Amateur Beacons for the Amateur Beacons for the 2121stst Century Century

Andy Talbot G4JNT / G8IMRAndy Talbot G4JNT / G8IMR

September 2010September 2010

What is a Beacon ?What is a Beacon ?

A Transmitter at a Known LocationA Transmitter at a Known LocationThat transmits a prestored message,That transmits a prestored message,With Limited Information Content,With Limited Information Content,

Continuously, or Periodically,Continuously, or Periodically,On a Known Frequency,On a Known Frequency,

For reception by anyoneFor reception by anyone

What do we want beacons for ?What do we want beacons for ?

Band openings, but there’s nobody on!Band openings, but there’s nobody on! Is there anybody out there, is the band Is there anybody out there, is the band

dead?dead? I can’t hear anyone, is it working?I can’t hear anyone, is it working?

Frequency CalibrationFrequency CalibrationAntenna and Bearing setupAntenna and Bearing setup

What do we have nowWhat do we have now

HF Beacons HF Beacons IARU Beacon chainIARU Beacon chain14 - 28MHz,14 - 28MHz,Five FrequenciesFive FrequenciesCW and Power Stepped Carrier CW and Power Stepped Carrier

– – 10 seconds10 seconds

Time SequencedTime Sequenced

• Poor frequency stability / accuracyPoor frequency stability / accuracy

IBP ChainIBP Chain CallCall LocationLocation 14.100 14.100 18.11018.110 21.15021.150 24.93024.930 28.20028.200 OperatorOperator

4U1UN4U1UN U- NationsU- Nations 00:00 00:00 00:1000:10 00:2000:20 00:3000:30 00:4000:40 UNRCUNRC VE8ATVE8AT CanadaCanada 00:10 00:10 00:2000:20 00:3000:30 00:4000:40 00:5000:50 RAC/NARCRAC/NARC W6WXW6WX United StatesUnited States 00:20 00:20 00:3000:30 00:4000:40 00:5000:50 01:0001:00 NCDXFNCDXF

KH6WOKH6WO HawaiiHawaii 00:30 00:30 OFFOFF 00:5000:50 OFFOFF 01:1001:10 NOARG, HARCNOARG, HARC ZL6BZL6B New ZealandNew Zealand 00:40 00:40 00:5000:50 01:0001:00 01:1001:10 01:2001:20 NZARTNZART VK6RBPAustraliaVK6RBPAustralia 00:50 00:50 01:0001:00 01:1001:10 01:2001:20 01:3001:30 WIAWIA JA2IGYJA2IGY JapanJapan 01:00 01:00 01:1001:10 01:2001:20 01:3001:30 01:4001:40 JARLJARL RR9ORR9O RussiaRussia 01:10 01:10 01:2001:20 01:3001:30 01:4001:40 01:5001:50 SRRSRR VR2BVR2B Hong KongHong Kong 01:20 01:20 01:3001:30 01:4001:40 01:5001:50 02:0002:00 CRSA, HARTSCRSA, HARTS 4S7B4S7B Sri LankaSri Lanka 01:30 01:30 01:4001:40 01:5001:50 02:0002:00 02:1002:10 RSSLRSSL ZS6DNZS6DN South AfricaSouth Africa 01:40 01:40 01:5001:50 02:0002:00 02:1002:10 02:2002:20 ZS6DNZS6DN 5Z4B5Z4B KenyaKenya 01:50 01:50 02:0002:00 02:1002:10 02:2002:20 02:3002:30 ARSKARSK 4X6TU4X6TU IsraelIsrael 02:00 02:00 02:1002:10 02:2002:20 02:3002:30 02:4002:40 IARCIARC OH2BOH2B FinlandFinland 02:10 02:10 02:2002:20 02:3002:30 02:4002:40 02:5002:50 SRALSRAL CS3BCS3B MadeiraMadeira 02:20 02:20 02:3002:30 02:4002:40 02:5002:50 00:0000:00 ARRMARRM LU4AALU4AA ArgentinaArgentina 02:30 02:30 02:4002:40 02:5002:50 00:0000:00 00:1000:10 RCARCA OA4BOA4B PeruPeru 02:40 02:40 02:5002:50 00:0000:00 00:1000:10 00:2000:20 RCPRCP YV5BYV5B VenezuelaVenezuela 02:50 02:50 00:0000:00 00:1000:10 00:2000:20 00:3000:30 RCVRCV

