Topband: 160 propagation beacons
KG6DV@cs.com
KG6DV@cs.com
Tue, 9 Oct 2001 17:39:41 EDT
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There was some discussion recently about stations in europe that we could use
as propagation beacons. There are a limited number of low frequency
broadcast or commercial utility stations that can be used for this purpose. I
use instead the maritime coast and utility stations. There are far more of
these stations active, located in every remote corner of the world, and to me
represent a better indication of propagation than a mega watt broadcast
station with a huge antenna does.
I stay away from the large traffic stations. They also run mega watts and
huge antennas. The medium level high seas traffic station runs 5kw however
its more common for the larger stations to run between 10 and 20kw. I prefer
the instead the regional and port control stations. These stations typically
run between 500 and a kw with modest antennas. I like the fact that they do
a wx broadcast on a fixed schedule and that the data stations use a beacon
(clear channel) signal with cw id.
You may think the dxpedition is going to a remote location but if there is a
port anywhere in the region, there are a number of maritime coast stations.
Seychelles radio 2040khz with wx broadcasts every 2 hrs. It runs 500 watts
and uses a double extended zepp up 80ft. And we thought they (the
expedition) went to a remote place located 100 miles from nowhere.
For the 3D2CI and CY operation I use Suva Radio at 2110khz. 1 kw if the amp
has fresh tubes and a base loaded 40ft vert. I listen to the 0800, 1000 and
1200 wx broadcast.
I avoid Hong Kong radio (20kw) Singapore radio (20kw) and all the heavy
traffic hitters. A lot of the low band cw has gone away in the last 2 years
and for some stations its ssb only. The number of stations on low freq sitor
is also limited but helpful when there is one. The fact that they id in cw
means you dont need a tnc to determine which one you are listening to. There
are some freqs that are occupied by more than one station in the same region.
Typical examples:
Tonga radio A3A 2080khz wx at 0800z 800 watts 1/2 wave vert.
Malaysia 9WW 1980khz wx sched has changed but was every 3hrs
starting at
0500z 1kw bobtail curtain
Niue radio ZKN 2207khz ssb 100 watts
Nauru radio C2N 2201khz ssb 1 kw
Tahiti FJA 1755khz ssb 300 watts
Viet Nam XVG 2177khz fsk sitor with cw id and beacon signal 1500
watts
XVS 2177khz fsk sitor remoted from XVG
Both stations also active on 2157.5khz you may hear either
callsign at
times.
Korea HLK & HLM fsk sitor with cw id 2187.5khz 1.0 kw
HLU 2091 cw 1.0 kw 2583 cw 400 watts
HLY 2091 cw 1.0kw
Papua Ng P2M & P2R cw 2201khz 1 kw
Solomon Isl H4H 2167khz ssb wx bcst at 08/12Z 500 watts
Western Samoa 5WA 2206khz 1 kw wx at 08/10/12Z
Bangladesh S3D & S3E 2140 1kw wx every 4 hrs st at 0500
These are my pacific/asia favorites. There are others that are helpful at
times. example, The T32 operation, 160 props? there is a schedule between
T3D on Christmas island and T3C (line and phoenix development ministry on
christmas and his hq on Tarawa) .... cant get any close than that.
The UN IMO publications list these stations in detail. Also UK publications
from their maritime authority.
Ron KH6DV
Kaneohe Hawaii
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<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>There was some discussion recently about stations in europe that we could use as propagation beacons. There are a limited number of low frequency broadcast or commercial utility stations that can be used for this purpose. I use instead the maritime coast and utility stations. There are far more of these stations active, located in every remote corner of the world, and to me represent a better indication of propagation than a mega watt broadcast station with a huge antenna does.
<BR>
<BR>I stay away from the large traffic stations. They also run mega watts and huge antennas. The medium level high seas traffic station runs 5kw however its more common for the larger stations to run between 10 and 20kw. I prefer the instead the regional and port control stations. These stations typically run between 500 and a kw with modest antennas. I like the fact that they do a wx broadcast on a fixed schedule and that the data stations use a beacon (clear channel) signal with cw id.
<BR>
<BR>You may think the dxpedition is going to a remote location but if there is a port anywhere in the region, there are a number of maritime coast stations.
<BR>
<BR>Seychelles radio 2040khz with wx broadcasts every 2 hrs. It runs 500 watts and uses a double extended zepp up 80ft. And we thought they (the expedition) went to a remote place located 100 miles from nowhere.
<BR>
<BR>For the 3D2CI and CY operation I use Suva Radio at 2110khz. 1 kw if the amp has fresh tubes and a base loaded 40ft vert. I listen to the 0800, 1000 and 1200 wx broadcast.
<BR>
<BR>I avoid Hong Kong radio (20kw) Singapore radio (20kw) and all the heavy traffic hitters. A lot of the low band cw has gone away in the last 2 years and for some stations its ssb only. The number of stations on low freq sitor is also limited but helpful when there is one. The fact that they id in cw means you dont need a tnc to determine which one you are listening to. There are some freqs that are occupied by more than one station in the same region.
<BR>
<BR>Typical examples:
<BR>
<BR>Tonga radio A3A 2080khz wx at 0800z 800 watts 1/2 wave vert.
<BR>Malaysia 9WW 1980khz wx sched has changed but was every 3hrs starting at
<BR> 0500z 1kw bobtail curtain
<BR>Niue radio ZKN 2207khz ssb 100 watts
<BR>Nauru radio C2N 2201khz ssb 1 kw
<BR>Tahiti FJA 1755khz ssb 300 watts
<BR>Viet Nam XVG 2177khz fsk sitor with cw id and beacon signal 1500 watts
<BR> XVS 2177khz fsk sitor remoted from XVG
<BR> Both stations also active on 2157.5khz you may hear either callsign at
<BR> times.
<BR>Korea HLK & HLM fsk sitor with cw id 2187.5khz 1.0 kw
<BR> HLU 2091 cw 1.0 kw 2583 cw 400 watts
<BR> HLY 2091 cw 1.0kw
<BR>Papua Ng P2M & P2R cw 2201khz 1 kw
<BR>Solomon Isl H4H 2167khz ssb wx bcst at 08/12Z 500 watts
<BR>Western Samoa 5WA 2206khz 1 kw wx at 08/10/12Z
<BR>Bangladesh S3D & S3E 2140 1kw wx every 4 hrs st at 0500
<BR>
<BR>These are my pacific/asia favorites. There are others that are helpful at times. example, The T32 operation, 160 props? there is a schedule between T3D on Christmas island and T3C (line and phoenix development ministry on christmas and his hq on Tarawa) .... cant get any close than that.
<BR>
<BR>The UN IMO publications list these stations in detail. Also UK publications from their maritime authority.
<BR>
<BR>Ron KH6DV
<BR>Kaneohe Hawaii
<BR>
<BR></FONT></HTML>
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