![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/54/IMG_2456.jpeg\")
Jos vuosi 2025 pitäisi tiivistää yhteen sanaan, se olisi monimuotoinen. Tai ehkä kaoottinen, mutta hyvällä tavalla. Perinteinen radioamatööritoiminta jäi osittain tauolle, kun oman AM-aseman rakentaminen ja sen pyörittäminen vei ison siivun ajasta. Samalla tuli hypättyä täysin uuteen kaninkoloon Meshtasticin parissa, eikä paluuta entiseen oikein enää ollut.
\nNäistä molemmista teemoista löytyy tältä sivustolta enemmänkin luettavaa.
\nVuosi 2025 oli myös digitaalinen kevätsiivous. Tein tietoisia valintoja irrottautuakseni suurista sosiaalisen median alustoista ja siirtyäkseni avoimempaan, omavaraisempaan suuntaan. WordPress sai väistyä monessa paikassa, ja sivustot alkoivat elää staattisessa muodossa. Tämä kirjoitus on osa sitä muutosta: se on julkaistu itse rakennetulla, itse hostatulla sivustolla, ilman maksullisia konesaleja. Apuna toimivat Raspberry Pi 4, paljon aikaa ja Publii-ohjelmisto, joka teki yllättävän sujuvaksi siirtymän jopa varsin monimutkaisesta WordPress-rakenteesta.
\nMyös tekoäly löysi tiensä osaksi harrastamista. Pienen kokeiluvaiheen jälkeen keskityin ChatGPT:n käyttöön. AI herättää monenlaisia mielipiteitä, eikä syyttä, mutta omassa tekemisessäni se on ollut suorastaan ratkaiseva apu. Sen kanssa olen pystynyt opiskelemaan, suunnittelemaan ja kehittämään asioita tavalla, johon en yksin olisi yltänyt. Minulle tekoäly ei ole kaikkitietävä “Syvä Miete” ja vastaus kaikkeen ei ole 42. Se on työkalu, avustaja ja opettaja.
\nVaikka vapaa-aikaa on välillä niukasti ja kiinnostuksen kohteita enemmän kuin tunteja vuorokaudessa, yksi suunta on selvä. Radion puolella vauhti vain kiihtyy. Vuosi 2025 rakensi pohjan jollekin, joka vasta alkaa näkyä pinnan alta. Vuosi 2026 ei tule olemaan hiljainen.
\nIf I had to sum up 2025 in one word, it would be diverse. Or perhaps chaotic, but in a good way. Traditional amateur radio activity took a partial back seat as building and operating my own AM station consumed a significant amount of time. At the same time, I fell headfirst into an entirely new rabbit hole called Meshtastic, and there was really no going back after that.
\nYou can read more about both of these topics elsewhere on this site.
\nThe year 2025 was also a year of digital cleanup. I made a conscious decision to step away from the major social media platforms and move toward more open, self-hosted and community-driven solutions. WordPress was largely phased out, and my sites began shifting toward a static model. This very post is part of that change: it is published on a self-built, self-hosted static website, completely outside commercial data centers. The transition was powered by a Raspberry Pi 4, a generous amount of time, and Publii, which turned out to make even a fairly complex WordPress migration surprisingly smooth.
\nAI also became part of my hobby toolkit during 2025. After a period of experimentation, I chose to focus my AI use on ChatGPT. AI understandably sparks a wide range of opinions, and not without reason, but in my own work it has proven to be genuinely transformative. With its help, I’ve been able to study, plan, and develop things in ways I simply could not have managed alone. For me, AI is not some all-knowing oracle or a “Deep Thought” whose answer to everything is 42. It is a tool, an assistant, and a teacher.
\nEven though free time is often limited and there are plenty of competing interests fighting for attention, one thing is clear. On the radio front, momentum is only increasing. The groundwork laid in 2025 points toward something larger that is just beginning to take shape. The year 2026 will not be quiet.
", "author": { "name": "OH1MAC" }, "tags": [ ], "date_published": "2026-01-01T00:19:43+02:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-01T12:31:02+02:00" }, { "id": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/radio-blacksmith-knoll-building-a-radio-dream.html", "url": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/radio-blacksmith-knoll-building-a-radio-dream.html", "title": "Radio Blacksmith Knoll – Building a Radio Dream", "summary": "From a single summer night impulse, a shortwave station was born that brought the legendary 6120 kHz frequency back to life, a frequency many had already forgotten. When amateur radio equipment transformed into a shortwave broadcast station…", "content_html": "From a single summer night impulse, a shortwave station was born that brought the legendary 6120 kHz frequency back to life, a frequency many had already forgotten. When amateur radio equipment transformed into a shortwave broadcast station and an Icom radio went on air, a project began that blends technical curiosity, respect for radio history, and the pure joy of hands-on experimentation. One hundred years of public broadcasting finds a continuation here, not through state institutions, but through a small yet audible hobbyist voice.