What do we have nowWhat do we have now

Other HF Beacons Other HF Beacons Majority on 28MHz for Propagation alertsMajority on 28MHz for Propagation alerts5.29MHz for propagation tests5.29MHz for propagation testsGenerally banned below 7MHzGenerally banned below 7MHz

Apart from occasional specialsApart from occasional specials

VHFVHFHundreds around the worldHundreds around the worldSimple crystal control, freq +/- tens of ppm.Simple crystal control, freq +/- tens of ppm.Carrier and CW – callsign and locatorCarrier and CW – callsign and locator

ImprovementsImprovements

Design for Automatic Monitoing using PC / Design for Automatic Monitoing using PC / SoundcardsSoundcardsNarrow band Narrow band Want good frequency stabilityWant good frequency stability

Frequency ReuseFrequency ReuseTime sequenced – helps QRM and regulatory Time sequenced – helps QRM and regulatory

issuesissuesSimplifies auto-monitoring of multiple Simplifies auto-monitoring of multiple

beaconsbeacons• No RetuningNo Retuning

Next Generation HFNext Generation HFFrequency StabilityFrequency Stability

Aim for better than 10Aim for better than 10-7-7 at HF (+/-1 Hz) at HF (+/-1 Hz)TCXO or Ovened oscillatorTCXO or Ovened oscillator

Minimise frequency clutterMinimise frequency clutterTime sequence - like the IARU chainTime sequence - like the IARU chain

Change the rules to allow beacons below Change the rules to allow beacons below 7MHz 7MHz Let technolgy reduce the QRM by Let technolgy reduce the QRM by

• Precisely timed transmissionsPrecisely timed transmissions• Single frequency on each band, worldwide ?Single frequency on each band, worldwide ?

WSPR ??WSPR ??

• Already Well EstablishedAlready Well Established• Reporting Website in placeReporting Website in place• Automated reportsAutomated reports

How About a Network of WSPR How About a Network of WSPR Beacons ?Beacons ?

Data ModesData Modes

PSK31 or RTTY could carry informationPSK31 or RTTY could carry informationPropagation state, band openingsPropagation state, band openingsSite telemetrySite telemetryUnique time signature confirms receptionUnique time signature confirms reception Time / Temperature / Pressure / ???Time / Temperature / Pressure / ???Status of other beaconsStatus of other beaconsQSL / Report CheckingQSL / Report Checking

Next Generation VHFNext Generation VHFDecent Frequency accuracy Decent Frequency accuracy

Ovened crystal or GPS lockedOvened crystal or GPS lockedLook for 10Look for 10-9-9 accuracy (sub Hz) for auto accuracy (sub Hz) for auto

searchsearch

Add weak signal data modesAdd weak signal data modesJT65 JT65 Extended period of coherent carrier for Extended period of coherent carrier for

very narrow band integrationvery narrow band integrationPSK reversals for time-of-flight PSK reversals for time-of-flight

mewasurementmewasurement

Microwave BeaconsMicrowave Beacons

Often Used when / Portable for :Often Used when / Portable for :

Frequency calibrationFrequency calibration

Dish and Bearing setupDish and Bearing setup

Propagation MonitoringPropagation Monitoring

Microwave BeaconsMicrowave BeaconsFrequency accuracy even more important as Frequency accuracy even more important as

They are often used for calibrationThey are often used for calibration

We need a We need a lotlot more more μWave μWave beacons to beacons to ensure everyone can hear at least one on ensure everyone can hear at least one on each band each band Personal beaconsPersonal beaconsAttended or unattendedAttended or unattendedLicensing easier at microwavesLicensing easier at microwaves

What is needed – where shall we go? What is needed – where shall we go?

Some Examples of next-generation Some Examples of next-generation beacons are already out there….beacons are already out there….

The 5MHz beacon chainThe 5MHz beacon chainGB3RAL GB3WES GB3ORK transmit GB3RAL GB3WES GB3ORK transmit

in sequence. in sequence. • 1 minute every 15 GPS timed1 minute every 15 GPS timed

Power steps over 54dB for audible S/N Power steps over 54dB for audible S/N estimationestimation

TCXO frequency control (few Hz)TCXO frequency control (few Hz)The system was designed for automatic The system was designed for automatic

logging (G3PLX software)logging (G3PLX software)Cover a complete sunspot cycleCover a complete sunspot cycle

5MHz Automatic Propagation Monitor5MHz Automatic Propagation Monitor

GB3SSS 1.96MHz / 3.6MHzGB3SSS 1.96MHz / 3.6MHz

Temporary beacon for winter transatlantic Temporary beacon for winter transatlantic propagation tests from Poldhupropagation tests from Poldhu

