HFUnderground - User contributions [en]

High Frequency Beacon

2014-02-10T14:32:28Z

Strange Attractor: /* Reported High Frequency Beacons */ QRP on 8000 kHz

[[Image:ColoradoBeaconQSL.png|thumb|right|A QSL card from a High Frequency beacon]]
'''High Frequency Beacon''' is a colloquial term for an unlicensed '''[[radio beacon]]''' that does not follow government regulations for operation (such as [[Part 15]]), and is technically illegal. Unlicensed HF beacons which operate legally, according to rules for low power transmissions are classified as [[HiFER]]s.

==Description==
[[File:PRV-6852-001.jpg|thumb|right|PRV (6852 kHz) under test]]
There are many of these beacons, quite a few are run as propagation experiments. Due to their nature, the exact location of these stations is generally not published, although many are believed to operate from remote locations in the deserts of the southwest USA. Likewise, these stations tend to suddenly appear and disappear from the air. Most run with very low power levels of just hundreds or even tens of milliwatts of power, and are often solar powered, so they can be hidden in open areas. Some are switched via a photocell, so they only operate at night, running off of a battery that is charged during the daytime by a solar panel.

There is a message board where listeners can report reception of beacons, it is also useful to see what other folks are presently hearing:
* [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/board,9.0.html HF Beacon Loggings]

{{clear}}

== Reported High Frequency Beacons ==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Freq (kHz) !! Station ID !! Location !! Operation Notes !! Last reported
|-
| 1654.95 || PRV || Preveza, Greece || Op: SW6HMU, QSL via sw6hmu@yahoo.gr (Source: ndblist). || April 15, 2012
|-
| 2097 || A || Arizona || (15 watts) - 'A' ident or malfunctions as series of dits - 15 watts max., 24/7 [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,6109.0.html] || June 30, 2012
|-
| 3450 || OK || OK || (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,5913.0.html]) ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y5u6KWtJHk Youtube video]) || January 5, 2012
|-
| 3579.7 || || || "HPY NEW YEAR 2010 DE PIRATE BEACON” & dashes. December 28, 2010. (4) || 2010
|-
| 3810 || [[SV1TEST]] || Athens, Greece (KM18VB) || no further info. (Source: [[UDXF]]) ||
|-
| 4056 || dasher || || Reported on March 11, 2011 by bryan24230 ||
|-
| 4062 || C || SW, probably CA || Very drifty, but slow drift, logged form 4052 to 4063. Its morse is not timed correcctly, it is probably sending a C with a short first dah (longer than dit, shorter than dah), but it could be an ER with a long dit, or a TR with a short dah. 24/7 ||
|-
| 4078.14 || WW || Colorado || 300-400 mW Inverted L night time only ||
|-
| 4077.27 || MO || Oklahoma || Solar 200 mW 118ft end fed wire 24/7 ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjw68RO_qTU Youtube video]) ||
|-
| 4079.7 || TMPnnn || SW Arizona || The TEMPERATURE BEACON - Temperature in deg. F. - sends 'TMP' then 2 - 3 digit temp. in CW every 10 seconds. 1 watt [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=6200.0] || March 4, 2012
|-
| 4089 || . || Death Valley N.P. || About 80 dits/minute, 24/7, 500 mW to inv. vee. dipole ||
|-
| 4091 || DM || N. America || No further info (Source: HF Underground Forum) || August 11, 2011
|-
| 4094.2 || PA || Arkansas || Solar power 200 mW Dipole 24/7 ||
|-
|<s> 4094.8</s> || <s>Dasher</s> || WV || <s>Sputnick - 60 dash/min, night only</s> Reported off air September 2009 due to lack of QSLs ||
|-
| 4096 || ......_|| VA || 6 dots 1 dash || March 24, 2012
|-
| 4096.1 || Dasher || Joshua Tree N.P. || 4.5 sec long dashes (about 13 dashes per min.) - big signal - north-facing dipole ('Coxie') 24/7 || March 24, 2012
|-
| 4096.25 || Dasher || Joshua Tree N.P. || 1 sec dash (about 30 per min.), 400 mW to inverted vee, 24/7 ('Hexie') [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=6200.0] [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=6199.0] || April 6, 2013
|-
| 4096.6 || Dasher || Mojave Nat. Preserve || 2 sec. dash (about 16 per minute) 400 mW to inverted vee, 24/7 ('Kelsie') [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=6200.0] || March 24, 2012
|-
| 4097.2 || Dasher || Inyo County, CA near DVNP || 55 dashes per minute with chirp when sun is low; day-only, at 5300 ft. elevation ('Inyo-whooper'), inv. vee., 0.5w ||
|-
| 4097.4 || KX || || "KX" ten times, then "TEMP IN F", then the temp (three times) inside the enclosure, then "TEMP OUT F", and the outside temp, again three times. ||
|-
| 4102.3 || W... || s.e. California desert || The WIND BEACON - sends 'W' ident and series of dits - each dit correlating to a turn of its anenometer, so if it is windy in the , it sends lots of dits; and no wind, no dits. || April 6, 2013
|-
| 4194 || MX || Europe || Xtal controlled milliwatt beacon operated occasionally in europe. Sometimes sends straight carrier instead of ID. ||
|-
| 4608 || MXC || Europe || Xtal controlled milliwatt beacon operated occasionally in europe. Sometimes sends straight carrier instead of ID. Sister beacon to MX. ||
|-
| 5157.6 || Dasher || Florida || BLINKY 200 mW Dipole 24/7 ||
|-
| 5484 || SD || San Diego, CA || ||
|-
| 5499.13 || Dasher || WA || ||
|-
| 5678.4 || Dasher || Colorado || PIKE solar/battery 100 mW Dipole 24/7 "Honker" ||
|-
| 6547.0 || PRV || Preveza, Greece || Op: SW6HMU, QSL via sw6hmu@yahoo.gr (Source: [[UDXF]]). Also reported on 6852.1 || January 22, 2012
|-
| 6549.3 || FL || Florida || 300 mW Dipole 24/7 ||
|-
| 6626.2 || S || Inyo County, CA, near DVNP || About 60-200 dashes per min., sun-only, ~200 mW ('Rocky') ||
|-
| 6626.4 || Dits || Mojave N.P. || Fast 'drippy' sounding dits about 100/min., sun-only, 1.5 watts ('Rainy') ||
|-
| 6700.4 || Dasher || Joshua N.P. || About 62 dashes per min., 24/7 (Hexy2k) ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 6815 || [[SV1TEST]] || Athens, Greece (KM18VB) || Active 2010-2011, no further info. (Source: [[UDXF]]) ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHHzK-nKO3Y Youtube video]) ||
|-
| X9Q || S.E. Europe or Middle East || Sporadic operation, no further info. (Source: [[UDXF]]) || April 2012
|-
| rowspan=2 | 6816 || FU || N. America || Active June 2011, no further info. (Source: [[Association of Clandestine Enthusiasts|A*C*E]] [http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/020147.html], [http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/020367.html]) ([http://www.archive.org/download/ShortwavePirateRadio/PirateBeaconFU6815Usb0509z-0513z06-19-11.mp3 MP3 audio recording]) || January 20, 2012
|-
| HA || N. America || Active July 2011, no further info. (Source: [[Association of Clandestine Enthusiasts|A*C*E]] [http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/020192.html], HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=4907]) . Sometimes the frequency is reported as "6815 kHz USB". ([http://www.archive.org/download/ShortwavePirateRadio/PirateBeaconHa6815Usb1333z-1335z07-02-11.mp3 MP3 audio recording]) || July 9, 2011
|-
| 6852.1 || PRV || Preveza, Greece || 15 W Op: SW6HMU (Source: [[UDXF]]). (2) (3) Occasionally active with irregular schedule. QSLs via sw6hmu@yahoo.gr Former website [http://6852khz.blogspot.com/] closed. Reported also on 6547.0 and 1654.95 kHz || April 24, 2012
|-
| 6900 || Beeper || || 0.5 sec beeps approx 1/sec (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=5415.0]) || October 12, 2011
|-
| 6947.1 || 13 dits and 1 dah || || No further info (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,5377.0.html]) || October 24, 2011
|-
| 6961 || TR || Mojave desert, CA || (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,5339.0.html]) || October 23, 2011
|-
| 6994.8 || - || Norfolk, UK (JO02) || "RRR RRR RRR UK BEACON PROJECT 0.8E 52.8N 0.1 WATTS RRR RRR RRR REPORTS TO UKBEACON _ GMAIL.COM" (Source: [[UDXF]]) || 2011
|-
| 7542 || 55555 || W Europe or NE USA || (Source: [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=6447.0], N&O-173(5), [[UDXF]]) || March 1, 2012
|-
| 8000.0 || QRP || W. Europe || reported on UDXF by european monitors || February 9, 2014
|-
| 8001.5 || S || S.W. Arizona || sun-only, 1 watt. strong signal daytimes. Recently reported on 8000.6 kHz (Source: [[UDXF]]). || 2011
|-
| 8003 || Dasher || Colorado || Solar/battery dipole 24/7 "Pike 78" 78 dashes/min ||
|-
| 8193.8 || || || (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,3819.0.html]) || October 23, 2011
|-
| 8211.7 || OR || || ||
|-
| 8261 || F || Western Canada || 250mW into a 1/2 wave inverted vee, 1400-0500 ||
|-
| 8350 || Dasher || North Carolina || (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,5930.0.html]) || December 31, 2011
|-
| 8497.7 || Dasher || || Pike 26 26 dashes/min ||
|-
| 8519.7 || (dasher) || N. America || Active August 2011, no further info. (Source: HF Underground Forum) || August 10, 2011
|-
| 10236.7 || Dasher || FL || ||
|-
| 11002.7 || CO || Colorado || Solar battery 300 mW dipole 24/7 ||
|-
| 11009.9 || S || ? || Discovered at 1032 UTC on 2011-03-26 in Australia (1) ||
|-
| 11428 || CZ || ? || (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,5961.0.html]) || January 3, 2012
|-
| 13168.1 || dasher || N. America || No further info. (Source: [[UDXF]], June 2011) ||
|-
|<s> 26600</s> || <s>Dasher</s> || || Obliterated by lightning in June 2010. Replacement is in the works. ||
|}

==See also==
[[Image:69BY-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|27 MHz beacon 69BY in Costa Rica]]
* [[Pictures of high frequency beacons]]
* [[HiFER]]
* [[PHFER Beacon Madness]] - A glimpse into the Pathology and Symptoms of this Disease
* [[Radio propagation beacon]] - beacons with an official license

==References==
# Ary Boender: "Numbers and Oddities", issue 162, March 2011, pp. 17
# Ary Boender: "Numbers and Oddities", issue 156, September 2010, pp. 15-16
# "PRV" was often reported during the past few months and was unid until Linkz submitted a link to websites about this station. Linkz writes: ''I have no idea if this station is legit or a pirate. It's operator is Eystathios Karastathis (SW6HMU) from Preveza, Greece. He writes on his blog "PRV - 6852 kHz 15w cw BEACON with Dipole Ant on the air 17.30 pm- 8.00 am". According to his blog there is also a MF beacon "PRV beacon 500-531 khz am/cw 400 Watt" and a local AM broadcasting station "Studio 421" on 1655 kHz”''. This beacon was last reported to [[UDXF]] on December 31, 2011.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers and Oddities", issue 159, December 2010, pp. 23.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers and Oddities", issue 173, February 2012, pp. 29.

