QRPpp CW Mini UHF Beacon

My QRPpp Morse Beacon is made of:
- FS100A module (433 MHz) as a TX
- Arduino Nano (as a Morse code generator)
- 9 Volt battery in battery case, with switch
- a spriral coil 433MHz antenna (for local use)
 

QRPp CW Pixie2-40m Beacon

My QRPp Morse Beacon is made of:
- Pixie2-40m module (Colpitts oscillator for 7.0x MHz) as a TX
- Arduino Nano (as a Morse code generator)
- 2N2222 transistor (interface for Arduino Nano/Uno)
- 9 Volt battery in battery case, with switch
- 50 Ohm dummyload
- a 2x10m dipole antenna (at 5 mtrs height)
 
The RX part of the Pixie-2 module isn't needed and these kit parts are not mounted.
 

QRP CW HF Beacon

My QRP Morse Beacon is made of:
- ICOM 706 transceiver as a TX (5 Watt)
- Arduino Nano (as a Morse code generator)
- 9 Volt battery in battery case, with switch
- an opto-coupler, mounted in a DIN connector
 
This DIN connector is connected to the ICOM 706 accessory socket.
 

Restrictions

As beiing a Novice licensed Dutch radio amateur, I am not allowed to use the 7.00 to 7.05 MHz section of the 40m band in the Netherlands.
That's why I've made an adaptor (crystal expansion unit) for this Pixie-2 kit, with a few crystals on it. Now there's a lot more to choose in frequencies..
 

My Pixie-2 crystal expansion unit

I've used a DIP6 switch, a piece of experiment board, 5 crystals and two stand-offs with screws for this expansion unit.
These 4 extra crystals I've bought in Germany.
 
Frequency nr lic  mode
7.022992   6 F    CW QRP (original Pixie-2 X-tal)
7.045452   5 F    Smallband mode
7.050383   4 N/F All mode
7.052429   3 N/F All mode
7.055493   2 N/F All mode
 
Switch nr. 1 is not in use yet.
Nr. 6 and 5 are not allowed for me to use in The Netherlands (because they are below 7.05 MHz - see restrictions above). These frequencies I will use in Scandinavia and at the JOTA scouting event (when working with a colleague's Full license).
 

Scouting use

For use at Scouting events (JOTA) the 433 MHz QRPpp CW Mini UHF Beacon can be used. The average distance of these UHF signals is about 50 mtrs. Signals can be received using the SDR# software and a DVB-T RTL USB stick.

Arduino Nano



The Arduino Nano unit is used as a Morse (CW) call generator and glued to the battery case.

Pixie-2


The case was bought together with the Pixie-2 at the same shop.
The expansion board is mounted with stand-offs.

FS1000A module


This 433 MHz module has model name FS1000A.
It can be bought on eBay for about 1 US Dollar.

 

 
A female connector (2x3 pins) is used for connecting the unit the Nano.
Thermoglue is used to glue the connector to the 433 MHz module.

 

The complete UHF =beacon unit for Scouting use (433 MHz).

Foxbox Sketch

This Arduino sketch I have modified and used.
Download it, and modify it to your needs.
 
 

Messages

The Morse message I use for my beacons is:

(about 60 characters, spaces included)
 
My UHF Mini beacons can have many messages (I use several Arduino Nano's with different messages).
 

Be careful..

A HAM license is needed for operating Pixie-2 modules on 40m band, even on the original 7.023 MHz frequency!
In the Netherlands, a Full (F) license is needed for useage on 7.00 to 7.05 MHz, and Full (F) or Novice (N) for 7.05 MHz and above.
 
This 433 MHz Mini beacon is used for Scouting games and for testing.
No license is needed for operating these UHF low power units, maybe some car doors don't open when the beacon transmits... ;-)