[Aavso-sid-list] the best and cheapest datalogger for radio astronomy

[Thomas Ashcraft]

james underwood wrote:
> hello i am just starting out in radio astonomy and i am in need for
> some input on this datalogger system. it is this one
> http://www.dataq.com/data-acquisition-starter-kits/data-acquisition-starter-kits.htm
> it is the DI148U as I am just starting out i am going to get a gyrator
> II and make an attenna to get me up and running asap. any help you can
> give would be great thanks as i am a disabled veteran and live on
> little i have to do a little at a time.
> thanks
> james "doc" underwood
> .
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>   
James,

I can't address VLF SID monitoring but here is something for you to 
consider:

There is a way to record SIDs with any sort of short wave radio at 
around 18 MHz or 20 MHz using free software called Radio Skypipe.
http://www.radiosky.com/

If you monitor at these decametric frequencies then you will 
simultaneously be observing the Sun for various sorts of solar radio 
bursts and emissions and when there is a solar xray event of class 
higher C or M class then it is possible to record a "short wave fade" 
which will show on your chart recorder system as a dropout.

Here is a sample page of SIDs recorded with Radio Skypipe:
http://www.heliotown.com/July_2004_SIDs.html

Here is another page when I was using a strip chart recorder.
http://www.heliotown.com/X20-SIDs.html

I generally use a Sangean ATS-803 short wave  radio which goes for $80. 
or under on eBay.  I also just use a single half wave dipole antenna cut 
for frequency which only costs what coax costs...$20. or so.

It is a simple system but effective.  I must strongly caution you though 
about any sort of radio astronomy work and the struggle with various 
types of electrical interferences you will probably encounter at any 
frequency you work at.  But, for SIDs, if you can get far off short wave 
radio stations at 18 MHz or 20 MHz then your radio will show short wave 
fades when there is a strong solar flare.

Anyway, good luck!

Thomas Ashcraft
New Mexico