[TransAtlantic] One missing exchange from postings:

[PJ4VHF]

Bob,

In my experience, the biggest problem setting up beacons is getting someone to host and maintain the beacon. Jaime can solve that problem.

The second big problem is that a smile transmit only beacon is nice, and tells us the band is open, but then what. Hence my pushing for the beacon being based on an all-mode transceiver that the operator (Jaime) can drive to and use for actual QSOs. This is basically the formula used on the KH6 beacons to the US west coast. 

Problem number 3 is not enough power. I believe the beacon should run similar ERP to what an actual station will run. If a typical station might run 200 watts into 16dBd antennas, then the beacon should be close to that.

The beacons I've built are also designed fro remote locations without Internet connectivity, and have no computer on site. If there is Internet connectivity and reliable power, a computer running digital modes is an option. It also let's Dave K1WHS's suggestion of a remote SDR monitor receiver be a possibility. The other very nice capability to add if there is Internet access is an AIS monitor receiver. AIS has been instrumental in alerting FR5DN and the ZS5/ZS2 guys know when the conditions are extending across the Indian Ocean.

So one key question for Jaime is if the remote sites have reliable power and Internet access.

Dave PJ4VHF


On Dec 27, 2011, at 4:25 PM, Bob Cooper wrote:

> N7BHC said:
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: N7BHC 
> To: Bob Cooper 
> Cc: transatlantic at mailman.qth.net 
> Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 11:46 AM
> Subject: Re: [TransAtlantic] Azores 2M beacon?
> 
> 
> Hi Bob, 
> 
> 
> That is great news. A beacon there (or beacons) would be very helpful. It is right in the middle of the beamwidth of a beacon I operate out of Oriental, NC. I'd actually suggest a couple of beacons to explorer both the high and the low elevation launch points.
> 
> 
> For exploring the North Atlantic path, I've built two beacons already. One is the N7BHC beacon in FM15. The second I sent down to NP2X in St. Croix. Both are on the air now. I published a few articles and papers on my philosophy on the beacons actually having full transceiver capability. See http://sites.google.com/site/n7bhcvhf/files for more info. Basically, I suggest high erp with a vertical stack of short yagis. In this case, the -3dB beamwidth would be about 60 degrees wide, maybe a stack of 5 element yagis.
> 
> 
> I just moved to Bonaire, and am busy building my station right now. Otherwise, I'd be happy to build a beacon to send over. Ultimately I plan to operate several breakable beacons on here running several hundred watts to stacked yagis on both 2m and 70cm. The PJ4-Europe beacon will be switchable between a vertical stack of eight 5-element yagis or a single 52 element rope-ladder yagi on a 125' boom.  Both will be centered on Portugal, but the long yagi is narrow enough I'd have to choose where to beam it. It's 3,000 miles to CU3, definitely a workable distance, so I very much hope we can get one or two beacon/stations operational.  If I can find a way to help directly, please let me know. If someone can send me the parts, I'd even be happy to assemble and test it here.
> 
> 
> 73, Dave - PJ4VHF / N7BHC
> ===========================================
> Email:  n7bhc at drasticom.net
> 
> N7BHC/B beacon 
> FM15PA
> 144.291 MHz CW
> 50 W - 16 element horizontal pol.
> reports by email or phone +1 (704) 225-3928
> ...
> I responded:
> Dave-
> I happen to agree (two beacons  - one topside and one nearer the coast) given what we "think" we know about ducting over water. Jaime is anxious to help and being a native has the contacts to make it happen to specification (including the stacked yagis you are suggesting which I also agree with). 
> Let's see who fronts up for the hardware; there is enough time (barely) to get one or both functional before the mid-May Atlantic tropo season start. I do have one other suggestion for the top side beacon - because of its unlimited 360 degree coverage (as in LOS to distant water horizon), perhaps we could make it slightly diffferent - 30 seconds (or whatever) on the stacked yagi array (breakable of course is the correct plan) and 30 (or whatever) into a simplistic Ringo. The reason? Es of course into Europe and the omni would also give the CT's something to watch for on tropo as well which would be a "first leg" indicator. I spent a month there as CU3/K6EDX in 92 as I recall and enough time with CU3AK to know he can handle the installation and maintenance technology.
> 73, Bob
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