MARCONI RADIO CLUB OF NEWFOUNDLAND INC.

Eastern Newfoundland (47.6N 52.7W, GN37) is the closest point of the North American continent to Europe. It is therefore a strategic location for radio propagation beacons.

  • The 6 metre beacon (VO1ZA) operates on the campus of Memorial University and was designed and installed by members of the MUN ARC in June of 1990. It operates on a frequency of 50.0400 MHz (space) 50.0395 MHz (mark) FSK CW with 1.5 watts output to a 0.27 wave gamma fed vertical (omni). The beacon is maintained by the Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland. Following an electrical storm, the beacon was off the air for several days. Service was restored on 1500 UTC 5 September 2005.

  • A 2 metre CW transatlantic beacon is operating on 144.400 MHz,+-0.5 kHz. Anyone wishing to report a transatlantic reception for authentication should report the exact time, frequency and full text of the transmission to MRCN. The beacon was off the air temporarily, but resumed operation on 2251 UTC 27 July 2004 transmitting with an ERP of 2.2 kW and beaming 60 degrees. The beacon was shut down for site maintenance and issues with interference to other users of the site. Future operation is expected soon. For further information, please contact Frank VO1HP. This beacon is currently off the air. The frequency of 144.400 MHz was chosen in consultation with the RSGB VHF committee.

    This beacon is a joint project of MRCN and the Baccalieu Amateur Radio Klub. It is located at GN37JS and is beaming about 2.5 kW ERP at 60 degrees. Thanks to VE1IF VE1WPL VO1HP VO1XP VO1CBS and others.

  • CURRENT STATUS: 8 January 2005 OFF
    4-7 Jan 2005 ON
    19 Oct 2003 Start of operation

  • MRCN operates a VHF repeater on 147.00 MHz which services the North-East Avalon area. This project is ongoing. Plans to incorporate an IRLP type node and other features such as UHF linking are underway.

  • A 2 metre FM beacon transmitts audio Morse on 146.31 MHz. This beacon has been on the air since 14 September 1986 and has been used to study seasonal variability in local VHF propagation. It also serves as a bench mark for repeater antenna receiving performance in the region.

  • A long wave beacon is in operation on 137.7770 kHz. Please see the LF Experiment web page for more information.