[Lowfer] Beacons copied in NE Illinois

[Garry and Linda Hess]

Several reports that beacon SJ is QRV again prompted a look at 186.850 
kHz. ARGO QRSS-10 showed the signal nicely around 0400Z, but the 
transmission is no longer QRSS-10. It's changed to QRSS-20, a change 
that will help more distant stations to see it.

Since SJ was doing well I decided to take quick looks at other beacons 
normally in range. WEB on 189.949.4 kHz QRSS-30 was as potent as usual 
at 0530Z. WMS QRSS-30 was also strong at 0630Z, varying in frequency 
slightly about 187.490.5 kHz. Next up, the 185.3 kHz lowfer watering 
hole: MP QRSS-60 on 185.301 kHz and CV QRSS-60 on 185.298.3 kHz were 
both nice copy at 0700Z. Then I looked for XR to no avail, but that 
wasn't surprising because it's running very QRP at the moment. Finally, 
TAG Wolf10 on 185.8 kHz wasn't quite decoded but the output settled into 
the same frequency offset that did work overnight 2/5/09. All in all a 
pretty good showing by the lowfer beacons.

73,
Garry, K3SIW, EN52, Elgin, IL