[[Category:Beacons]]

High Frequency Beacon

2013-12-29T16:57:38Z

Strange Attractor: /* External Links */ none active

[[Image:ColoradoBeaconQSL.png|thumb|right|A QSL card from a High Frequency beacon]]
'''High Frequency Beacon''' is a colloquial term for an unlicensed '''[[radio beacon]]''' that does not follow government regulations for operation (such as [[Part 15]]), and is technically illegal. Unlicensed HF beacons which operate legally, according to rules for low power transmissions are classified as [[HiFER]]s.

==Description==
[[File:PRV-6852-001.jpg|thumb|right|PRV (6852 kHz) under test]]
There are many of these beacons, quite a few are run as propagation experiments. Due to their nature, the exact location of these stations is generally not published, although many are believed to operate from remote locations in the deserts of the southwest USA. Likewise, these stations tend to suddenly appear and disappear from the air. Most run with very low power levels of just hundreds or even tens of milliwatts of power, and are often solar powered, so they can be hidden in open areas. Some are switched via a photocell, so they only operate at night, running off of a battery that is charged during the daytime by a solar panel.

There is a message board where listeners can report reception of beacons, it is also useful to see what other folks are presently hearing:
* [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/board,9.0.html HF Beacon Loggings]

{{clear}}

== Reported High Frequency Beacons ==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Freq (kHz) !! Station ID !! Location !! Operation Notes !! Last reported
|-
| 1654.95 || PRV || Preveza, Greece || Op: SW6HMU, QSL via sw6hmu@yahoo.gr (Source: ndblist). || April 15, 2012
|-
| 2097 || A || Arizona || (15 watts) - 'A' ident or malfunctions as series of dits - 15 watts max., 24/7 [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,6109.0.html] || June 30, 2012
|-
| 3450 || OK || OK || (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,5913.0.html]) ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y5u6KWtJHk Youtube video]) || January 5, 2012
|-
| 3579.7 || || || "HPY NEW YEAR 2010 DE PIRATE BEACON” & dashes. December 28, 2010. (4) || 2010
|-
| 3810 || [[SV1TEST]] || Athens, Greece (KM18VB) || no further info. (Source: [[UDXF]]) ||
|-
| 4056 || dasher || || Reported on March 11, 2011 by bryan24230 ||
|-
| 4062 || C || SW, probably CA || Very drifty, but slow drift, logged form 4052 to 4063. Its morse is not timed correcctly, it is probably sending a C with a short first dah (longer than dit, shorter than dah), but it could be an ER with a long dit, or a TR with a short dah. 24/7 ||
|-
| 4078.14 || WW || Colorado || 300-400 mW Inverted L night time only ||
|-
| 4077.27 || MO || Oklahoma || Solar 200 mW 118ft end fed wire 24/7 ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjw68RO_qTU Youtube video]) ||
|-
| 4079.7 || TMPnnn || SW Arizona || The TEMPERATURE BEACON - Temperature in deg. F. - sends 'TMP' then 2 - 3 digit temp. in CW every 10 seconds. 1 watt [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=6200.0] || March 4, 2012
|-
| 4089 || . || Death Valley N.P. || About 80 dits/minute, 24/7, 500 mW to inv. vee. dipole ||
|-
| 4091 || DM || N. America || No further info (Source: HF Underground Forum) || August 11, 2011
|-
| 4094.2 || PA || Arkansas || Solar power 200 mW Dipole 24/7 ||
|-
|<s> 4094.8</s> || <s>Dasher</s> || WV || <s>Sputnick - 60 dash/min, night only</s> Reported off air September 2009 due to lack of QSLs ||
|-
| 4096 || ......_|| VA || 6 dots 1 dash || March 24, 2012
|-
| 4096.1 || Dasher || Joshua Tree N.P. || 4.5 sec long dashes (about 13 dashes per min.) - big signal - north-facing dipole ('Coxie') 24/7 || March 24, 2012
|-
| 4096.25 || Dasher || Joshua Tree N.P. || 1 sec dash (about 30 per min.), 400 mW to inverted vee, 24/7 ('Hexie') [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=6200.0] [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=6199.0] || April 6, 2013
|-
| 4096.6 || Dasher || Mojave Nat. Preserve || 2 sec. dash (about 16 per minute) 400 mW to inverted vee, 24/7 ('Kelsie') [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=6200.0] || March 24, 2012
|-
| 4097.2 || Dasher || Inyo County, CA near DVNP || 55 dashes per minute with chirp when sun is low; day-only, at 5300 ft. elevation ('Inyo-whooper'), inv. vee., 0.5w ||
|-
| 4097.4 || KX || || "KX" ten times, then "TEMP IN F", then the temp (three times) inside the enclosure, then "TEMP OUT F", and the outside temp, again three times. ||
|-
| 4102.3 || W... || s.e. California desert || The WIND BEACON - sends 'W' ident and series of dits - each dit correlating to a turn of its anenometer, so if it is windy in the , it sends lots of dits; and no wind, no dits. || April 6, 2013
|-
| 4194 || MX || Europe || Xtal controlled milliwatt beacon operated occasionally in europe. Sometimes sends straight carrier instead of ID. ||
|-
| 4608 || MXC || Europe || Xtal controlled milliwatt beacon operated occasionally in europe. Sometimes sends straight carrier instead of ID. Sister beacon to MX. ||
|-
| 5157.6 || Dasher || Florida || BLINKY 200 mW Dipole 24/7 ||
|-
| 5484 || SD || San Diego, CA || ||
|-
| 5499.13 || Dasher || WA || ||
|-
| 5678.4 || Dasher || Colorado || PIKE solar/battery 100 mW Dipole 24/7 "Honker" ||
|-
| 6547.0 || PRV || Preveza, Greece || Op: SW6HMU, QSL via sw6hmu@yahoo.gr (Source: [[UDXF]]). Also reported on 6852.1 || January 22, 2012
|-
| 6549.3 || FL || Florida || 300 mW Dipole 24/7 ||
|-
| 6626.2 || S || Inyo County, CA, near DVNP || About 60-200 dashes per min., sun-only, ~200 mW ('Rocky') ||
|-
| 6626.4 || Dits || Mojave N.P. || Fast 'drippy' sounding dits about 100/min., sun-only, 1.5 watts ('Rainy') ||
|-
| 6700.4 || Dasher || Joshua N.P. || About 62 dashes per min., 24/7 (Hexy2k) ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 6815 || [[SV1TEST]] || Athens, Greece (KM18VB) || Active 2010-2011, no further info. (Source: [[UDXF]]) ([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHHzK-nKO3Y Youtube video]) ||
|-
| X9Q || S.E. Europe or Middle East || Sporadic operation, no further info. (Source: [[UDXF]]) || April 2012
|-
| rowspan=2 | 6816 || FU || N. America || Active June 2011, no further info. (Source: [[Association of Clandestine Enthusiasts|A*C*E]] [http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/020147.html], [http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/020367.html]) ([http://www.archive.org/download/ShortwavePirateRadio/PirateBeaconFU6815Usb0509z-0513z06-19-11.mp3 MP3 audio recording]) || January 20, 2012
|-
| HA || N. America || Active July 2011, no further info. (Source: [[Association of Clandestine Enthusiasts|A*C*E]] [http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/020192.html], HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=4907]) . Sometimes the frequency is reported as "6815 kHz USB". ([http://www.archive.org/download/ShortwavePirateRadio/PirateBeaconHa6815Usb1333z-1335z07-02-11.mp3 MP3 audio recording]) || July 9, 2011
|-
| 6852.1 || PRV || Preveza, Greece || 15 W Op: SW6HMU (Source: [[UDXF]]). (2) (3) Occasionally active with irregular schedule. QSLs via sw6hmu@yahoo.gr Former website [http://6852khz.blogspot.com/] closed. Reported also on 6547.0 and 1654.95 kHz || April 24, 2012
|-
| 6900 || Beeper || || 0.5 sec beeps approx 1/sec (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=5415.0]) || October 12, 2011
|-
| 6947.1 || 13 dits and 1 dah || || No further info (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,5377.0.html]) || October 24, 2011
|-
| 6961 || TR || Mojave desert, CA || (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,5339.0.html]) || October 23, 2011
|-
| 6994.8 || - || Norfolk, UK (JO02) || "RRR RRR RRR UK BEACON PROJECT 0.8E 52.8N 0.1 WATTS RRR RRR RRR REPORTS TO UKBEACON _ GMAIL.COM" (Source: [[UDXF]]) || 2011
|-
| 7542 || 55555 || W Europe or NE USA || (Source: [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=6447.0], N&O-173(5), [[UDXF]]) || March 1, 2012
|-
| 8001.5 || S || S.W. Arizona || sun-only, 1 watt. strong signal daytimes. Recently reported on 8000.6 kHz (Source: [[UDXF]]). || 2011
|-
| 8003 || Dasher || Colorado || Solar/battery dipole 24/7 "Pike 78" 78 dashes/min ||
|-
| 8193.8 || || || (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,3819.0.html]) || October 23, 2011
|-
| 8211.7 || OR || || ||
|-
| 8261 || F || Western Canada || 250mW into a 1/2 wave inverted vee, 1400-0500 ||
|-
| 8350 || Dasher || North Carolina || (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,5930.0.html]) || December 31, 2011
|-
| 8497.7 || Dasher || || Pike 26 26 dashes/min ||
|-
| 8519.7 || (dasher) || N. America || Active August 2011, no further info. (Source: HF Underground Forum) || August 10, 2011
|-
| 10236.7 || Dasher || FL || ||
|-
| 11002.7 || CO || Colorado || Solar battery 300 mW dipole 24/7 ||
|-
| 11009.9 || S || ? || Discovered at 1032 UTC on 2011-03-26 in Australia (1) ||
|-
| 11428 || CZ || ? || (Source: HF Underground Forum [http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,5961.0.html]) || January 3, 2012
|-
| 13168.1 || dasher || N. America || No further info. (Source: [[UDXF]], June 2011) ||
|-
|<s> 26600</s> || <s>Dasher</s> || || Obliterated by lightning in June 2010. Replacement is in the works. ||
|}

==See also==
[[Image:69BY-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|27 MHz beacon 69BY in Costa Rica]]
* [[Pictures of high frequency beacons]]
* [[HiFER]]
* [[PHFER Beacon Madness]] - A glimpse into the Pathology and Symptoms of this Disease
* [[Radio propagation beacon]] - beacons with an official license

==References==
# Ary Boender: "Numbers and Oddities", issue 162, March 2011, pp. 17
# Ary Boender: "Numbers and Oddities", issue 156, September 2010, pp. 15-16
# "PRV" was often reported during the past few months and was unid until Linkz submitted a link to websites about this station. Linkz writes: ''I have no idea if this station is legit or a pirate. It's operator is Eystathios Karastathis (SW6HMU) from Preveza, Greece. He writes on his blog "PRV - 6852 kHz 15w cw BEACON with Dipole Ant on the air 17.30 pm- 8.00 am". According to his blog there is also a MF beacon "PRV beacon 500-531 khz am/cw 400 Watt" and a local AM broadcasting station "Studio 421" on 1655 kHz”''. This beacon was last reported to [[UDXF]] on December 31, 2011.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers and Oddities", issue 159, December 2010, pp. 23.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers and Oddities", issue 173, February 2012, pp. 29.

