There was a message in August of 2021 that contained incomplete information about our beacon.

" ** U S A. 4096, Aug 18 at 0603, sweeps upward from the beacon formerly known as DW for desert whooper"

The beacon was built from scratch and is not a recycled beacon from some past era. It's always transmitted DW in Morse Code and the nickname "Desert Whooper" followed soon after the deployment to the desert.

For your readers’ interest, here are some technical details of the one watt beacon that provides fascinating propagation performance.

The beacon started development in November of 2020. It was built from scratch and has a hybrid controller consisting of two 555 CMOS timers to key the transmitter along with an Arduino Nano controller to generate Morse code and collect data for performance telemetry. The 555 timers will independently key the transmitter if the Nano fails for any reason. (Fortunately the Nano has functioned for over a year without issue.) The 4.0957 MHz transmitter is crystal controlled and features a MV1403 varactor diode circuit for the upward frequency sweeps of 150 Hertz. The sweeps provide distinctive audio for the SWL’er as well as an easy-to-spot visual pattern on the waterfall display of Kiwi SDRs. The transmitter has 4 transistors total. The final amplifier transistor is a IRF510 MosFet followed by a low pass filter, all inside a diecast aluminum box.

The beacon is powered by a sealed lead acid battery which is kept charged with a solar panel. The battery is protected from over discharge by a low voltage disconnect (LVD) circuit that is independent of the Nano. Time has shown that the solar panel size provides good charge current even in cloudy weather and the beacon does not draw significant battery power overnight.

The antenna is a 111 foot long, 1/2 wave dipole oriented North/South and it’s about 0.1 wavelength above the dry desert soil to create a more vertical but omni-like pattern. The 1:1 balun is home made and the antenna’s measured VSWR is close to 1.1 to 1

There are six cycles of DW in Morse along with 29-30 “whoops”; then the DW identification is sent along with four different telemetry numbers.

Telemetry is in slow Morse code as follows:

BAT is the battery’s voltage to tenths of a volt using a precision resistor divider and the Nano’s A2D function. Normal values range from 12.8 to 14.4 volts
OTMP is in degrees F with a calibrated 10k NTC thermistor located outdoors, about 100′ from the beacon.
ITMP is in degrees F provided by a digital one-wire DS18B20 microLAN sensor located within the weathertight equipment box. The reading runs 5 to 10 deg warmer than OTMP.
PV is given in milliAmps to monitor solar panel performance and battery charge current. Measurements are based on an INA219 current sensor board. The values of the current can range from 0 to 2000. Note that a value of 4 or 5 is just the idle current consumed by the solar controller because the battery is fully charged.

On some summer days the internal temperature has peaked at 120 degrees F when outside air temperature was measured at 112 degrees! The box is in the shade but the electronic circuitry generates waste heat that causes some temperature rise. Monitoring the temperatures during night and day provides for some interesting deltas..

DW was officially deployed to the Western desert on February 21, 2021. It has been heard in Canada, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Utah, Arizona and many other locations.

Thanks for your interest in DW!
eQSL cards are available from this email address
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4752kHz, R. Huanta 2000, Peru, Huanta; 05/02, 2347 – 2354 local music, male spanish talks seems ads “seis de la tarde com cinquenta e ter minutos”, return music. Fair  (LOB).
https://soundcloud.com/user-463139565/huanta_2000_4752khz2347utc0502?ref=clipboard&p=a&c=1&si=f343783c721644b9b8152f9ddcc1736d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

5040kHz, Vanuatu, Vanuatu; 05/02, around 0830; male talks. Mixing signals with Cuba; poor (LOB).
06/02, 0824 – 0906; island music, TOH announcements by male, return music. It started with only the carrier but at 0845 I could hear some  modulation; at 0900 it reached its peak as can can be heard on the recording; weak (LOB).  https://soundcloud.com/user-463139565/vanuatu5040khz0851utc06022022?ref=clipboard&p=a&c=1&si=a413a3fc6a784f4f9fef53e3efabf3e3&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Tecsun PL310et 
Wire 14m, dipole 18m
Embu SP Brasil

