Beacon Stations: Essential Propagation Tools

Understanding Beacon Operations

Beacon stations serve a critical role in amateur radio by providing continuous signals that assist operators in assessing propagation conditions. These stations transmit on various frequencies, including HF and VHF, using modes like Morse code and QRSS. Understanding their operation helps operators optimize their communication strategies and enhances the overall DXing experience. Each beacon provides unique data that can inform users about current band conditions and signal quality.

Key concepts related to beacon stations include IARU standards for beacon operation, frequency allocations, and the significance of experimental beacons. Familiarity with these concepts enables operators to effectively utilize beacons for both casual listening and serious contesting. Organizations like the ARRL support the development and maintenance of these vital resources.

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  • 30m QRSS Junkbox Beacon
    This simple 30m QRSS beacon is built entirely out of junkbox parts, the only component purchased specifically for this project was the 10,140kHz crystal. Hans Summers' 30m QRSS beacon project emphasizes simplicity and low cost, built almost entirely from reused parts. Key components include a 10,140kHz crystal, a 2N3904 transistor from a broken DVD player, and an ordinary LED used for frequency shift. The oscillator is stabilized in a polystyrene box, with power amplification driven by recycled copper PCB. Output power peaks at 360mW, and a custom 50-ohm dummy load manages heat. Though aesthetically unconventional, the beacon works effectively, fulfilling the project's low cost aim.
  • USCG Navigation Center DGPS
    Differential Global Positioning Service (DGPS) is a land-based augmentation system that receives and processes signals from orbiting GPS satellites, calculates corrections from known positions and broadcasts these corrections via a Medium Frequency (MF) Transmitter to DGPS users in the Broadcast Site's coverage area.
  • N8LGL
    2,6 and 10 meters beacon located at Lake White, Ohio
  • IK3NWX/B
    10,141.8 MHz from JN55VF
  • IZ3DVW/B
    40meter band beacon on 7,039.6 MHz
  • DK0WCY
    DK0WCY transmits 24 hours per day on 10144 kHz in the 30 meter amateur radio band. QTH in Scheggerott JO44VQ

  • 30m QRSS Junkbox Beacon

    • This simple 30m QRSS beacon is built entirely out of junkbox parts the only component ...
    By: Hans Summers Hits: 2267 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 7

  • 4S7B Sri Lanka Beacon

    • IARU NCDXF Beacon in Sri Lanka 4S7B working on 14 100 18 110 21 150 ...
    Hits: 557 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

  • DK0WCY

    • DK0WCY transmits 24 hours per day on 10144 kHz in the 30 meter amateur radio ...
    By: DK0WCY Hits: 830 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 5.5

  • G7AQK QRSS Beacon

    • A QRSS beacon on 30 meter band project wind and solar powered based on a ...
    Hits: 417

  • IK3NWX/B

    • 10,141.8 MHz from JN55VF
    Hits: 1110 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 7.23

  • IZ3DVW /B

    • UHF beacon from JN55VF italy 432,469.0 MHz
    Hits: 346 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 1

  • IZ3DVW/B

    • 21,145.7 MHz from JN55VF
    Hits: 439 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

  • IZ3DVW/B

    • 40meter band beacon on 7,039.6 MHz
    Hits: 857 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 6

  • K6FRC Beacons

    • 50Mhz 28Mhz 13.5Mhz amateur radio propagation beacons by K6FRC
    Hits: 400 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 10

  • N8LGL

    • 2,6 and 10 meters beacon located at Lake White, Ohio
    Hits: 1512 | Votes: 26 | Rating: 8.64

  • N8YEL

    • Zeeland, Michigan
    Hits: 331

  • OK0EF QRP Beacon

    • 10134 kHz beacon power is 500 mW Male Pritocno village, locator JO70BC.
    🏛️ Archived Hits: 726 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 5.67

  • OK0EU QRP Beacon

    • OK0EU is short wave QRP beacon set up by the OK QRP Club and supported ...
    Hits: 536

  • OK0EV 1854 Khz beacon

    • Beacon OK0EV works daily from 6 00AM to 8 00PM local time in 160m band ...
    Hits: 609 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 6.14

  • OZ7IGY

    • The worlds oldest vhf-uhf beacon
    Hits: 355

  • QRSS beacon

    • 30 meters beacon from UK QRSS is a method of sending very slow morse code ...
    Hits: 624 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 10

  • USCG Navigation Center DGPS

    • Differential Global Positioning Service DGPS is a land based augmentation system that receives and processes ...
    Hits: 2021 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 4.5

  • WA8YWO

    • High Frequency Expermental Beacon WV The Beacon operates on the frequency of 13 55567mhz This ...
    Hits: 413

  • WD2XGJ Experimental Station

    • Experimental Longwave Transmissions from Tower Hill wayland Massachusetts Operator Name Warren Ham Call K2ORS Frequency ...
    Hits: 599
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