[[Category:Beacons]]

User:Strange Attractor

2013-12-27T07:16:10Z

Strange Attractor: /* Image uploads */ Yosemite Sam

73

----

This user is a GNU/Linux system owner.

----



==Image uploads==

<gallery>
Image:PopCom sample cover.jpg
Image:EMIGMA newsletter cover.jpg
Image:MT sample cover.jpg
Image:Radio User sample cover.jpg
File:ENIGMA2000 sample cover.jpg
File:SPEEDX-RGU-cover.jpg
File:Popular Electronics 1st issue cover.jpg
File:CFL-13-cover.jpg|CFL 13th edition
Image:PD-icon.png
Image:CC-zero.png
Image:CC-BY-icon.png
Image:CC-BY-ND-icon.png
Image:CC-BY-SA-icon.png
Image:CC-BY-NC-icon.png
Image:CC-BY-NC-ND-icon.png
File:CC-BY-NC-SA-icon.png
File:Works.png|W.I.P.
Image:USA Great Seal.png|USA
Image:USA flag.png
File:US-FCC-seal.png
Image:Spy.gif | Smoking spy
File:Spy-ht.gif | Spy-HT
File:LadySpy.png|Lady Spy
File:Spy2.png | Spy2
File:No-image.png|No image
Image:IARU.gif|IARU
File:DARC.png|DARC
File:DARC.gif|DARC
File:RSGB-Logo.png|RSGB
File:ARRL logo.png|ARRL
File:RAC-logo.png|RAC
File:ISWL-logo.png|ISWL
File:Wi-Fi logo.jpg|Wi-Fi
File:ACE-logo.gif|A*C*E
File:RCDXC-logo.png|RCDXC
Image:Amateur Radio stamp.jpg
Image:CODAN 2110M radio.jpg
Image:FT-180.JPG
File:Meteo areas chart.png
File:ITU zones.png
Image:HF-Fax 20100721 0525.png
File:HF-Fax 20100723 0451.png
File:HF-Fax 20100722 1904.png
File:Radio Caroline Story (cover).jpg
File:LetterBeacon-D-5153 7 kHz.png
File:Atmosphere with Ionosphere.png
File:HAARP-Ionogram.gif
File:E T Krenkel.jpg|E. T. Krenkel
File:RAEM-01.png
File:RAEM-02.png
File:RAEM-03.jpg
File:RAEM-04.jpg
File:Call of Duty - Black Ops.jpg
File:Seventeen moments of spring.jpg
File:Fringe 6955 kHz.jpg
File:WCC Cape Cod.jpg
File:NKR beacon.jpg
File:Switchable rhombic antenna.png
File:Rhombic antenna.png
File:Judica-Cordiglia today.jpg
File:WhereIsCracker.jpg|Where is Cracker?
File:QSL-D-398.jpg|"D" (NDB)
File:Ionogram.png
File:IRX-58-23-ionosonde.jpg
File:Numbers stations map.gif
File:SWL-1920s.png
File:Havana Moon Logo.jpg
File:Amateur Radio Stamp FSAT.png
File:Funkstelle BerlinNikolassee stamp.jpg
File:Fox.JPG
File:FeldHell44.jpg
File:UR5GMG.JPG|UR5GMG
File:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|GB3VHF
File:69BY-beacon.jpg|69BY
File:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|IK0WRB
File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|WB0RIO
File:FFU shack 1904.JPG
File:FFU antenna 1904.JPG
File:DK0WCY-station.jpg
File:Harry Helms W5HLH.jpg
File:Tom K2AES.jpg
File:Radio tower-01.png
File:UVB76 antenna.jpg
File:Soviet Intelligence Ships.jpg
File:USS Liberty AGTR-5.jpg
File:Spyship Gidrofan.jpg
File:Spy Ship PM56.jpg
Image:Icom M700Pro.jpg
File:NAA antenna farm.jpg
File:Rusian-CW.png | Russian morse code
File:Yosemite Sam.png | Yosemite Sam
</gallery>

==QSLs==

<gallery>
File:WYMH-QSL.jpg|WYMH
Image:DA0MF QSL.jpg|DA0MF
Image:KC4USN QSL.jpg |KC4USN
Image:NX1Z QSL.jpg|NX1Z
Image:QSL-F1JMM.jpg|F1JMM
Image:Qsl-fe10554.jpg |FE10554
Image:VP8CMM MM QSL.jpg|VP8CMM/MM
File:K2AES-QSL.png|K2AES
File:NPN-QSL.jpg|NPN
File:DRA5-QSL.jpg|DRA5
File:QSL-1X5AA.jpg|1X5AA
File:QSL-SV2ASP-A.jpg|SV2ASP/A
File:PAT-499-QSL.jpg|"PAT"
File:QSL-NTS-185.jpg|"NTS"
File:TA0 I3BQC-QSL.jpg|TA0/I3BQC
File:QSL-EW8AM.jpg|EW8AM
File:D4BCO-QSL.jpg|D4BCO
File:ZE1JI-QSL.jpg|ZE1JI
File:QSL-AV-358.jpg|"AV"
File:QSL-DDH47.jpg|DDH47
File:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|LX0FOUR
File:QSL-DHO38.jpg|DHO38
File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|K5DZE
File:College Park beacon.jpg|College Park Beacon
File:RAEM-QSL.jpg|RAEM QSL
File:QSL-C-300.png|"C"
File:QSL-beacon-UFO.jpg|"UFO"
File:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|N7LT
File:QSL-4K1A.jpg|4K1A
File:QSL-KC4USR.jpg|KC4USR
File:QSL-RadioMoscow-USSR.jpg|R. Moscow
File:Central Radio International.jpg|Central Radio Int'l
File:QSL-JG2XA.jpg|JG2XA
</gallery>

==SWL registration schemes==

<gallery>
File:Monitor Station Registry Application.jpg
File:WDX1BM.png
File:WPE3GXI.png
File:WPE6AF.png
File:WPE6EGZ.jpg
File:SV01MRXV.jpg
</gallery>

Yosemite Sam

2013-12-27T07:12:18Z

Strange Attractor: WP link

[[File:Yosemite Sam.png|thumb|right|200px|Portrait of Yosemite Sam]]
'''Yosemite Sam''' is the nickname given by [[DXing|DXers]] to a [[spy numbers stations|numbers station]] that first surfaced on December 19, 2004. It transmits on several [[shortwave]] frequencies in [[SSB]]: 3700 kHz, 4300 kHz, 6500 kHz, and 10500 kHz. The nickname is taken from the Looney Tunes character Yosemite Sam, whose voice is played as part of the unusual transmission.

==The transmission series==
The transmission begins on one of the frequencies. Ten seconds later, it is repeated on the next higher frequency, and so on for a total of two minutes. The entire pattern takes precisely two minutes, and always begins seven seconds after the top of an hour.

Each transmission starts with a data burst lasting 0.8 seconds, followed by the voice of Yosemite Sam exclaiming: ''"Varmint, I'm a-gonna b-b-b-bloooow yah t'smithereenies!"'' The clip is taken from the 1949 cartoon ''Bunker Hill Bunny''.

The station disappeared on December 23, 2004, but returned during February 2005, on its old frequencies plus additional new frequencies, including those of time signals stations WWV and WWVH.

Reception reports seem to indicate that the transmitter site is likely in the desert near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Albuquerque location suggests another relation to Looney Tunes: the phrase frequently repeated by Bugs Bunny, "I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."

Mike Stark, WA5OIP and Mike Langner K5MGR discovered thath the 3700 kHz YS is transmited from the MATIC facility on the Laguna Indian Reservation, NM. MATIC is an acronym for the Mobility Assessment Test and Integration Center. (1)

==See also==
* [[Spy numbers stations]]

==References==
# Evi Simons: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/mar2005/ham_spy.htm "Ham vs Spy (radio)"] ''Transmitter site pinpointed'', Southgate ARC, March 2005.

==External links==
* [http://www.spynumbers.com/YosemiteSam.html "Yosemite Sam" at Spynumbers.com] ''Includes a recording of the station''
* [http://qrg.globaltuners.com/?q=yosemite+sam "Yosemite Sam" at the Global Frequency Database]

[[Category:Spy stations]]

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Yosemite_Sam_(shortwave)}}

Yosemite Sam

2013-12-27T07:10:36Z

Strange Attractor: References

Yosemite Sam

2013-12-27T07:07:49Z

Strange Attractor: /* The transmission series */

[[File:Yosemite Sam.png|thumb|right|200px|Portrait of Yosemite Sam]]
'''Yosemite Sam''' is the nickname given by [[DXing|DXers]] to a [[spy numbers stations|numbers station]] that first surfaced on December 19, 2004. It transmits on several [[shortwave]] frequencies in [[SSB]]: 3700 kHz, 4300 kHz, 6500 kHz, and 10500 kHz. The nickname is taken from the Looney Tunes character Yosemite Sam, whose voice is played as part of the unusual transmission.

==The transmission series==
The transmission begins on one of the frequencies. Ten seconds later, it is repeated on the next higher frequency, and so on for a total of two minutes. The entire pattern takes precisely two minutes, and always begins seven seconds after the top of an hour.

Each transmission starts with a data burst lasting 0.8 seconds, followed by the voice of Yosemite Sam exclaiming: ''"Varmint, I'm a-gonna b-b-b-bloooow yah t'smithereenies!"'' The clip is taken from the 1949 cartoon ''Bunker Hill Bunny''.

The station disappeared on December 23, 2004, but returned during February 2005, on its old frequencies plus additional new frequencies, including those of time signals stations WWV and WWVH.

Reception reports seem to indicate that the transmitter site is likely in the desert near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Albuquerque location suggests another relation to Looney Tunes: the phrase frequently repeated by Bugs Bunny, "I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."

Mike Stark, WA5OIP and Mike Langner K5MGR discovered thath the 3700 kHz YS is transmited from the MATIC facility on the Laguna Indian Reservation, NM. MATIC is an acronym for the Mobility Assessment Test and Integration Center. (1)

==See also==
* [[Spy numbers stations]]

==External links==
* [http://www.spynumbers.com/YosemiteSam.html "Yosemite Sam" at Spynumbers.com] ''Includes a recording of the station''
* [http://qrg.globaltuners.com/?q=yosemite+sam "Yosemite Sam" at the Global Frequency Database]
* [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/mar2005/ham_spy.htm "Ham vs Spy (radio)"] ''Transmitter site pinpointed''

[[Category:Spy stations]]

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Yosemite Sam (shortwave)}}

Yosemite Sam

2013-12-27T06:59:30Z

Strange Attractor: Portrait of YS

[[File:Yosemite Sam.png|thumb|right|200px|Portrait of Yosemite Sam]]
'''Yosemite Sam''' is the nickname given by [[DXing|DXers]] to a [[spy numbers stations|numbers station]] that first surfaced on December 19, 2004. It transmits on several [[shortwave]] frequencies in [[SSB]]: 3700 kHz, 4300 kHz, 6500 kHz, and 10500 kHz. The nickname is taken from the Looney Tunes character Yosemite Sam, whose voice is played as part of the unusual transmission.