\nThe story of Radio Blacksmith Knoll began with an unexpected spark, not a carefully planned project. Starting as a supporting content producer at RealMix Radio early in the year, and the sudden reappearance of a long-dormant childhood dream profession in hobby form, created a growing desire to do more.
\nOn a warm summer night, a thought emerged: could the old shortwave frequency 6120 kHz, once used by the Finnish Broadcasting Company, be brought back to life by a single radio hobbyist? Could this frequency, which had carried the “Voice of the Nation” for nearly a century, be repurposed for hobbyist broadcasting?
\nThe frequency choice was no coincidence. Radio broadcasting in Pori began in March 1925, featuring a string quartet performance and a lecture on radio technology. These broadcasts were produced by the Pori Radio Association.
\nFinnish Broadcasting Company (Yleisradio) was founded in 1926, after which local radio operations gradually consolidated under its umbrella. Later, the now state-owned broadcaster strengthened its presence in the Pori region by building a shortwave station on the grounds of Koivisto Manor in the late 1930s, intended for the Helsinki Olympic broadcasts.
\nNow, that frequency was requested for use once again, as a symbolic gesture and an experimental project.
\nThe radio license application was submitted partly in jest, partly as a sincere experiment. When Traficom granted the permit, the idea quickly became reality. The first test broadcast went on air on July 1st, 2024, entirely manually operated. The programme was pre-recorded and transmitted using an Icom IC-7300 amateur radio transceiver, without any audio pre-processing, simply played out as an MP3 file.
\nAt that point, there was little understanding of what a proper AM broadcast station truly requires. In hindsight, it is easy to admit that the poor Icom could only deliver a fraction of what the license allowed and what broadcast standards would support. Fortunately, the IC-7300’s audio bandwidth was limited to just under 3 kHz, which also meant that no licensing conditions were accidentally violated by transmitting overly wide audio.
\nThe station location became a small playhouse in a yard in Meri-Pori. It already housed a remotely operated amateur radio station, so RBSK was essentially an expansion of an existing setup. Inside the playhouse is an equipment rack containing everything needed for operation. The rack itself is disguised as a “wood stove,” and a computer monitor placed behind its glass front displays an HD fireplace video, adding warmth to the atmosphere, especially when children are visiting. The playhouse remains safe and is still actively used for play by godchildren.
\nThe setup is far from a professional shortwave station, but the broadcasts worked. Listener feedback soon followed. Emails arrived from Finland and abroad, the most touching coming from a radio operator nearing one hundred years of age, who had listened to the “Pori station” during breaks in his work shifts in his youth.
\nAt that point, it was no longer just an experiment. It had become a tribute to an era when radio was craftsmanship and every transmission was made with care.
\nAfter the first broadcast, it was clear that the project would continue. If the station was to stay alive, it needed a solid technical foundation, one that was tested in practice and developed gradually.
\nThe antenna was the natural starting point. Weeks were spent on design, and a full week on construction, in heavy rain. Frequency tuning, SWR measurements, cable runs, and radiation pattern optimisation were all carried out carefully. The antenna was built twice, as the first version proved mechanically insufficient to withstand the forces of nature. The goal was not merely to get a signal on air, but to ensure it travelled where intended, in all weather conditions.
\nThe Icom IC-7300 served well for the initial broadcasts but was never designed for continuous broadcast use. A wider audio bandwidth, more stable modulation, and proper audio pre-processing were needed. As a result, a genuine broadcast-grade AM transmitter was ordered from 9G Communications in the UK.
\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/54/rbsk-tx-scaled.png\")
The new transmitter introduced new challenges: would the 500 VA isolation transformer feeding the playhouse be sufficient? Would a UPS be required to smooth peak loads? How should heat management and remote monitoring be handled?
\nThe software side was ultimately built entirely in-house. While ready-made solutions exist, they are often prohibitively expensive. The studio environment is based on Apple computers, making Windows-based solutions unsuitable. Fortunately, macOS lends itself well to script-based automation, much like Linux. This resulted in a locally running, browser-based control interface for managing playlists, schedules, station IDs, and jingles. Everything runs automatically, while still allowing manual control, a crucial factor for reliable remote operation.
