ARLA/CLUSTER: Canadianos inauguram o "TransAtlantic VHF Digital Beacon Receiver Site - VO1FN/B" na Terra Nova

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

TransAtlantic VHF Digital Beacon Receiver Site - VO1FN/B (GN37)

On 19 May 2016 antennas were erected and the VHF SDR turned on to
inaugurate the VO1FN/b TransAtlantic VHF Digital Beacon Receiver Site. This
is a joint project sponsored in part by the Society of Nfld. Radio
Amateurs, Baccalieu Amateur Radio Club and the Upper Trinity Amateur Radio
Club.

History
Many attempts have been made from Newfoundland and Labrador to bridge the
North Atlantic with a VHF amateur radio signal. The ultimate challenge is
to complete a traditional two-way VHF QSO between Europe and North America.
This milestone has never been achieved and would be a first in the history
of radio communications. The prize would be the “glory�, however fleeting,
to those involved on both sides of the Atlantic and of course the *Brendan
Award* sponsored by the Irish Radio Transmitting Society.

The most recent “Brendan Quest� attempt was staged by a large group of
amateurs from Nova Scotia in summer of 2014 using call sign VC1T. Using a
unique 33m long VHF “ultra-light� yagi and a complicated, high power
station, digital signals (FSK441; JT65) were transmitted towards Europe
from Pouch Cove NL. The signal was actually decoded in the UK by G4SWX. It
was ultimately concluded however, that the signal was reflected from the
ISS and hence the claim could not qualify under the Brendan Award rules.

New Project
Interest grew in online discussions in continuing the VC1T experiment. An
offer came from John MI0AAZ to donate a Raspberry Pi computer and SDR to
the project. These discussions resulted in Frank, VO1HP, making his summer
location and equipment in Freshwater, Conception Bay North, NL (47.7394N;
-53.1831W) available for a receive only site to monitor VHF propagation and
to listen for signals from established VHF beacon transmitters operating in
Europe. The VO1HP site has an unobstructed view of the North Atlantic
across the vastness of Conception Bay.

Frank approached VO1DM President
of SONRA who in turn canvassed funding contributions from the other two
clubs (VO1DM also made a personal donation).
This funding allowed the purchase of two InnovAntenna 5el LFA Q High Gain
VHF yagis.
*InnovAntenna*, through *Justin G0KSC*, sponsored the project by donating
the coax cable phasing harness and the power combiner unit.

The VO1HP site is providing the housing, AC power and high speed access
networking as well as the site tower, PC and FunCube Dongle Plus SDR
receiver.

The VHF Digital Receive site is now operational and ready for
experimentation by beacon operators and well equipped VHF stations in
Europe, The antennas can be rotated to point to stations that are located
in southern regions of Europe.

For further info please contact: Frank VO1HP invl160  gmail.com

Fonte: DUBUS Magazine
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