[Lowfer] XMGR-Remote Site

[Les Rayburn]

Some of the older members may remember me from “back the day” in the 1980s-early 2000s. Ran the XMGR beacon in a few locations including Maine, Tennessee, and finally here near Birmingham, Alabama. In 20207, my wife and I downsized to a single-level home, complete with HOA restrictions. Turned my attention to weak signal VHF/UHF work at that time, with antennas hidden inside the giant attic. 

Even listening to LF here is nearly impossible…noise floor simply too high. 

But last week, a business associate offered me access to a barn on his farm near Talladega, Alabama. A trip there revealed that the noise floor is very, very low—perfect for portable monitoring sessions, and he has plenty of space near the farm for a Lower beacon. Could power it via solar cells and battery, or straight from 12 VDC inside the barn. 

My questions are: 

1.) Does anyone offer a commercial 160-190 kHz transmitter or kit? Perhaps someone has an assembled transmitter available that they’d be willing to part with? I could home-brew one, but my eyesight isn’t up to a lot of soldering, especially if we’re talking ICs, or SME work. 

2.) Preferred mode(s)? Seems like a lot of folks are still running QRSS, but I also see some running other modes like WSPR, WOLF, etc. 

I’d love to get back into this phase of the hobby. Any help or advice greatly appreciated. 


73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF
les at highnoonfilm.com <mailto:les at highnoonfilm.com>
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf

NRC & IRCA Courtesy Program Committee Chairman
Member WTFDA, MWC

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