Re: New XG3 f/w includes CW beacon mode

Posted by Bill W4ZV on Apr 27, 2011; 10:28pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/New-XG3-f-w-includes-CW-beacon-mode-tp6311176p6311395.html

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote

Starting with version 1.07, the XG3 contains a Morse code sender with
memory function. This memory can be programmed to repeat the CW message,
step through different power levels and transmit a carrier for a
specific amount of time.

In 2004 N2XE held some QRP receiving tests on 40, 80 and 160 with calibrated beacons <100 uW.  

http://www.n2xe.com/Beacon.html

With the XG3 and an attenuator it would be very easy to duplicate these tests.  Just remember that **unattended** beacons below 28 MHz are illegal in the USA (I believe NCDXF beacons have special permission from the FCC).  

73,  Bill  W4ZV

§97.203 Beacon station. -

(a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

(b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

(c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

(d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

(e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.