{"id":17408,"date":"2016-02-19T08:42:05","date_gmt":"2016-02-19T12:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=17408"},"modified":"2016-02-19T08:42:05","modified_gmt":"2016-02-19T12:42:05","slug":"guest-post-listening-to-10-meter-radio-beacons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/02\/guest-post-listening-to-10-meter-radio-beacons\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Post: Listening to 10 Meter Radio Beacons"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SX-99-Dial-Nar\"<\/a>Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario\u00a0Filippi (N2HUN) for the following guest post:<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Listening in to 10 Meter Radio Beacons<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mario Filippi, N2HUN<\/strong><\/p>\n

(All photos courtesy of author–click to enlarge.)<\/p>\n

Radio beacons can be found across the RF spectrum from the LF (low frequency) band all the way up to bands inhabited by satellite signals. If you are a ham, shortwave listener or a QRP (low power) buff then a great place to start is on the 10 meter band, which is included on most table-top shortwave radios and even some portables. Beacon signals come and go with band conditions, emanate from different parts of the globe and provide one with listening challenges and hours of fun. So let\u2019s talk about 10m as it\u2019s a good place to start.<\/p>\n

A good indicator of band conditions on 10m is via the 10m beacon band which ranges from 28.1 to around 28.3 MHz. In general, most stateside beacons are found from 28.2 \u2013 28.3 MHz while DX (ex-US) beacons are heard from 28.1 \u2013 28.2 MHz. However, I\u2019ve heard DX beacons as high up as 28.297 MHz. These stations provide hams and SWLs not only with code practice but with the adventure of hearing low power signals from around the globe. To get acquainted with what is on the air, check out the Ten-Ten International Net website which has one of best lists of beacons, along with a plethora of information on the band itself: http:\/\/www.ten-ten.org\/index.php\/resources\/ten-meter-beacons<\/a> . The Ten-Ten club has been around for many decades and is a good resource of information on 10 meters in general; one can even be issued a unique Ten-Ten ID number upon request. Then, when making 10m contacts you can exchange Ten-Ten numbers with fellow operators.<\/p>\n

\"AR-3000A\"<\/a>

Let your fingers do the spinning of the VFO on 10m.<\/p><\/div>\n

Many of these beacon stations have been logged over the years at this QTH simply because they dot the globe with their low powered one-way signals and are a challenge. Hearing a beacons\u2019 very weak CW signal fading in and out with its\u2019 short message, usually starting with a series of \u201cVs\u201d followed by the call, then by info such as location, wattage, grid square is a timeless source of pleasure. There are literally hundreds of beacons to hear using your shortwave or ham radio, all coming in at different times of the day from places far and near. And there\u2019s no need to be in the shack; check them out using a portable radio because when band conditions are favorable, you\u2019re bound to hear them. And for those of you with RTL-SDR dongles, these miniscule radios are perfectly capable of receiving beacons and have the added feature of \u201clooking\u201d at that portion of the spectrum both via the 2-MHz wide spectrum display and accompanying waterfall image. These dongles are an inexpensive entry into HF\/VHF\/UHF listening and cover all modes. However they are not a plug \u2018n play venture, you\u2019ll need a computer, driver program, software to turn the dongle into an operating wideband receiver, patience learning the software, and a good antenna.<\/p>\n

\"Typical<\/a>

Typical \u201cdongle\u201d Software Defined Radio covering 24 \u2013 1766 MHz.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Screenshot<\/a>

Screenshot of 10m beacon activity in right-half of waterfall on 6\/22\/15; VA3KAH was heard on 28.168 MHz.<\/p><\/div>\n

Most 10m beacons operate at low power, anywhere from 100mW to as high as 100W but generally operate in the 1 \u2013 5W range using a variety of antennas, the vertical being the most popular. So in essence these beacons are not what you would classify as\u201cbig guns\u201d and that\u2019s the beauty of it all. They are an intriguing and challenging quarry to write into your logbook! While 10m tends to be more active during daylight hours and when sunspot numbers are good, this doesn\u2019t mean that beacons will not be heard; a quick \u201csweep\u201d of 21.1 \u2013 28.3 MHz while you are in the shack or outside listening on a portable is always worth a check. Having a good pair of headphones will aid in hearing the weak ones.<\/p>\n

