[NLRS] An idea for an NLRS beacon network

[Doug Reed]

I just want to mention that the Hanssummer.com Ultimate 3 (U3) beacon kit
has the capability to output any frequency from audio up to about
40MHz. And it can also use a GPS module with 1PPS output to do
automatic frequency calibration of the DDS clock oscillator. Hans says
his new Huff-n-Puff calibration mode can adjust the DDS clock
frequency to within about 2Hz accuracy at 125MHz. That should be
accurate enough for anyone's 6M-432 beacon....

If you have an old FM mobile radio, you can program the U3 module to
output the required TX crystal frequency and key it for a CW or FSKCW
beacon, then let the old radio do the rest. The U3 kit and GPS module
is about $55 postpaid. Add a 12v power supply, an old mobile radio,
and an antenna and you can have a beacon on the air. Final cost
depends how well you scrounge.

Might even be able to do stepped power levels if you get creative with
the radio....  I think the U3 beacons can be programed for start time
so you can have multiple beacons on the same frequency kind of like
the IARU HF beacon network. Or you can have one U3 module cycle
through several frequencies and select different radios to have
multiple beacons in the cycle. It is really a very flexible beacon
kit.

73, Doug Reed, N0NAS.