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Author Topic: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (OFF air, 10.237,5kHz, 5W)  (Read 60023 times)

Offline Zazzle

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Re: 5W Text Beacon Project (operating, CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #30 on: July 30, 2015, 0928 UTC »
Hey,

Changed the Antenna configuration back to straight Dipole. The local field was nice but the reception in Enschede dropped a great deal.  Also, I took some photos (finally).


Whole Setup 1
Whole Setup 2
Whole Setup 1
Pole

Greetings,
~Zazzle
Trans-/Receivers: JRC NRD-525,  ICOM IC-R72,  YAESU VR-5000,  YAESU FT-897D
Antennas: 80M Halfwave Dipole,  40m Inverted-V,  5/8λ Groundplane,  20M Longwire,  misc. UHF/VHF Scanner Antennas.

Offline Zazzle

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #31 on: August 11, 2015, 2319 UTC »
Hahaha, yes! ;D

http://sv1xv.blogspot.de/

I've been wondering when (and how) this will happen for months by now. I'm taking about Google-Hits regarding the Beacon. People receiving it, wondering what it is and posting stuff. Awesome. Makes me grin right now.

I think I'll ask someone to forward that guy a QSL card. Let's see his reaction to the fact of suddenly receiving such a card from a station he's been wondering about. That could be funny! :D

~Zazzle
Trans-/Receivers: JRC NRD-525,  ICOM IC-R72,  YAESU VR-5000,  YAESU FT-897D
Antennas: 80M Halfwave Dipole,  40m Inverted-V,  5/8λ Groundplane,  20M Longwire,  misc. UHF/VHF Scanner Antennas.

Offline Zazzle

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #32 on: August 31, 2015, 1415 UTC »
Hey,

Maintenance post. We had some storms recently so I went out for a check last night. I was quite amazed to see that the whole setup stood up against the beautiful night sky like it did when I saw it last time. Funny how much stress this cheap (but well considered) setup can withstand.  Also, given how many people (Graffity sprayers, etc.) run around on that industry yard, I'm also amazed that it didn't fell linto the hands of teenagers with too much energy left. So, jep, nothing to complain. :)

Btw: I made this chart yesterday.

~Zazzle
Trans-/Receivers: JRC NRD-525,  ICOM IC-R72,  YAESU VR-5000,  YAESU FT-897D
Antennas: 80M Halfwave Dipole,  40m Inverted-V,  5/8λ Groundplane,  20M Longwire,  misc. UHF/VHF Scanner Antennas.

Offline SV1XV

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #33 on: August 31, 2015, 1819 UTC »
Hahaha, yes! ;D

http://sv1xv.blogspot.de/

I've been wondering when (and how) this will happen for months by now. I'm taking about Google-Hits regarding the Beacon. People receiving it, wondering what it is and posting stuff. Awesome. Makes me grin right now.

I think I'll ask someone to forward that guy a QSL card. Let's see his reaction to the fact of suddenly receiving such a card from a station he's been wondering about. That could be funny! :D

~Zazzle
Hi Zazzle, I just noticed the link to my blog - thanks. Costas SV1XV

Offline SV1XV

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #34 on: September 09, 2015, 1855 UTC »
Today I visited the Post Office and found a QSL card for "Common and Precious" reception. Thank you very much!

QSL Common and Precious

« Last Edit: September 10, 2015, 1135 UTC by SV1XV »

Offline Zazzle

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #35 on: September 11, 2015, 0912 UTC »
Hey!

Heh! I though you might like a surprise QSL Card and hoped you won't be upset because I googled for your address. :)

~Zazzle


Today I visited the Post Office and found a QSL card for "Common and Precious" reception. Thank you very much!
QSL Common and Precious
Trans-/Receivers: JRC NRD-525,  ICOM IC-R72,  YAESU VR-5000,  YAESU FT-897D
Antennas: 80M Halfwave Dipole,  40m Inverted-V,  5/8λ Groundplane,  20M Longwire,  misc. UHF/VHF Scanner Antennas.

Offline SV1XV

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #36 on: September 11, 2015, 0948 UTC »
Not at all, my address is no secret after all; it is published on QRZ.COM etc ham sites.




Offline skeezix

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #37 on: September 13, 2015, 2051 UTC »
I've been listening for the station, but have yet to hear it.  Persistence will pay off.


