PI4 next generation VHF/UHF beacons?

Beacons have like other digital modes moved with the times, making use of the latest digital modulation techniques to improve detectability far beyond the human ear and CW.

The name PI4- PharusIgnis4 comes from the ancient words for a beacon, lighthouse and fire and is a digital modulation that is compliant with the IARU Region 1 VHF Committee accepted 1 minute mixed mode beacon sequence.

The sequence of events is illustrated below, and always starts on a full 1-minute cycle.0 to 24 seconds PI callsign

pause

25 sends CW ident callsign and locator

pause

carrier until 59.5 seconds

pause

To decode the PI4 beacons you can download software PI-RX by Poul-Erik OZ1CKG or MSHV by Christo LZ2HV, they both report being compatible with Linux and Windows.

OZ7IGY beacons date back to 1957, and they are now QRV from 28 MHz to 24 GHz. You can review the dial frequencies and check the operational status online.

Frequency [MHz]	USB dial*	ERP [W]	ASL [m]	99% accuracy [mHz]	Year QRV
28,271	28.270.200	10	95	1	2009
40,071	40.070.200	10	97	1	2007
50,471	50.470.200	25	98	1	1990
70,021	70.020.200	25	100	1	2003
144,471	144.470.200	50	102	3	1957
432,471	432.470.200	75	103	9	1958
1 296,930	1.296.929.200	90	95	26	1978
2 320,930	2.320.929.200	30	98	46	1985
3 400,930	3.400.929.200	50	96	68	2006
5 760,930	5.760.929.200	50	98	115	1992
10 368,930	10.368.929.200	80	97	237	1999
24 048,930	24.048.929.200	20	97	481	2012

To support the PI4 beacon project, or to see a technical description of the modulation technique read more on their website.

Other becons to look out for.

PI4 + CW + carrier/Next Generation Beacons platforms

4O0BCG in JP92PK – 70,048 MHz

DB0HRF in JO40FF – 144,475 MHz

DB0IH in JN39HJ – 432,447 MHz

DB0JG in JO31HS – 432,412 MHz

DB0LTG in JO31TB – 1296,7435 MHz

DB0MMO in JN49RV – 144,455 MHz and 432,425 MHz

EI0SIX in IO63VE – 50,005 MHz, SBP 5/0

GB3CFG in IO74CR – 70,027 MHz and 1296,905 MHz

GB3MCB in IO70OJ – 50,443 MHz and 50,005 MHz SBP 5/1 and 3

GB3MHZ in JO02PB – 10 368,830 MHz

GB3UHF in JO01EH – 432,430 MHz

IW9GDC/B in JM78SD – 50,006 MHz (Later SBP 6/4)

KG4BYN in EM75RV – 28,2368 MHz

ON0EME in JO21JG – 10 368,875 MHz and 24 048,875 MHz

ON0SNW in JO21BE – 10 368,965 MHz

OX4M and OX6M in HQ90AL – 70,047 MHz and 50,047 MHz

OZ4BHM in JO75KB – 50,005 MHz, SBP 5/4, later also 50,466 MHz

OZ7IGY in JO55WM – 28 MHz to 24 GHz

PA0AG in JO32GH – 70,095 MHz (personal beacon, 07-21 UTC)

SK4MPI in JP70NJ – 144,412 MHz

TF1VHF in HP94AC – 50,457 MHz

UA1ZFG/B in KP69AK – 144,425 MHz

VA2NQ in FN35NL – 50,295 MHz, 144,491 MHz, 222,295 MHz and 432,302 MHz

2 Comments

Elmiger Roland

11th December 2018 at 14:16

Since today our PI4 beacon is operating at 50.420MHz. Callsign is HB9F and QTH locator is JN37ra. The transmission power is 10W at a Big Wheel antenna.

1. Dave
  
  11th December 2018 at 20:58
  
  Thanks for the update Elmiger

2 Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply