The SJDXA member Steve, WS2C will be giving a presentation at the Gloucester County ARC on January 8, 2025. At the Pfeiffer Community Center. 

73,

Bob, W2ARP

Reverse Beacon Network

By Steve McGarry, WS2C

CW Skimmer, developed by Alex, VE3NEA, debuted in early 2008 as a

DXing tool to monitor pileups efficiently. The software soon sparked con-
troversy among contesters over its use, particularly after telnet capability

was added, allowing spots to feed directly into contest logging software.
The debate compared its use to DX clusters and whether it constituted
"assistance." Around the same time, the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN)
concept emerged from discussions between Felipe, PY1NB and another
ham radio enthusiast, building on the DXWatch.com framework to display
skimmer spots. As the RBN developed, it faced similar debates about its

impact on contesting rules, ultimately being categorized alongside tradi-
tional DX clusters for assisted and multi-op contest entries. The RBN con-
tinued expanding, enhancing its capabilities with tools like the Signal

Analysis Tool introduced in 2010.
In this month’s presentation, Club member Steve McGarry, WS2C, will focus on the RBN and its use :
 Review the reverse beacon concept
 Examine the reverse beacon network RBN blueprint
 Consider components required to assemble a working software defined receiver (SDR) node package
for Telnet transmission to the CW reverse beacon network servers
 Deploy RBN spots in station operations through variety of applications including web application DX
cluster nodes and common station logging software

This is a bare metal project with a Linux OS. The software transforms the hardware to many devices including but
not limited to an SDR transceiver or SDR receiver. Steve will emphasize how the casual operators pursuing DX,
laidback contester, and everyday operators can benefit from RBNs and how to deploy this tool at their stations to
advance operating goals.
This presentation is not a weighty lecture. The aim is to inform, entertain, and spark interest in the RBN tool and

SDRs. The value of this project is that it dovetails with an array of Amateur Radio interests from computers, oper-
ating, SDRs, and receive antennas. It presents some unique challenges, for example, the receiver node must exist

side by side with a high-power station operation.
Come join us at our monthly membership meeting at 7 PM at the Pfeiffer Community Center for this interesting
presentation. See you there!on January  8 2025

Reverse Beacon Network

presentation. See you there!--