DXing Graphics: |
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Planetary K Index:
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NOAA Aurora Prediction:
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Useful DXing Links: |
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Directories:
mwlist North America, C.A., Ca. - A Comprehensive AM Station Database
fmlist FM resource - A Comprehensive FM Station Database
DXing-Related Resources:
DXing - A Wikipedia article explaining DXing
NOAA Space Weather Dashboard - What's happening in near space?
Planetary K Index - What's happening in the ionosphere?
DXing.com - A resource for DXers
DXing.info - Another resource for DXers
Hepburn's Tropo Page - A tropospheric ducting forecast site (important to HF and VHF)
DXing Organizations:
Association of Manitoba DXers - A sentimental favourite
Canadian International DX Assocation - Reserved for a non-FaceBook link
National Radio Club - Decades-old organization serving primarily Americans and Canadians
Ontario DX Association - Reserved for a non-FaceBook link
Worldwide TV-FM DX Association - For TV and FM-radio DXers
DXing Software:
Demmery Software (StationBase) - New Product in beta; a broadcast-band-specific DX logger/database.
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The CTO Broadcast Beacon: CYCTO, 1620 KHz: |
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The Centretown Observatory operates a 'QRP' ("flea-watt"; low-power) morse code radio beacon on 1620 KHz, in the AM broacasting band,
primarily as a target for the DXing
community. The beacon broadcasts its callsign four times per minute, at approximately 8 words per minute, with a carrier tone
in between. Both code and carrier tone are modulated at 440 hz.
The frequency of 1620 KHz was chosen as offering the best chance for long-distance reception, while offering zero interference to
existing
broadcasters. (There are no major broadcasters, in Canada or the US, within at least 500 km of our beacon.)
The callsign is CYCTO: dah-dih-dah-dit, dah-dih-dah-dah, dah-dih-dah-dit, dah, dah-dah-dah
(– • – • – • – – – • – • – – – –).
Listen: Morse Code ID
The transmitter is a commercial model which is FCC Part-15 compliant in the USA, and Industry Canada ICES-003 compliant. It is located at the CTO
premises, approximately four metres above grade. The output power is 100 mW, into an approximately-three-metre antenna. Orientation is vertical.
Operation is continuous, except for rare short periods where it may be shut down to permit DXing on 1620.
Geographic Coordinates:
- Latitude: N 45° 24' 42" (045.411614)
- Longitude: W 75° 42' 10" (-075.702878)
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