Common and Precious III Beacon 26510 kHz 26.510 MHz UK SDR 1725 UTC 20 July 2017

[R4002]

Tuning around the 11 meter band on one of many remote SDRs, found a nice sounding CW signal right on 26510.0 kHz / 26.510.0 MHz.  Originally tuned in FM mode (signal quiets the receiver decently when transmitting, S3-S4 signal in FM mode).  Common and Precious III 26 MHz beacon 26510 kHz CW

Switched to USB mode and dropped 1 kHz down to 26509 kHz / 26.509 MHz USB mode, still peaking at a nicely readable S4 signal at 1730 UTC.

There is some very weak FM traffic coming in on 26515 kHz / 26.515 MHz and even more sporadic FM voice traffic (likely from Russia) on 26500 kHz / 26.500 MHz but the beacon's CW signal is still easily the strongest.  More FM signals a bit higher up in frequency, namely 26550 kHz / 26.550 MHz, then the start of the German CB band, at 26565 kHz / 26.565 MHz going up from there it gets busier.

Good frequency choice    That 8 watts is doing an excellent job! 

[Zazzle]

Hi R4002!

Thank you or the report(s). I'm happy to hear that it makes it that far. It's a welcome reward for all the effort that was spend on the antenna (testing and installation).

Kind Greetings,
~Zazzle

[R4002]

Zazzle,

I'm always glad to hear about 11 meter band beacon projects.  I will want to put one of my own up (some day...) with similar power output and antenna type (vertical, simple 1/4 wave or something like that) but on the 27 MHz side, instead of 26 MHz.  Although, I have to say I have an increased appreciation for your frequency choice.  While there is/was some minor Russian taxicab QRM in FM mode, the frequency is a good one.  When the band is open, the "high band" channels (27.405-27.995 MHz) are almost all busy.  Luckily for me, here in the USA, using a frequency that ends in 0 (for example, 27.670 instead of 27.675) will likely help me out.  With the Russians, who use 5 kHz steps on 11 meters, that can't really be avoided.

Either way, good work and keep it up!  I will keep checking 26.510 MHz / 26510 kHz for your beacon in the future. 

[R4002]

I went back to the Southwest UK KiwiSDR [http://southwest.ddns.net:8073/] at 1850 UTC (1950 local British Summer Time) and am able to hear the 11 meter beacon Common and Precious III on 26510 kHz 26.510 MHz peaking at S5-S6 in USB mode (when tuned to 26.509 MHz USB).  It does appear that a band opening is in progress in Europe, as I am noticing Russian SSB traffic nearby on 26.495 MHz USB, 26.465 MHz and Russian FM traffic on 26.455 MHz FM and 26.500 MHz FM.  A strong pager transmission comes in on 26500 kHz / 26.500 MHz from time to time as well, and I believe it to be Russian or Eastern European / former USSR / CIS in origin, going by the other signals heard in the 26 MHz area. 

[SV1XV]

COMMON AND PRECIOUS par SV1XV, on ipernity

Hi, I got COMMON AND PRECIOUS on 26510.0 kHz CW this afternoon, 2017-08-09 at 13:49 UTC. Weak signal reads COMMON AND PRECIOUS JO62SK 6W. Radio Icom IC-706 MkII, antenna multiband vertical.

73 Costas SV1XV
Athens, Greece