First 40 MHz Amateur Radio Propagation Beacon

[AA7BQ]

First 40 MHz Amateur Radio Propagation Beacon On The Air

Ivan OZ7IS has announced that the first 40 MHz Amateur Radio propagation beacon
OZ7IGY is now on the air on 40.021 MHz

Background:
The European Radiocommunications Office (ERO – now ERC) of the CEPT launched in
March 1993 Phase II of a Detailed Spectrum Investigation (DSI) covering the
frequency range 29.7 - 960MHz.

The results were presented to Administrations in March 1995 with the objective
of facilitating a European Table of Frequency Allocations and Utilisations to
be implemented by the year 2008.

Regarding the Amateur Radio Service the DSI Management Team recommended (among
other things) that 70 MHz to be considered as an amateur band AND: “frequencies
in the vicinity of 40.680MHz be considered for amateur propagation beacons”.

During the IARU, Region 1, C5 meeting in Vienna earlier this year David, G4ASR,
told that the RSGB were planning such a 40 MHz beacon. I promised him to take a
similar initiative when returning to Denmark.

In July the GB3RAL 40.050 & 60.050 MHz VHF beacons were approved and shortly
after OZ7IGY received the permit to operate on 40,021 MHz.

On 26th of July (after paying the licence fee) at 18.20 UTC OZ7IGY became
operational on:

40,021 MHz near Jystrup (Ringsted), JO55wm, 97 masl / 5 magl.
The antenna is a dipole heading 255 / 75 degrees. Will shortly be changed to a
Turnstile (X-dipole).
The output to the antenna is 22 Watt keying in F1A (frequency Shift Keying)
according to the IARU, Region 1, standard. 250 Hz shift.

The “licence” is valid for a year and the results of the experiments are to be
reported to the ITST.

The “licence” is “experimental” on a non-inteference basis and will not create
a precedent for any other kind of amateur radio activities in this part of the
spectrum!

Please report to DX-summit whenever you hear the beacon. Then we can collect
data for the report to ITST and may be able to argue for a renewal of the
licence next year?

In 1993 the head of ERO was David Court, EI3IO (G3SDL, OZ3SDL etc….) I have a
feeling that without his “stamp” on the DSI report we would not have had the
ever increasing access to 70 MHz throughout Europe or these 40 MHz amateur
propagation beacons!

Vy 73 de OZ7IS, Ivan - Email: oz7is at qrz.dk
Beaconkeeper – OZ7IGY - http://www.oz7igy.dk/

P.S. We are looking for circulators/ Isolators for the 40 and 50 MHz beacons to
avoid backwards intermodulation in the PA stages. We are covered on all other
bands but circulators for these frequencies are hard to find as surplus
equipment! Can anyone help? Please!
----

Related URL's

GB3RAL now licenced for 40 and 60 MHz (7th July)
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2007/gb3ral.htm

Denmark to get 40 MHz beacon (19th July)
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2007/danish_40mhz_beacon.htm

----

73 Trevor M5AKA
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[ki4ned]

like we need more beacons to use our spectrum

[KE5FRF]

Quote[/b] (ki4ned @ July 30 2007,18:56)]like we need more beacons to use our spectrum
Beacons are one of the most useful things in the amateur tool bag! That is if you can copy CW. Besides, this beacon is not even IN one of OUR bands here in the US, so that is a moot observation.

[VE3EN]

exactly.. i didnt even think there was a 40mhz ham band in NA :oP.

As far as the beacon goes.. i think its a great idea.. many people including myself work DX on 6m.. and just like TV videos on 48mhz... this beacon could also be a good indicator for us that 6m is about to open to EU.

Cheers, Kevin
VE3EN

[ei3io]

Firstly a quick word to Ivan - thank you for your kind words, however I was only the 'neutral' Chairman of that committee in 1993. However it's really nice to see some of the small seeds planted over a decade ago now beginning to take root.

But for the guys that are questioning the basis of the recommendation. The idea was that present knowledge suggests 70 MHz is about the highest frequency for F2 propagation. With the great interest world-wide in the 50 MHz band it was thought that frequencies within the band 70 - 70.5 MHz, available to amateurs in a small number of countries in Europe, could be very useful for F2 research if the band became more widely available. In eastern Europe the band was being relinquished by FM sound broadcasters so there was some scope for refarming. That is now starting to happen.

The next idea was that frequencies around 60 MHz were also about to be relinquished by TV broadcasters in Europe and elsewhere, so some strategically placed beacons here would give indications that propagation events were moving from 50 MHz towards 70 MHz. And to complete the picture some beacons in the ISM band around 40.68 MHz would help to identify an increase in MUF from 30 MHz towards 50 MHz.

However in recent years (at the bottom of the solar cycle) there have been some extraordinary propagation at 50 MHz with openings between Europe and Alaska and between Europe and Japan. I hope the availability of low VHF beacons, perhaps with timing indications will provide us with more information on the mechanisms of such propagation events, which are likely not related to F2 mechanisms.

