Now In Full-Time Operation

Just in time for the beginning of Solar Cycle 24

W4JE 10-meter Propagation Beacon
28.210 MHz
Arlington, Virginia
FM18kv

The W4JE propagation beacon operates 24 hours per day from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The beacon nominally operates at 25 W transmit power from morning until evening, and 5 W transmit power overnight (eastern U.S. time). The switch-over times are approximately 0800 eastern (1300 UTC) and 1800 eastern (2300 UTC). Please see the beacon status for significant deviations from this schedule.

 

Reception Log (Excel file)

Pictures of the Station and Antenna
Current and Historical Weather at the Beacon Site

 

Beacon Details

Maidenhead Grid Square:  FM18kv
Frequency:  28.210 MHz
Wavelength (free space):  10.63 m
Transmitter:  RadioShack HTX-100
Keyer:  MFJ-492
Transmit Power:  25 W day/5 W night (44 dBm day/37 dBm night)
Coax Loss (approximately 120 ft of Beldin 8237):  1.0 dB (measured)
Power at Antenna Input:  20 W day/4 W night (43 dBm day/36 dBm night) measured
Antenna:  Cuschcraft AR10
Polarization:  Vertical
Antenna Gain:  3 dBi (spec)
Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP):  40 W day/8 W night (46 dBm day/39 dBm night)
Latitude (NAD83):  N 38° 52' 52.8" = 38° 52.880' = 38.88133°
Longitude (NAD83):  W 77° 06' 31.5" = 77° 06.525' = 77.10875°
Antenna Radiation Center Line Height above Ground Level:  228 ft (69.5 m)
Antenna Radiation Center Line Height above Mean Sea Level (RCAMSL) (NAD83):   500 ft (152.5 m)
Antenna Radiation Center Line Height above Average Terrain (HAAT):   305 ft (93 m)
Approximate Physical Horizon Distance based on HAAT:  39 km (25 mi)

Please email reception and non-reception reports. Multiple reports are welcome. Please separate them by more than three hours.

73 de W4JE


Last Updated: 01/26/2008
All contents (c)2008 Andrew W. Clegg