Why tie up an entire computer/radio to set up a PSK/FSK MedFER/LowFER beacon?
This is the question that I asked myself. While my HF rig is capable operating in the MedFER frequency range, it seemed foolish to tie it up in this fashion, and it would tie up an entire computer/sound card/ect. Having operated beacons in the past, I feel that the lower the “hassle factor” involved in operating the beacon, the more likely it is that you will keep it on the air – and that is the entire purpose of even attempting to operate a beacon. When I decided to put a PSK31 MedFER beacon on the air this time around, I decided to follow my previously-established philosophy: I wanted a beacon that could send a message in PSK31, and just work when plugged in. To generate the PSK31 data, I decided to utilize the now-ubiquitous PIC processor and incorporate it with other fairly simple circuitry. (As for the question of “why operate a beacon, anyway?” – I don’t really have a good answer… Take a look at the “CT” Lowfer Beacon archive page for a possible insight as to the psychology of
