USE Reverse Beacon Network with your contest program I use the VE7CC “CC User” program – that VE7CC provides for free to set up the RBM for use with N1MM (you can use it with your contest program too!!)

REVERSE Beacon Network Is usable with your contest program for CW (and RTTY) Find the tutorial from N4ZR {Pete} to get familiar with RBN http://www.pvrc.org/n4zr/rbn.pdf The RBN – my opinion) is much better than the Cluster for CW tests http://reversebeacon.blogspot.com/2010/11/using-rbn-telnet-server-brief-tutorial.html The RBN provides many more spots than the conventional cluster node. Spots are deciphered using wide band SDR and VE3NEA ‘Skimmer’ Software RBN is easy to use

This is the appearance of CC user when you start the program To get started – click on CONNECT

This is what happens when you connect. Current on air spots are delivered. And spots continue to be delivered. During contests, the quantity of spots can be overwhelming Note that the spots are color coded – by band. For instance the Green spots are 15 meter spots = see the band color code on the right The data in each row is {Spotter}{Freq}{DX}{TIME}{MODE}{SNR}* {SPEED} If you click on a single band tab in the right column – the software sorts the spots on that band – see next page for 10 Meter Action

Here are the 10 Meter spots!! (you can get the same data for every band)

You will need to fill in the SETTINGS tab to identify yourself Note the program has a ‘Keep Alive’ timer for your telnet – it will re-connect if your link is broken or dropped Fill in your Call, QTH and details

HERE IS THE REALLY NEAT STUFF – HOW TO FILTER YOUR SPOTS Here you select which spots you want to see. If you follow this example you will only receive spots that are generated in USA – notice again the Pass / Reject in the lower right Note on the lower right if you select REJECT – then you will NOT receive spots from USA After you make a selection – click on the ‘Tell Cluster’ button If you have forgotten your settings “Ask Cluster” what they are!!

IT GETS EVEN BETTER … Using the STATE tab allows you to further refine where the spots come from (i.e. SPOTTER STATE) I live in PA – so I’ve selected the surrounding states - So hopefully I will also be able to hear the stations of interest These settings will be remembered and stay until you change them!

AND BETTER!! You can even select just the band or bands that you want spots on. You may select just 10 – 15 – 20 – 40 – 80 for a contest if you like The settings stay put!

HERE IS WHERE YOU GET IT!! CLICK ON THE LINK – AND SCROLL DOWN TILL YOU SEE http://www.bcdxc.org/ve7cc/default.htm#Revisions

ADD THE RBN ADDRESS TO YOUR SOFTWARE – HERE IT IS IN N1MM