25-06-2018, 11:06 AM
I had an exchange with VK5PJ on the logger chat facility this morning about beacon modes.
Peter said:
VK5RBV on 144.456 is under test from Mt Kitchener (beacon site) modulation is WSJT - JT4D and limited CW. Antenna is a single omni loop on top of the tower.
I responded:
VK5PJ: I don't like the trend towards JT modes on beacons. The most detectable modulation on a weak signal is carrier only. Ask Rex! So the best thing for weak signal detection is steady carrier with minimal ident periods. Too frequent idents and VVVs etc just make weak carriers harder to see on waterfalls. For example I cannot detect VK1RSB because it does not run enough carrier. VK2RSF is fine because it does!
Peter responded:
VK2FLR: Michael, I dislike beacons that run long periods of carrier, so it would seem we each have different opinions.
I responded:
VK5PJ: Peter. That's OK. I spend 90% of my beacon listening time waiting for some AE on distant beacons. I have given up on the VK1 beacons because I do not see them now. But I used to when they ran carrier and minimal CW ID.
What do people think about this?
Peter said:
VK5RBV on 144.456 is under test from Mt Kitchener (beacon site) modulation is WSJT - JT4D and limited CW. Antenna is a single omni loop on top of the tower.
I responded:
VK5PJ: I don't like the trend towards JT modes on beacons. The most detectable modulation on a weak signal is carrier only. Ask Rex! So the best thing for weak signal detection is steady carrier with minimal ident periods. Too frequent idents and VVVs etc just make weak carriers harder to see on waterfalls. For example I cannot detect VK1RSB because it does not run enough carrier. VK2RSF is fine because it does!
Peter responded:
VK2FLR: Michael, I dislike beacons that run long periods of carrier, so it would seem we each have different opinions.
I responded:
VK5PJ: Peter. That's OK. I spend 90% of my beacon listening time waiting for some AE on distant beacons. I have given up on the VK1 beacons because I do not see them now. But I used to when they ran carrier and minimal CW ID.
What do people think about this?