Enviado do Yahoo Mail no Android
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Manuel Méndez
Lugo, Spain
Logs in Friol, NW of Spain
Tecsun S-8800 and PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters
ANTARCTICA, 15476usb, LRA 36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base 
Esperanza, 1653-1707, 05-02, Spanish, comments, female, male. Very weak 
and strong fading, only audible at times. From 1530 to 1653 checked 
several times and no signal, audible at times from 1653 to 1707.
ARMENIA, 7400, Radio Andorra Revival, Gavar, *2130-2145, 05-02,  Radio 
Andorra interval signal and id. “Aquí Radio Andorra, emisora del 
Principado de Andorra”, French, comments, songs. 35433.
AUSTRALIA, 5055, Radio 4KZ, Innisfail (presumed), 2014-2025, 05-02, 
songs, comments. Extremely weak. 15411.
AUSTRIA
6175, Radio Andorra Revival, Moosbrunn, *1630-1655, 05-02,  Radio 
Andorra interval signal and id. “Aquí Radio Andorra, emisora del 
Principado de Andorra”, French, comments, songs. 45444.
7330, Radio Joystick, The Charlie-Prince Show, Moosbrunn, *1100-1106, 
interval signal, German, id. “The Charlie-Prince Show”, comments, pop 
songs. 45444.
BOLIVIA, 3310, Radio Mosoj Chaski, Cotapachi, 0120-0136, 06-02, Bolivian 
songs, Quechua, comments. 25432.
BRAZIL
4885, Radio Clube do Pará, Belém, 0515-0705, 06-02, Brazilian songs, 
program “Clube da Madrugada”, id. “Radio Clube do Pará…, Rede Amazonia 
de Comunicaçao, Belém, Pará, Amazonia, Brasil”. 35433.
9550, Radio Boa Vontade, Porto Alegre, 2101-2118, 05-02, Portuguese, 
religious comments. 15321.
11780, Radio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia, 1907-1928, 05-02, Brazilian 
songs, id. Radio Nacional”. 35433.
11815, Radio Brasil Central, Goiania, 2001-2020, 05-02, Brazilian songs. 
33343.
COLOMBIA, 4940, Fueza de Paz, 0502-0603, 06-02, Spanish, religious 
comments and songs. 25322.
CUBA, 4765, Radio Progreso, Bejucal, 0451-0501*, 06-02, Cuban songs. 
35433.
DENMARK
Radio 208, Hvidovre, 1807-1823, 05-02, rock songs. 15321.
25800, World Music Radio, Marlest, 1745-1756, 05-02, pop songs. // 5930. 
25322.
ECUADOR, 6050, HCJB, Pichincha, 0453-0500*, 06-02, songs, Spanish, 
comments, anthem and close. 34433.
ERITREA, 7140, Voice of Broad Masses, Asmara (presumed), 0520-0533, 
06-02, comments and songs. Very weak and Ham QRM. 12421.
ETHIOPIA
6030, Radio Oromiya, Addis Ababa, 1813-1838, 05-02, East African songs, 
24322.
7110, Radio Ethiopia, 1635-1656, 05-02, East African songs, Vernacular, 
comments. Ham QRM. 32432.
FINLAND, 11720, Scandinavian Weekend Radio, Virrat, 0710-0740, 05-02, 
Finish, comments, id. in English “You are listening to Scandinavian 
Weekend Radio”, music. 24322.
Also 1605-1626, 05-02, rock songs in English, Finish, English, comments. 
15321.
FRANCE, 1467, Radio Andorra Revival, Roumoules, *1900-1910, 05-02,  
Radio Andorra interval signal and id. “Aquí Radio Andorra, emisora del 
Principado de Andorra”, French, comments, songs. 35444.
GERMANY, 6030, Radio Mi Amigo International, Kall Krekel, *0759-0812, 
06-02, id. “Radio Mi Amigo International”, song “More than a woman” by 
Bee Gees, more songs and comments. Some disturbing noise // 6085 with 
better and clearer signal. 15321
KYRGYZSTAN, 4010.2, Kyrgyz Radio, Bishkek, 1739-1748, 05-02, Kyrgyz 
songs. Very weak. 15311.
LIBERIA, 6050, ELWA Radio, Monrovia, 0721-0745, 06-02, English, 
religious comments. 24322.
MALAYSIA, 9835, Sarawak FM, Kajang, 0951-1025, 06-02, Malaysian songs 
and comments. 24322.
MEXICO, 6185, Radio Educación, Ciudad de México, 0507-0825, 06-02, 
Mexican songs, comment, id. “Radio Educación”. 25422.
NETHERLANDS
5955, Sunlite Radio, Westdorpe, 0745-0810, 06-02, pop songs, id. “The 
music you love, this is Sunlite”. 35433.
6020, Radio Delta International, Elburg, 0656-0733, 06-02, Radio Delta 
song in Dutch, id. “Good Morning listeners, Dxers, you are listening to 
Radio Delta International...”, English, comments, songs, announcing the 
next program, “The Finish Hour”, more songs. 35433.
PERU, 4775, Radio Tarma, Tarma, 0123-0135, 06-02, Spanish, comments, 
Peruvian songs. 15321.
TAJIKISTAN, 4765, Tajik Radio, Dushanbe, 1801-1817, 05-02, comments. 
Very weak. 15311.
UNKNOWN, Mexican? station, 6017, heard for about ten minutes, 
0605-0615*, 06-02, Mexican songs, at 0614 anthem, I think was the 
Mexican National Anthem and close. Weak but clear signal here in Friol, 
also checked via SDR Kiwi remote receiver in Iceland and exactly the 
same frequency, 6017 kHz with a bit better signal, via Pardhino, Brazil, 
no signal.
ZAMBIA, 5915, Zambia NBC, Radio 1, Lusaka, 1720-1810, 05-02, Vernacular, 
comments, at 1800 English, news. 25322.