1 Nov to end Jan 20071 Nov to end Jan 2007Year later on 3.6MHzYear later on 3.6MHzSequence similar to the 5MHz beacons Sequence similar to the 5MHz beacons

1 / 15 minutes, power steps, carrier1 / 15 minutes, power steps, carrier

PSK31 message – decoded in CanadaPSK31 message – decoded in CanadaAll waveforms generated in DDS chipAll waveforms generated in DDS chip

GB3VHF 144.43MHz GB3VHF 144.43MHz Wrotham, KentWrotham, Kent

GPS Controlled frequency and timeGPS Controlled frequency and timeJT65, CW, 1pps PSKJT65, CW, 1pps PSKTwo minute repeat cycleTwo minute repeat cycleGeneric beacon driver conceptGeneric beacon driver concept

Up to 16 thirty second time slots can each be Up to 16 thirty second time slots can each be allocated to different modesallocated to different modes

GB3VHF GB3VHF

GPS Module

DDS SourcePIC Controller

GPS Disciplined Reference (12.8MHz)

GB3RAL VHF ChainGB3RAL VHF Chain

40.05 50.05 60.05, 70.05MHz40.05 50.05 60.05, 70.05MHzPhase coherent from GPS Locked Phase coherent from GPS Locked

master referencemaster referenceJT65, CW, 1pps PSKJT65, CW, 1pps PSKTwo minute repeat cycleTwo minute repeat cycle

Bell Hill Microwave BeaconsBell Hill Microwave Beacons Single site cluster of seven beacons for 2.3 to 47GHz Single site cluster of seven beacons for 2.3 to 47GHz

and telemetry Tx on 70MHzand telemetry Tx on 70MHz Evolutionary upgrades in capabilityEvolutionary upgrades in capability

GB3SCS 2320.90503MHzGB3SCS 2320.90503MHz JT4g JT4g GPS LockedGPS Locked GB3SCF 3400.905000 MHz RTTY GB3SCF 3400.905000 MHz RTTY GPS LockedGPS Locked GB3SCF 5760.905006MHz QRSS GB3SCF 5760.905006MHz QRSS GPS LockedGPS Locked GB3SCX 10368.9050068 MHz JT4g GB3SCX 10368.9050068 MHz JT4g GPS Locked GPS Locked GB3SCK 24048.905 MHz (CW only)GB3SCK 24048.905 MHz (CW only) OCXOOCXO G8BKE/P 47.088905 GHz (CW only)G8BKE/P 47.088905 GHz (CW only) OCXOOCXO G4JNT/P 70.031MHz PSK31 Telemetry G4JNT/P 70.031MHz PSK31 Telemetry TCXOTCXO

Bell Hill Microwave BeaconsBell Hill Microwave Beacons

Beacon HardwareBeacon Hardware

Several parts already exist in current Several parts already exist in current designsdesignsDriver / oscillator Driver / oscillator (but freq may need stabilising)(but freq may need stabilising)

Power Amplifier (+ filters)Power Amplifier (+ filters)AntennaAntenna

But several new modules will be neededBut several new modules will be neededAgile Frequency SourceAgile Frequency SourceController / keyerController / keyerTiming – eg GPSTiming – eg GPS

Power AmplifierPower Amplifier

Power Steps, PSK31 etc need a linear PAPower Steps, PSK31 etc need a linear PAFor low duty cycle time sequenced, simple For low duty cycle time sequenced, simple

class A or A/B MOSFET design is idealclass A or A/B MOSFET design is idealBroadband – so useable over multiple bands Broadband – so useable over multiple bands

(beware filtering needs)(beware filtering needs)High duty cycle with no linear modesHigh duty cycle with no linear modes

Class C design is better suited. Class C design is better suited. Particularly at VHF / UHFParticularly at VHF / UHFFrequency MultiplicationFrequency Multiplication

Frequency SourceFrequency Source Crystal oscillator Crystal oscillator

Single frequency, no data modesSingle frequency, no data modesPoor Frequency StabilityPoor Frequency StabilityUse oven or clip-on heaterUse oven or clip-on heater

DDSDDSDirectly useable at HF and low VHFDirectly useable at HF and low VHF

• Spurii need cleaning up for higher frequenciesSpurii need cleaning up for higher frequencies• GB3VHF - additional crystal filterGB3VHF - additional crystal filter• μWave beacons, lock crystal oscillator to DDS O/PμWave beacons, lock crystal oscillator to DDS O/P

