NASA Radar tests - radio hams asked to help Radio amateurs have been asked to listen out for any emissions in the 50-54 MHz band from the 48 MHz Tropospheric Doppler Radar Wind Profiler (TDRWP) at the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) The tests on an improved waveform are taking place from Monday, November 25 through Sunday, December 2 The ARRL says: The purpose of the test is to improve the instrument’s resolution and still operate within the assigned bandwidth. The TDRWP is used to assess and evaluate upper-level winds for launches from KSC and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. NASA is requesting the amateur radio community to report any detected emissions in the 50 – 54 MHz band during that period. Include the date, time, location, frequency, and any other pertinent information (such as IQ files of the signal for evaluation) that might assist NASA in assessing potential impacts to the amateur radio community. Source ARRL http://www.arrl.org/news/kennedy-sp...oved-wind-profiler-seeks-assistance-from-hams http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/november/nasa-radar-tests--radio-hams-asked-to-help.htm
Check out the series of vids and links on YouTube made by Tim Havens WW1L (formerly NW0W etc etc etc) who is a serious 6 meter DX'er. They are now several years old so its an assumption that NASA hasn't changed the waveform much. Note his comments and links on this one vid below. I add that since 2015 FT8 has become the predominant mode being used on 6m which may complicate monitoring and judgement of any such intruding QRM situation. 73, John, WØPV --------------- "As many as hundreds of active 50 MHz (Six Meters) Hams have reported recently (Spring/summer 2015) an increased interference to the 50 MHz band which is now confirmed to source out of EL99pp in Florida. Based on known active and in-active periods it has been confirmed that the 50 MHz DWPR Radar @ NASA KSC IS INDEED the source of this interference. June 2015 these reports reached the ARRL and they’ve been in contact with NASA Kennedy Space Center regarding the matter. NASA shutdown the Radar almost immediately after receiving these reports, however, since that time (post July 4th, 2015) NASA KSC continues to use the radar in support of various missions as well as testing. Testing so far appears to only be related to the antenna beam of the radar. NASA @ KSC has verfiied that the radar IS out it’s intended band and into the 50 MHz band. There is a need to activate hams monitoring for this type of emission within our 50 MHz spectrum." - Tim WW1L
