Although I can copy beacons in Holland and Belgium on 2m and GB3LEU NW of Leicester (432.490MHz) on 70cms with my 2m big-wheel antenna, GB3VHF in Kent (144.430MHz) was absent when I looked earlier this afternoon (around 1340z). Maybe it is off for maintenance or they plan to co-site the new UHF beacon? Anyway, the big-wheel is great. Beacons are great for checking propagation when there are no active stations about.
Anyone know about GB3VHF please?
Showing posts with label gb3vhf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gb3vhf. Show all posts
20 Sept 2015
1 May 2014
GB3VHF
The GB3VHF beacon on 144.430MHz (and soon to be GB3UHF on 432.430MHz) is 107km more or less due south of here. Although it is decent signal on the 3el beam, it does not move the FT817 S-meter.
Does anyone know roughly the difference in the Cambridge area of this compared with the old Wrotham beacon? As I recall it Wrotham was a lot stronger.
A weaker signal is no problem, but I hope it is not just me that gets the Fairseat beacon on the North Downs in Kent weaker than the old Wrotham beacon used to be.
I expect to be able to copy the GB3UHF beacon when it comes on-air on 432.430MHz. Currently it is awaiting site sharing permission. It already has a licence from OFCOM.
Does anyone know roughly the difference in the Cambridge area of this compared with the old Wrotham beacon? As I recall it Wrotham was a lot stronger.
A weaker signal is no problem, but I hope it is not just me that gets the Fairseat beacon on the North Downs in Kent weaker than the old Wrotham beacon used to be.
I expect to be able to copy the GB3UHF beacon when it comes on-air on 432.430MHz. Currently it is awaiting site sharing permission. It already has a licence from OFCOM.
15 Feb 2014
GB3VHF - storm damaged?
See http://www.gb3vhf.co.uk/GB3VHFservicenewsannouncements.html .. GB3VHF was off air 0900 on Sat Feb 15th due to suspected damage in the recent storms. The outage is being investigated. This is a well used beacon normally.
2 Feb 2014
2m WSPR - Sunday
Already I see G3WKW's 20W of 2m WSPR (134km) is appearing on my screen at 0902z at -22dB S/N. As there are 4 UK stations active on 2m WSPR I wonder if I shall see, or be seen, by others too?
Stability is the main issue with the FT817's warm-up drift. The trick is to check GB3VHF's dial frequency as this GPS locked. Use the same offset on WSPR and one should be spot on. A 0.5ppm TCXO would help too, but not worth the outlay. I have a similar issue (not as great) at 6m where I always set the rig 40-60Hz low after allowing it to stabilise. This seems to get 6m WSPR pretty close.
At 0956z I see my 2W WSPR to the halo has been spotted by G8XWR in IO91oc at 150km. That is encouraging as it is the far side of Guilford and Farnham and further away than Bob. I notice strong Doppler, so probably aircraft reflection.
Lae in the afternoon G3WKW swapped to a lower loss feeder and his signal increased and he began to copy my QRP signal.
In all it was a successful day on 2m WSPR but my drift issue does need to be improved. The DX spots are due to aircraft reflection (when Doppler suits - i.e. little) and the SW package mentioned below helps to predict best opportunities.
Stability is the main issue with the FT817's warm-up drift. The trick is to check GB3VHF's dial frequency as this GPS locked. Use the same offset on WSPR and one should be spot on. A 0.5ppm TCXO would help too, but not worth the outlay. I have a similar issue (not as great) at 6m where I always set the rig 40-60Hz low after allowing it to stabilise. This seems to get 6m WSPR pretty close.
At 0956z I see my 2W WSPR to the halo has been spotted by G8XWR in IO91oc at 150km. That is encouraging as it is the far side of Guilford and Farnham and further away than Bob. I notice strong Doppler, so probably aircraft reflection.
Lae in the afternoon G3WKW swapped to a lower loss feeder and his signal increased and he began to copy my QRP signal.
In all it was a successful day on 2m WSPR but my drift issue does need to be improved. The DX spots are due to aircraft reflection (when Doppler suits - i.e. little) and the SW package mentioned below helps to predict best opportunities.
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| 144MHz WSPR spots sent and received today (2W and halo) |
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