If the amateur movement in the US is interested in low VHF work, now is an opportune time to start the lobbying process as it is very unlikely that such low frequencies will feature in any broadcasting digitization programmes.

Best 73s
Dave EI3IO (G3SDL, OZ3SDL, F0CWN, S21BI)

[wr8y]

Quote[/b] (ki4ned @ July 29 2007,17:56)]like we need more beacons to use our spectrum
Are you nuts? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Beacon hunting is fun, and you can learn a helluvalot about propagation - or at least what condition the band(s) are in at any one time.

I leave a Radio Scrap 10 meter rig on, tuned to the beacon segment - odd how, at times, South AMerican signals will start coming in at the most unexpected times.

What we SERIOUSLY need is a system of 2 meter beacons in the USA.

[K3UD]

Quote[/b] (wr8y @ Aug. 01 2007,07:27)]Quote[/b] (ki4ned @ July 29 2007,17:56)]like we need more beacons to use our spectrum
Are you nuts? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Beacon hunting is fun, and you can learn a helluvalot about propagation - or at least what condition the band(s) are in at any one time.

I leave a Radio Scrap 10 meter rig on, tuned to the beacon segment - odd how, at times, South AMerican signals will start coming in at the most unexpected times.

What we SERIOUSLY need is a system of 2 meter beacons in the USA.
I agree.

Beacons are very usefull to ham operating between 14 mHz and 148 mHz. They are really useful on 10 and 6 meters and I agree that we do need more 2 meter beacons and perhaps 70cm beacons. It is amazing how many time I can copy 10 meter beacons but hear no other activity on the band. Usually if any beacons can be heard on 6 meters you will usually find other activity there. I have never heard a 2 meter beacon though. The 14 mHz beacons also especially useful.

73
George
K3UD

[ka5piu]

Hello.

2 meter beacon, where would you put it?
The 2 meter band is pretty much full in San Francisco.
The idea of "A" beacon on 40 MHz is cute, but 40.5 MHz is the primary VHF low calling channel.
The SINCGARS radio nets on 40.5 MHz, a military only frequency.
Beacons are useful, but with TV stations already from 60 MHz to 216 MHz, I see no need.
It does not need to be an Amatuer transmitter, a TV audio transmitter works just fine.

[n3aiu]

Quote[/b] (ka5piu @ Aug. 02 2007,03:06)]2 meter beacon, where would you put it?
The 2 meter band is pretty much full in San Francisco.
The idea of "A" beacon on 40 MHz is cute, but 40.5 MHz is the primary VHF low calling channel.
The SINCGARS radio nets on 40.5 MHz, a military only frequency.
Beacons are useful, but with TV stations already from 60 MHz to 216 MHz, I see no need.
It does not need to be an Amatuer transmitter, a TV audio transmitter works just fine.

I don't think that the original post said anything about 40 MHz beacons in the US. #It's just an announcement about what's going on in Europe. #Of course, if anyone hears it in the US that would be nice piece of VHF SWL DX.

I do agree with your comment that TV/FM stations make fine VHF beacons. #But, a few 2m beacons would be nice as well. #If 2m beacons are like 6m beacons, they should be located between 144.0 and 144.1 MHz. #How is this part of the spectrum full in San Francisco?

73, Nick N3AIU/DL1NE

[2E0AYQ]

I think beacons are a good thing
I enjoy hunting beacons especially the very low power
ones

[G6JYB]

>Beacons are useful, but with TV stations already from
>60 MHz to 216 MHz, I see no need

In the US perhaps but such antiquated and spectrally inefficient TV has long since gone over here...

All VHF TV (ie Band-I and Band-III ) ended in the UK on January 3, 1985. Band-I has no high power sources and Band III is now PMR and DAB (Digital Radio) .

As mentioned in an earlier post, this leaves nothing between the HF beacons and our VHF sources (as we do have coordinated beacons in Region-1 at 50, 70MHz and 144MHz)

The original posting referred to the Danish 40MHz beacon. The full UK equivalent is a co-located cluster of 40, 50, 60 and 70MHz (GB3RAL) due to commence tests very shortly. Like the pioneering 2m GB3VHF beacon they include CW and more advanced MGM modulations based on Direct Digital Synthesis to allow easy tracking of the MUF, time of arrival, and other conditions

regards

Murray Niman G6JYB , RSGB Microwave Manager
(and RSGB-Ofcom Beacon coordinator)


PS: GB3VHF detail is here www.gb3vhf.co.uk

[kb2wye]

Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ July 30 2007,20:03)]Quote[/b] (ki4ned @ July 30 2007,18:56)]like we need more beacons to use our spectrum
Beacons are one of the most useful things in the amateur tool bag! That is if you can copy CW. Besides, this beacon is not even IN one of OUR bands here in the US, so that is a moot observation.
He's got a point - thats if you can copy the code!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[N2MMM]

Bring on the beacons. Maybe we can get some allocations in that part of the spectrum.