==The transmission series==
The transmission begins on one of the frequencies. Ten seconds later, it is repeated on the next higher frequency, and so on for a total of two minutes. The entire pattern takes precisely two minutes, and always begins seven seconds after the top of an hour.

Each transmission starts with a data burst lasting 0.8 seconds, followed by the voice of Yosemite Sam exclaiming: ''"Varmint, I'm a-gonna b-b-b-bloooow yah t'smithereenies!"'' The clip is taken from the 1949 cartoon ''Bunker Hill Bunny''.

The station disappeared on December 23, 2004, but returned during February 2005, on its old frequencies plus additional new frequencies, including those of time signals stations WWV and WWVH.

Reception reports seem to indicate that the transmitter site is likely in the desert near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Albuquerque location suggests another relation to Looney Tunes: the phrase frequently repeated by Bugs Bunny, "I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."

==See also==
* [[Spy numbers stations]]

==External links==
* [http://www.spynumbers.com/YosemiteSam.html "Yosemite Sam" at Spynumbers.com] ''Includes a recording of the station''
* [http://qrg.globaltuners.com/?q=yosemite+sam "Yosemite Sam" at the Global Frequency Database]
* [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/mar2005/ham_spy.htm "Ham vs Spy (radio)"] ''Transmitter site pinpointed''

[[Category:Spy stations]]

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Yosemite Sam (shortwave)}}

File:Yosemite Sam.png

2013-12-27T06:57:24Z

Strange Attractor: Looney Tunes character Yosemite Sam. Category:Images Category:Spy stations

Looney Tunes character Yosemite Sam.

[[Category:Images]]
[[Category:Spy stations]]

Yosemite Sam

2013-12-27T06:51:14Z

Strange Attractor: Created page with "'''Yosemite Sam''' is the nickname given by DXers to a numbers station that first surfaced on December 19, 2004. It transmits on several [[shor..."

'''Yosemite Sam''' is the nickname given by [[DXing|DXers]] to a [[spy numbers stations|numbers station]] that first surfaced on December 19, 2004. It transmits on several [[shortwave]] frequencies in [[SSB]]: 3700 kHz, 4300 kHz, 6500 kHz, and 10500 kHz. The nickname is taken from the Looney Tunes character Yosemite Sam, whose voice is played as part of the unusual transmission.

==The transmission series==
The transmission begins on one of the frequencies. Ten seconds later, it is repeated on the next higher frequency, and so on for a total of two minutes. The entire pattern takes precisely two minutes, and always begins seven seconds after the top of an hour.

Each transmission starts with a data burst lasting 0.8 seconds, followed by the voice of Yosemite Sam exclaiming: ''"Varmint, I'm a-gonna b-b-b-bloooow yah t'smithereenies!"'' The clip is taken from the 1949 cartoon ''Bunker Hill Bunny''.

The station disappeared on December 23, 2004, but returned during February 2005, on its old frequencies plus additional new frequencies, including those of time signals stations WWV and WWVH.

Reception reports seem to indicate that the transmitter site is likely in the desert near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Albuquerque location suggests another relation to Looney Tunes: the phrase frequently repeated by Bugs Bunny, "I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."

==See also==
* [[Spy numbers stations]]

==External links==
* [http://www.spynumbers.com/YosemiteSam.html "Yosemite Sam" at Spynumbers.com] ''Includes a recording of the station''
* [http://qrg.globaltuners.com/?q=yosemite+sam "Yosemite Sam" at the Global Frequency Database]
* [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/mar2005/ham_spy.htm "Ham vs Spy (radio)"] ''Transmitter site pinpointed''

[[Category:Spy stations]]

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Yosemite Sam (shortwave)}}

Maritime Fax Transmissions

2013-11-17T19:49:54Z

Strange Attractor:

'''Radiofax''', also known as '''weatherfax''' and '''HF fax''' (due to its common use in the short waves), is an analogue mode for transmitting images in grayscale. It is also related to slow-scan television ([[SSTV]]). The term weatherfax was coined after the technology that allows the transmission and reception of weather charts (surface analysis, forecasts, and others) from a transmission site (usually the meteorological office) to a remote site (where the actual users are).

Facsmile machines were used in the 1950's to transmit weather charts across the United States via land-lines first and then internationally via HF radio. Radio transmission of weather charts provides great flexibility to marine and aviation users, for they now have the latest weather information and forecasts at their disposal to use in the planning of voyages.

Radiofax relies on facsimile technology, where printed information is scanned line by line and encoded into an electrical signal which can then be transmitted over land-line or via radio waves to great distances. Since the amount of information transmitted per unit time is directly proportional to the bandwidth available, the speed at which a weather chart can be transmitted varies depending on the quality of the media used for transmission.

Today radiofax charts and images are available via FTP or HTTP downloads from sites in the Internet, such as the ones hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Radiofax transmissions are also broadcast by [[NOAA]] from multiple sites in the USA at regular daily schedules. Radio weatherfax transmissions are particularly useful to shipping, where there are limited facilities for accessing the Internet. The German Meteorological Service (DWD) is another major producer of FAX charts, which are also transmitted on HF frequecies from a location near Kiel.

== Transmission details ==
Radiofax is transmitted in [[single sideband]] and uses [[frequency modulation]]. The signal shifts up or down a given amount to designate white or black pixels. A [[deviation]] less than that for a white or black pixel is taken to be a shade of grey. With correct tuning (1.9kHz below the carrier frequency for USB, above for LSB), the signal shares some characteristics with [[SSTV]], with black at 1500Hz and peak white at 2300Hz. The official [[ITU]] radio emission designation is '''F1C'''.

Usually, 120 lines per minute (LPM) are sent (For monochrome fax, possible values are: 60, 90, 100, 120, 180, 240. For colour fax, LPM can be: 120, 240).[1] A value known as the ''index of cooperation'' (IOC) must also be known to decode a radio fax transmission - this governs the image resolution, and derives from early radio fax machines which used drum readers, and is the product of the total line length and the number of lines per unit length (known sometimes as the ''factor of cooperation''), divided by π (3.1416). Usually the IOC is 576.

== Automatic Picture Transmission format (APT) ==
APT format permits unattended monitoring of services. It is employed by most terrestrial weather facsimile stations as well as geostationary weather satellites.

* The start tone triggers the receiving system. It was originally meant to allow enough time for the drum of mechanical systems to get up to speed. It consists of rapid modulation of the video carrier, resulting in a characteristic rasp-like sound.
* The phasing signal, consisting of a periodic pulse, synchronises the receiver so that the image will be centered on the paper.
* The stop tone, optionally followed by black, marks the end of the transmission.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Signal
! Duration
! IOC576
! IOC288
! Remarks
|-
| Start tone
| 5s
| 300Hz
| 675Hz
| 200Hz for colour fax modes.
|-
| Phasing signal
| 30s
|
|
| White line interrupted by a black pulse.
|-
| Image
| Variable
| 1200 lines
| 600 lines
| At 120 lpm.
|-
| Stop tone
| 5s
| 450Hz
| 450Hz
|
|-
| Black
| 10s
|
|
|
|-
|}

==Stations==

Today, radiofax is primarily used worldwide for the dissemination of weather charts, satellite weather images, and forecasts to ships at sea. The oceans are covered by coastal stations in various countries.

In the United States, fax weather products are prepared by a number of offices, branches, and agencies within the National Weather Service (NWS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

* Tropical and hurricane products come from the Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch, part of the Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center. They are broadcast over US Coast Guard communication stations NMG, in New Orleans, LA, and NMC, the Pacific master station on Point Reyes, CA. After Hurricane Katrina damaged NMG, the Boston Coast Guard station NMF added a limited schedule of tropical warning charts. NMG is back at full capability, but NMF continues to broadcast these.

* All other products come from the Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) of the National Weather Service (NWS), in cooperation with several other offices depending on the region and nature of information. These also use NMG, NMC, and NMF, plus Coast Guard station NOJ in Kodiak, Alaska, and Department of Defense station KVM70 in Hawaii.

* Ever since the [[RMS Titanic|RMS ''Titanic'']] dramatized the dangers of icebergs in the North Atlantic, an International Ice Patrol has also originated weather data. Its charts are broadcast by the Boston Coast Guard station during the prime iceberg season of February through September, using the callsign NIK.

A major producer of Canadian radiofax is the Canadian Forces METOC (Meteorology and Oceanography Centre) in Halifax, NS, using the communication station CFH. Charts are sent on the hour, then the station switches to [[radioteletype]] (RTTY) for the rest of the period.

In Europe the most commonly received weather FAX service is the [[German Meteorological Service]] [http://www.dwd.de (Deutscher Wetterdienst or DWD)], which transmits from Offenbach throught the day. The DWD frequencies and callsigns are:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Power
|-
| DDH3 || 3855.0 kHz || 10 kW
|-
| DDK3 || 7880.0 kHz|| 20 kW
|-
| DDK6 || 13882.5 kHz || 20 kW
|-
|}

CBV, Playa Ancha Radio in Valparaiso, Chile broadcasts a daily schedule of Armada de Chile weather fax for the southeastern Pacific, all the way to the Antarctic. Also in the Pacific, Japan has two stations, as does the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia. Most European countries have stations, as does Russia.

[[Kyodo News]] is the only remaining news agency to transmit news via radiofax. It broadcasts complete newspapers in Japanese and English, often at 60 lines per minute instead of the more normal 120 because of the greater complexity of written Japanese. A full day's news takes hours to transmit. Kyodo has a dedicated transmission to Pacific fishing fleets from Kagoshima Prefectural Fishery Radio, and a relay from 9VF, possibly still in Singapore. The frequencies formerly used by JJC radio outside Tokyo are now sent from an unknown location, using the same identification in Japanese as 9VF. They are still active and heard daily in 2010.

