Review

Since October 16th 2009 our beacon has been working without any problems in the central city of Windhoek. We have received reports from all over the world, for example from Ernie (NH7L) who is located exactly on the other side of the earth in Honolulu. It is amazing that a 10 MHz signal with 1Watt transmitting power at a vertical broadband rotund emitter with approximately -4,5dBi gain can regularly bridge a distance of 19439km.

But the whole thing had a negativ aspect, too. Due to the little distance of the WSPR-antenna to the Windhoek-Repeater-Antenna (80m) there were partly strong disturbances on the 80m Receiver of our repeater. These disturbances became noticeable especielly on the 15m band. But also on other short wave frequencies a detraction of the receiver quality on 80m was perceived. It was therefore inevitably necessary to move the WSPR-beacon.

Preparations

However, prior to that there were a few obstacles to be overcome. At the new location on the farm there was no power supply. So we decided to cover the energy supply ecologically with solar cells, a solar regulator and a  back-up battery. Karl-Heinz (V51KH) had a solar regulator from Siemens and a set of cables with a large cross-section in his box of odds and sods. OM Conrad  (V51CR), owner of  Solar Age, agreed to provide us with three solar panels with each 75Watt power. These produce enough energy to run the beacon 24 hours a day, even at sky cover. Michael (V51Q) attended to the constuction of a pivoted frame for the solar cells in order to achieve an optimal utilisation of the solar cells, also on overcast summer days. A 105Ah 12V solar battery is being used as energy storage during the night. A ventilated metal casing for the beacon and a plastic tube for the battery were also quickly procured. Now we had all the material collected. At this point I would like to thank all the donators and helpers in the name of NAM-ARC.

We chose Farm "Hannover", QTH of Victor (V51V), for the place of location. On a 70km² farm area surely an appropriate corner could be found, preferably near the farmhouse. But we had to keep in mind that the cattle living on the farm are quite curious - they chew and tug with interest on every new item. Our beacon would get to feel this as well. Therefore we had to find a cattle-secure place, which was also quickly and easily accessible. Behind the farmhouse, in a distance of app. 80 m, there is a shed which gives a discarded diesel generator shelter from sun and rain. It is separated by a fence from the surrounding farm area, and thus the beacon would be protected even from the most curious farm inhabitants With a size of 1,5 x 3,0m the roof should give our beacon too shelter from the weather, and the access by Victor is easy and uncomplicated. Minor disturbances could be corrected promptly and directly on-site.

The Relocation

On June 12th 2010 the time had come to put our idea into practice. Victor was in Windhoek on this weekend, where he loaded his car with all the material incl beacon and antenna, brought it to his farm, 180 km south-east of Windhoek, and built it up concurrently.

The QTH qualifies excellently for erecting more antennas. Gernot (OE1IFM) is already busy with creating the 2nd generation of the beacon which can be supplied with several bandspecific antennas.

First Results

The beacon has been operating now day and night for more than a month. The solar cells, solar regulator and lead accumulator are working faultlessly. Already four hours after sunrise the energy that has been consumed overnight is recharged, without tracking of the solar cells.

But from December to March, it is going to face its major challenge: that is the rainy season in Namibia. Sky cover for days can be anticipated, which reduces the energy balance of the solar cells.

I am going to give further report. Until then, I hope that the beacon will have a share in defining the propagation

Best 73 de

Wolfgang (V51WG)