The EI2DKH beacon in the south-west of Ireland is now running 24/7 beaming across the Atlantic hoping to make contact with North America.
The station run by Tony EI8JK transmitting Q65 (60 sec, sub mode C) with CW ID every even minute on 144.488 MHz with audio frequency of 1500 Hz and it receives Q65 every odd minute on 144.178 MHz with audio frequency of 1500 Hz.
The beacon runs 100-watts into 4 x 5-element LFA-Q antennas beaming 270 degrees.
The beacon locator IO51DO90CL and the site is about 40 metres above sea level.
Analysis... The beacon site is somewhat obstructed to the west with a 220m metre hill about 2.5kms away (3.2 deg elevation at 279 deg) which will prove to be a challenge.
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| Horizon for EI2DKH |
3 comments:
Wel, I would be the last to criticise anyone who makes an effort - especially one as involved as this. But that obstructing hill? It's not making things easier. Under strong refraction conditions, the 40m elevation may also be non-ideal. Altogether, there's a need for a much better site, I'm afraid. Then again, surprises do occur...
Well yes, it seems like there would be no chance of any propagtion across the Atlantic from this site. But .. back in the 90's I was very active on satellites, especially Oscar 10. For 2 days every orbit of Oscar 10 I was the only European station in the footprint and I had the whole of North America to work, which allowed me to work Hawaii and Alaska on 10 watts 70cm.
That was when I discovered knife edge refraction as AO 10 signal was strongest when at it's lowest angle totally hidden behind mountains, and got progressively weaker as it got higher, until I couldn't work it at all when it was in the clear. Also several times I have heard Canadian signals bouncing off Mir.
So low angle "might" work through defraction and sea surface ducting, or high angle tropo.
Either way I'm willing to give it a go.
Tony, EI8JK.
It would be very nice to have ideal locations on both sides of the Atlantic to maximize the opportunity. It’s very difficult line up all the critical factors such as ideal unobstructed site; Very low noise level; Easy and convenient site access; strong tower and antenna system to withstand the weather and wind; 24/7 operation; email alerting function for unattended notifications; Most importantly interested and committed people with the skills to keep it all working on a long term basis. In lieu of all of the above we need to make compromises and go with what we have.
73 Frank VO1HP
VO1FN VHF SITE.
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