\"Yaesu<\/a>

My all-time favorite, the Yaesu \u201cFrog 7\u201d performs well for 10m beacon hunting.<\/p><\/div>\n

To give readers some inspiration, below are some recent morning loggings using an AR-3000A and a 43 foot S9 vertical antenna. Band conditions were not the greatest, with most beacon stations fading in an out and propagation favoring Europe. Using a pair of headphones, logbook and pencil at the ready, it required sitting on some frequencies a few minutes as the beacon of interest faded in an out, until all the information was logged. Most beacons will begin their transmission with a series of \u201cVs\u201d which helps to identify an active frequency. Some will send a long tone out first, allowing you to fine tune the station, while some start with a series of \u201cdits\u201d to get your attention. As you log these beacons you\u2019ll see that each has its\u2019 own agenda. For example, some only send their call sign. Others will send call sign, grid square, and power. Some even include a website or an address to send QSL information. If your code is rusty, no worries as most beacons send their call at least twice or thrice!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recent 10m Beacon Loggings de N2HUN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Date<\/strong><\/td>\nTime (GMT)<\/strong><\/td>\nFrequency<\/strong><\/td>\nCall<\/strong><\/td>\nQTH<\/strong><\/td>\nComments<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2\/14\/16<\/td>\n1423<\/td>\n28.166<\/td>\nXE2O\/B<\/td>\nAllende, Mexico<\/td>\n5W, EL05 (grid square), some QSB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2\/14\/16<\/td>\n1440<\/td>\n28.298<\/td>\nSK7GH<\/td>\nJonkoping, Sweden<\/td>\nVery weak, heavy QSB, 5W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2\/14\/16<\/td>\n1447<\/td>\n28.223<\/td>\nKP3FT\/B<\/td>\nPonce, PR<\/td>\nSeries of five \u201cdits\u201d precedes CW identification<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2\/14\/16<\/td>\n1455<\/td>\n28.205<\/td>\nDL0IGI<\/td>\nHohenpeissenberg, Germany<\/td>\nLong tone precedes CW identification, 48W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2\/14\/16<\/td>\n1500<\/td>\n28.173<\/td>\nIZ1EPM<\/td>\nChivasso, Italy<\/td>\nLong tone before and after transmission, 20W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2\/14\/16<\/td>\n1530<\/td>\n28.242<\/td>\nIZ8DXB<\/td>\nNaples, Italy<\/td>\nTone preceding transmission, JN70BU (grid square), 6W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

My thanks go out to the Ten-Ten International Net (www.ten-ten.org<\/a> ) for their excellent website covering the 10 meter band and to all those ham operators worldwide who took the time and energy to construct radio beacons for all of us to enjoy. Now, go forth and check out those beacons; don\u2019t assume the band is dead, check out the beacon section of the band which will give you an indication of propagation conditions. Ten meters is very capricious and can open up at any time of the day, even late at night. And don\u2019t forget to QSL the beacon operator! Good luck hunting down beacons and 73\u2019s!<\/p>\n