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Manuel Méndez
Lugo, Spain
Log in Friol
UNKNOWN, Mexican? station, 6017, heard for about ten minutes, 
0605-0615*, 06-02, Mexican songs, at 0614 anthem, I think was the 
Mexican National Anthem and close. Weak but clear signal here in Friol, 
also checked via SDR Kiwi remote receiver in Iceland and exactly the 
same frequency, 6017 kHz with a bit better signal, via Pardhino, Brazil, 
no signal.

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SWLDXBulgaria News, February 5 (publications №29631-№29650)
ABKHAZIA Abkhaz Radio/Apsua Radio in Abkhazian on 9534.8v kHz via
Sukhumi on February 5:
from 0543 on 9534.8vSUK 005 kW / non-dir to CeAs Abkhazian. Fair/good
via SDR Tambov,
RUShttps://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/apsua-radio-in-abkhazian-on-95348v-khz_5.html

AUSTRALIA Reception of Reach Beyond Australia in Japanese on 11905
kHz via Kununurra on January 5:
1055-1100 on 11905 KNX 075 kW / 005 deg to EaAs Reach Beyond Australia
Interval Signal & English ann
1100-1130 on 11905 KNX 075 kW / 005 deg to EaAs Japanese Sat/Sun.
Fair/good via SDR Tambov in
Russiahttps://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/reach-beyond-australia-in-japanese-on.html

AUSTRIA(non) Very good signal of Radio Andorra on 6175 kHz via
Moosbrunn, February 5:
1630-1830 on 6175 MOS 100 kW / 270 deg to WeEu French via SDR
Heimiswil in Switzerland
1200-1400 on 5850 RMI 100 kW / 315 deg to WNAm French via WRMI tx#12
NOT ON AIR TODAY!https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/reception-of-radio-andorra-on-6175-khz.html