\nTechnology enables broadcasting, but content gives it meaning. RBSK was never intended to be filled with random playlists, but with original programming. In practice, and due to time constraints, an automated jukebox approach proved to be the only solution that ensured optimal use of airtime even when the station crew was fully occupied with everyday life.
\nThe core scripted content was intentionally kept simple. This led to the monthly programme series “What Happened Today…”, which explores historical events, typically broadcast on the first Saturday of each month. Additional concepts under consideration include “Seen on TV” and experiments with classic series such as CBS Radio Mystery Theater.
\nEditorial note: The content and programming have evolved since this post and are now quite different from the original plans.\n
Producing programmes requires research, writing, recording, and mixing. This happens in the midst of daily life, whenever inspiration strikes and time allows. Each episode is a handcrafted piece, rough around the edges, home-built, yet faithful to its inspirations.
\nWhen the station plays only music, thematic programming was introduced from the very beginning. Instead of a generic mix, listeners might hear an entire weekend dedicated to unconventional styles or forgotten B-sides. Current events and their musical contexts also became themes, such as “RBSK Goes Synth!”, inspired by Jean-Michel Jarre’s June concert in Helsinki.
\nTechnology works, until it doesn’t. One night, the station’s scheduling system, which had run flawlessly for weeks, simply stopped. It did not crash. It went silent. Programmes failed to start, station IDs were not played, yet outwardly everything appeared normal.
\nTroubleshooting required a deep dive into the automation logic. Scripts were reviewed line by line, the software logic dismantled and rebuilt. As the station operates remotely, all of this was done via remote connections, carefully and patiently, double-checking every step to ensure the station would not be rendered permanently silent.
\nThe experience reinforced one key lesson: nothing is ever truly finished, and every failure is an opportunity to improve.
\nBuilding a shortwave station sounds like a massive undertaking, and partly it is, but it is not impossible. At a minimum, you need an antenna, a transmitter, a power supply, and an audio source. Remote locations add travel costs and the need for remote management solutions.
\nProgramme content is self-produced. The largest recurring expenses are related to responsible operation: copyright fees, licenses, and the radio permit. The radio license itself is inexpensive, roughly six euros per month.
\nThe basic technical setup can be built for around €1,500, and even less if suitable antenna materials are already available.
\nFor RBSK, the shopping list included, in addition to the transmitter: sturdy nylon rope, cable ties, electrical tape, snap hooks, grounding rods, grounding copper, pulleys, thin plastic-coated steel wire, and four eight-metre fiberglass fishing rods. The antenna elements themselves consisted of 15 metres of 2.5 mm² MMJ cable, 50 metres of coaxial cable, a handful of connectors, and a 1:1 balun.
\nAnd of course, plenty of time.
\nRadio Blacksmith Knoll is a hobby project, but it also carries a broader perspective. Modern communication relies heavily on the internet and digital infrastructure. It is efficient, but vulnerable.
\nCrisis situations, storms, power outages, or cyberattacks can bring networks to a halt in an instant. In such moments, a small shortwave station and a battery-powered radio can become surprisingly important.
\nThe war in Ukraine and numerous natural disasters have shown how individual hobbyists can maintain communication when other channels fall silent. A battery-powered transmitter, the necessary skills, and preparedness can form a critical bridge to the outside world.
\nRadio amateurs and independent stations form a quiet resilience network. They do not seek attention, but they are present when their voices are needed.
\nShortwave is not merely an echo of the past. It remains a living and distinctive means of communication even today.
\nStation name: Radio Blacksmith Knoll (RBSK6120)
\nFrequency: 6120 kHz AM
\nTransmitter: 100W AM transmitter, 10 kHz bandwidth, pre-processed
\nAntenna: Half-wave dipole tuned to 6120 kHz (SWR 1.12), sloper 8/6 m toward the west
\nPower: Mains power, house battery UPS, remote monitoring and control
\nRemote control system: Home Assistant–based remote management
\nProgramme delivery: In-house production, primarily CGI scripts, browser-based control UI, OS-level command-line tools
\nAudio processing: “Studio” Apple MacBook, StereoTool pre-processing, MP3 stream to a Raspberry Pi–based stream receiver, audio cable to transmitter
\nChoose a frequency – Check availability and apply for a license.
\nDecide on a format – Music stream or scripted programming?
\nDesign the antenna – Precise tuning, directionality, minimal losses.
\nChoose a transmitter – Strong recommendation: 9G Communications
\nPower matters – Sufficient capacity, stability, UPS?
\nInvest in audio – With pre-processing, AM can sound excellent.
