CCRhode

joined 1 month ago
[–] CCRhode@mander.xyz 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Only when direct line of sight have I been successful.

I've logged a couple of traceroutes that crossed state lines:

2026-06-23 20:50

Ἀργώ 5749 (Sheboygan, WI) »  26.0 db»
Skiðblaðnir 8ef9 (Sheboygan, WI) » -69.0 db»
W8ZHO Clubhouse Node (Muskegon, MI) »  15.0 db»
Downtown Mkg Router (Muskegon, MI) » -42.0 db»
3rd Ward Repeater (Milwaukee, WI)

3rd Ward Repeater (Milwaukee, WI) » -26.0 db»
W8ZHO Clubhouse Node (Muskegon, MI) » -43.0 db»
Skiðblaðnir 8ef9 (Sheboygan, WI) »  24.0 db»
Ἀργώ 5749 (Sheboygan, WI)@

2026-06-24 03:28

Ἀργώ 5749 (Sheboygan, WI) »  25.0 db»
Skiðblaðnir 8ef9 (Sheboygan, WI) » -63.0 db»
Downtown Mkg Router (Muskegon, MI) » -50.0 db»
MorgMobile (No location) »  -1.0 db»
NED3 Repeater (Milwaukee, WI)

NED3 Repeater (Milwaukee, WI) »   5.0 db»
Downtown Mkg Router (Muskegon, MI) »  -7.0 db»
Skiðblaðnir 8ef9 (Sheboygan, WI) »  23.0 db»
Ἀργώ 5749 (Sheboygan, WI)@

Skiðblaðnir (CLIENT_BASE) and Ἀργώ (CLIENT_MUTE) are collocated so positive SNR is expected. Likewise the positive SNRs within the greater Muskegon area are explicable. Technically, though, Sheboygan, Muskegon, and Milwaukee are each over the horizon from one another so any signal at all (even with greatly negative SNR) is remarkable. Getting a round-trip twice within 24 hours is outstanding. I believe (and I am unanimous in this) that the high temperature gradient over the cool waters of Lake Michigan causes refraction of the radio waves. Thus, the apparent horizon is much farther out than supposed.

Of course, these conditions are exceptional and successful traceroutes even under such conditions are rare.