Etherkit OpenBeacon

OpenBeacon is an open source crystal-controlled QRPp beacon transmitter kit which can output a variety of slow-speed modes, including QRSS, DFCW, and Sequential Multi-tone Hellschreiber. It is configured via USB port, so there are no jumpers to set and you can easily adjust all of the operating parameters via command line. Once configuration is complete, OpenBeacon may be removed from the PC and operate stand-alone.!

Specifications

Frequency: crystal controlled

Modes: CW, QRSS, DFCW, Sequential Multi-tone Hellschreiber, Glyphcode, WSPR (experimental)

Power output: 300 mW nominal (at +13.7 VDC power supply)

Spectral purity: greatest harmonic <-45 dbc="" p="">

Power supply: +5 VDC to +14 VDC

Current consumption: 50 mA at +5 VDC, 120 mA at +13.7 VDC

Control via USB on Windows, OS X, and Linux

PCB dimensions: 70 mm x 90 mm

High quality PCB with soldermask and ENIG (gold) plating 

Available Bands

30 Meters - 10.140 MHz

40 Meters - 7.040 MHz

80 Meters - 3.582 MHz

http://www.etherkit.com

Etherkit CRX1 40mt receiver

The CRX1 is a simple VXO-tuned superheterodyne receiver for the 40 meter band, with tuning centered around the popular QRP watering hole frequency of 7.030 MHz. It is entirely constructed from surface mount devices in the easy-to-build 0805 (US) size for passive components and SOT-23 class semiconductors. The PCB is large and single-sided, which provides for uncramped construction and makes the CRX1 an ideal warm-up kit for the CC1 QRP transceiver (coming soon). The CRX1 is not just meant to be a novelty to be tossed aside after construction. All of the support circuitry for muting, T/R, and sidetone is included, so it can be paired with virtually any transmitter which uses grounded keying. There is also a port for an external VFO to enable further user experimentation.

All controls and connectors are included with this kit, so you just need to supply an enclosure and a few knobs to finish the job

http://www.etherkit.com

KC0TKS QRSS Beacon

The KC0TKS 10 meter beacon is now broadcasting in QRSS30 mode from atop a 3000 foot mountain in California at approximately 28.2215 MHz at 25 milliwatts. The exact frequency last reported is 28.221425 MHz. The original CW beacon went on the air May 9, 2007 in Sedalia, MO and has been in nearly continuous operation since. This is the first major change since its inception.

This mode is normally not readable by ear. Transmissions by this mode are normally many hundreds of times weaker than your normal CW transmission and dits or dahs are sometimes several minutes long. Instead, we use a computer program to be able to see the Morse that is being sent.

For the typical beacon hunter, the only change to your routine would be to park your receiver on 28.2215 in-between your normal scans. The software will do the hunting for the QRSS beacons while you are away from the rig and store screen captures for you to look at later.

Eventually, several "grabbers" will be set up. A grabber is a receiving station that posts its QRSS screen captures to a website for all to browse in real time. If you would like to operate a grabber for this project, please email kc0tks@gmail.com .

The KC0TKS grabber in Missouri is now up at http://www.kc0tks.org/argo   .

http://www.kc0tks.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=76

Monitoring Times ceases

What a sad news ! Monitoring Times ceases publications: After 33 years of service to the radio community, Monitoring Times will cease publication with the December, 2013 issue.  Subscriptions and renewals for the remaining months can be made by calling (800) 438-8155. 

My #1087 IOTA confirmed

Tnx Nando, IT9YRE

My #1086 IOTA confirmed

My #1085 IOTA confirmed

My #1084 IOTA confirmed

My #1083 IOTA confirmed

My #1082 IOTA confirmed

TNX M0OXO