\nAutomate – Scheduling systems simplify daily operation.
\nPay what is due – Fair licensing, responsible operation. Running costs approx. €80/month.
\nAsk for help and advice. At the time of writing, Finland has three licensed hobby-based stations and SLART Ry, an association founded to support the establishment of new stations. They are happy to help with any questions you may have.
\nText: Marco Johansson – MAC
\nRadio Blacksmith Knoll / SDXL – Radiomaailma 4/2025
\n", "author": { "name": "OH1MAC" }, "tags": [ ], "date_published": "2025-09-01T12:46:00+03:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-01T13:03:51+02:00" }, { "id": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/radiovuosi-2024.html", "url": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/radiovuosi-2024.html", "title": "The year of Radio 2024", "summary": "The radio year 2024 was full of activity. From my personal perspective, however, the most significant moments were somewhat unexpected. They were not primarily about building or technical experimentation, although the remote station has certainly been carefully…", "content_html": "\n\n\nThe radio year 2024 was full of activity. From my personal perspective, however, the most significant moments were somewhat unexpected. They were not primarily about building or technical experimentation, although the remote station has certainly been carefully refined throughout the year. More than anything else, this year was defined by creating radio programmes of my own.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/43/RMR-1024x423.png\")
In March 2024, I joined the production team of RealMix Radio. That marked the beginning of a journey that is still very much ongoing. “DJ Mac” has since become a familiar name within RealMix, and over the course of the year the virtual team has grown to include several other content creators.
The RealMix Radio website can be found at: RealMix Radio
During the summer of 2024, I started thinking that it might be time to explore something beyond traditional amateur radio activities. Working with RealMix had left such a positive impression that I decided to launch a themed station of my own: Radio Blacksmith Knoll.
\nThe idea of running my own radio station emerged during a fleeting moment on a summer night, sparked by a simple question: “Why not?” The nostalgic and well-known frequency of the Pori Shortwave Station, 6120 kHz, had been silent for nearly ten years. No one had claimed it, and the opportunity to bring it back to life and share programming with the world was simply too tempting to ignore. With public radio broadcasting celebrating its 100-year anniversary, what could be more fitting than reviving the legendary 6120 kHz frequency?
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/43/RBSK.png\")
On July 1st, 2024, at 00:01, RBSK was born.
\nRadio Blacksmith Knoll (Radio Seppäkumpu), broadcasting on 6120 kHz, a frequency that had been used by the Pori shortwave station until 2006.
\nThe year 2025 will continue with active work in both station building and radio programme production.
\n\n\n", "author": { "name": "OH1MAC" }, "tags": [ ], "date_published": "2024-12-31T21:21:15+02:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-01T12:38:30+02:00" }, { "id": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/meteorites-or-spacejunk-seen-by-a-weather-cam.html", "url": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/meteorites-or-spacejunk-seen-by-a-weather-cam.html", "title": "Meteorites or SpaceJunk - Seen by a Weather cam", "summary": "I have a small remote controlled weather cam installed to balcony. Few days ago it was reported a quite bright \"fireball\" was seen on the east sky. I checked the recordings from my cam and found out…", "content_html": "\nI have a small remote controlled weather cam installed to balcony. Few days ago it was reported a quite bright \"fireball\" was seen on the east sky. I checked the recordings from my cam and found out that there have been several trails of something almost at the same time for several days.
\n\n\nAt the moment I am not sure if these are some space junk that is coming down, or actual meteorites - I have asked if URSA (Astronomical Association of Finland) could verify my findings.
\n\n\nUPDATE: It has been verified that these are not related to any metrorites nor space junk. The trailing seen in the video is due to the way this camera handles low light filming. The mystery stays open, perhaps some day this can bee verified to be something much more interesting, or pure hoax :-)
\n\n\nA short story about metamorphosis from SWL DX'er to a HAM Radio Amateur.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/41/IMG_0566-1024x768.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/41/IMG_2454-scaled.jpeg\")
After I got bitten by the SDR Bug back in -12 I updated and upgraded my SDR equipment every year. Normally this meant that I bought and built new SDR receivers, computers, antennas etc and upgraded my SDR system from one single laptop computer and one RTL-SDR donge and one wire antenna to five Raspberry Pi's, two NUC PC's, 6TB external drive and 12 SDR devices and 15 antennas from long wires to active loops, 10 meter long vertical whip and MiniWhip active 'can', not to mention all other ADS-B, AIS, RTL_433 and so on.
\n\n\nLate 2020 I started my training to be licenced HAM, a Radio Amateur and got my license January 2021. It was time to re-born and re-think everything I have done before.
