These
are exciting times! The official start of
Cycle
24
was announced on January 2008 when a magnetically reversed
sunspot
was spotted. Although I do recall reading about one being
spotted in August 2007. This is usually an indication that
the new cycle is
about to begin. This solar
cycle is being projected by scientists as one of the best since the
exceptional cycle that peaked in 1957. I myself am looking
forward to Cycle 24 providing 10 meter openings that will generate
worldwide propagation using modest antenna systems and only a few watts
of power to the transmitting antenna.
The 21 WPM CW Beacon Text is as follows:
kyydown for 5 seconds vvv de ki7ab/b dm65 ki7ab/b dm65 5 watts
Then the message repeats.
BEACON is currently OFF-THE-AIR
The setup:
Transmitter: Radio
Shack
HTX-100 in CW mode.
- I tried to use a HTX 10 and injecting a tone in USB. It had
issues with chirping and
key clicks. I would not recommend using one of these radios
for
use as a beacon.
Antenna:
Dipole inside of the shed at a height of 6 feet from the
ground.
Power: Completely
solar powered. A 50 watt
GE Solar Panel and a charge controller connected to a Deep Cycle Marine
battery. This also provides lighting in the storage shed
where the system is located.
Beacon text:
The CW beacon text is being generated by a "Freakin' Beacon" available
at
Expanded Spectrum Systems.
I originally built one from the schematic on their website, programmed
the PIC using the hex file available on the website but decided that
I would purchase the kit because it worked so well and it's
reasonably priced at $35 including a nice PC Board and all components.