Direct generation of most data modesDirect generation of most data modesClock from standard frequency reference (10MHz)Clock from standard frequency reference (10MHz)

DDS SourcesDDS Sources Older AD9850 / 9851Older AD9850 / 9851

Up to 30MHz directly.Up to 30MHz directly.FM / Phase modulation,FM / Phase modulation,But no AM capabilityBut no AM capabilitySmall and simple to useSmall and simple to use32 bit frequency register32 bit frequency register~ 10~ 10-9-9 freq setting freq settingInternal x6 PLL for clock Internal x6 PLL for clock

AD9852 / 9854AD9852 / 9854Up to 90MHz directlyUp to 90MHz directlyAmplitude / phase / frequency changed in Amplitude / phase / frequency changed in μsμs48 Bit - 48 Bit - 1010-14 -14 Frequency settingFrequency settingX4 – X20 Internal clock PLL X4 – X20 Internal clock PLL

Even Faster devices eg. AD9950Even Faster devices eg. AD9950

ControllerController

Simple CW KeyerSimple CW KeyerTiny PICTiny PIC

More Advanced ControllerMore Advanced Controller

Microcontroller eg. PICMicrocontroller eg. PIC‘‘Workhorse’ 16F628 has enough power for Workhorse’ 16F628 has enough power for

most controller tasksmost controller tasks

Reprogramme a Direct Digital Synthesizer Reprogramme a Direct Digital Synthesizer in real time to generate data modes in real time to generate data modes AD9852 100μs to reprogramme (serial)AD9852 100μs to reprogramme (serial)PSK31, JT65, FSK441 and RTTY PSK31, JT65, FSK441 and RTTY

demonstrated already. demonstrated already. Accept external data / telemetry inputsAccept external data / telemetry inputs

Timestamp the transmission with a Timestamp the transmission with a unique codeunique code

Verifies correct reception at any given date / time.Verifies correct reception at any given date / time. Only the keeper knows the hashing key.Only the keeper knows the hashing key. Simple to do in a PIC from the GPS data streamSimple to do in a PIC from the GPS data stream Verifiable QSL – could this count as a one-way QSO !!!!Verifiable QSL – could this count as a one-way QSO !!!!

Alphanumeric code with pronounceable triads :-Alphanumeric code with pronounceable triads :- 1800 JYC 1801 PUF 1802 KIC 1803 FOF 1804 WAC 1800 JYC 1801 PUF 1802 KIC 1803 FOF 1804 WAC 1805 PEF 1806 HAR 1807 CEG 1808 LUD 1809 RYG 1805 PEF 1806 HAR 1807 CEG 1808 LUD 1809 RYG 1810 MEB 1811 TAD 1812 CAB 1813 HED 1814 MIB 1810 MEB 1811 TAD 1812 CAB 1813 HED 1814 MIB 1815 TOD 1816 ZUC 1817 FYF 1818 NAC 1819 WEF 1815 TOD 1816 ZUC 1817 FYF 1818 NAC 1819 WEF

May also have to send the minutes digit for correct time logging.May also have to send the minutes digit for correct time logging.

Repeater BeaconsRepeater Beacons

Add a receiver and data decodingAdd a receiver and data decodingDecode your callsign sent to itDecode your callsign sent to itReply with acknowledgement and reportReply with acknowledgement and report

Who will be the first ?Who will be the first ?

Reverse BeaconReverse Beacon

Instead of a TransmitterInstead of a TransmitterJust a receiver with Internet ConnectionJust a receiver with Internet Connection

You transmit to itYou transmit to itIt reports to the web site, shows spectrumIt reports to the web site, shows spectrum

There are a number of these at LF, There are a number of these at LF, Ideal for antenna / transmitter testsIdeal for antenna / transmitter tests

OR, phone up, transmit and listenOR, phone up, transmit and listen(Modest) premium rate phone number could (Modest) premium rate phone number could

finance itfinance it

And talking of Finance.....And talking of Finance.....

Beacons Cost MoneyBeacons Cost MoneySite Rental (Bell Hill £500 per year)Site Rental (Bell Hill £500 per year)Electricity (Bell Hill 200 Watts 24/7)Electricity (Bell Hill 200 Watts 24/7)Operators travelling Costs for Operators travelling Costs for

maintenancemaintenanceAnd, of course, the hardware itselfAnd, of course, the hardware itselfhttp://www.scrbg.org/donate/Hamfest StandHamfest Stand

Questions ?Questions ?