the lower part of the FM band.
The audio output is fed to the sound card on my computer. I am using Radio SkyPipe which is a PC chart recorder to convert the signals into chart data.
That is the theory anyway. Right now my receiver is being totally swamped with all the RF noise generated around the computer and throughout the house. An indoor antenna is just not practical. I will be mounting a roof-top antenna in the early spring and be moving the receiver to the basement where there is less RF noise and a better ground connection. Eventually, I plan to feed the audio from eight separate receivers on different frequencies through an analog/digital converter to the PC. I am also starting the design work for a Doppler radio direction finder that may be of some use in the observations.
If you Google "radio meteor detection" there are several dozen really good sites that explain all this. Also, the UK television program "The Sky at Night" had an episode called "Meteor Mania". It also explains radio meteor detection and you can hear what they should sound like. You can watch the streaming video of this episode on their website.
Good luck, and I'll keep you posted as to my progress as well.
GW NB7B