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Author Topic: Anything special required to be spotted by the Reverse Beacon Network?  (Read 847 times)

N2SR

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  • Posts: 1790
Re: Anything special required to be spotted by the Reverse Beacon Network?
« Reply #15 on: March 27, 2023, 11:44:43 AM »

The RBN shows that when you were spotted in the last few weeks you were sending 11 or 12 wpm.  That's pretty close to the low end of where the skimmers detect CW (about 10 wpm).  Maybe faster would work better...

Since 10m wasn't open much until recently, maybe a lot of the skimmers aren't on SDRs with 10m yet?

Glenn AE0Q

There were plenty of skimmer spots on 10m during ARRL CW. 
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WA3SKN

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  • Posts: 8124
Re: Anything special required to be spotted by the Reverse Beacon Network?
« Reply #16 on: March 27, 2023, 12:13:24 PM »

Dec 2022... he may have figured it out by now.
A 45 inch whip with coil inside a brick building does not work well for 40 meters.  The 13 ft single radial is also a probable issue.  Add QRP to the mix.
Hopefully he got the antenna outside.

-Mike.
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WA9ZVF

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  • Posts: 4
Re: Anything special required to be spotted by the Reverse Beacon Network?
« Reply #17 on: March 27, 2023, 01:06:01 PM »

Paul,
When I first started messing with RBN I tried sending code using an old fashion key.  RBN did not recognize me.  I tried using the CW memory in my Icom 7300 and RBN would spot me.  If I use a keyer then for the most part RBN hears me.  The point is that RBN needs good quality code i.e. good dot to dash ratio and good spacing. 
Ray
W9NZ
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N8NK

  • Posts: 179
    • N8NK QRP
Re: Anything special required to be spotted by the Reverse Beacon Network?
« Reply #19 on: March 27, 2023, 08:22:41 PM »

suggestions above that QRP may be the 'problem' are absolutely off the mark.
I've done EXTENSIVE antenna testing, ONLY with QRP, and often with compromise antennas. I've relied on the RBN network when doing my multi-tap UNUN and Michigan Cacti testing.
The only format I've ever used is this:
TEST TEST TEST TEST de N8NK (No 'K' needed)
And because I'm not calling CQ, people won't call me when I'm doing my antenna testing and not in the mood, or not equipped, to have a QSO.
Typically I'm spotted on the first round within the 'states. By the time I've done a second transmission, I'm spotted globally if the band permist. Yep, using QRP.
I worked S. Argentina using 2.5 milliwatts. Care for a story?
'a QRP Story'  https://youtu.be/ja6e_uISvZ8
Chuck, N8NK
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AE0Q

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  • Posts: 414
    • AE0Q Amateur Radio
Re: Anything special required to be spotted by the Reverse Beacon Network?
« Reply #20 on: March 28, 2023, 11:16:29 AM »

The only format I've ever used is this:
TEST TEST TEST TEST de N8NK (No 'K' needed)

You don't need to send TEST more than once.

From one of the RBN programmers that set it up:

"If you send a CQ, sign your call once, listen, and send another CQ, with your call, that is sufficient to get you spotted.  The CW Skimmer software listens to a 50-Hz decoder channel in a 255-character FIFO-style buffer, and if the software "hears" two repetitions in that span, together with the keywords CQ or TEST (there are some others, more appropriate for DXing, like UP 1), then it will spot you."

Glenn AE0Q
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