Topband: Fishing beacons redux

[Tom W8JI]

> but they are a C H E A P crystal controlled "MOPA" with a 6-8 meter long 
> whip.  the ID runs on a cycle like Merv says.  The beacons have something 
> like 36 D cells for power - ballast and cheap batteries
>
> Pics on the VP6DX site of the two beacons we salvaged that had washed 
> ashore there
>
> they very definitely do not have any "smarts -  they don't even have a 
> receiver of any kind.  there are some more expensive models that do answer 
> only when interrogated, but I believe those are mostly VHF models.


http://www.w8ji.com/ndb%20beacon%20fish%20buoy%20net%20beacons.htm

Link to manufacturer

http://www.ryokuseisha.com/eng/product/marine/buoy/sel_buoy.html


picture     http://www.w8ji.com/images/NDB/Fish-net-beacon.jpg