[ARC5] Dispelling Longwave Myths (was Radio Beacon...)

[David Stinson]

That Longwave doesn't get far and that antennas must be giant
are both myths.  NDB transmitters with their small EIRP and small
antennas prove that.
I'm having a great time on 475 KC.  22 states so far without even trying 
hard.
My antenna is about one fifth the size of my 80 mtr Delta Loop.  I estimate
my ERP at less than a watt.  My WSPR beacon, EIRP of about 200mW,
has been regularly copied in Hawaii and the Caribbean.  My rig is an
Icom 735 with a few easy modifications to extend the TX range lower.
Antenna is a 40-foot high "Marconi" "T" with a modest ground under it
strung between two trees.  The "top hat" is about 40 feet long.
I'm not using CW filters or directional receive antennas, but if I did
I'd have more states by now LOL.
Here's some results from beaconing at 500 mW on Feb 1st.
K9FD is in Hawaii.  These results are typical for average propagation
and low to moderate noise receive sites:
Date UTC,  RXed,  Freq,  Signal,   RXer & grid,  Miles
  02-01 04:52 AB5S 0.475765 -25 K9FD    BL11je 3779
  02-01 06:06 AB5S 0.475759 -27 VA7JX   CN79kv 1871
  02-01 04:52 AB5S 0.475759 -32 WA6OUR  CN87xo 1673
  02-01 02:10 AB5S 0.475776 -22 VE6JY   DO33or 1642
  02-01 03:28 AB5S 0.475767 -28 KPH     CM88mc 1529
  02-01 05:24 AB5S 0.475758 -26 KJ6MKI  CM88oi 1522
  02-01 05:58 AB5S 0.475760 -29 VE7KPB  DN29cm 1513
  02-01 03:44 AB5S 0.475768 -27 KR6LA   CN90ao 1502
  02-01 10:22 AB5S 0.475759 -28 N1SV    FN42er 1499
  02-01 07:26 AB5S 0.475762 -29 W1IR    FN34lp 1483

Attached is a map of 475 KC beacon activity for the last 24 hours,
and last night wasn't a good night for crossing either pond (I wasn't on).
Most of these stations are running less than a Watt EIRP.

73 Dave AB5S

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