\n

Thank you so much for this, Mario! Check out Mario’s other excellent guest posts by clicking here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario\u00a0Filippi (N2HUN) for the following guest post: Listening in to 10 Meter Radio Beacons Mario Filippi, N2HUN (All photos courtesy of author–click to enlarge.) Radio beacons can be found across the RF spectrum from the LF (low frequency) band all the way up to bands inhabited by satellite signals. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8,3194,545,627,3,43],"tags":[4777,4776,4311],"class_list":["post-17408","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","category-guest-posts","category-ham-radio","category-how-to","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-10-meter-beacons","tag-beacons","tag-mario-filippi-n2hun"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-4wM","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":54356,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/10\/mario-reminds-us-to-log-10-meter-cw-beacon-activity\/","url_meta":{"origin":17408,"position":0},"title":"Mario reminds us to log 10 meter CW beacon activity!","author":"Thomas","date":"October 17, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor,\u00a0Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who shares the following guest post: Recent 10 Meter CW Beacon Activity Mario Filippi, N2HUN The 10m band has been coming alive lately and it\u2019s time for all hams and SWLs to take advantage of it.\u00a0 For several years I\u2019ve been listening to 10m\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Beacons"","block_context":{"text":"Beacons","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/beacons\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/10-Meter-Beacon-SDR-Sharp-Mario-Filippi-Spectrum-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/10-Meter-Beacon-SDR-Sharp-Mario-Filippi-Spectrum-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/10-Meter-Beacon-SDR-Sharp-Mario-Filippi-Spectrum-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/10-Meter-Beacon-SDR-Sharp-Mario-Filippi-Spectrum-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/10-Meter-Beacon-SDR-Sharp-Mario-Filippi-Spectrum-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17965,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/guest-post-using-the-hackrf-one-for-dgps-beacon-reception\/","url_meta":{"origin":17408,"position":1},"title":"Guest Post: Using the HackRF One for DGPS Beacon Reception","author":"Thomas","date":"April 1, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN) for the following guest post: Receiving \u00a0with a HackRF One, SDR#, and MultiPSK by\u00a0Mario Filippi (N2HUN) The HackRF One is a Software Defined Radio manufactured by Great Scott Gadgets (www.greatscottgadgets.com) and has been on the market for a few years. Having\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"h1-preliminary1-445","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/h1-preliminary1-445.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":54246,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/10\/mario-shares-a-short-review-of-the-airspy-hf-discovery\/","url_meta":{"origin":17408,"position":2},"title":"Mario shares a short review of the Airspy HF+ Discovery SDR","author":"Thomas","date":"October 9, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who shares the following guest post: A Short Review of the Airspy HF+ Discovery SDR by Mario Filippi (N2HUN) I recently purchased an AirSpy HF+ Discovery.\u00a0 As a SWL for over 60 years who\u2019s owned many shortwave radios by manufacturers such\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/20221005Airspy-HF_-Discovery-SDR-Mario.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/20221005Airspy-HF_-Discovery-SDR-Mario.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/20221005Airspy-HF_-Discovery-SDR-Mario.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/20221005Airspy-HF_-Discovery-SDR-Mario.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/20221005Airspy-HF_-Discovery-SDR-Mario.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":51464,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/01\/schulman-auctions-posts-new-lots-of-radio-gear-for-january-2022\/","url_meta":{"origin":17408,"position":3},"title":"Schulman Auctions posts new lots of radio gear for January 2022","author":"Thomas","date":"January 8, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor, Mario Filippi, who writes: There is a lot of gear for auction from Schulman Auctions. There are several shortwave radios and other vintage gear, even crystal radios. Eye candy for radio buffs. 73's, Mario, N2HUN Thank you for the tip, Mario! Click here to check out\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Schulman-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Schulman-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Schulman-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Schulman-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Schulman-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22711,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/guest-post-an-unusual-night-for-cb\/","url_meta":{"origin":17408,"position":4},"title":"Guest Post: An Unusual Night for CB","author":"Thomas","date":"December 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN) for the following guest post: An Unusual Night for CB by\u00a0Mario Filippi (N2HUN) December 2nd\u00a0was an unusual night for CB (Citizen\u2019s Band) radio, as the band was open late (0030 GMT) when I turned on the President Washington CB radio just\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/preswashCB.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/preswashCB.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/preswashCB.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/preswashCB.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15755,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/guest-post-trip-down-shortwave-memory-lane-via-vintage-radioshack-catalogs\/","url_meta":{"origin":17408,"position":5},"title":"Guest post: Trip Down Shortwave Memory Lane via Vintage RadioShack Catalogs","author":"Thomas","date":"November 23, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario\u00a0Filippi (N2HUN), for the\u00a0following guest post: Trip Down Shortwave Memory Lane via Vintage RS Catalogs -Mario Filippi (N2HUN) Attached is a wonderful website containing archived Radio Shack catalogs and sales flyers going back to 1939, surely of interest to SWLs, hams, and other electronics\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RadioShack-Catalog","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/RadioShack-Catalog.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/RadioShack-Catalog.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/RadioShack-Catalog.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17408"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17408\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}