The ''Joint Operational Meteorology & Oceanography Centre'', Nortwood, UK (callsign GYA) transmits various weather charts for the the Royal Navy on 2618.5, 4610.0, 6834.0, 8040.0, 11086.5, 12390.0 and 18261.0 kHz. The charts cover North Atlantic, Europe and the Persian Gulf areas.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Power !! Program
|-
| GYA || 2618.5 kHz || 10 kW || Europe (2000-0600 UTC)
|-
| GYA || 4610.0 kHz|| 10 kW || Europe (24h)
|-
| GYA || 6834.0 kHz || 10 kW || Persian Gulf (1800-0800 UTC)
|-
| GYA || 8040.0 kHz || 10 kW || Europe (24h)
|-
| GYA || 11886.5 kHz|| 10 kW || Europe (0600-2000 UTC)
|-
| GYA || 12390.0 kHz || 10 kW || Persian Gulf (24h)
|-
| GYA || 18261.0 kHz || 10 kW || Persian Gulf (0800-1800 UTC)
|-
|}

==List of FAX transmissions==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! (UTC) !! Station !! Callsign !! Frequencies !! Location !! Comments
|-
| 0000 || Wiluna || VMW || 7535, 10555, 15615 kHz || AUSTRALIA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || USCG New Orleans, LA || NMG (NMG-2) || 4317.9, 8503.9, 12789.9 kHz || UNITED STATES - Atlantic and Gulf || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || Charleville || VMC || 5100, 11030, 13920 kHz || AUSTRALIA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || Tokyo || JMH || 3622.5, 7795, 13988.5 kHz || JAPAN || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || Tokyo || JMH || 3622.5, 7795, 13988.5 kHz || JAPAN || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || Tokyo || JMH || 3622.5, 7795, 13988.5 kHz || JAPAN || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || Casey, AUS || VLM || 7470 kHz || ANTARCTICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || Dakar || 6VA/6VU || 13667.5, 19750 kHz || SENEGAL || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || Tokyo || JMH || 3622.5, 7795, 13988.5 kHz || JAPAN || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || USCG Boston, MA || NMF/NIK/NMF-7 || 6340.5, 9110 kHz || UNITED STATES - Atlantic and Gulf || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || Honolulu, HI || KVM70 || 11090 kHz || UNITED STATES - Hawaii || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || Halifax, N.S. || VCS/CFH || 122.5 MHz, 4271, 6496.4, 10536, 13510 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0000 || USCG Point Reyes, CA || NMC/NMC-17 || 8682, 12786, 17151.2 kHz || UNITED STATES - Pacific || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0001 || Halifax, N.S. || VCS/CFH || 122.5 MHz, 4271, 6496.4, 10536, 13510 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0010 || Iqaluit, N.T. || VFF || 3251.1, 7708.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX; 120/576 (Resolute)
|-
| 0130 || Tokyo || JMH || 3622.5, 7795, 13988.5 kHz || JAPAN || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 0140 || USCG Point Reyes, CA || NMC/NMC-17 || 4346 kHz || UNITED STATES - Pacific || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0200 || Inuvik, N.W.T. || VFA || 8457.8 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Weather and ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 0230 || USCG Boston, MA || NMF/NIK/NMF-7 || 4235 kHz || UNITED STATES - Atlantic and Gulf || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0400 || Kodiak, AK || NOJ || 2054, 4298, 8459, 12412.5 kHz || || Weather and ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0430 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 7508, 13538 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0430 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 4014 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0430 || Offenbach/Pinneberg || DDH/DDK || 3855, 7880, 13882.5 kHz || GERMANY - North Sea || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0438 || USCG Boston, MA || NMF/NIK/NMF-7 || 4235, 6340.5, 9110 kHz || UNITED STATES - Atlantic and Gulf || Ice FAX; 120/576 (Feb. - Aug.)
|-
| 0500 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 4014 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0500 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 7508, 13538 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0500 || Iqaluit, N.T. || VFF || 3251.1, 7708.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 0519 || Honolulu, HI || KVM70 || 9982.5 kHz || UNITED STATES - Hawaii || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0530 || Pevek || || 148 kHz || RUSSIA - Northern Coasts || Ice FAX, 90/576
|-
| 0600 || RN Northwood || GYA || 2618.5 kHz || UNITED KINGDOM ||
|-
| 0630 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 18238 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0630 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 7508, 13538 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0655 || USCG Point Reyes, CA || NMC/NMC-17 || 4346 kHz || UNITED STATES - Pacific || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0700 || Iqaluit, N.T. || VFF || 3251.1, 7708.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX; 120/576 (Resolute)
|-
| 0700 || Murmansk || UDK/UDK2 || 6446, 7907, 8444 kHz || RUSSIA - Northern Coasts || Weather and ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0730 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 18238 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0730 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 7508, 13538 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0745 || Rio de Janeiro Naval || PWZ-33 || 12665, 16978 kHz || BRAZIL || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 0800 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 7508, 13538, 18238 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 0800 || Murmansk || UDK/UDK2 || 6446, 7907, 8444 kHz || RUSSIA - Northern Coasts || Weather and ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0800 || RN Northwood || GYA || 6834 kHz || UNITED KINGDOM ||
|-
| 0900 || Athens || SWA || 8106.9 kHz || GREECE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 0900 || Charleville || VMC || 2628 kHz || AUSTRALIA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0930 || Offenbach/Pinneberg || DDH/DDK || 3855, 7880, 13882.5 kHz || GERMANY - North Sea || Ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 0950 || Kodiak, AK || NOJ || 2054, 4298, 8459, 12412.5 kHz || || Weather and ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1000 || Iqaluit, N.T. || VFF || 3251.1, 7708.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1007 || Offenbach/Pinneberg || DDH/DDK || 3855, 7880, 13882.5 kHz || GERMANY - North Sea || Ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1019 || Tokyo || JMH || 3622.5, 7795, 13988.5 kHz || JAPAN || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1030 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 18238 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1030 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 7508, 13538 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1100 || Iqaluit, N.T. || VFF || 3251.1, 7708.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Weather FAX; 120/576 (Resolute)
|-
| 1100 || Wiluna || VMW || 5755 kHz || AUSTRALIA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1100 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 18238 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1100 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 7508, 13538 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1115 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1120 || USCG Point Reyes, CA || NMC/NMC-17 || 4346 kHz || UNITED STATES - Pacific || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1121 || Sydney, N.S. || VCO || 6915.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1130 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1130 || Pevek || 148 kHz || RUSSIA - Northern Coasts || Ice FAX, 90/576 ||
|-
| 1142 || Sydney, N.S. || VCO || 6915.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1200 || USCG New Orleans, LA || NMG/NMG-2 || 17146.4 kHz || UNITED STATES - Atlantic and Gulf || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1400 || Murmansk || UDK/UDK2 || 6446, 7907, 8444 kHz || RUSSIA - Northern Coasts || Weather and ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1400 || USCG Point Reyes, CA || NMC/NMC-17 || 4346 kHz || UNITED STATES - Pacific || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1400 || USCG Boston, MA || NMF/NIK/NMF-7 || 12750 kHz || UNITED STATES - Atlantic and Gulf || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1430 || Murmansk || UDK/UDK2 || 6446, 7907, 8444 kHz || RUSSIA - Northern Coasts || Weather and ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1430 || Pevek || || 148 kHz || RUSSIA - Northern Coasts || Ice FAX, 90/576
|-
| 1520 || Offenbach/Pinneberg || DDH/DDK || 3855, 7880, 13882.5 kHz || GERMANY - North Sea || Ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1530 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 18238 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1530 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 7508, 13538 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1540 || Offenbach/Pinneberg || DDH/DDK || 3855, 7880, 13882.5 kHz || GERMANY - North Sea || Ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1600 || USCG Boston, MA || NMF/NIK/NMF-7 || 6340.5, 9110, 12750 kHz || UNITED STATES - Atlantic and Gulf || Ice FAX; 120/576 (Feb. - Aug.)
|-
| 1600 || Kodiak, AK || NOJ || 2054, 4298, 8459, 12412.5 kHz || || Weather and ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1630 || Rio de Janeiro Naval || PWZ-33 || 12665, 16978 kHz || BRAZIL || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1630 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1630 || Inuvik, N.W.T. || VFA || 8457.8 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Weather and ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1645 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1719 || Honolulu, HI || KVM70 || 16135 kHz || UNITED STATES - Hawaii || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1741 || Sydney, N.S. || VCO || 6915.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1810 || USCG Boston, MA || NMF/NIK/NMF-7 || 6340.5, 9110, 12750 kHz || UNITED STATES - Atlantic and Gulf || Ice FAX; 120/576 (Feb. - Aug.)
|-
| 1840 || USCG Point Reyes, CA || NMC/NMC-17 || 22527 kHz || UNITED STATES - Pacific || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1900 || Charleville || VMC || 20469 kHz || AUSTRALIA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 1900 || Northwood, UK || GYA || 11086.5 || EUROPE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1915 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 1930 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 2000 || Murmansk || UDK/UDK2 || 6446, 7907, 8444 kHz || RUSSIA - Northern Coasts || Weather and ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 2100 || Offenbach/Pinneberg || DDH/DDK || 3855, 7880, 13882.5 kHz || GERMANY - North Sea || Ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 2100 || Wiluna || VMW || 18060 kHz || AUSTRALIA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 2100 || Iqaluit, N.T. || VFF || 3251.1, 7708.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 2115 || Offenbach/Pinneberg || DDH/DDK || 3855, 7880, 13882.5 kHz || GERMANY - North Sea || Ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 2125 || Iqaluit, N.T. || VFF || 3251.1, 7708.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 2150 || Kodiak, AK || NOJ || 2054, 4298, 8459, 12412.5 kHz || || Weather and ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 2200 || Sydney, N.S. || VCO || 4416 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 2200 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 2215 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Ice FAX; 120/576
|-
| 2222 || Halifax, N.S. || VCS/CFH || 122.5 MHz, 4271, 6496.4, 10536, 13510 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 2230 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 4014 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 2230 || Cape Naval (NAVCOMCEN Cape) || ZSJ || 7508, 13538 kHz || SOUTH AFRICA || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 2230 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 2301 || Halifax, N.S. || VCS/CFH || 122.5 MHz, 4271, 6496.4, 10536, 13510 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 2310 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 2320 || USCG Point Reyes, CA || NMC/NMC-17 || 22527 kHz || UNITED STATES - Pacific || Weather FAX*; 120/576
|-
| 2325 || Valparaiso Playa Ancha || CBV || 4228, 8677, 17146.4 kHz || CHILE || Weather FAX; 120/576
|-
| 2330 || Iqaluit, N.T. || VFF || 3251.1, 7708.1 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Weather FAX; 120/576 (Resolute)
|-
| 2331 || Sydney, N.S. || VCO || 4416 kHz || CANADA - Arctic and Atlantic || Ice FAX; 120/576
|}

==Gallery of FAX receptions==
<gallery>
Image:HF-Fax 20100721 0525.png|DDK3 on 7780.0 kHz
Image:HF-Fax 20100722 1904.png|GYA on 11086.5 kHz
Image:HF-Fax 20100722 1904.png|GYA on 12390.0 kHz
</gallery>

==References==
# [http://ftv.3amsystems.com/samples.htm Multimode image and data decoding software for soundcards]
# [http://www.michaelabanks.com/images/READO.pdf 'Radio printing' sent newspapers through the waves]
# [http://www.lightningfield.com/david/radiofax/ First daily newspaper by Radio Facsimile]
# [http://www.dwd.de/bvbw/generator/DWDWWW/Content/Schifffahrt/Sendeplan/broadcast__fax__012007,templateId=raw,property=publicationFile.pdf/broadcast_fax_012007.pdf Deutscher Wetterdienst FAX broadcasts for shipping]

==External links==
* [http://www.hffax.de/ HF-FAX] by Marius Rensen.
* [http://weather.noaa.gov/fax/marine.shtml Marine Weatherfax NOAA broadcasts]
* [http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf Schedules and frequencies]

{{CC-BY-SA-WP}}

[[Category:Utility radio stations]]

Judica-Cordiglia brothers

2013-11-17T14:34:04Z

Strange Attractor:

[[Image:Judica-Cordiglia today.jpg|thumb|right|The Judica-Cordiglia brothers today]]
'''Achille''' (born in Turin, 1933) and '''Giovanni Battista''' (born in Erba, 1939) '''Judica-Cordiglia''' (or '''Judica Cordiglia''') are two former [[amateur radio]] operators and the source of some of the most dramatic and controversial claims of lost cosmonauts in the 1960s.

