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GB3MCB

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About GB3MCB Beacon Cluster

You may find the main information for this beacon cluster on the MCBARG website:

The GB3MCB Beacon Cluster (new tab)

The beacon currently provides 7 official beacons (one operating on 2 frequencies) and 2 research (test) beacons.

See also the QRZ.com information for GB3MCB (new tab)

Official Beacons

The Official 7 (8) beacons (in the order as listed by the RSGB for the first 7) are on these frequencies:

1 50.443 MHz (6 metres)*1
2 70.025 MHz (4 metres)*2
3 144.469 MHz (2 metres)*2
4 432.470 MHz (70 cm)*2
5 1296.860 MHz (23 cm)*3
6 10368.980 MHz (3 cm)*4
7 50.0050 MHz (6 metres)*1
8 28.215 MHz (10 metres)*5

Notes:

  1. The 50 MHz (6 metres), beacons 1 and 7 above, are part of the Synchronised Beacon Programme (SBP) running two frequencies with GPS lock using CW and Pi software for digital decode and was built by Peter G8BCG and funded by the six meter group.
  2. The 70 MHz (4 metres), 144 MHz (2 metres) and 432 MHz (70 cm), beacons 2 to 4 above, are Philips 1000 PMR Commercial Radios modified for our bands using CW ident and Locator and supplied and converted by Keith G8IXN.
  3. The 1.3 GHz (23 cm), beacon 5 above, is CW running at 2 watts.
  4. The 10 GHz (3 cm), beacon 6 above, is CW using a microwave horn which is transverted from 108 MHz to 10 GHz at the antenna on the mast
  5. The 28 MHz (10 metres), beacon 8 above, runs CW and FT8 with GPS lock on a 1/4 wave vertical antenna. Not listed on normal RSGB beacon map/list.

Please also see the RSGB UK Beacons pages on their UK Repeater site here:

UK Beacons Map and List (new tab) – Note: 28.215 MHz beacon 8 NOT listed.

Beacon Summary Details for GB3MCB (beacons 1 to 7) (new tab)

Beacon Summary Details for GB3MCB (28.215 MHz) (new tab)

As you will see, all of these beacons have a Keeper/NoV holder/Sysop of NICHOLAS CAMP, G7KFQ.

All of the antennas for the above beacons have a heading of NE, except the 144 MHz beacon which has phased bidirectional antennas NE and South, and the 28 MHz beacon which is omnidirectional.

Research (Test) Beacons

There are two Research (Test) Beacons under a research licence held by Peter G8BCG using the callsign GB3MCB on these frequencies (using crossed dipole antennas):

1 40.050 MHz (8 metres)
2 60.300 MHz (5 metres)

Note: Hopefully Ofcom will allow us the use of the 40 MHz (8 metre) band in the near future, as in Ireland.

BEACONSPOT.uk Information

If you log in to Beaconspot UK, you can view the official beacons after selecting the relevant one via this page:

Beacons – Band summary (new tab)

After selecting the band, you can click the BEACON MAP button. Here is a snapshot of the map zoomed in to show the 144.469 MHz GB3MCB beacon (including Date Last Spot info):

UK HF Beacons Information

Ironically, the RSGB does not appear to have a decent map of UK HF Beacons, but the UK Microwave Group does!

UK Microwave Group – Beacons – HF (new tab)

Here is a snapshot of the 28 MHz (10 metre) ones, with the GB3MCB one popped up: