[Lowfer] Lowfer Beacons

[Les Rayburn]

Mark,

First of all, I should apologize. This season has seen XM(GR) off the air a 
lot so
that I could work on MARS nets, and try to de-bug my own reception problems.
We also had a lot of early season success with reception reports from most
established listeners, so I have not been concerned about my "outages" as
much as I should have been.

XM(GR) and JDH should be the strongest signals in your area...but you're
also fairly close to LEK, BRO, and others that should come in well.

Lacking a local signal, it can be hard to troubleshoot why you're not
seeing lowfer signals. In the past, I have logged over 15 lowfers, but
from my Alabama home, I have successful receptions of only four.
Keep in mind, that I too can log hundreds of NDB's from here,
and WWVB, Loran, etc. pound in...lowfer signals are
much weaker.

As for reception reports on your own beacons, I only added them to
the list about three weeks ago. Hifer beacon listening is largely
a summer activity (when longwave is too noisy) so don't expect
reception reports there. Medfer beacons do not seem to be
high on most listeners lists, due to interference from BCB
stations. During the winter, lowfer is the place to be.

The best rule in getting a beacon heard is to put them on a clear
frequency, and then LEAVE THEM ON! You then begin to
try to improve your ERP, testing with portable receivers, etc.
One of the big mistakes I see newcomers make is that they
change frequency a lot, change formats, and turn the beacons
on and off. This is all frustrating to listeners. (Like your own
frustration with my schedule lately! )

Keep in mind that all this is also subject to the "rules of human
nature". "Advertising" is actually a big part of this. Post to the list,
let folks know that your ERP is going up (if it really is), try
offering custom QSL cards, etc. Your unique ID is a great start...
hey, who wouldn't want a QSL from the king!

Many folks have beacons on for several seasons before they
get the ERP up enough to be heard on skywave. Some have
more immediate success. XMGR was on the air for three
seasons before being heard on Skywave...and it took
years to break the 1,000 mile barrier.

Your Hifer beacon will be heard come summer, I'm sure.

For a lowfer beacon, I'd suggest trying something similar
to RDL's setup. A good vertical wire flattop "T", with
a small counterpoise. Try to keep trees and other
objects away from it. That's what I use too, and it
seems to work.

Mark, I promise to have XM(GR) on every minute that
I am not actually working MARS. My MARS nets
meet at 7AM, 8AM & 8PM, 9PM Central Time. They
usually last no more than 1/2 hour. Other that ...
it will be on.

Feel free to send me screen captures of what you're seeing on
Argo too...that will really help to tell us if you have other
noise sources, etc. Just keep at it...hearing your first
lowfer is a thrill like no other!

73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF



Les Rayburn, director
High Noon Film & Interactive
100 Centerview Drive
Suite 111
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 824-8930
(205) 824-8960 FAX
(205) 253-4867 CELL
http://www.highnoonfilm.com