In the late 1950s the brothers set up their own experimental listening station just outside of Turin, a place they named Torre Bert, in a disused German bunker. Working with scavenged and improvised equipment they were able to successfully monitor transmissions from the Soviet Sputnik program and Explorer 1, the first American satellite. Their receptions included telemetry, voice recordings, and visual data.

In the 1960s, the brothers claimed to have recorded radio communications from secret Soviet Union space missions, including the sounds of one of these secret cosmonauts dying. The brothers claimed that the first of these recordings was made on 28 November 1960, when the Bochum space observatory in West Germany was said to have intercepted radio signals from what appeared to be a satellite. After about an hour of listening to static, the brothers recognised an SOS signal that seemed to be moving away from the Earth. In addition, they claimed to have recorded the voice of a woman, who was returning to Earth in May 1961; in the recording she is said to have cried that "she was burning".

In 1964 they won the TV quiz ''Fiera dei Sogni'' (''The Fair of Dreams''), a quiz that enabled them to visit NASA.

The brothers were the subject of a 2007 documentary called ''I pirati dello spazio'' (Pirates of space). An article on the brothers, recordings and lost cosmonauts was published in the March 2008 issue of the science-sceptical magazine ''Fortean Times''. A sympathetic dramatisation of the brothers' story was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2009 ("Listen Up", by Glen Neath).

Achille is now a cardiologist, while Giovanni Battista assists the Italian police with phone-tapping in criminal investigations.

==See also==

* [[The Lost Cosmonauts]]
* Dossier Sputnik. "...Questo il mondo non lo saprà..." di Judica Cordiglia Achille - Judica Cordiglia G. Battista, 2006 ISBN 8890202785 ISBN 9788890202780

==External links==
* [http://www.lostcosmonauts.com/default.htm Judica-Cordiglia brothers' website]
* [http://www.judicacordiglia.it Italian website]
* [http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/conspiracy/q0235a.shtml ''Readers' Digest'' Article]
* [http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/trackind/Torre/TorreB.html Site debunking the brothers' claims]
* [http://www.forteantimes.com/features/articles/1302/lost-in-space.html ''Fortean Times'' Article]
* [http://www.zenit.to.it/eng/prod_doc_pirati_dello_spazio.html ''I pirati dello spazio'' (''Space Hackers'')] - TV documentary by A. Bernard, E. Cerasuolo, P. Ceretto - Zenit Arti Audiovisive, 2007

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Judica-Cordiglia_brothers}}

[[Category:Radio esoterica]]
[[Category:People]]

Category:Wikipedia content

2013-11-17T14:32:54Z

Strange Attractor: Created page with "Category:Main topics"

[[Category:Main topics]]

Template:CC-BY-SA-WP

2013-11-17T14:30:56Z

Strange Attractor:

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|-
| [[Image:CC-BY-SA-icon.png]] || This article contains textual material from '''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Wikipedia]''' (TM). Wikipedia texts are licensed under the [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike] license. ''In short: you are free to distribute and modify the text as long as you attribute its author(s) or licensor(s). If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting work only under the same or similar license to this one.'' Wikipedia article: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/{{{1}}} {{{1}}}] || '''WP'''
|}
<noinclude>[[Category:Image license tags|CC-BY-SA-WP]]</noinclude>
<includeonly>[[Category:Wikipedia content]]</includeonly>

Radio beacon

2013-11-17T14:27:32Z

Strange Attractor: /* See also */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DARC beacons DRA5 and DK0WCY]]
A '''radio beacon''' (Радиомаяк) is a transmitter at a known location, which transmits a continuous or periodic radio signal with limited information content (for example its identification or location), on a specified radio frequency. Occasionally the beacon function is combined with some other one-way transmission, like [[telemetry]] data or meteorological information.

Radio beacons have many applications, including air and sea navigation, propagation research, robotic mapping and radio frequency identification (RFID).

==Radio navigation beacons ==
[[Image:QSL-AV-358.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A QSL card from an NDB located on an oil platform in the North Sea]]
A very simple aviation radio navigational aid is the '''NDB''' or '''Non-directional Beacon'''. An NDB is simply a low frequency or medium frequency transmitter, which is used to locate airways intersections, airports or to conduct instrument approaches, with the use of a radio direction finder located on the aircraft. The aviation NDBs, especially the ones marking airways intersections, are gradually decommissioned, as they are replaced with other navigational aids based on newer technologies. Due to relatively low purchase, maintenance and calibration cost, they are still used to mark locations of smaller aerodromes and important helicopter landing sites.

There are also marine beacons, based on the same techonlogy and installed at coastal areas, for use by ships at sea.(1) Most of them, especially in the western world, are no longer in service, while some have been converted to [[telemetry]] transmitters for [[differential GPS]]. Chains of radio navigation beacons for marine use are still active around the Russian and Ukrainian coastline.(2) (10)

===NDB technical===
[[File:Decca 80002-NDB.jpg|thumb|right|A DECCA 80002 non-directional beacon.]]
NDBs typically operate in the frequency range from 190 kHz to 535 kHz (although they are allocated frequencies from 190 to 1750 kHz) and transmit a carrier modulated by either 400 or 1020 Hz. NDBs can also be colocated with DME stations and ILS marker beacons. NDB owners are mostly governmental agencies and airport authorities.

Transmission power varies. Locator beacons are low power, typically 25-100 W. Beacons marking airways are medium to high power, typically 200 W to 1 kW, and sometimes higher up to 5 kW. In most cases there are two transmitters at the beacon site, the main transmitter and a backup reserve transmitter. The backup transmitter sends the beacon identification morse code letters followed by a dot (morse code "E").

Antennas are of vertical polarization, either lattice towers with a "top hat" or T-like wire antennas supported between two masts. NDB antennas incorporate a segment that consists of an variable inductor or [[variometer]] and a variable capacitor in series, "tuned" to the particular frequency or frequencies assigned to that antenna. NDB's tuned segment is part of the antenna itself. There is often an electrical counterpoise, in the form of copper wires or wire mesh buried in the ground underneath the antenna.

===Monitoring NDBs===
[[Image:QSL-C-300.png|thumb|right|200px|A PFC QSL card from an NDB]]
Besides their use in aircraft navigation, aero NDBs and marine radio beacons are also popular with [[DXing|DXers]]. Because NDBs are generally low-power (usually 25 watts), they normally cannot be heard over long distances, but favorable conditions in the [[ionosphere]] can allow NDB signals to travel much farther than normal. Because of this, radio DXers interested in picking up distant signals enjoy listening to faraway NDBs. Also, since the band allocated to NDBs is free of broadcast stations and their associated interference, and because most NDBs do little more than transmit their Morse Code callsign, they are very easy to identify, making NDB monitoring a very entertaining niche within the [[DXing]] hobby.

In North America, the NDB band is from 190 to 435 kHz and from 510 to 530 kHz. In Europe, there is a longwave broadcasting band from 150 to 280 kHz, so the European NDB band is from 280 kHz to 530 kHz with a gap between 495 and 505 kHz because 500 kHz was the international maritime distress (emergency) frequency.

The beacons that are between 510 kHz and 530 kHz can sometimes be heard on AM radios that can tune below the beginning of the AM broadcast band. (For example, the "HEH" beacon in Newark, OH at 524 kHz is within the bandwidth of most AM radios, and the "OS" beacon in Columbus, OH at 515 kHz can also be heard on some AM radios). Some beacons can also be heard on 530 kHz, although from the adjacent frequencies such as "LYQ" at 529 kHz in Manchester, TN but for the most part, reception of NDBs requires a radio receiver that can receive frequencies below 530 kHz (the longwave band). Many so-called "shortwave" radios can receive all frequencies from 150 kHz to 30 MHz, which makes them ideal for listening to the stronger NDB signals. Whilst this type of receiver is adequate for reception of local beacons, specialized techniques (receiver preselectors, noise limiters and narrow IF filters) are required for the reception of very weak signals from remote beacons.(9)

The best time for NDB DXing is the last three hours before sunrise. Reception of NDBs is also usually best during the fall and winter because during the spring and summer, there is more atmospheric noise on the LF and MF bands.
<gallery>
Image:QSL-C-300.png| C (Mobile Point, AL) on 300 kHz
File:QSL-RS-306 5.jpg| RS (Risna, Estonia) on 306.5 kHz
File:QSL-AV-358.jpg
File:QSL-D-398.jpg
</gallery>

==ILS marker beacons==

A '''marker beacon''' is a specialized beacon used in aviation in conjunction with an instrument landing system (ILS), to give pilots a means to determine distance to the runway. Marker beacons transmit upwards using beam antennas on the dedicated frequency of 75.0 MHz. ILS marker beacons are gradually phased-out and most new ILS installations have no marker beacons.

==Radio propagation beacons==
See ''[[Radio propagation beacon]]''

A '''radio propagation beacon''' is specifically used to study the propagation of radio signals. Nearly all of them are part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

==Single letter HF beacons==
See: ''[[Letter beacon]]''

A group of mysterious radio beacons with single-letter identifiers ("C", "D", "M", "S", "P", etc) transmitting in morse code have been regularly reported on various HF frequencies. There is no official information available about these transmitters and they are not registered with the [[ITU]]. Some investigators suggest that some of these beacons (the so called "cluster beacons") are actually [[radio propagation beacon]]s for naval use.

==Space and satellite radio beacons==

Beacons are also used in both geostationary and inclined orbit satellites. Almost every satellite transmits one or more beacon signals, normally on fixed frequencies. The satellite beacons are used to locate the satellite (determine its azimuth and elevation) in the sky and point the receiving antenna accurately. In addtion they contain modulated houskeeping information (telemetry). Many satellites transmit two distinct beacons, the ''general beacon'', which transmits limited information in CW or FSK and is used for locating and identifying the satellite and the ''engineering beacon'', which transmits telemetry data in FSK or PSK. Satellite radio beacons have proved useful in studies of various ionospheric phenomena, like traveling ionospheric disturbances, isolated plasma lenses etc.(11)

An S-band radio beacon was left on the moon by the Apollo 17 mission, transmitting FSK telemetry on 2276.0 MHz.(3)

==Driftnet buoy radio beacons==

See: ''[[Fishnet beacon]]''

[[File:fishnet_buoy_transmitter.jpg|thumb|right|A chinese Seamaster fishnet radio buoy.]]
Driftnet radio buoys are extensively used by fishing boats operating in open seas and oceans.(4) They are useful for collecting long fishing lines or fishing nets, with the assistance of a [[radio direction finder]]. According to product information released by manufacturer [http://www.radiobuoy.com/index.html Kato Electronics Co, Ltd.], these buoys transmit on 1600–2850 kHz with a power of 4-15 W.

