Loran ? radio mod and 27Mhz walkie talkies - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Malcolm T · 12th Feb 2019, 11:17 am

Back in the early 70's I modded a MW hand held radio. I think I removed some turns from the ferrite coil and adjusted a couple of IFT can slugs to get up to top band, the marker was on then and I think it was Loran. My question is, does anyone out there have a recording of that beacon? As I would like to hear it again, it had a musical note to it that was repeated.

Around the same time I bought from I think Henrys radio in London a pair of 27MHz walkie talkies, fairly heavy with the telescopic aerial, Hammerite blue in colour and aliminium cases. i think they were German. I have never seen any since then and would like to know more, does anyone have any info please?

AC/HL · 12th Feb 2019, 2:25 pm

This one?
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...7&postcount=16

Radio Wrangler · 12th Feb 2019, 6:47 pm

Of course, the jingle bells sounded different, depending on where you were. Different stations would have different amplitudes.

I, too miss it.

David

G6Tanuki · 12th Feb 2019, 6:50 pm

Wasn't the "Jingle bells" on Top-band the Decca Navigator system?

I remember LORAN as a raspy crackle/pulse-signal that sounded more like car ignition-interference.

dsergeant · 12th Feb 2019, 6:55 pm

Jingle Bells is HiFix markers and have a musical note. Loran is totally different - you can still hear the 100kHz transmissions - rather like ignition noise but varying as the different chains interact with each other. Jingle Bells was around 1900kHz, Loran in Europe around 1975kHz with a USA chain sometimes heard around 1850kHz. I recall vividly when Loran closed down (1980?), bang on midnight that New Year's eve each transmitter switched off in sequence to leave a nice quiet band. Sadly no recording of the event.

Dave

Malcolm T · 13th Feb 2019, 10:05 am

I listened to the recording, that's it, the Decca, those diddly da notes, I haven't heard that since the 70's, ahhh sweet music to my ears, twiddling the IFT's, fiddling the ferrite rod coil and hearing that was an acheivement on a cheap hand radio. And listening to the Sunday morning top band net in East London. A good job you have a recording. Thank you AC/HL for that, brilliant! I will have to read up on the Decca system, very interesting. It definitely was not Loran.

And also listening to the US forces network baseball games relayed from Germany on medium wave late at night.

12th Feb 2019, 11:17 am	#1
Malcolm T Hexode Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Lugo, Spain Posts: 483	Loran ? radio mod and 27Mhz walkie talkies Back in the early 70's I modded a MW hand held radio. I think I removed some turns from the ferrite coil and adjusted a couple of IFT can slugs to get up to top band, the marker was on then and I think it was Loran. My question is, does anyone out there have a recording of that beacon? As I would like to hear it again, it had a musical note to it that was repeated. Around the same time I bought from I think Henrys radio in London a pair of 27MHz walkie talkies, fairly heavy with the telescopic aerial, Hammerite blue in colour and aliminium cases. i think they were German. I have never seen any since then and would like to know more, does anyone have any info please?

12th Feb 2019, 2:25 pm	#2
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Loran ? radio mod and 27Mhz walkie talkies This one? https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...7&postcount=16

12th Feb 2019, 6:47 pm	#3
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,858	Re: Loran ? radio mod and 27Mhz walkie talkies Of course, the jingle bells sounded different, depending on where you were. Different stations would have different amplitudes. I, too miss it. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

12th Feb 2019, 6:50 pm	#4
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,996	Re: Loran ? radio mod and 27Mhz walkie talkies Wasn't the "Jingle bells" on Top-band the Decca Navigator system? I remember LORAN as a raspy crackle/pulse-signal that sounded more like car ignition-interference.

12th Feb 2019, 6:55 pm	#5
dsergeant Octode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire,UK. Posts: 1,172	Re: Loran ? radio mod and 27Mhz walkie talkies Jingle Bells is HiFix markers and have a musical note. Loran is totally different - you can still hear the 100kHz transmissions - rather like ignition noise but varying as the different chains interact with each other. Jingle Bells was around 1900kHz, Loran in Europe around 1975kHz with a USA chain sometimes heard around 1850kHz. I recall vividly when Loran closed down (1980?), bang on midnight that New Year's eve each transmitter switched off in sequence to leave a nice quiet band. Sadly no recording of the event. Dave

13th Feb 2019, 10:05 am	#6
Malcolm T Hexode Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Lugo, Spain Posts: 483	Re: Loran ? radio mod and 27Mhz walkie talkies I listened to the recording, that's it, the Decca, those diddly da notes, I haven't heard that since the 70's, ahhh sweet music to my ears, twiddling the IFT's, fiddling the ferrite rod coil and hearing that was an acheivement on a cheap hand radio. And listening to the Sunday morning top band net in East London. A good job you have a recording. Thank you AC/HL for that, brilliant! I will have to read up on the Decca system, very interesting. It definitely was not Loran. And also listening to the US forces network baseball games relayed from Germany on medium wave late at night.