CUBA Reception of Radio Habana Cuba RHC in English on 5040 kHz via
Bauta, February 5
0558-0658 on 5040 BAU 100 kW / 083&263 to Cuba English. Very good via
SDR Milford PA,
USAhttps://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/radio-habana-cuba-in-english-on-5040.html

CUBA Unscheduled Radio Habana Cuba in Spanish after 0700 on 5040 kHz
via Bauta, February 5
from 0658 on 5040 BAU 100 kW / 083&263 to Cuba Spanish. Very good via
SDR Milford PA, USA
Something`s always wrong at Radio Habana Cuba or everyone sleeps
sweetly at Bauta txs
center!https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/unscheduled-rhc-in-spanish-after-0700.html

CUBA Radio Habana Cuba in English on two frequencies via Bauta after
0700UT, February 5
from 0700 on 6060 BAU 100 kW / 010 deg to ENAm English. Very good via
SDR Milford PA, USA
from 0700 on 9700 BAU 100 kW / 340 deg to WNAm English. Good, low
modulation via same SDR
Something`s always wrong at Radio Habana Cuba or everyone sleeps
sweetly at Bauta txs
center!https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/rhc-in-english-on-two-frequencies-via.html

CUBA Unscheduled Radio Habana Cuba in Spanish after 0800 on 5040 kHz
via Bauta, February 5
from 0800 on 5040 BAU 100 kW / 083&263 to Cuba Spanish. Very good via
SDR Milford PA, USA
Something`s always wrong at Radio Habana Cuba or everyone sleeps
sweetly at Bauta txs
center!https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/unscheduled-rhc-in-spanish-after-0800.html

CUBA Unscheduled broadcast of Radio Habana Cuba in English via Bauta
after 0800UTC, February 5
from 0800 on 6060 BAU 100 kW / 010 deg to ENAm English. Very good
signal, in B-21 till 0700UT
from 0800 on 9700 BAU 100 kW / 340 deg to WNAm English. Good, low
modulation, B-21 till 0700UT
Something`s always wrong at Radio Habana Cuba or everyone sleeps
sweetly at Bauta txs
center!https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/unscheduled-rhc-in-english-via-bauta.html

CUBA Unscheduled Radio Habana Cuba in Spanish after 0900 on 5040 kHz
via Bauta, February 5
0900-0934 on 5040 BAU 100 kW / 083&263 to Cuba Spanish. Very good &
off via SDR Milford PA, USA
Something`s always wrong at Radio Habana Cuba or everyone sleeps
sweetly at Bauta txs
center!https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/unscheduled-rhc-in-spanish-after-0900.html

CUBA Unscheduled broadcast of Radio Habana Cuba in English via Bauta
after 0900UTC, February 5
0900-0931 on 6060 BAU 100 kW / 010 deg to ENAm English. Very good and
off via SDR Milford PA, USA
0900-0935 on 9700 BAU 100 kW / 340 deg to WNAm English. Weak/fair,
low modulation and off air
Something`s always wrong at Radio Habana Cuba or everyone sleeps
sweetly at Bauta txs
center!https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/unscheduled-rhc-in-english-via-bauta_5.html

FINLAND Fair signal of Scandinavian Weekend Radio on 11689.9v via
Virrat, Fenruary 5
from 0812 on 11689.9vVIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to WeEu Finnidh/English via
SDR Tambov, RUS.https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/scandinavian-weekend-radio-on-116899v.html

GERMANY(non) Reception of Radio MiAmigo International on 6030 & 6085
kHz both via Kall, February 5:
from 1000 on 6030 KLL 001 kW / non-dir to CeEu English via R.SWS.
Good+cw chirping via SDR Heimiswil
from 1000 on 6085 KLL 001 kW / 120&300 to CeEu English. Very good+cw
chirping via SDR Heimiswil,
SUIhttps://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/radio-miamigo-international-on-6030.html

