In late May 2025, a new 40 MHz (8m) beacon in Croatia with the callsign 9A0BEZ was switched on. The location of the beacon is at Malo Sljeme which is at 982m above sea level in a mountainous area to the north of the Croatian capital Zagreb.
The locator for the beacon is JN75XV, the frequency is 40.6675 MHz and the output power is 5-watts into a quarter wave vertical.
The antenna shown above is slightly blocked to the north-east by a mast which is just out of view. There is also some higher ground along this ridge which may reduce the signal somewhat in this direction.
The beacon gives it's callsign and locator in morse code. The message is '9A0BEZ 9A0BEZ 9A0BEZ BEACON JN75XV JN75XV JN75XV'.
Beacon reports to 9A2EY.
Coverage area... Looking at the map at the top of this post, the beacon should have a good signal under tropo conditions to most of Croatia and Slovenia. As noted already, the signal to the north-east in the direction of Budapest will be more difficult.
The main attraction of the beacon however will be its coverage during the summer Sporadic-E season.
The map above shows the suggested coverage area for Sporadic-E signals. It should have a reasonable signal into areas like the east of Spain and England during the Summer months when there are openings.
There are relatively few amateur radio beacons on the 40 MHz band so it's good to have another addition.
Links... For more info on the 8m band, see my 40 MHz page.
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