HFU HF Underground
Technical Topics => Equipment => Topic started by: ChrisSmolinski on December 02, 2017, 2004 UTC
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The perfect stocking stuffer! Just $20, with free shipping. The micro-controller IC comes pre-programmed with your choice of an ID / callsign.
Easy to assemble, full instructions here on the webpage, along with the order link: https://blackcatsystems.com/rf-products/22_meter_band_part_15_beacon_kit.html
(https://blackcatsystems.com/rf-products/pics/beacon/beacon_finished.jpg)
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WOW. How cool!
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I built two of these kits. They work great. I enclosed some pictures. My situation required that I sit the transmitter on a high shelf in the closet of a spare room. A short coax connects the transmitter to a half wave dipole antenna in my attic. The cabinet is a CMC 11914, Jameco part #208901. The 'TEST/ CW' switch on the rear required a modification to the circuit board. In the 'off' (test) position, U1 output is not connected. This keys the transmitter steady for measurements and adjustments. In the 'on' (CW) position, U1 output is connected and the transmitter sends my ID in Morse code. This saves wear on the IC from pulling it in and out of the socket every time I need to check my output. Do this at your own risk. I cut out a piece of the trace between U1 socket pin 6 and R1. I connected one 24 Ga. solid wire to pin 6 of U1 socket and the other wire to the chip side of R1. With the output set to 480 millivolts for 4.6 milliwatts into my half wave dipole antenna, I have now heard my signal locally over 6 miles from my home at high locations. I purchased a 20 meter magnet mount antenna for my truck to use with my portable shortwave receiver. The antenna tuned to 13.56 MHz, so I can also use it to operate the beacon portable from mountain locations.
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Very nice construction work. Don't forget to add your frequency and call sign to the HFU Wiki:
https://www.hfunderground.com/wiki/index.php/Part_15_Beacons
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Thanks, I just added it to Wiki.