BeaconSee shows you, in real time,
worldwide HF band openings on your PC.
The NCDXF/IARU HF beacon network is a superb resource for monitoring HF band conditions and now, with BeaconSee, it just got even better!
BeaconSee
analyses the audio signals from your radio, which is tuned to the
NCDXF IARU HF beacon network. Using Fast Fourier Transforms, BeaconSee
shows you the signal strength received from each of the 18 beacon
transmitters as a plot of frequency spectrum against time. You
can even detect beacon signals which are too weak to hear. Even
if there is some co-channel interference, BeaconSee
can sort out the beacons from the noise with its sophisticated
fourier signal analysis.
If your radio is suitable, BeaconSee can even control the tuning of your radio, so that you can watch for band openings on several bands at once. Using the serial port on the PC, BeaconSee sends tuning commands to the remote control port on your radio, to cycle round the HF bands and record propagation conditions on each one in turn. BeaconSee currently supports many Kenwood, Icom and Yaesu models as well as the WinRadio and the TenTec RX320.
If you register BeaconSee, you can configure it to sample the beacon signals at periodic intervals so that you can see up to 24 hours of propagation history on a single screen. You can even save the display automatically to a graphics file, at regular intervals, to build up a continuous record of band openings, even when you are away from your shack. To enjoy these extra features, you can register BeaconSee for only Euro €25 (plus VAT at the prevailing rate for EU customers).
New feature: BeaconSee can now save images in JPEG format as well as BMP format. This will considerably reduce the file sizes if you are monitoring propagation round the clock.
As an added extra, BeaconMap
is an accessory applet that shows you a great-circle chart of the
world centered on your location and marking all 18 beacon
transmitter sites in their positions relative to your QTH.
Daytime and nighttime are distinguished on the chart to help you
to interpret twilight-path band openings.
Requirements
BeaconsSee runs on a PC under Windows 95/98/2000/XP. To capture the audio signal from your radio, you must have a 16-bit SoundBlaster-compatible sound card that supports audio capture at 8k samples. Your radio must be capable of USB/LSB or CW mode of operation and must be frequency stable. Optionally, to control the tuning of the radio, your PC also needs a spare serial port; your radio must be compatible and if necessary, you must have a level-shifter or serial interface adaptor to suit the radio. BeaconSee is optimised for screen resolutions of 800 by 600 or higher. BeaconMap (not the main application) also needs the latest version of MFC42.DLL in your Windows/System directory.
Each NCDXF/IARU beacon transmits for just 10 seconds in each cycle so your PC clock must be spot-on, to sort the signals out correctly. There are lots of ways you can keep your PC clock accurate. If you already have a GPS receiver giving NMEA-0183 format serial output, you can use our free applet GPSTime to keep it in time. If you can receive LF or HF time signals, check out Radio Clock that will decode the radio time signals and set your PC clock precisely.
Downloading and installation
You can download BeaconSee for free! When you have downloaded the file, unzip it and then run the SETUP.EXE program which will guide you through the installation of the software. BeaconSee has a comprehensive context-sensitive help file that includes articles on how to connect your radio's audio output to your PC's audio input, how to customize the remote control of the radio's frequency, and how to interpret the graphic display of band openings.
For more information about BeaconSee contact: info@coaa.co.uk