[NLRS] Beacons

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

DB5NT sells 10 GHz beacons and kits as does W1GHZ and DEMI. I'm thinking 
more of a Frequencies West brick recrystaled for a beacon frequency that 
can put out better than +10 dBm then a watt or two amplifier and decent 
antenna. It FSK's nicely by changing the supply voltage though its not 
quite a precision frequency standard. I have one that uses an external 
standard but I hit that port too hard with my signal generator and it no 
longer works. I may have to open it up to see why.

Now at 250 or 300 miles from central Iowa a beacon would be useless 
because its hard to work much beyond 225 miles with 3 watts and a good 
18" dish that's practical to aim. A beacon antenna won't have 30 dB gain 
like the dish or usually as much as 3 watts power. It can easily be down 
25 dB from the rover station and that puts the signal way below 
audibility on a long path.

Besides I know of no 10 GHz activity between here and there though there 
is some 300+ miles east of here. There is also the pocket of NLRS origin 
within 180 miles of here and that's the group I have worked and expect 
to work again. It takes some preplanning for a rapid rove to find the 
sites where Buck Hill is visible by 10 GHz and not locally obscured by 
trees, buildings, or corn. The topographic map isn't good enough and all 
the beany spots I checked out last summer will probably be obscured by 
corn in 2013, providing there is enough soil moisture and rain to make 
the corn grow. We could use another 12 to 15 feet of snow this winter or 
it may be a bigger gamble than usual to plant field crops (as well as 
gardens).

73, Jerry, K0CQ

On 1/5/2013 12:36 PM, Steve N4PZ wrote:
> He Jerry
> Find a 10 Ghz beacon for me and I'll put it on the air. I have a view to
> the horizon for the full western 180 degrees. I have EW90 and connectors
> and it's a short run from the shack to the location looking west outside
> of the basement. A brick at the antenna would of course be best.
> To the east it's all trees across town and I cannot get high enough to
> get over them.
> 73 Steve N4PZ
>