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VO1FN TransAtlantic VHF Digital Beacon Receive Site

Discussion in 'Amateur Radio News' started by VO1HP, Jun 2, 2016.

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  1. VO1HP

    VO1HP Ham Member QRZ Page

    Annoucement – 22 May 2016

    TransAtlantic VHF Digital Beacon Receiver Site - VO1FN

    On 19 May 2016 antennas were erected and the VHF SDR turned on to inaugurate the VO1FN TransAtlantic VHF Digital Beacon Receiver Site. This is a joint project sponsored in part by the Society of Nfld. Radio Amateurs, Baccalieu Amateur Radio Club and the Upper TrinityAmateur Radio Club.

    [​IMG]

    Frank VO1HP; George VO1EGH; Boyd VO1DI



    History

    Many attempts have been made from Newfoundland and Labrador to bridge the North Atlantic with a VHF amateur radio signal. The ultimate challenge is to complete a traditional two-way VHF QSO between Europe and North America. This milestone has never been achieved and would be a first in the history of radio communications. The prize would be the “glory”, however fleeting, to those involved on both sides of the Atlantic and of course the Brendan Award sponsored by the Irish Radio Transmitting Society. (http://www.irts.ie/cgi/st.cgi?brendan)

    The most recent “Brendan Quest” attempt was staged by a large group of amateurs from Nova Scotia in summer of 2014 using call sign VC1T. Using a unique 33m long VHF “ultra-light” yagi and a complicated, high power station, digital signals (FSK441; JT65) were transmitted towards Europe from Pouch Cove NL. The signal was actually decoded in the UK by G4SWX. It was ultimately concluded however, that the signal was reflected from the ISS and hence the claim could not qualify under the Brendan Award rules.

    New Project

    Interest grew in online discussions in continuing the VC1T experiment. An offer came from John MI0AAZ to donate a Raspberry Pi computer and SDR to the project. These discussions resulted in Frank, VO1HP, making his summer location and equipment in Freshwater, Conception Bay North, NL (47.7394N; -53.1831W) available for a receive site to monitor VHF propagation and to listen for signals from established transAtlantic VHF beacon transmitters operating in Europe.

    The VO1HP site has an unobstructed view of the North Atlantic across the vastness of Conception Bay. Frank approached Doug VO1DM President of SONRA who in turn canvassed funding contributions from the other two clubs (VO1DM also made a personal donation). This funding allowed the purchase of two InnovAntenna 5el LFA Q High Gain VHF yagis. InnovAntenna, Justin G0KSC, sponsored the project by donating the coax cable phasing harness and the power combiner unit.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The VO1HP site is providing the housing, AC power and high speed access networking as well as the site tower, PC and FunCube Dongle Plus SDR receiver.

    The VO1FN VHF Digital Receive site is now operational and ready for experimentation by beacon operators and well equipped VHF stations in Europe, The antennas can be rotated to point to stations as required.

    For further info please contact:

    Frank VO1HP invl160@gmail.com



    Initial Success

    Tim GK4LOH 144.176Mhz CW Signals received at VO1FN Receiver.

    Signals reflected from International Space Station Flypast 24 May 2016.

    Tim repeated the acheivement again on 25 May 2016


    The signal appears at approx 10secs: "...H GK4LOH T T T T T T ...."
     
    M3HUI, K1HC and W9AFB like this.

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