Minneapolis, MN

Offline Zazzle

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #38 on: September 14, 2015, 1245 UTC »
I've been listening for the station, but have yet to hear it.  Persistence will pay off.

Thank you for Listening! :)
Trans-/Receivers: JRC NRD-525,  ICOM IC-R72,  YAESU VR-5000,  YAESU FT-897D
Antennas: 80M Halfwave Dipole,  40m Inverted-V,  5/8λ Groundplane,  20M Longwire,  misc. UHF/VHF Scanner Antennas.

Offline syfr

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #39 on: December 21, 2015, 0127 UTC »
OK, a new DX target ...

I'll be tuning!

Kiwsdr x 2. TenTec Paragon/NRD535

Offline Zazzle

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #40 on: March 09, 2016, 1223 UTC »
Good afternoon,

Oh look! Spring's ahead! It's time to quit hibernating and get active here again! No, seriously, other stuff absorbed me during Winter and I almost forgot to check this place. Sorry for all those pending QSL-Card requets. I'm digging through the backlog today.

Anway! I checked the setup last weekend after not doing so for months. I was amazed to see: it's how I left it last time. In full working condition with no damages, both in electrical and mechanical terms. Which surprised me since we experienced some nasty storms during the last couple of months.

Also, last year during the installation I had my doubts that it will even surive a month without damage (on purpose). But,well it made it's way to it's first anniversary without any damage - except a broken PSU. But that doesn't count.

Hooray, I guess. :)

Kind greetings, Zazzle.

Trans-/Receivers: JRC NRD-525,  ICOM IC-R72,  YAESU VR-5000,  YAESU FT-897D
Antennas: 80M Halfwave Dipole,  40m Inverted-V,  5/8λ Groundplane,  20M Longwire,  misc. UHF/VHF Scanner Antennas.

Offline AntiRecoveryUnit

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #41 on: March 30, 2016, 1811 UTC »
Hello!  Your beacon seems to be s2 to s9+20 daytime here in Finland. Fading away when sun sets.
I have now checked it daily, and it's there. Qrg seems to fade about 50hz max!
Your local junkyard dude

Offline Zazzle

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #42 on: April 08, 2016, 1108 UTC »
Hi there AntiRecoveryUnit,

Thank you for the report! Can you send me some additional details, like locator, via DM? I can send you a QSL-Card, in case you want one. :)

Kind greetings,
~Zazzle
Trans-/Receivers: JRC NRD-525,  ICOM IC-R72,  YAESU VR-5000,  YAESU FT-897D
Antennas: 80M Halfwave Dipole,  40m Inverted-V,  5/8λ Groundplane,  20M Longwire,  misc. UHF/VHF Scanner Antennas.

Offline Zazzle

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #43 on: May 19, 2016, 1203 UTC »
Hey,

Ops. The Beacon has ceased operation.

I couldn't hear it yesterday so I had a look at the setup. To my reliev, I found everything in the state I left it last timne. Nothing got stolen and/or vandalised. Since I had no instruments with me, I coudln't run tests (i.e. checking if power was still present). I'll do that on the upcomming weekend.

I suspect it's either a problem with the power cable or with the PSU inside the beacon. CW-Operation is a lot of stress for SMPS PSUs and I wouldn't be surprised if it broke (again).

Well, let's wait and see.

Kind Greetings,
Zazzle
Trans-/Receivers: JRC NRD-525,  ICOM IC-R72,  YAESU VR-5000,  YAESU FT-897D
Antennas: 80M Halfwave Dipole,  40m Inverted-V,  5/8λ Groundplane,  20M Longwire,  misc. UHF/VHF Scanner Antennas.

Offline Zazzle

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Re: Beacon Project "Common and Precious" (5W CW, 10.237,74MHz)
« Reply #44 on: July 11, 2016, 0918 UTC »
Hi!

Jop! Like suspected, the PSU broke down. Something caused the fuse to blow. It's odd. The EMI-filter on the line-input looks like it had to endure high currents. The insulation on the copper wire bubbled up.

Hadn't a closer look at the issue so far. But regardless of the cause, the PSU will be replaced entirely.

Greetings,
Zazzle
Trans-/Receivers: JRC NRD-525,  ICOM IC-R72,  YAESU VR-5000,  YAESU FT-897D
Antennas: 80M Halfwave Dipole,  40m Inverted-V,  5/8λ Groundplane,  20M Longwire,  misc. UHF/VHF Scanner Antennas.