\n\n\nAs told before in this blog of mine, my system is located some 250km's away from where I live. I have no space for all the antennas here in city flat, nor are able to install anything bigger than a car whip to my balcony. The SDR equipment I have built to my remote site was already working great and as I later found out operating HAM radio remotely is not that hard either. The Icom IC-7300 series HAM transmitter is more than capable device for remote operation, so I could build fully remote operated HAM station!
\n\n\nThe Shack
\n\n\nThe perhaps most annoying thing what comes to a modern HAM radio is that they are noisy, I mean really noisy! The power supply needs to be able to power the IC-7300 with whopping 25A, abt 350Watts of power - this creates a lot of heat that needs to be push out from the PSU. Also the IC-7300 has a huge fan that is not that silent either. Also, the radio keeps noise when transimitting, relays are clicking like maniac especially during tuning phase.
\n\n\nIt was clear that I need to move my system to another place. I have built my SDR based system next to bedrooms, upstairs vestibule to a small shelf high up in the wall next to ceiling. Place really not suitable for heavy noisy thingies that are on 24/7 and have bright lights, big screen, this and that.
\n\n\nThe first, initial idea was to move the equipment out of the house, to balcony into some kind of cabinet. Keep everything well isolated from the elements of nature and also help with the cabling, 15 antennas requires a lot of cable!
\n\n\nThen an idea was to buid a real shack out, next to the actual antenna mast and remove everything from the house. This would also help with the EMI that was present in the house.
\n\n\nNext iteration was to actually get a playhouse and install all the radio stuff there, into some cabinet and mask them to be just a some kind of furniture. This was agreed to be the final solution.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/41/IMG_2468.gif\")
So what actually was done and how?
\n\n\nFirst came the playhouse. Luckily for us, a family of acquaintances were at the same time trying get rid of a playhouse, perfect! The cabin was awesome, only some minor adjustments were necessary to get room for the \"fireplace\".
\n\n\nAs it was clear that everything needs to be grounded well, we decided to mount the cabin using steel poles. These steel poles would go down 1,6 meters into the soil so they are perfect grounding points for the system. Also we decided to have a small patio and garden for my nephews and nieces to play with.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/41/WhatsApp-Image-2021-05-02-at-14.20.51.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/41/WhatsApp-Image-2021-05-03-at-13.39.15.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/41/WhatsApp-Image-2021-05-09-at-20.03.11.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/41/WhatsApp-Image-2021-05-18-at-14.26.17.jpeg\")
Second phase, power, internet and groundings. There were few absolute rules that needed to be followed what comes to the safety of the system, users and especially kids playing in the playhouse while radios are in use and powered on. No mains sockets or other hight voltage devices can be touched nor any part that may come hot can be be touchable by some \"small hands\". In the design this was taken very seriously and everything was planned and built so that the cabin is as safe as it would be in the normal use as an pure playhouse.
\n\n\nThe mains comes to the cabin via special 550VA isolator transformer, RF-filtered and isolated from the house mains. This prevents any EMI travelling from the house via power line and also isolates the cabin from the main power grid grounding. At the cabin side, everything is grounded via the cabin poles with sturdy copper line.
\n\n\nInternet connection is provided both via ethernet cable and via WiFi connection. The ethernet cable has galvanic isolators at the both ends of the cable to prevent any DC current to travel via it from the house to the cabin or vice versa due to potential difference between the house and the cabin. This also helps to prevent any RF interference to cause any harm with the ethernet network installed while Icom is transmitting.
\n\n\nPower and network cable are installed inside a underground tubing, grounding copper wire is directly on the ground connecting all four poles of the cabin and also the antenna mast to the same common ground with all the antennas, radios and all other low voltage devices used in the cabin (lights, security cameras and so on).
\n\n\nAll the playhouse electric outlets are 12V DC, for lights and toys and decoration, and installed so high that the smallest kiddies cannot reach them.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_1992-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_1866-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_1865-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_1990-scaled.jpeg\")
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![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2318-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2404-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_1936-scaled.jpeg\")
Third phase, antenna cabling. Currently there are fifteen different antennas connected to the system. Some of them requires lightning protection, some does not. Some are used for Ghz bands, some for VLF. All the antenna cables are protected at least with ferrite ring against RF interference, most of the antennas also with gas tube lightning protectors. Transmit antenna uses thick 10mm EcoFlex coaxial cable.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2435-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2436-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2437-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2432-scaled.jpeg\")
Fourth phase, The Radio-Cabin. All the radios (SDR's) and transmitting rig (Icom IC-7300), PSU's and computers are installed inside a standard metallic U-rack. The rack has been grounded to the same grounding with cabin poles, all the antennas and the antenna mast. There are also tens of meters of copper wire burried underground together with 5 meters of copper tubing in several locations around the premises. All this is to be sure that the grounding is perfect for both EMI & RF protection but also for lightning protections and preventation of the static electricity build up with the antennas.