GERMANY(non) Preparing for Jesus in Japanese on 5945 kHz via MBR
Tashkent on February 5:
1258-1300 on 5945*TAC 100 kW / 066 deg to JPN BaBcoCk Mx Pashto
Afghanistan International
1300-1400 on 5945*TAC 100 kW / 066 deg to JPN Japanese Sat. Good via
SDR Tambov, Russia.
* co-channel 5945 BEI 100 kW / 222 deg to EaAs Chinese CNR-1 Voice of
China, weak signal.https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/preparing-for-jesus-on-5945-khz-via-mbr.html

GERMANY(non) Reception of Bible Voice Broadcasting on 11900 kHz via
MBR Nauen on February 5
1400-1500 on 11900 NAU 250 kW / 102 deg to SoAs English 1st Sat. Very
good via SDR Tambov RUS
1200-1300 on 6240 TAC 100 kW / 131 deg to SoAs Urdu Sat
BVBroadcasting IS NOT ON AIR
AGAIN!!https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/bible-voice-broadcasting-on-11900-khz_5.html

GERMANY(non) HCJB Voice of The Andes in Russian & Chechen on 9500
kHz via MBR Nauen, February 5:
1529-1629 on 9500 NAU 100 kW / 100 deg to CeAs Russian/Chechen Sat.
Very good via SDR Tambov,
RUShttps://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/hcjb-voice-of-andes-on-9500-khz-via-mbr.html

GUAM(non) Trans World Radio India in Kazakh on 9900 kHz via KTWR
Agana, February 5:
1428-1430 on 9900 TWR 200 kW / 305 deg to CeAs Trans World Radio
Interval signal and
1430-1445 on 9900 TWR 200 kW / 305 deg to CeAs Kazakh. Very good via
SDR Tambov, RUShttps://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/trans-world-radio-india-in-kazakh-on_5.html

GUAM(non) BRB "Living Water Ministry Broadcasting" on 9900 kHz via
KTWR Agana on February 5
1500-1600 on 9900 TWR 250 kW / 335 deg to NEAs Korean Tue-Sat. Very
good via SDR Tambov,
RUShttps://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/brb-living-water-ministry-on-9900-khz_5.html

IRAN Reception of VIRI IRIB/PARS TODAY in Arabic on 9530 kHz via
Zahedan, February 5
1030-1430 on 9530 ZAH 500 kW / 289 deg to EaAf Arabic. Good signal
via SDR Tambov RUShttps://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/viri-iribpars-today-in-arabic-on-9530.html

PHILIPPINES(non) Reception of Vatican Radio on 7485 and 9720 kHz via
USAGM Tinang, February 5
1230-1315 on 7485 PHT 250 kW / 332 deg to EaAs Chinese Mass Sat. Very
good via SDR Tambov, RUS
1230-1315 on 9720 PHT 250 kW / 315 deg to EaAs Chinese Mass Sat. Very
good via SDR Tambov,
RUShttps://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/vatican-radio-on-7485-and-9720-khz-via_5.html

ROMANIA(non) NEXUS IBA IRRS SW relay AWR Wavescan#675 in English on
9510 kHz via RADIOCOM Saftica, February 5
0930-1000 on 9510*SAF 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu English Sat. Very good
signal via SDR Heimiswil in Switzerland.
* instead of 9510 SAF 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu German Sat Radio City
The Station of the Cars as scheduled
B-21https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/02/awr-wavescan675-in-english-on-9510-khz.html

--

73! Ivo Ivanov

More information on the shortwave listening hobby,
please visit to http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com

QTH-1: Patreshko, Bulgaria
Receiver: Afedri SDR
Software: SDR-Console v2.3(using remote connection)
Antennas: various Inverted V and beverage antennas.

QTH-2: Sofia OK2, Bulgaria
Receiver: Sony ICF-2001D
Antenna: 30 m. long wire
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