These are exciting times!  The official start of Cycle 24 was announced on January 2008 when a magnetically reversed sunspot was spotted.  Although I do recall reading about one being spotted in August 2007.  This is usually an indication that the new cycle is about to begin.  This solar cycle is being projected by scientists as one of the best since the exceptional cycle that peaked in 1957.  I myself am looking forward to Cycle 24 providing 10 meter openings that will generate worldwide propagation using modest antenna systems and only a few watts of power to the transmitting antenna.

The 15 WPM CW Beacon Text is as follows:
10 second delay 5 second keydown vvv vvv de na5ss/b dm65qg na5ss/b dm65qg na5ss/b dm65qg 1 watt
The message repeats.


The schematic:




The setup:

A double sided PC Board was used as a groundplane.  A single sided pc board was cut into chips to accomidate interconnect landing zones.  They were epoxied into place before the components were soldered into place.

 

 

 

Transmitter: Homebrew QRP transmitter design from ARRL Solid State Design for the Radio Amateur by Wes Hayward, W7ZOI and Doug DeMaw, W1FB 1977.  
Beacon text:    The CW beacon text is being generated by a "Freakin' Beacon" available at Expanded Spectrum System.

• There is an application for programming the Freakin' Beacon. 
• I originally built one from the schematic on their website a few years ago, programmed the PIC using the hex file available on the website but decided that I would purchase the kit because it worked so well
  and it's reasonably priced at $35 including a nice PC Board and all components.

Antenna:  Delta Loop at 6 meters high.
Power:  Completely solar powered.  A 50 watt GE Solar Panel and a charge controller connected to a Deep Cycle Marine battery.  This also provides lighting in the storage shed where the system is located.

Hard to find parts for building the 6 Meter beacon were purchased from Dan's ~ Small Parts and Kits.
The crystal was purchased from International Crystal Manufacturing.
The double sided PC board and enclosure were purchased from Radio Shack.

Total cost for the project was under $80.  Plus it's a great learning experience.

If you do not know your Maidenhead Gridsquare then use this resource: Maidenhead Gridsquare calculator and click on the map.

Interested in making a Solar Filter for your telescope?  Then visit this URL.

I would appreciate beacon reports sent to:

Updated:  July 15, 2012 Beacon Frequency Spotter QTH / Gridsquare UTC Date Visitor number: since 07/15/2012