SARL - HMO beacon project launches today

The SARL - HMO Beacon Project will be officially launched today, Tuesday 23 October, when the first beacon will be switched on at the National Amateur Radio Centre.

During the first phase of the project there will be 30 beacons strategically placed around the country. The beacons are hosted by members of the South African Radio League and will operate on 7 023 kHz.

The beacon will transmit CW at around 8 words per minute and will use the following message format: The example given here is for ZS6SRL. "VE ZS6SRL BCNLOC KG33WV" and a short message which will be followed by the tuning signal consisting of long dashes corresponding to the callsign division.

For example if the beacon is located in division 6 the beacon will transmit 6 long dashes. Next will be the s-meter signal consisting of 4 dots. The s-meter signal varies with power from 40 mW to 5 mW in four steps. This is to ease reporting by students on receivers not fitted with an "S" meter. If they hear 4 dots it is 5<9 If they hear 2 dots it is 5<2 etc.

The short message will be used in a competition for learners. Final details are being worked out and will be announced at the beginning of the 2008 school year.

A full description of the beacon programme has been posted on the SARL web