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Author Topic: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!  (Read 9111 times)

Finman

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New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« on: November 07, 2017, 1900 UTC »
Just completed construction and it's on the air...

13.561.82 mhz (+/- 100hz) 5wpm CW, Grid square EM96

(edit = moved to 13.564.20mhz)

Two transistor, scratch built, (except for the $12 keyer board) xtal controlled, Antenna is an 80ft end fed wire connected to an MFJ artificial ground tuner. The beacon transmitter is located in my very temporary radio desk/shack on the second story in my home, a terrible radio location but I'm making due until my basement shack is completed in a few months from now.

I had to work through a few stability issues but it's pretty solid now.

Reports please!!

« Last Edit: November 10, 2017, 2146 UTC by Finman »

Offline tesla

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2017, 0151 UTC »
I will listen for it tomorrow didn't have a chance today...
Is the power around 4 mw?

Finman

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2017, 1236 UTC »
Hi.... it's probably a bit more than 4mw but there is quite a bit of loss in the antenna, tuner and ground system so field strength is most likely within the limit.
Maybe the FCC will stop by and measure it for me. ;D

Let me know if you can copy it.

Offline tesla

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2017, 1446 UTC »
There is nothing but tremendous qrm on that area of the band...I recommend that
you go to lwca.org and see the current placement of beacons and also quarry John Davis
who owns the LWCA web site on what a good freq. would be.

I doubt anyone would ever hear your beacon where it is...thats the name of that tune

Finman

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2017, 1500 UTC »
Understood. Right now I'm crystal controlled so i can't move very much without causing stability issues. I have a digital exciter on the way so i will be able to select any freq. It will also allow me to adjust power based on losses. I looked at the LWCA beacon list and it's pretty obvious everyone avoids the 13.559 - 13.561 and I know why...

The crystal I'm using is a mass produced, off the shelf 13.560 xtal which is probably used by many manufacturers of RFID and other industrial devices on this band hence the QRM on this freq.

When I get home tonight I'm going to install a different crystal that should be lower in frequency. I'll post here when it's running with the new freq change. Should be later today.

Thanks for the advice Tesla!  8)
« Last Edit: November 10, 2017, 1653 UTC by Finman »

Finman

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2017, 2145 UTC »
Ok, I replaced the xtal with a higher freq one.. a big old HC6U xtal.

I'm now sending away on 13.564.2mhz.

Officially out of the QRM hole.  ;D ;D I've updated the top post.


Offline tesla

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2017, 2354 UTC »
Now that is a good freq.  I would try to keep it there.

What is the keying speed?  10 wpm is fast enough to cope with rapid qsb
that occurs on 22 meters IMO.

Finman

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2017, 0016 UTC »
Thanks Tesla... 5wpm always.. Let me know if you hear it. I have a feeling my erp is not what it should be all things considered.. :'( and propagation kinda sucks right now..  :o
« Last Edit: November 11, 2017, 0256 UTC by Finman »

Offline tesla

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #8 on: November 11, 2017, 1308 UTC »
Your be surprised...I bet someone will hear you I have some friends that are very good Hifer dx ers...and they will be listening...
If it is to slow it is hard to copy by the wet processor  you know by the human brain...anyway this weekend I will really give it a try...

Finman

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2017, 1349 UTC »
It got very cold here this morning.... hopefully propagation will improve soon.

Once my new transmitter arrives, I'll set it to this same frequency.  ;)


Online Nomadiq

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2017, 2050 UTC »
Heard in Cape Code, MA 22nd November at 2049 UTC - about S3 with noise at S1-2. Pretty good copy.
QTH: Boston Northern Suburbs
Radios: Icom R75, Airspy HF+ Discovery, ICOM IC-7410, Yeasu FT-817
Antennas: Buddistick, EndFed Random Wire, Philips head screw driver jammed into the center socket

Finman

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2017, 2054 UTC »
Heard in Cape Code, MA 22nd November at 2049 UTC - about S3 with noise at S1-2. Pretty good copy.

Very cool!... I've spent lots of time on the cape.. thanks  very much for the report.

Offline Ed H

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #12 on: November 29, 2017, 0029 UTC »
Heard here in CA on 21st Nov. A strong signal, good enough to be copied by ear. As reported on LWCA.

Nice to have a new beacon on the band - welcome Finman

Finman

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #13 on: November 29, 2017, 1213 UTC »
Thanks very much for the report Ed. Glad it's making it to the west coast!  8)

Heard here in CA on 21st Nov. A strong signal, good enough to be copied by ear. As reported on LWCA.

Nice to have a new beacon on the band - welcome Finman

Offline Skipmuck

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Re: New HIFER Beacon "RF" is on the air!!
« Reply #14 on: November 29, 2017, 1715 UTC »
Hearing this now at 1711 UTC 29 NOV 2017 in Springfield MA with signal fading in and out of the noise floor...my first ID'able 22 meter beacon! "RF"  8)
1725 UTC Now mixing with another beacon "GNK"
Sadly, determining exact frequencies for CW with the NRD-515 is somewhat of a crap shoot! In fact, I have to off tune to hear them  :(
« Last Edit: November 29, 2017, 1728 UTC by Skipmuck »
QSL's to poorbrookking >at< aol.com are greatly appreciated! All reception and postings using My radio, My antenna, and generally in real time(excluding posting of SSTV images!).
QTH:Springfield, MA
JRC NRD-515 with 43 meter half wave dipole into MFJ 949E Versa Tuner: also Grove SP-200 & SONY 2010's