K6FRC 11 meter Beacon
( Formerly 'AOH' )
Frequency: 27.125 MHz.
Modulation: USB w/carrier. Amplitude -90%, +150%
Audio: MCW I.D. 'K6FRC' using tone freq. of 1000 Hz.(1 kc.) at 13 WPM.
Location: Near Mt. Diablo in Northern California.
Elevation: 2,500 feet ASL.
Final amplifier input: 5 volts DC @ 20 milliamps (peak).
Output power: 16 milliwatts carrier.
Antenna: Shakespeare end fed 1/2 wave vertical.
Feedline: 25 feet 1/2 inch Andrew LDF-50 Heliax.
So, What is all that beeping (Morse code) on channel 14?

This is the first ever full-time part 15 beacon on the 11 meter (CB) band.  This historical, ground-breaking beacon has been on the air 24/7 since April 1st, 2001.  It has been copied in almost every state and several continents.

The main purpose of beacons is to help gather information about band conditions, propagation conditions, and since they are a reliable, steady signal source, they are handy when testing antennas and experimenting with radio systems.  

The K6FRC beacon consists of a power supply, controller, transmitter, RF filtering, and antenna.  All components except the antenna are located within this unassuming watertight cabinet. 

The beacon transmits the morse code message K 6 F R C once every 10 seconds using modulated CW. You can hear it on a regular SW or CB radio, no BFO or CW detector needed. If you have a SSB capable receiver, it will be easier to hear the beacon if you switch to USB mode.

Inside the cabinet, you see the RF shielded box in the lower left area that contains the radio transmitter and the controller/audio source.  At the very top of the cabinet is the 12 volt, 7.2 Ah battery for backup in case of power failure at the site.  Continuing clockwise, the tan rectangular box on the right is a Bird L/P harmonic filter.   Below the filter, the small silver box is the Polyphasor for lightning protection.  In the middle of the cabinet is the battery charge/float controller which monitors and maintains the gel cell backup battery and keeps it from overcharging.  This battery gets changed every 2 years to make sure it is always ready to go.

All internal coax cable is LMR-200, double shielded for added RF protection. The metal chassis inside the cabinet is well grounded.
The K6FRC antenna is a Shakespeare "Pogo Stick". The antenna is well built and easily withstands the occasional 100+ MPH winds at the site. 

If you copy the beacon and would like to receive a QSL card, please go to www.K6FRC.com for mailing address.

Authorization: FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES--Table of Contents Subpart C--Intentional Radiators Sec. 15.227

Operation within the band 26.96-27.28 MHz. (a) The field strength of any emission within this band shall not exceed 10,000 microvolts/meter at 3 meters. The emission limit in this paragraph is based on measurement instrumentation employing an average detector. The provisions in Sec. 15.35 for limiting peak emissions apply. (b) The field strength of any emissions which appear outside of this band shall not exceed the general radiated emission limits in Sec. 15.209.

The K6FRC 11 meter beacon has been inspected by a private professional engineer, and the FCC field office in San Francisco. Emmissions were found to comply with 15.227.