What are the current propagation conditions like? You can listen closely to the bands, but it takes time. You could look at the theoretical propagation forecasts on the Internet or in your favorite amateur radio magazine, the contest schedules, or the DX cluster reports.
But to get an actual, firsthand status of the current radio propagation, you really only need to listen to propagation beacons.
What is a Propagation Beacon?
A propagation beacon is a radio transceiver used to transmit radio weather and propagation conditions 24/7. It continuously sends signals on assigned amateur radio frequencies and provides information about conditions in real time. These signals contain information such as the callsign and location. Output power may be lowered in steps to assess the propagation conditions.
The purpose of the beacon is to indicate if a band is open from its location to the listener’s location. Beacons exist on most bands, starting with experimental LF, moving to 160m and then into the HF bands. A large number are found in the 6- and 10-meter bands due to unpredictable and intermittent long-distance propagation. These beacons are very important in providing early information for openings.
Bands like 10 and 6 meters can be frustratingly quiet sometimes, then suddenly become alive with a flurry of activity.
We also find a few in the VHF/UHF/Microwave bands. Beacons are useful for indicating band openings, but they are also used as frequency markers and in scientific studies to determine a band’s daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly characteristics. They also provide us with a sanity check—is the band dead or my radio?
One-Stop Monitoring
One of the largest and better-organized beacon systems is run by the NCDXF (Northern California DX Foundation) in cooperation with the IARU (International Amateur Radio Union).
They operate a worldwide network of high-frequency radio beacons on 14.100, 18.110, 21.150, 24.930, and 28.200 MHz. Known as the IBP (International Beacon Project), these amateur radio beacons are designed to explore propagation on amateur bands between 14 and 28 MHz in real time. These stations use Icom IC-7200 or Kenwood TS-50 transmitters, a beacon controller, GPS receiver/real-time clock for precise timing, and omnidirectional vertical antenna.
This system of 18 beacons began operation in 1995 and has remained in continuous operation ever since. They’re distributed in the northern and southern hemispheres around the world, spread out enough to sample a large portion of the earth. This beacon project is unique because each station takes a turn to transmit on the assigned frequency and then makes way for the next in the chain. Listening to the entire sequence of 18 beacons on 14.100 MHz will indicate where it may be possible in the world to make contact at that moment.
The beacons transmit around the clock. Each transmission is 10 seconds long and consists of the beacon’s call sign transmitted at 22 words per minute CW, followed by four dashes. The call sign and the first dash are transmitted at 100 watts of power. Three more dashes are transmitted at 10 watts, 1 watt, and 100 mW, respectively.
The reduction in transmitter power for the four dashes gives you an indication of band conditions. If you can hear the call sign and/or the first dash, you know there’s a path open into that region. The second through fourth dashes indicate how good that path is now. If you can hear the final 100 mW signal, the band is wide open to that region of the world.
Each beacon transmits its signal once on each frequency, in sequence from low (14.100 MHz) to high (28.200 MHz). This is followed by a 130-second pause during which beacons at other sites transmit in sequence on the same frequencies, and then the cycle repeats. The chart below sums up the 10-second operation done on each band.
All beacon transmissions are coordinated using GPS time. All 18 beacons transmit in succession once every three minutes at a given frequency. With a ham rig set up to quickly change spot frequencies, it is possible to track any beacon through the five bands and discover which frequencies are open for potential contacts. The IBP beacon schedule tracks the operation of the beacons and which ones are active in real time. Even if you’re not good at CW, copying the first two characters of the callsign should be enough to identify the station.
The transmission sequence gives you a complete overview of the propagation conditions in all directions on a band in three minutes (18 x 10 seconds). If you follow a beacon from band to band, you can find in 50 seconds which band currently has the best propagation conditions in a particular direction. It would be best to consider storing all five beacon frequencies—one after the other—in the radio’s memory.
Table 1 at the end of the article lists details about the IBP stations and locations.
An operator at home listening won’t hear all 18 one after the other, but you’re sure to copy several during the sequence.
DIY Beacons
You—yes, you—can become the master of your beacon domain in reverse.
The Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) are the opposite of the traditional beacon. You send out low-power test signals (CW or digital), and a worldwide network of stations listens to the bands, reporting what stations they hear. Their feedback can be called up via the Internet. It’s great for experiments, antenna comparisons, and detailed records of propagation conditions.
I posted “Hey Hams, Let’s Give a Shout Out to WSPR!” on OnAllBands back in April 9, 2021. Here, you’ll find the basics to understand and operate your own WSPR beacon.
Where Can I Find a List of Ham Beacons?
In addition to the International Beacon Project, many beacons are run by individuals or local amateur radio clubs. These are generally financed by either the clubs or individuals.
Several individuals have compiled lists of ham beacons, though no single accurate worldwide source exists at present. Beacons come and go without notice, and keepers of the lists sometimes don’t update regularly. Here are a few links to ones that are relatively up to date:
- RSGB’s Worldwide List of HF Beacons
- Worldwide List of HF Beacons
- G3USFs Worldwide List of 50 MHz Beacons
- DL8WX Shortwave Beacon List
Many Paths
There are dozens of online tools to help update us on propagation conditions. However, the NCDXF beacon system will give you an overview of a large frequency spectrum of the upper amateur HF band in less time. Once you’re familiar with their system, it takes about three minutes.
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NCDXF/IBP System
| Slot | DX Entity | Call | Location | Grid Square |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Nations | 4U1UN | New York, NY | FN3Øas |
| 2 | Canada | VE8AT | Inuvik, NT | CP38gh |
| 3 | United States | W6WX | Mt. Umunhum, CA | CM97bd |
| 4 | Hawaii | KH6RS | Maui | BL10ts |
| 5 | New Zealand | ZL6B | Masterton | RE78tw |
| 6 | Australia | VK6RBP | Rolystone | OF87av |
| 7 | Japan | JA2IGY | Mt. Asama | PM84jk |
| 8 | Russia | RR9O | Novosibirsk | NO14kx |
| 9 | Hong Kong | VR2B | Hong Kong | OL72bg |
| 10 | Sri Lanka | 4S7B | Colombo | MJ96wv |
| 11 | South Africa | ZS6DN | Pretoria | KG33xi |
| 12 | Kenya | 5Z4B | Kikuyu | KI88hr |
| 13 | Israel | 4X6TU | Tel Aviv | KM72jb |
| 14 | Finland | OH2B | Lohja | KP20eh |
| 15 | Madeira | CS3B | São Jorge | IM12jt |
| 16 | Argentina | LU4AA | Buenos Aires | GFØ5tj |
| 17 | Peru | OA4B | Lima | FH17mw |
| 18 | Venezuela | YV5B | Caracas | FJ69cc |
