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HB9ABX > TECHNIK 09.06.20 10:33l 107 Lines 5536 Bytes #999 (999) @ WW
BID : 96UDB0FHN033
Read: GAST
Subj: RBN Reverse Beacon Network - intruction
Path: DB0FFL<OE2XZR<DB0FHN
Sent: 200609/0932z @:DB0FHN.#BAY.DEU.EU [JN59NK Nuernberg] obcm1.07b12 LT:999
From: HB9ABX @ DB0FHN.#BAY.DEU.EU (Felix)
To: TECHNIK @ WW
Reply-To: HB9ABX @ HB9EAS.CHE.EU
X-Info: Sent with login password
RBN Reverse Beacon Network - intruction
Beacons serve to indicate the band conditions through the signal strength
received from many different parts of the word. Generally, beacons are
automatic transmitting stations on fix frequencies, mostly in CW. By listening
on these frequencies, one detects the actual band conditions. As example, the
NCDXF Beacon Network, which operates worldwide 18 different stations that
transmit every 3 minutes on the same frequency. E.g. By listening on 14.100 Mhz
one note the band conditions on 20m.
The RBN (Reverse Beacon Network) works just in the opposite way. Instead of
operating a number of transmitting stations, a number of automatic receiving
stations are used to monitor the CW stations on several bands. They receive a
broad bandwidth, decode the heard stations and communicate the heard call signs
over the Internet to a central point.
An intelligent software allows to decode the callsigns, measure the signal
strength, and filter the received data. This way, very conclusive information
about band conditions is obtained. The automatic receiver stations are called
Skimmer, and consist of an SDR receiver, an intelligent software and the
required Internet connection.
RBN – Reverse Beacon Network – a short introduction
Beacons serve to indicate the band conditions through the signal strength
received from many different parts of the word. Generally, beacons are
automatic transmitting stations on fix frequencies, mostly in CW. By listening
on these frequencies, one detects the actual band conditions. As example, the
NCDXF Beacon Network, which operates worldwide 18 different stations that
transmit every 3 minutes on the same frequency.
E.g. By listening on 14.100 Mhz one note the band conditions on 20m. The RBN
(Reverse Beacon Network) works just in the opposite way.
Instead of operating a number of transmitting stations, a number of automatic
receiving stations are used to monitor the CW stations on several bands. They
receive a broad bandwidth, decode the heard stations and communicate the heard
call signs over the Internet to a central point.
An intelligent software allows to decode the callsigns, measure the signal
strength, and filter the received data. This way, very conclusive information
about band conditions is obtained. The automatic receiver stations are called
Skimmer, and consist of an SDR receiver, an intelligent software and the
required Internet connection. Therefore, one can transmit a CQ call and look up
on the RBN server , where and with what signal strength the call was heard.
The colums have the following meaning:
de = Name of the Skimmer station
dx = Name of the heared station
freq = frequency on which the signal was heared
snr = signal strength = signal to noise ratio in dB
speed = keying speed of CW in wpm (word per minute)
time = time and date in UTC of receiption.
Worldwide, there are always abt. 80 to 150 Skimmers in operation, while each
Skimmer is monitoring between 1 to 7 bands simultaneously. You may get access
to the RBN network, by entering the following address into the address field of
the Internet browser:
http://www.reversebeacon.net
you click äspot search“ below ädx spots“, and enter the desired callsign under
äspot search“ for which you want to obtain reports, and click äsearch“.
(Callsign may be entered e.g. hb9* , then you see all HB stations on the list)
The field "rows to show" set it to 100, then you see sufficient stations.
If the function "search" blocks (may appear some times), click the "reload" key
in the address line.
You can make a normal CQ-call in CW, and the a Skimmer can log your signal.
However, this is not the best way to be logged by RBN.
I recommend the following call sequence to obtain the most reports through RBN
network by using this text in CW:
( CALL = your callsign)
"e vvv test de CALL test de CALL +"
This sequence should be saved as a CW text. To be sent at a constant speed
between 20 to 35 wpm.This call should not be used during a CW contest.
You want to see what stations wered heard by a Skimmer, you click äspot search“
unter ädx spots“, enter the callsign of the skimmer, set the point to äDE“ and
click äsearch“.
The active skimmers appear at the right side of the window, with the
information, on what bands they scans. If you want to obtain details, click
ädetailed list“ below änodes“
Very interesting is the RBN network to perform the comparisons of two stations
(or comparisons of two different antennas).
For that the comparisons, both have to send at the same time, (using the same
power) using the recommended sequence. The second station sends 5 minutes time
difference to the first station. Thereby we obtain, that the graphic
presentacion does not overlay the other station points.
The reports are varying caused by QSB, and you need 6 or more signal points per
RBN station and per transmit station.. Then you see, what is the signal
strength over the time in the analysis tool.In this way you can make a correct
comparison between 2 antennas, or between 2 stations. .
If you look just the momentary report, the QSB may a accidental value. These
are not useable for comparisons!
Now I wish you a lot of success in testing and using of the RBN.
73, Felix, HB9ABX ( felix-abx at gmx.ch )
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