First 40 MHz Amateur Radio propagation beacon
on the air
Ivan OZ7IS has announced that the first 40 MHz Amateur
Radio propagation beacon OZ7IGY is now on the air on
40.021 MHz
Background:
The European Radiocommunications Office (ERO – now ERC) of the CEPT
launched in March 1993 Phase II of a Detailed Spectrum Investigation (DSI)
covering the frequency range 29.7 - 960MHz.
The results were presented to Administrations in March 1995 with the
objective of facilitating a European Table of Frequency Allocations and
Utilisations to be implemented by the year 2008.
Regarding the Amateur Radio Service the DSI Management Team recommended
(among other things) that 70 MHz to be considered as an amateur band AND:
“frequencies in the vicinity of 40.680MHz be considered for amateur
propagation beacons”.
During the IARU, Region 1, C5 meeting in Vienna earlier this year David,
G4ASR, told that the RSGB were planning such a 40 MHz beacon.
I promised him to take a similar initiative when returning to Denmark.
In July the GB3RAL 40.050 & 60.050 MHz VHF beacons were approved
and shortly after OZ7IGY received the permit to operate on 40,021 MHz.
On 26th of July (after paying the licence fee) at 18.20 UTC OZ7IGY became
operational on: 40,021 MHz near Jystrup (Ringsted), JO55wm, 97 masl /
5 magl.
The antenna is a dipole heading 255 / 75 degrees. Will shortly be changed
to a Turnstile (X-dipole).
The output to the antenna is 22 Watt keying in F1A (frequency Shift Keying)
according to the IARU, Region 1, standard. 250 Hz shift.
The “licence” is valid for a year and the results of the experiments
are to be reported to the ITST.
The “licence” is “experimental” on a non-inteference
basis and will not create a precedent for any other kind of amateur radio
activities in this part of the spectrum!
Please report to DX-summit whenever you hear the beacon. Then we can collect
data for the report to ITST and may be able to argue for a renewal of
the licence next year?
In 1993 the head of ERO was David Court, EI3IO (G3SDL,
OZ3SDL etc….) I have a feeling that without his “stamp”
on the DSI report we would not have had the ever increasing access to
70 MHz throughout Europe or these 40 MHz amateur propagation beacons!
Vy 73 de OZ7IS, Ivan
Email: oz7is at qrz.dk
Beaconkeeper – OZ7IGY - http://www.oz7igy.dk/
P.S. We are looking for circulators/ Isolators for the 40 and 50 MHz beacons
to avoid backwards intermodulation in the PA stages. We are covered on
all other bands but circulators for these frequencies are hard to find
as surplus equipment! Can anyone help? Please!
Related URL's
GB3RAL now licenced for 40 and 60 MHz
(7th July)
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2007/gb3ral.htm
Denmark to get 40 MHz beacon (19th July)
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2007/danish_40mhz_beacon.htm
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