Some types of driftnet buoys, called "SelCall buoys", answer only when they are called by their own ships. Using this technique the buoy prevents nets and fishing gears from being carried away by other ships, while the battery power consumption remains low.(5)

==Distress radiobeacons==

Distress radiobeacons, also collectively known as '''distress beacons''', '''emergency beacons''', or simply, '''beacons''', are those tracking transmitters that operate as part of the international Cospas-Sarsat Search and Rescue satellite system. When activated, these beacons send out a distress signal that, when detected by geostationary|non-geostationary satellites, can be located by triangulation. In the case of 406 MHz beacons which transmit digital signals, the beacons can be uniquely identified almost instantly (via GEOSAR). Furthermore, a GPS position can be encoded into the signal, thus providing both instantaneous identification & position. Distress signals from the beacons are homed by Search and Rescue (SAR) aircraft and ground search parties who can in turn come to the aid of the concerned boat, aircraft, and/or persons.

There are three kinds of distress radiobeacons:
* '''EPIRB''' (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) used for maritime distress,
* '''ELT''' (Emergency Locator Transmitters) signal aircraft distress
* '''PLB''' (Personal Locator Beacons) are for personal use and are intended to indicate a person in distress who is away from normal emergency response capabilities (i.e. 911)

The basic purpose of distress radiobeacons is to get people rescued within the the first 24 hours following an accident, when the majority of survivors can still be saved [http://www1.va.gov/emshg/apps/kml/docs/CERT_Manual.pdf].

==IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi beacons==
[[File:Wi-Fi logo.jpg|right|120px]]
In the field of Wi-Fi (wireless local area networks using the IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g specification), the term ''beacon'' signifies a specific data transmission from the wireless access point (AP), which carries the SSID, the channel number and security protocols such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Protection) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).

A Wi-Fi beacon "frame" does not specify the link layer address of another Wi-Fi device, therefore it can be received and processed by any LAN client. (6)

* In ''infrastructure networks'', beacon frames are sent by access points. Usually the beacon interval can be set though the access point configuration screen. An interval of 100 ms is recommended, as it provides good performance for most applications.

* In ''ad hoc networks'' there are no access points, so one of the peer stations assumes the responsibility for sending the beacon. After receiving a beacon frame, each station waits for the beacon interval and then, if no beacon is received, it transmits it's own beacon frame after a random time delay.

There are no special timeslot or channel reservations for beacons transmissions, so they are sent using the mandatory 802.11 CSMA/CA algorithm. If another station is sending a frame when the beacon is to be sent, then the access point must wait, therefore the actual time between beacon transmissions may be longer than the beacon interval. This is compensated by utilizing the timestamp found within the beacon frame.

Transmission of beacon frames generates a substantial amount of overhead. However, the beacon serves a variety of functions:

* Each beacon transmission identifies the presence of an access point. By default, each WiFi radio network interface (NIC) passively scans all RF channels and listens for beacons coming from access points in order to find a suitable access point.

* When a beacon is found, the radio NIC learns a great deal about that particular network. This enables a ranking of access points based on the received signal strength of the beacon, along with capability information regarding the network. The radio NIC can then associate with the most preferable access point.

* After association, the station continues to scan for other beacons in case the signal from the currently-associated access point become too weak to maintain communications. As the radio NIC receives beacons from the associated access point, the radio NIC updates its local clock to maintain timing synchronization with the access point and other stations. In addition, the radio NIC will abide by any other changes, such as data rate, that the frame body of the beacon indicates.

* The beacons also support stations implementing power saving mode. With infrastructure networks, the access point buffers frames destined for "sleeping" stations and announces which radio NICs have frames waiting for, through the TIM that's part of the beacon.

==AX.25 packet radio beacons==

Stations participating in packet radio networks based on the [[AX.25]] link layer protocol also use beacon transmissions to identify themselves and broadcast brief information about operational status. The beacon transmissions use special '''UI''' or ''Unnumbered Information'' frames, which are not part of a connection and can be displayed by any station. (7) (8) Beacons in traditional AX.25 amateur packet radio networks contain free format information text, readable by human operators.

This mode of AX.25 operation, using a formal machine-readable beacon text specification developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, became the basis of the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) networks.

==AIS beacons==

These beacons are VHF transmitters which send AIS (Automatic Identification System) packets. The packets contain spatial information spotting navigational hazards (reefs, skerries, shipwrecks etc) and navigational aids (buoys, ligts, racons). Thus AIS equipped ships can see the locations of navigation hazards on the AIS display.(12) Often the AIS beacon is not located at the indicated mavigation hazard spot but it is located at a convenient location on shore. An AIS beacon can send packets for more than one navigational hazards within its coverage area. This system is often called ''Synthetic AIS'' or ''Virtual AIS''. These stations may also be programmed to provide other types of navigation safety information, for example, meteorological and hydrological data, via application specific text or binary messages (i.e. AIS messages 6, 8, 12, 14, or 25).

AIS information is transmitted on VHF marine channels 87B (161.975 MHz) and 88B (162.025 MHz) using 9600 bps Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation. AIS packets are formatted according to the HDLC (High-level Data Link Control) packet protocol. Shore based AIS beacons providing location and status of an aid to navigation (ATON) normally transmit AIS message 21 every three minutes.

== See also==

* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]
* [[LowFER]]
* [[HiFER]]
* [[Radio propagation beacon]]

==References==
# Appleyard, S.F., Linford, R.S. and Yarwood, P.J.: "Marine Electronic Navigation", 2nd edition, Routledge & Kegan Paul, ISBN 0-7102-1271-2, pp. 68–69, 1988.
# Connolly, R.: "Navigation Beacons", ''Radio & Communications Monitoring Monthly'', '''3'''(4), ISSN 1749-7809, p. 58, April 2008.
# Jessop, G.R., G6JP: "VHF-UHF manual" (4th ed), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 0-900612-63-0, page 2.19, 1983.
# [http://www.wpcouncil.org/documents/pel_met2.pdf Pelagic Fishing Methods in the Pacific], Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.
# Robert Connolly: "Greyline DXing, Fishing NDBs and NOTAM software", ''Radio User'', '''5'''(6), pp. 35–36, ISSN 1748-8117, June 2010.
# IEEE: "Local and metropolitan area networks — Specific requirements — Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications: Higher-Speed Physical Layer Extension in the 2.4 GHz Band (IEEE Std 802.11b-1999)", ''Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers'', p. 2, 2003.
# [http://www.tapr.org/pdf/AX25.2.2.pdf AX.25 Link Access Protocol for Amateur Packet Radio]
# Terry L. Fox, WB4JFI: "AX.25 Amateur Packet-Radio Link-Layer Protocol, Version 2.0", ''The [[American Radio Relay League]]'', Newington, CT, ISBN 0-87259-011-9, p. 18, 1984.
# Remington, S., KH6SR: "[http://pe2bz.philpem.me.uk/Comm/-%20ELF-VLF/-%20Info/A-107-Art-of-NDB-DXing/index.htm On the Art of NDB DXing]", ''The Longwave Club of America'', 1987-1989
# Robert Connolly: "Time to get NDB hunting", ''Radio User'', '''6'''(6), pp. 5, ISSN 1748-8117, June 2011.
# Keneth Davies: "Ionospheric Radio", The Institution of Electrical Engineers, ISBN 0-86341-186-X, 1990, p. 296.
# U.S. Coast Guard: [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=typesAIS Types of Automatic Identification Systems], USCG Navigation Center, Alexandria, VA (2012).

==Further reading==

* Klawitter, G.: "Funk-Baken und Indikatorstationen" (in German), Siebel Verlag, ISBN 3-89632-055-6 (2001)
* [http://www.ndblist.info/index.htm NDB list website] by Alan Gale, G4TMV
* Godfrey Manning: "Sky High: ADF and NDBs", ''[[Radio User]]'', '''2'''(12), pp. 25, ISSN 1748-8117, December 2007
* Godfrey Manning: "Sky High: NDB/ADF", ''Radio User'', '''3'''(1), PW Publishing Ltd, ISSN 1748-8117, pages=24–25, January 2008.
* The WiFi Alliance: [http://www.wi-fi.org/files/wp_6_WPA%20Deployment%20for%20Public%20Access_10-28-04.pdf WPA deployment for public access], 2004.
* [http://www.wi-fi.org/files/kc_25_Five%20Steps%20to%20Creating%20a%20Wireless%20Network.pdf Five steps to creating a Wireless Network]
* Sheldon Remington, NI6E (ex KH6SR): "[http://pe2bz.philpem.me.uk/Comm/-%20ELF-VLF/-%20Info/A-107-Art-of-NDB-DXing/index.htm On the Art of NDB DXing]", ''The Lowdown'', 1987-1988.

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Electric_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons|!]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-11-17T14:25:49Z

Strange Attractor: /* See also */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===
[[File:ON0EME capture.jpg|thumb|right|Screen capture of ON0EME by G4DZU]]
A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.[23]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency (kHz) !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144401 ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144420 ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144484 ||
|-
| GB3WGI[24] || IO64BL || 144487 || 100 W CW and JT65. Activated on June 4, 2013.
|-
| K4MHZ || FM25 || 144300 || 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa.
|-
| N7BHC || FM15PA || 144291 || Mode: CW, 13 WPM. Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period). Location: 35.0302 N - 76.7146 W
|-
| NP2X/B || FK77PR || 144291 || St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com
|-
| PY2MTV/B || GG66va || 144300 || Beaming to AF/EU
|-
| VE1SMU/H || || 144.288 ||
|-
| VO1ZA || GN37JS || 144400 || Inactive
|-
| W1RJA/B || FN41CJ || 144282 || Southern Rhode Island. Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL
|-
| WA1ZMS || FM07FM || 144285 || Activated on October 29, 2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)
|-
|}

===Indian Ocean beacon project===

An Australian ham radio group has set up a beacon to investigate if there is any VHF ducting between Australia and South Africa. Beacon VK6RIO is located in Perth, W. Australia and operates on 144.950 MHz. The beacon transmits 100 watts into four 8-element Yagis with digital Chirp modulation. This special modulation scheme can be detected some 50 dB below the noise floor.

The beacon is GPS locked both in frequency, time and Chirp synchronisation. In order to detect the Chirp beacon, the receiving station requires a GPS locked [[Software Defined Radio]] (SDR), a GPS locked 144 MHz down-converter and 1 PPS signal from a GPS receiver to time stamp received signals. Open source PC software by Hermann, DL3HVH, shall be made available for processing the received signals.

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown (25)
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.
# [http://www.g4cqm.co.uk/beacons.html 144 MHz Transatlantic Beacon List] by Derek Hilleard G4CQM
# "GB3WGI 144 MHz transatlantic beacon", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(08), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 11, August 2013.
# Allocations vary by country. In Australia, VK3RMB is on 10368.536 MHz, VK3RGI on 10368.434 MHz and VK3RXX on 10368.530 MHz.

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio beacon

2013-11-17T06:17:36Z

Strange Attractor: /* References */ issn

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DARC beacons DRA5 and DK0WCY]]
A '''radio beacon''' (Радиомаяк) is a transmitter at a known location, which transmits a continuous or periodic radio signal with limited information content (for example its identification or location), on a specified radio frequency. Occasionally the beacon function is combined with some other one-way transmission, like [[telemetry]] data or meteorological information.

