WG2XPN 70 MHz Beacon update

Brian WA1ZMS, licensee of the 3 kW ERP 70.005 MHz WG2XPN beacon located in Virginia USA, reports the license has been renewed until 1st May 2017

“The Experimental License for WG2XPN with one-way only beacon operations on 70.005 MHz with 3 kW ERPd from here in the US (QTH: FM07fm) has been renewed until May 1, 2017.”

— Brian WA1ZMS

As such, it gives the only 4m North American beacon a chance to be heard via TA to Europe for another 2 years.

Support for Beacon WA1ZMS continues to be provided by the FCC & the Society of Broadcast Engineers. The beacon uses a portion of spectrum is still reserved for TV service only and no US 4m ham band appears possible in the future.  

UK Beacons Yahoo Groups - https://groups.yahoo.com/group/UK_Beacons

SARL change beacon frequency

The South African Radio League (SARL) has requested ICASA to change the beacon frequency of 5250 to 5290 kHz to line up with the same allocation in Europe and other countries. This will greatly enhance the coverage of beacons.

ICASA has agreed and this week we will change the 5250 kHz frequency for 5290 kHz.

To receive WSPR beacons set your radio to SSB and tune 1, 5 kHz lower to 5288,5 kHz.

To learn more about the WSPR software, download a tutorial by Stewart Moss, ZS6SGM from the SARL web. Click on Propagation Research on the left hand side of the home page and follow the link.

WSPR stations operating on 5250 kHz are requested to move frequency on 4 October to 5290 kHz

DB0IH beacon upgraded

The DB0IH beacon on 70 cm has been heavily upgraded and is now frequency and time locked to GPS. It can be used for both frequency calibration and conditions monitoring.

Amateur / Ham Radio beacon DB0IH has been upgraded

Beacon data is now:
Frequency: 432.447 MHz
Locator: JN39HJ
Location: Rehlingen-Siersburg, Germany
Power: 15 W ERP
Antenna: HoLoop, 340 m asl
Sequence: PI4 (call), CW (call and locator) and carrier in a 1 min cycle
Keeper: Georg, DF1V