\n\n\nRadio-cabin has also remote controlled security camera installed inside, mainly used for just maintenance and checking led's and other lights computers have. Icom has it's own high resolution camera pointing directly to it's screen so that I can see a real time stream of the actual display of the Icom in case the remote controlling software has some problems to display data.
\n\n\nAt the bottom of the Radio-cabin there is a cheap 15\" monitor screen. As there are lots of computers and sometimes one needs to see whats happening in the console I installed a screen at the bottom of the Radio-cabin. When not in console use it can play a HD \"Fireplace\" movie for the kids playing in the playhouse. It even has small speakers so one can hear the crackling noise of the fire. This is remotely controlled screen so it is not on 24/7 not only to save the life of the screen but also this kind of screen is a huge source of RF interference.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_1793-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2556-scaled.jpeg\")
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![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2447-scaled.jpeg\")
Temperature and humidity control. As there are several devices creating a lot of warm air I installed remote and thermostate controlled fans to the bottom of the Radio-cabin and also to the roof of it. Three Ruuvi-Tag sensors measure the temperature and humidity inside the Radio-cabin and in case of too warm, too cold or too humid values inside the cabin the fans are started. Floor fans circulate the air inside the Radio-cabin to level the temperature, if that is not enough the roof fans are started and will push hot air out from the Radio-cabin. Fresh cold air is sucked via floor vent (filtered). There is also humidity collector bucket (that blue one) that keeps the overal humidity in control. It uses a special chemical compound that 'melts' slowly from solid to liquid by absorbing humidity from the air. It has a small fan installed to the top of it to speed up the air circulation (can be remotely controlled on or off).
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2591-scaled.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2586-scaled.jpeg\")
Based on my experiences, the Radio-cabin internal temperatule is above 0°C when the external temperature is not under -15°C. In case the external temperature is lower than -15°C a good external isolation is needed - so during winter time the Radio-cabin has it's own \"overals\". With this the internal temperature stays always over 0°C even when there is -25°C or more outside.
\n\n\nThe system has worked without any problems with external temperatures of -28°C to +43°C.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/41/IMG_1342-768x1024.jpeg\")
Final step, The Security. As the playhouse has quite expencive equipment installed and only some plexiglass windows and thin wooden walls protecting them it was important to have some security installed. The cabin itself has several RuuviTag sensor measurin all the movement of the cabin. The sensors are so sensitive that if some one walks near the cabin the sensors can measure it. The tremors that opening the door of the playhouse or some one trying to open the Radio-cabin by force causes, triggers audible alarm played by one of the computers installed in to the Radio-cabin. Also a email alert is sent to my email address. There is also another security camera that records any movement with audio, so if some one tries to steal something he/she will be recorded with HD resolution and sound. Camera is also equipped with two way intercom, so I can speak to whome ever there is at that moment next to it. The camera and it's internet connection are also battery powered so even if the main power is down there is power in these security features for several hours.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/41/IMG_2474-1024x473.jpeg\")
Final words
\n\n\nThis has been extremely interesting and fun project. Not only with the SDR & HAM radio stuff, but to build such playhome, power systems, security and all the other things needed for such system. I am sure that as it happened with my SDR's, this playhouse project continues to grow year after year - I'll try to keep you posted about the latest modifications with it.
\n\n\n73's! de OH1MAC a.k.a Mac
", "author": { "name": "OH1MAC" }, "tags": [ ], "date_published": "2022-03-09T22:36:53+02:00", "date_modified": "2026-01-01T17:21:25+02:00" }, { "id": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/40m-l-o-g.html", "url": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/40m-l-o-g.html", "title": "40m L-o-G", "summary": "My remote location is a little challenging what comes to the long-wire antennas, especially if the antenna needs to be string in straight line from the feed point. At the moment I have one long-wire antenna, a…", "content_html": "\nMy remote location is a little challenging what comes to the long-wire antennas, especially if the antenna needs to be string in straight line from the feed point. At the moment I have one long-wire antenna, a 43 meter long CityWindom hanging from the mast to a tree about 7 meters above the ground.
