BATC Forum

Bob G8MBU has just installed a personal ATV beacon built by Peter G3PYB and Noel G8GTZ at Cowes on the Isle of Wight - IO90IR.

The tx is running 900 milliwatts of FM in to a slotted wave guide antennae on 10342 MHz - this is not the final frequency and was where the available crystals ended up. The transmitter is a linear mix up from 23cms and the intention is to re-align the mulitplier chain ASAP so that the TV output is on 10420 MHz and also take a sniff of the 23cms NB beacon on the same site to generate a NB beacon on 10368.8 using the same mixer, PA and antennae. As it is a linear mix, we also have the potential to go to a digital transmitter when funds allow.

This is intended as a test transmission to check coverage before applying for an NoV for a repeater - it is hoped it will provide coverage of the Southampton and Solent area currently not covered by GB3SQ or GB3IV - Dave G8GKQ has already seen it from a second floor window in the center of Southampton.

Reports are very welcome - please reply to this post.

73

Noel - G8GTZ

Hi

After more tests this afternoon, I grabbed this screenshot: The signal was received off a partially obstructed dish looking at a nearby crane at a distance of 14 km from the beacon.
Next step is to permanently fix a Sky Dish on the wall outside pointed at the crane (and hope that the crane stays there for a while!)

Dave
G8GKQ
Woolston, Southampton

Nothing seen here, and just to check the RX the 10mwatt Tx with the horn in the ground floor shack is P5 on the horn at the top of the mast

Mike

Success today, P4 with Sky mini dish and P2 with a horn and LNB.

Went to a spot on the overcliff between the piers.

Path plot gives distance as 24 Miles

Went a little further today, had a P3 picture at 32.7 Miles

Didn't take many photos of this trip, so only have this out of focus screen grab!
The dish had moved a little at this time, some work to do on the tripod mounting next

HI my path plot looks feasible albeit 150 miles! Is the beacon on 24/7 and can I presume its omni directional ?

73s

Paul G6MNJ

Hi Paul,

It is on 24 / 7 and whilst not omni directional, Colin has proven it does get out quite well in your direction when he went to Swanage.

Dartmoor looks to be a bit of a problem for you (be interesting to see if the Torquay folks can see it) but it will be interesting to see what happens with a sea path enhancement.

Sounds like an upside Sky dish is required on the side of the house

73

Noel

Due to water ingress, G8MBU's 10 GHz personal ATV beacon on the IoW is temporarily off the air. More news to follow.

Dave
G8GKQ