[Lowfer] Soapbox (again)

[Les Rayburn]

I really hate to do this but...

B E A C O N  O P E R A T O R S
===========================================
Everytime you put a new beacon on the air, change frequencies, modes,
hours of operation, ID's, etc. Please remember to send an e-mail
message to:

part15@lwca.org

By doing so, you can be assured that your listing will be updated on both
the LWCA web site, Noise Floor web site, and the next issue of the Lowdown.
If you also follow this up by posting these details here and on the
LWCA bulletin board, you'll be assured of reaching the maximum
number of potential listeners.

Not to pick on anyone, but I'm "kind of" aware that a new beacon
went on the air tonight. Beacon VLF, appears to be operating on
185.301khz in QRSS60 mode. Perhaps with some kind of
sawtooth modulation?

It also appears that this beacon may be located in Harwington, CT
in grid FN31ls. How do I know all this?

Because I pieced together a half dozen messages, looked up
Paul's amateur call sign on qrz.com and generally gave up
a half hour of my free time to sort all this out.

The easy way to update all this information is to use the
EZ beacon update form at:

http://www.highnoonfilm.com/xmgr/ez.htm

This form is automatically mailed to both John and I. What could be easier?

While I'm on the soapbox, I want to say that I appreciate those who have 
started
their own web sites to allow listeners to check on the current status of 
individual
beacons.

I'm still torn though on if all these frequency changes, modes, etc. don't just
add to the confusion for listeners.

I'd suggest that we spend some of this coming summer and fall working
out a schedule of experiments for the season, allowing more coordination
and more valid results.

On the other hand, it is nice to jump to NC's web site and see that his beacon
is off the air tonight while he's listening.

I hope to see more beacon operators keep their listeners in mind by
providing timely updates. Meanwhile, in the midst of all these "grouped"
beacons, we still have newcomers like BZS, LIP and others
who are in need of a little encouragement in the form of people at
least attempting to copy their beacons.

And for the last time, does anyone know the on air status of JDH and RLD?

73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF