REVERSE BEACONING
and
WSPR
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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Why Reverse beaconing
– Real time monitoring propagation
– Find out where you are being heard
– Compare antennas or equipment
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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What is a reverse beacon
• A reverse beacon is a receiver feeding a
computer connected to a reverse beacon
network.
– Anyone can run a reverse beacon, including a
non ham.
– Each network requires its own special
software
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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REVERSE BEACON NETWORKS
• Pskreporter.info
• PropNET.org
• Reversebeacon.net
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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PSK Reporter
• Receives your transmitted callsign and
reports it to Pskreporter.info
• Pskreporter.info displays where received
in near real time.
• Works with various digital modes including
cw
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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PSK REPORTER MAP
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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Implementing PSK Reporter
• Fldigi 3.2. and some other digital programs
have PSK reporter built in. Check the
Pskreporter site for more info.
– To turn it on in Fldigi go to Configure-Rig
Control-Misc and check autospotting.
– Be sure you have entered all 8 figures for
your sub-square.
– If you are using the computer for rig control
you can also report frequency.
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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PropNETpsk
• PropNETpsk free program
– Automatically monitor up to 16 blocks of
frequencies that you define
– Automatically send reports to PropNET.org
• Can also be set to beacon 6 to 15 times/hr
– Will not beacon on an occupied frequency
• Can be used in QSO mode
– Will alert if it detects your call
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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PropNET Screen
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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PropNET Map
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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Reversebeacon
• Primarily for cw
• Uses the program Aggregator to extract
information from CW Skimmer
•
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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CW RECEIVING SOFTWARE
• CW Skimmer
– Used with a SDR can decode up to 700
signals at once.
– With an analog receiver can decode about 24
signals at a time
– There is a 30 day free trial and a $75
activation fee.
– It can be run with Aggregator to report to
reversebeacon.net
• Download from reversebeacon.net
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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CW SKIMMER 3kHz
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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SOFTROCK
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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RAW Output
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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FILTERED FROM 1 LAND
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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REVERSE BEACON MAP
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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WSPR
• A method of measuring propagation
worldwide with a system of beacons and
special software.
– Not suitable for QSO’s
• Reports to wsprnet.org
• A good overview can be found at
g4ilo.com/wspr.html
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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WSPR MAP
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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How WSPR Works
• Weak Signal Propagation Reporter
• Mode is MEPT-JT Manned Experimental
Propagation Transmitter – Joe Taylor
• Low speed FSK about 6 Hz bandwidth in a 200
Hz band window.
• Each transmission just under 2 minutes.
• Time synced within 1 sec. Starts on even
minutes.
– Data is callsign , 6 character locator, power in dBm (1
watt is 30dBm)
– Can be run in receive mode only.
– Can decode signals below the noise.
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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WSPR RECEIVING SOFTWARE
• /www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/w
spr.html
• WSPR 2.11 plus FMT
– FMT is from the ARRL to very precisely
measure frequency.
Copyright 2010 Fred Cunningham K1FC
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