\n\n
\n\nAs I wanted to have at least another 40+ meter antenna installed I turned my attention to L-o-G antennas (Loop-on-Ground), a loop antenna installed directly to the ground with no suspension what so ever.
\n\n
\n\nThe construction:
\n\n
\n\nFor the antenna itself I used standard plastic insulated basic steel wire that is sold in every imaginable hardware store and normally used for example for fences, or hanging stuff. The wire did not have any special properties to be used as an antenna. I took care that the insulation was intact so that when the wire is lying on the ground under snow, water and grass water would not leak into the wire causing corrosion. Nothing else was done to insulate the wire from the elements of the nature.
\n\n
\n\nI tried to have the wire on the ground as in pure loop configuration as possible. For that I calculated the center point of the loop, stick a pole into that location and used rope for guide grass-trimmer - then it was just walking around cutting a lane for the wire. A 40 meter loop is surprisingly big one, but I was able to fit it to the back yard with few meters of free space on every side.
\n\n
\n\nThe loop is located in small not used part at my yard but as there are lot's of kids around I wanted to make sure that every one knows what the wire in the ground is - there is absolutely no risk of any electric shock, but the wire itself could cause harm if one run or stepped onto or if a kid tries to pull it out of the ground - better be safe than sorry as they say, so I marked the wire with some 'attention tape'.
\n\n
\n\nThe feed point would be perfect if it is installed to the same level as the wire itself, but I wanted to be extra sure that there is no way water could get in to the feed point balun or coax cable, so I installed the feed point to be safe high from the ground - sometimes snow can get as high a 1 meter from the ground where my remote HAM shack is located. The coax runs from my shack elevated to some 1,6 meters above the ground, high enough to be protected from snow, water and some one stepping onto it but still clearly visible to be noticed by if some one is walking next to it - it also has this 'attention tape' for better visibility.
\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2155-scaled.jpeg\")
\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"http://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2153-scaled.jpeg\")
\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2161-scaled.jpeg\")
\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/40/IMG_2158-scaled.jpeg\")
\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2340-scaled.jpeg\")
\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2341-scaled.jpeg\")
\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2346-scaled.jpeg\")
\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2352-scaled.jpeg\")
\n
\n
\n\nHow does it perform?
\n\n
\n\nI am more than surprised about how well the L-o-G performs when compared to the 40m long wire, ALA 1530, MLA30, MiniWhip and Half-G5RV. It indeed is very sensitive on 80m, 40m and even 20m but not really suitable to be used in 160m, VLF or 10+ meters. Well, as one would guess, this is a \"40m band\" antenna, so it is natural that this is not that good on other bands, especially in the lower part of the spectrum. The base noice level is awesome and several (ten's!!) of dB's below any other antenna I have in use.
\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ALA1530-31m.png\")
\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/L-o-G-31m.png\")
\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ALAvsLoG-ALA41m.png\")
\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ALAvsLoG-LoG41m.png\")
\n
\n
\n\nParts used:
\n\n
\n\nAntenna: 40 meters of 3mm thick plastic insulated generic steel wire as an the actual antenna element
Feed line: 25 meters of Airborne 5 coaxial cable
Feed point: 4:1 balun made by fellow SWL DX'er PSO
Radio: SDRPlay's RSPdx
Others: Red and white 'attention tape' for securing the wire and the feed coax
\n
\n", "author": { "name": "OH1MAC" }, "tags": [ ], "date_published": "2022-03-09T14:32:12+02:00", "date_modified": "2025-12-31T23:00:10+02:00" }, { "id": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/1000th-qso.html", "url": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/1000th-qso.html", "title": "1000th QSO", "summary": "I got my HAM license 25.01.2021, this is also the 100th Anniversary of the Finnish Radio Amateur League (SRAL) and I got my 1000th QSO (FT8, SSTV, JS8Call). I'd say this has been very interesting and educational…", "content_html": "\nI got my HAM license 25.01.2021, this is also the 100th Anniversary of the Finnish Radio Amateur League (SRAL) and I got my 1000th QSO (FT8, SSTV, JS8Call).
\n\n
\n\nI'd say this has been very interesting and educational year for me to learn \"HAM'ng\".
\n\n
\n\nYear -22 will be more learning, not only with digital modes but also voice and older modes I've planned to try and learn.
