Release to all interested in radio propagation, wireless history and amateur radio (September 25, 2006): Subject: The new GB3SSS 160m beacon, November 2006 through February 2007. Text from Keith Matthew, G 0 WYS, Secretary, Poldhu Amateur Radio Club, Cornwall, UK: Poldhu Amateur Radio Club is based in the Marconi Centre at Poldhu. The building was built to celebrate the centenary of Marconi's epic achievement of the 12 th December 1901: wireless across the Atlantic to Newfoundland. One of the results of this centenary was to reopen discussion of the mechanism by which the original signal was propagated. The winter of 1901 coincided with a sunspot minimum and it was realised that this coming December, 2006 should show similar conditions to those of December 1901. The best estimate of the frequency used by Marconi in 1901 is somewhere between 800 and 900kHz. While this frequency is, to put it mildly, well populated with suitable transmitters, it would be almost impossible to hear a British MW transmitter in Canada or the US due to 'local QRM'. It was realised that a clear channel would be necessary on the nearest amateur band and a temporary licence to operate a beacon on 160m has now been obtained. The frequency allocated is 1960kHz. In order to make the results as useful as possible, it was decided to make the transmitting sequence the same as that used by the UK 5MHz beacons. This is a two minute sequence on the hour, consisting of CW identification followed by a series of bursts of carrier each reducing in power by 6dB. There is then an identification in PSK31. This is repeated at subsequent 15minute intervals. Joe Craig, VO1NA, in St. John's, Newfoundland, has a his monitoring station in place, Beverage antenna and all. VO1NA accomplished the first transatlantic QSO [from Newfoundland] on 136 khz. The Antique Wireless Association in New York will also be monitoring from W2AN. Software is available to monitor the transmissions and can easily be found by searching for '5MHz beacon' in a search engine, or going to:- www.rsgbspectrumforum/5mhz%20beacon%20monitoring.htm. There is an e-mail address for reports at gb3sss@yahoo.co.uk. Please note that Marconi in 1901 heard the famous three dots (Morse "S") in the afternoon in Newfoundland. This beacon will help understand the possibility of low sunspot numbers transatlantic medium wave propagation 24 hours a day but especially 14:00 hrs through 18:00 hrs GMT/UTC. As a propagation bonus, in mid-December, grey-line propagation goes from sunset in Cornwall, through dawn in Northern California, Hawaii and New Zealand. See attachments and: A Plea for Timely Experiments: http://www.californiahistoricalradio.com/photos53.html Marconi's Gain: http://www.californiahistoricalradio.com/photos63.html -- 73 de Bart Lee, KV6LEE (AWA, CHRS, ARRL) Attorney at Law Office Phone 415 956 5959 x103 Office Fax Line 415 362 1431 Home Phone 415 399 9101 Cell Phone 415 902 7168 Snail Mail: 388 Market St #900 San Francisco, CA 94111-5311