[Wswss] 1296 MHz Beacon

[k6tsk at juno.com]

Hi Greg,
 
I am almost 400km north of Ralph and 550km from the beacon.  I suspect
beam 
pattern or path obstruction are the most likely issues.  I hope you don't

consider my comments as a complaint.  They are just a comment on the 
effectiveness of the beacon at my QTH and reports from others in northern

CA.  I have never worked DM12 on 1.2g, so the beacon was a good indicator

for me.  Unfortunately, I could never line up anyone to work when I was 
hearing the beacon.
 
Thanks for your information.
Robert
 
 
At 09:30 PM 6/22/2011 -0700, Greg Bailey wrote:
 
>
>
>Bob, and Ralph:
>
>I am somewhat amazed, Ralph reports he can hear it, and you say it is
not 
>there.  If Ralph could hear the beacon at his home, . . . then it is 
>obvious that your recently resurrected receiver may have a problem, or
the 
>present RF pattern from the San Miguel (2300ft) doesn t cover your QTH.
>
>I have a remote control link to the Miguel site and typically check the 
>beacons (4X) a couple times a week.  The 1296 beacon has been operating
at 
>16 watts (42dBm) for the past 3 month.  It is not locked to the GPS 
>standard, but its frequency at present is about 50 Hz off.
>
>The personality of the 1296 beacon was forever changed when it was moved

>to Miguel:
>
>-The present antenna is now a 4 element horizontally polarized yagi,
Jack 
>s was a multi-element (?) antenna (it was not passed along to me).
>
>-Miguel is 12 miles inland at 2300 ft. elevation, Jack s Point Loma 
>location is about 600 EL and maybe 1500 from the water.
>
>-The present radiation path is 100 % over land to central LA, when it
was 
>at Jack s is was 99% over a water path.
>
>-Lastly, the thermal or inversion layer rides in the 1000 and 2000 ft. 
>range, Jack s QTH was constantly under it, Miguel is almost entirely
over it.
>
>In regards to the operation of Jack s 220 and 432 beacons:
>
>After Rod s death I found both the 220 and 432 beacons in the garage of 
>his home in Jamul.  I am sure there is some point-to-point SSB operation

>in SD, but I would say it is limited to less than a hand full of 
>operators.  It is for this reason; I simply can t justify the effort to 
>reinstate these two machines.
>
>I would be more than happy to ship the two beacons to you via UPS, if
you 
>would like?  I would appreciate some assistance in funding the postage
if 
>you are interested  -OR-  I can hold them for you at my QTH in the event

>anyone in your 1296 group is down this way?
>
>In regards to modifying the present 1296 antenna-
>
>As you know, when you increase the gain of the antenna array, you are 
>decreasing its beam width.  Thus, modifying the antenna so that you get 
>more signal at you QTH is possible, however, those outside the narrower 
>beam width will suffer a reduction in signal strength.  There is no 
>win-win situation.
>
>Attached is an article discussing the history of the 10GHz beacons in 
>SoCal.  You may find it interesting, especially the section on the
Frazier 
>Machine.
>
>Kerry, Ed, and I will be at Fairmont Park in July for the annual SBMS
Tune 
>Up Party (SD Microwave Group sponsors the event).  You guys need to get 
>your 10G gear in the back of your car and haul it down to the park.  We 
>will tell you your Rx sensitive and Tx ERP.  Then come September- you
can 
>climb your local hill and blast some 10G stuff down this way during the 
>10G and up contest.
>
>73s
>
>Greg
>
>
>
>P.S.  The attached article also covers the Santiago Beacon- which is 
>currently off the air.  The LMR that goes from the OSC/driver/IDer to
the 
>1W amp on the top of the tower is kaput.  It is probably water damage to

>one or both of the connectors.  However, the SD, Frazier, and PV 10G 
>machines are belching flame
 
73, Robert KR7O/YB2ARO, DM07ba/OI52ee  (ex.  N7STU)
kr7o at vhfdx.com
 
www.vhfdx.com (KR7O/YB2ARO homepages)
Looking for old VHF QSL cards and logbooks.