[ke5kzc]

seems there is a lot of thees and those out here regarding the 40mhz beacon,i may be only a tech,but i know code,and i do tube in the beacons from time to time,in some ways i see them a waste of band spread,on the other hand its nice to hear them and know the bands are open,as for tv, well i was thinking,what happens to tv, when its all gone to digital,iam sure it will be affected some what,iam sure it wont behave like analog signals,as far and the issue with two meter beacons,well i dont kmow,i just drove from corpus chrisit texas,up north texas,new mex,col, why,ut,id on to oregon,i was only able to make one contact the entire trip,and that was a nice fellow in denver,no one replied to any of my calls on locol repeters or 146.520 simplex i scanned the entire 440/144 mhz bands the entire trip and found it was a let down,very little traffic any where,so iam not sure where they get,over crowded or over used from,.maybe the city areas perhaps,but then,what do i know,iam only a tech'

[K8MHZ]

Quote[/b] (kb2wye @ Aug. 02 2007,23:05)]Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ July 30 2007,20:03)]Quote[/b] (ki4ned @ July 30 2007,18:56)]like we need more beacons to use our spectrum
Beacons are one of the most useful things in the amateur tool bag! That is if you can copy CW. Besides, this beacon is not even IN one of OUR bands here in the US, so that is a moot observation.
He's got a point - thats if you can copy the code!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Sorry but I see no 'point' as machines can copy code sent by beacons just fine.

To that effect, who is sending the code coming from beacons? It's not humans with their noses scraping the F layer, I assure you.

[VA3SAX]

Quote[/b] (ka5piu @ Aug. 02 2007,05:06)]Hello.

2 meter beacon, where would you put it?
how about in the beacon part of the band?(144.275-144.300)
radical idea eh?

[wj5o]

I just read down through this "Pro & Con" narrative....Very interesting in that I don't recognize a single beacon Operator or a contributor to the Beacon propagation studies group. So, I can conclude that the previous posters to this page are not speaking from experience...... but, just voicing opinions.
Beacons are the "real time" indicators of band conditions........ If a person can copy a low power beacon it's almost a sure thing that a QSO can be made in the direction of the signal....... There are over 200 10 meter propagation beacons in North America......and this gives an Operator many directions to search for a signal....... What is discouraging is that there are 7 States that does not have a 10 meter beacon...... Did I notice that some of the previous posters live in one of those States? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[ke5kzc]

i know a fellow in corpus christi texas who runs a beacon on ten meters and its been on line a very long time i understand,it was fun tuning it in tho i did not live far away but i did find when the dx was in it was hard for me to hear it,on claer days it was loud so ,yes it did give me an idea on what was going on in the band,i think its a good idea but like every thing else every one has there points to be made

[n5gfx]

Uhm, here's some.

http://www.newsvhf.com/beacons2.html

[wa9cwx]

I can think of a few ops I have worked who I wish WERE only beacon stations.....

Just an observation.

And, although it was stated this is NOT a foot in the door for added spectrum, I have always felt a small slice in the 38 + / - Mhz range, even if channelized and low power, WOULD be fun...

[ka5piu]

Hello.

This may come as a shock to some but.
The military already runs "beacons" in the VHF low band.
Prior to the Onmi-Nav system, the military set up Non-Directional Beacons, or Onmi directional beacons, take your pick.
The reason that the aviation emergency is 121.5 MHz for civil and military, and military is 243.0 MHz is.
40.5 x 3 = 121.5
121.5 x 2 = 243.0
So, there is something to this madness.
Now, 36 MHz is the start of the "old" military nav band.
36 x 3 = 108
108 MHz is the start of the aero band nav frequencies.
39.3 is the end.
The aero band nav ends at 118 MHz.
45.3 is the end of the "old" military aero band.
45.3 x 3 is 136
So, you see, there is a direct connection between the bands.
That is my concern, and, yes, the VHF low band stuff is still in use, just not so much for aircraft use as such but ground and air.
Almost all military helicopters have the "whiskers" a set of antennas on the nose of the aircraft that is used to DF a signal in this frequency range.
For both training and actual use, stations across the US that retransmit signals are in place.
For some odd reason, the US military calls them retransmit stations and not repeaters.
The power output is always the same, 2 watts that goes to 4 watts to 20 watts to 40 watts and repeat.
The sigal is modulated with a 150 Hz tone.
There may also be a 1600 Hz/2600 Hz signal present, this is a selective calling system.
The system is always a discone antenna.

[KE4WBO]

new 40mc,70mc beacons think a great idea, erp not as high as the e2 a2 etc tv's on forward scatter however, e2 tv will be phased out in the near future so any beacons to tell of a opening are welcomed ...beacons using up our spectrum ?? think not #our spectrum on vhf is under utilised on 6m in particular #why not move local ragchew and 1 hop qso's above 52mc?? #beacons a good indicator of the quality or strength of the band opening if you can hear them #low power pretty much you will work another station near or direct to same location, # spotting beacons a good record for future path predictions when band is not open yet as well, #my 2 centavos... #
f2 or Es can exceed 70Mc muf , look at july 29 2m qso's #muf reach 166Mc close to 5 hours

http://www.6mbeacon.net/