\n\n
\n", "author": { "name": "OH1MAC" }, "tags": [ ], "date_published": "2021-12-30T19:01:56+02:00", "date_modified": "2025-12-31T23:00:10+02:00" }, { "id": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/more-sstv-from-sura.html", "url": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/more-sstv-from-sura.html", "title": "MORE SSTV from SURA", "summary": "Saturday, 21st of August 2021 town of Nizhny Novgorod celebrated it's 800th anniversary. In honor of this event, SURA station sent several SSTV images using their huge transmitter site. SURA is similar system as USA based HAARP.", "content_html": "\nSaturday, 21st of August 2021 town of Nizhny Novgorod celebrated it's 800th anniversary.
\n\n
\n\nIn honor of this event, SURA station sent several SSTV images using their huge transmitter site. SURA is similar system as USA based HAARP.
\n\n
\n\nI got all the pictures sent from the SURA, but due to local thunder and lightning some of the images were distorted because the receiver software lost the synch.
\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/38/NoFSKID_2021-08-21_13.40.41.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/38/NoFSKID_2021-08-21_13.50.46.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/38/NoFSKID_2021-08-21_13.55.25.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/38/NoFSKID_2021-08-21_14.14.17.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/38/NoFSKID_2021-08-21_14.04.56.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/38/NoFSKID_2021-08-21_14.00.13.jpg\")
\n
\n\nOriginal translation from the Facebook post:
August 21, 2021 Nizhny Novgorod celebrates its 800th anniversary! In honor of this large-scale event, the NIRFI NNSU them. N.I. Lobachevsky prepared a congratulation. It will be done using the unique SURA scientific device. The heating stand will transmit a greeting card, the reception radius of which will cover half the globe!
The postcard can be accepted by the owner of an FM receiver capable of tuning to a frequency of 4300 kHz, as well as anyone who wishes with the help of one of the network receivers operating on the WEBSDR technology (websdr.org). To decode an image, it is enough to use mobile applications (for Android - Robot36, for iPhone - SSTV Slow Scan TV) or a PC application (MMSSTV).
The SURA heating stand will operate at a frequency of 4300 kHz with the maximum possible power during the periods of 11.00 - 12.00, 16.00 - 17.00 (Moscow time). During the indicated periods of the stand operation, an image will be broadcast in various modes of slow-scan television (SSTV).
Dear radio operators of amateur and other services, as well as those simply interested in the radio of our country, near and far abroad, we invite you to take part in receiving signals from the unique scientific installation SURA. Send your registered images to the NIRFI e-mail box rf@nirfi.unn.ru. It is advisable to indicate in the letter the location of the collection point, as well as describe the equipment used.
Confirmation cards will be sent in response to signal registration reports. Especially valuable reports, selected by a specially formed commission, will be marked with special attributes with the symbols of the SURA stand.
Sincerely,
Scientific Research Radiophysical Institute, NNSU N.I. Lobachevsky,
Nizhny Novgorod.
\n
\n", "author": { "name": "OH1MAC" }, "tags": [ ], "date_published": "2021-08-21T17:54:20+03:00", "date_modified": "2025-12-31T23:00:10+02:00" }, { "id": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/sporadic-e-fm-stations-from-far-far-away.html", "url": "https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/sporadic-e-fm-stations-from-far-far-away.html", "title": "Sporadic E – FM stations from "Far Far Away"", "summary": "It is summer and Sporadic E (Es) is again visiting us. At the moment I have a maintenance going on on my remote site so only a Discone is available for FM listening, so no directional FM…", "content_html": "\nIt is summer and Sporadic E (Es) is again visiting us. At the moment I have a maintenance going on on my remote site so only a Discone is available for FM listening, so no directional FM Yagi or anything, just a whip.
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://oh1mac.eu/oh1mac-wp-blog/media/posts/37/SporadicE-NPS.gif\")
Today was good conditions from my remote site to Ireland and indeed the waterfall of my SDR program was filled with Irish stations. The skip was about 2000 km over Sweden and Norway. And remember, this is normal FM usually heard only for some tens of kilometres up to hundred around the transmitting antenna site.
\n\n\nI was not prepared for this event, so only few recordings are available, below are perhaps the best ones I was able to record. BBC Radio 4, Channel Four and two that I was not able to get proper ID of.
\n\n\nReceived with:
Location: KP01tn, Pori - Finland
SDR: SDRPlay's RSPDuo
Antenna: Diamond Discone whip, about 14 meter from sea level
PreAmp: None
Due to Covid-19 I have not been able to update my systems. Summer -21 is the first real update time to my system since 2019 and I've been very busy to both fully re-build all my SDR radios, antenna arrays and The New One, my baby Icom-7300 as I finally got my HAM license and after Shortwave DX'er I became a fully licenced HAM operator too.
Lot's of interesting happening and I hope I have enought time to update this blog of mine with the latest!
73's !
-Mac