Amateur Radio Beacon Monitoring Tools
Find software and applications for tracking HF band openings, analyzing propagation data, and identifying NCDXF and NDB beacons.
Beacon monitoring software helps ham radio operators track propagation conditions across the HF bands. By listening to the worldwide network of NCDXF/IARU beacons, operators can determine which bands are open to specific regions, aiding in DXing and general amateur radio activity. These tools often integrate with transceivers to provide real-time data on signal strength and band openings, making it easier to plan QSOs and antenna projects.
This category features various software tools for monitoring beacons, from Windows applications like Faros and BeaconSee that automatically log beacon transmissions, to mobile apps for iPhone and Android. Operators can find utilities for tracking the NCDXF beacon network, as well as specialized tools for monitoring NDBs (Non-Directional Beacons) and decoding digital modes like PI4. Many programs also include features to display propagation forecasts, solar data, and mapping functions to visualize beacon locations and bearings.
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Iphone app for ncdxf IARU beacon monitoring, shows the currently transmitting beacon on each band, reception charts from the active monitoring stations, and latest solar flux A and K indices -
Beaconmap is a Win95/98/NT program to help listeners to identify the beacon stations of the NCDXF/IARU beacon network. The program displays a flashing dot at the location of the beacon that is currently transmitting. The call sign of the beacon, as well as the QTH is shown in the status bar. By PA1ARE -
The W6AMT Beacons is a Windows program which automates the collection of radio propagation data. HF data is collected by monitoring the worldwide network of NCDXF / IARU HF beacons. -
Shows which beacon is currently transmitting on the selected radio band Displays information about transmitting beacon Informs about direction and bearing from users position towards transmitting beacon -
BeaconSee shows you, in real time, worldwide HF band openings on your PC. Analyses the audio signals from your radio, which is tuned to the NCDXF IARU HF beacon network and shows you the signal strength received from each of the 18 beacon transmitters as a plot of frequency spectrum against time. -
Windows shareware, automatic NCDXF beacon monitor for Radio Amateurs, SWL'ers and HF communication engineers. by Alex VE3NEA. It continuously monitors 18 NCDXF beacons on five bands, automatically detects the presence of the beacon signals, even in QRM and noise. -
A small program to simplify changing messages in the Expanded Spectrum Systems Freakin' Beacon controller. The program makes it easy to modify an existing message or to have multiple messages available in different files ready to program into the beacon controller. -
NDBfinder allows you to use your PC and soundcard to receive, detect, identify and log NDBs (Non Directional Beacons used for maritime and aeronautical navigation) -
PropView is a free application that uses the included VOACAP, ICEPAC, and IONCAP engines to graphically display band openings between two locations over a specified 24 hour period. It can also build schedules for the IARU/HF beacon network and automatically QSY your transceiver to monitor each scheduled beacon. -
Windows NDB searcg and log editor utility by VE3GOP -
PI-RX is a beacon monitoring program capable of decoding PI4 and showing the performance of the decoded signal