Patagonian 6 meter Beacon

History of this beacon is very interesting as it gives a rebirth to the solidarity among ham amateurs. The idea came up in a conversation within one of those 'local' openings in the six meter band, opening that allows a chat between Buenos Aires and Patagonia. One of those days, finding myself in a QSO with Luis LU1DMA, the idea of having a beacon in our area appears as an interesting project, so as to check propagation conditions, use these openings, and even make interesting comparitions. At this point Luis mentions that he should check his deposit to see if he could find a wireless telephone that would be easely adaptable to generate a signal in the frecuency for the six meter band beacons. Later he confirms having found and tried it, measuring a 1 watt output. Horacio LU9DFN offers to send a linear amplifier of 10 watts to reinforce the output and with the inconditional help of Marcelo LU6DTS who provided the CW identification in a microcontroller (PIC) almost all hardware was ready.

What was missing now was putting all things together, making them work and make the final adjustments. I had to choose the final location, as it had been emiting from a friend and fellow amateur's home, Edwin LU1YNE, who has a 5 element Yagi and was going to be away for a few days, so it was an ideal emplacement to check how it worked. Upon his return and after the complains of his family due to the interferences in their wireless telephone (as it emits/receives between 46 and 49 MHz), we turned it off.

Jorge LU4YAO offered a place in a property he administers on the Chimehuin River, on the way to the Lake Huechulaufquen, 50 km away from San Martin de los Andes, in an area called San Cabao, were the beacon found its final destination. I want to point out that, even if the six meter band is indicated for a brief DX, I have enjoyed a lot the local openings, where I found the same flavour as in the contacts within the 160 meter band (maybe here also the opposites meets?). There has not been an oportunity were I called and the answer was "You sound like local!" or 'How is that cubic antenna working?', always giving me a push to better myself, and after questions about what equipment or antenna are you using a rich technical conversation and about experiences come to life, telling the secrets of this band over the 30 MHz.

Technical Data

Operating Frecuency: 50.086 MHz

Output Power: 10 watts

Antenna: Ground plane 1/4 wave - 7 meters

QRZ Locator: FF40kc

Geographical location: S 39ÅŸ 53' 44.3" W 071ÅŸ 08' 37.2"

Altitud: 831 meters

Location: San Cabao (in the way towards Lake Huechulauquen, 15 km from Junin de los Andes, Neuquen province, Argentina

Best regards - LU7YS Sergio Landoni

We would appreciate reports to sergio@lu7ys.com.ar o via e-QSL

English text by Jorge Knull LU4YAO

http://gacw.no-ip.org

Visit GACW Web site and have a look of the beacon and Lanin Vulcano area map.