[Lowfer] HiFER History

[Dexter McIntyre W4DEX]

KD7JYK wrote:
> 
> I notice most of the HiFER beacon frequencies begin 13.555xxx, Why the 555?

Because that was an easy to remember frequency I selected for the first
HiFER beacon.  Others came on close by so multiple stations could be
seen on one QRSS 3 screen.  The original post was on 09 May 2001:

***Subject: HF Beacon NC now on 13555.5 khz QRSS
***Date:    Wed, 09 May 2001 19:17:59 -0400
***From:    Dexter McIntyre W4DEX <dmcintyre@att.net>
***To:      "lowfer@qth.net" <lowfer@qth.net>
***
***HF Beacon NC is now on the air at 13,555.5 khz transmitting QRSS 3
sec
***dots.  Power is +3 dbm into a 1/4 wave vertical.  


Initially I had the beacon on the wrong antenna.  We didn't know what to
expect with this low poser on 22 meters so no one was surprised that no
reports were received in the first few days of operating. I corrected
and reported the antenna error one evening.  Then next day I received 12
screen shots confirming reception.  I could not figure out who actually
saw the signal first so I just issued a dozen "first day of operating"
QSL cards.  All are listed on my HiFER page:

http://www.w4dex.com/HiFer.htm

The next few days brought about 6 more reports and HiFERing was
underway.

Dex