Radio beacons have many applications, including air and sea navigation, propagation research, robotic mapping and radio frequency identification (RFID).

==Radio navigation beacons ==
[[Image:QSL-AV-358.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A QSL card from an NDB located on an oil platform in the North Sea]]
A very simple aviation radio navigational aid is the '''NDB''' or '''Non-directional Beacon'''. An NDB is simply a low frequency or medium frequency transmitter, which is used to locate airways intersections, airports or to conduct instrument approaches, with the use of a radio direction finder located on the aircraft. The aviation NDBs, especially the ones marking airways intersections, are gradually decommissioned, as they are replaced with other navigational aids based on newer technologies. Due to relatively low purchase, maintenance and calibration cost, they are still used to mark locations of smaller aerodromes and important helicopter landing sites.

There are also marine beacons, based on the same techonlogy and installed at coastal areas, for use by ships at sea.(1) Most of them, especially in the western world, are no longer in service, while some have been converted to [[telemetry]] transmitters for [[differential GPS]]. Chains of radio navigation beacons for marine use are still active around the Russian and Ukrainian coastline.(2) (10)

===NDB technical===
[[File:Decca 80002-NDB.jpg|thumb|right|A DECCA 80002 non-directional beacon.]]
NDBs typically operate in the frequency range from 190 kHz to 535 kHz (although they are allocated frequencies from 190 to 1750 kHz) and transmit a carrier modulated by either 400 or 1020 Hz. NDBs can also be colocated with DME stations and ILS marker beacons. NDB owners are mostly governmental agencies and airport authorities.

Transmission power varies. Locator beacons are low power, typically 25-100 W. Beacons marking airways are medium to high power, typically 200 W to 1 kW, and sometimes higher up to 5 kW. In most cases there are two transmitters at the beacon site, the main transmitter and a backup reserve transmitter. The backup transmitter sends the beacon identification morse code letters followed by a dot (morse code "E").

Antennas are of vertical polarization, either lattice towers with a "top hat" or T-like wire antennas supported between two masts. NDB antennas incorporate a segment that consists of an variable inductor or [[variometer]] and a variable capacitor in series, "tuned" to the particular frequency or frequencies assigned to that antenna. NDB's tuned segment is part of the antenna itself. There is often an electrical counterpoise, in the form of copper wires or wire mesh buried in the ground underneath the antenna.

===Monitoring NDBs===
[[Image:QSL-C-300.png|thumb|right|200px|A PFC QSL card from an NDB]]
Besides their use in aircraft navigation, aero NDBs and marine radio beacons are also popular with [[DXing|DXers]]. Because NDBs are generally low-power (usually 25 watts), they normally cannot be heard over long distances, but favorable conditions in the [[ionosphere]] can allow NDB signals to travel much farther than normal. Because of this, radio DXers interested in picking up distant signals enjoy listening to faraway NDBs. Also, since the band allocated to NDBs is free of broadcast stations and their associated interference, and because most NDBs do little more than transmit their Morse Code callsign, they are very easy to identify, making NDB monitoring a very entertaining niche within the [[DXing]] hobby.

In North America, the NDB band is from 190 to 435 kHz and from 510 to 530 kHz. In Europe, there is a longwave broadcasting band from 150 to 280 kHz, so the European NDB band is from 280 kHz to 530 kHz with a gap between 495 and 505 kHz because 500 kHz was the international maritime distress (emergency) frequency.

The beacons that are between 510 kHz and 530 kHz can sometimes be heard on AM radios that can tune below the beginning of the AM broadcast band. (For example, the "HEH" beacon in Newark, OH at 524 kHz is within the bandwidth of most AM radios, and the "OS" beacon in Columbus, OH at 515 kHz can also be heard on some AM radios). Some beacons can also be heard on 530 kHz, although from the adjacent frequencies such as "LYQ" at 529 kHz in Manchester, TN but for the most part, reception of NDBs requires a radio receiver that can receive frequencies below 530 kHz (the longwave band). Many so-called "shortwave" radios can receive all frequencies from 150 kHz to 30 MHz, which makes them ideal for listening to the stronger NDB signals. Whilst this type of receiver is adequate for reception of local beacons, specialized techniques (receiver preselectors, noise limiters and narrow IF filters) are required for the reception of very weak signals from remote beacons.(9)

The best time for NDB DXing is the last three hours before sunrise. Reception of NDBs is also usually best during the fall and winter because during the spring and summer, there is more atmospheric noise on the LF and MF bands.
<gallery>
Image:QSL-C-300.png| C (Mobile Point, AL) on 300 kHz
File:QSL-RS-306 5.jpg| RS (Risna, Estonia) on 306.5 kHz
File:QSL-AV-358.jpg
File:QSL-D-398.jpg
</gallery>

==ILS marker beacons==

A '''marker beacon''' is a specialized beacon used in aviation in conjunction with an instrument landing system (ILS), to give pilots a means to determine distance to the runway. Marker beacons transmit upwards using beam antennas on the dedicated frequency of 75.0 MHz. ILS marker beacons are gradually phased-out and most new ILS installations have no marker beacons.

==Radio propagation beacons==
See ''[[Radio propagation beacon]]''

A '''radio propagation beacon''' is specifically used to study the propagation of radio signals. Nearly all of them are part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

==Single letter HF beacons==
See: ''[[Letter beacon]]''

A group of mysterious radio beacons with single-letter identifiers ("C", "D", "M", "S", "P", etc) transmitting in morse code have been regularly reported on various HF frequencies. There is no official information available about these transmitters and they are not registered with the [[ITU]]. Some investigators suggest that some of these beacons (the so called "cluster beacons") are actually [[radio propagation beacon]]s for naval use.

==Space and satellite radio beacons==

Beacons are also used in both geostationary and inclined orbit satellites. Almost every satellite transmits one or more beacon signals, normally on fixed frequencies. The satellite beacons are used to locate the satellite (determine its azimuth and elevation) in the sky and point the receiving antenna accurately. In addtion they contain modulated houskeeping information (telemetry). Many satellites transmit two distinct beacons, the ''general beacon'', which transmits limited information in CW or FSK and is used for locating and identifying the satellite and the ''engineering beacon'', which transmits telemetry data in FSK or PSK. Satellite radio beacons have proved useful in studies of various ionospheric phenomena, like traveling ionospheric disturbances, isolated plasma lenses etc.(11)

An S-band radio beacon was left on the moon by the Apollo 17 mission, transmitting FSK telemetry on 2276.0 MHz.(3)

==Driftnet buoy radio beacons==

See: ''[[Fishnet beacon]]''

[[File:fishnet_buoy_transmitter.jpg|thumb|right|A chinese Seamaster fishnet radio buoy.]]
Driftnet radio buoys are extensively used by fishing boats operating in open seas and oceans.(4) They are useful for collecting long fishing lines or fishing nets, with the assistance of a [[radio direction finder]]. According to product information released by manufacturer [http://www.radiobuoy.com/index.html Kato Electronics Co, Ltd.], these buoys transmit on 1600–2850 kHz with a power of 4-15 W.

Some types of driftnet buoys, called "SelCall buoys", answer only when they are called by their own ships. Using this technique the buoy prevents nets and fishing gears from being carried away by other ships, while the battery power consumption remains low.(5)

==Distress radiobeacons==

Distress radiobeacons, also collectively known as '''distress beacons''', '''emergency beacons''', or simply, '''beacons''', are those tracking transmitters that operate as part of the international Cospas-Sarsat Search and Rescue satellite system. When activated, these beacons send out a distress signal that, when detected by geostationary|non-geostationary satellites, can be located by triangulation. In the case of 406 MHz beacons which transmit digital signals, the beacons can be uniquely identified almost instantly (via GEOSAR). Furthermore, a GPS position can be encoded into the signal, thus providing both instantaneous identification & position. Distress signals from the beacons are homed by Search and Rescue (SAR) aircraft and ground search parties who can in turn come to the aid of the concerned boat, aircraft, and/or persons.

There are three kinds of distress radiobeacons:
* '''EPIRB''' (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) used for maritime distress,
* '''ELT''' (Emergency Locator Transmitters) signal aircraft distress
* '''PLB''' (Personal Locator Beacons) are for personal use and are intended to indicate a person in distress who is away from normal emergency response capabilities (i.e. 911)

The basic purpose of distress radiobeacons is to get people rescued within the the first 24 hours following an accident, when the majority of survivors can still be saved [http://www1.va.gov/emshg/apps/kml/docs/CERT_Manual.pdf].

==IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi beacons==
[[File:Wi-Fi logo.jpg|right|120px]]
In the field of Wi-Fi (wireless local area networks using the IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g specification), the term ''beacon'' signifies a specific data transmission from the wireless access point (AP), which carries the SSID, the channel number and security protocols such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Protection) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).

A Wi-Fi beacon "frame" does not specify the link layer address of another Wi-Fi device, therefore it can be received and processed by any LAN client. (6)

* In ''infrastructure networks'', beacon frames are sent by access points. Usually the beacon interval can be set though the access point configuration screen. An interval of 100 ms is recommended, as it provides good performance for most applications.

* In ''ad hoc networks'' there are no access points, so one of the peer stations assumes the responsibility for sending the beacon. After receiving a beacon frame, each station waits for the beacon interval and then, if no beacon is received, it transmits it's own beacon frame after a random time delay.

There are no special timeslot or channel reservations for beacons transmissions, so they are sent using the mandatory 802.11 CSMA/CA algorithm. If another station is sending a frame when the beacon is to be sent, then the access point must wait, therefore the actual time between beacon transmissions may be longer than the beacon interval. This is compensated by utilizing the timestamp found within the beacon frame.

Transmission of beacon frames generates a substantial amount of overhead. However, the beacon serves a variety of functions:

* Each beacon transmission identifies the presence of an access point. By default, each WiFi radio network interface (NIC) passively scans all RF channels and listens for beacons coming from access points in order to find a suitable access point.

* When a beacon is found, the radio NIC learns a great deal about that particular network. This enables a ranking of access points based on the received signal strength of the beacon, along with capability information regarding the network. The radio NIC can then associate with the most preferable access point.

* After association, the station continues to scan for other beacons in case the signal from the currently-associated access point become too weak to maintain communications. As the radio NIC receives beacons from the associated access point, the radio NIC updates its local clock to maintain timing synchronization with the access point and other stations. In addition, the radio NIC will abide by any other changes, such as data rate, that the frame body of the beacon indicates.

* The beacons also support stations implementing power saving mode. With infrastructure networks, the access point buffers frames destined for "sleeping" stations and announces which radio NICs have frames waiting for, through the TIM that's part of the beacon.

==AX.25 packet radio beacons==

Stations participating in packet radio networks based on the [[AX.25]] link layer protocol also use beacon transmissions to identify themselves and broadcast brief information about operational status. The beacon transmissions use special '''UI''' or ''Unnumbered Information'' frames, which are not part of a connection and can be displayed by any station. (7) (8) Beacons in traditional AX.25 amateur packet radio networks contain free format information text, readable by human operators.

This mode of AX.25 operation, using a formal machine-readable beacon text specification developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, became the basis of the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) networks.

==AIS beacons==

These beacons are VHF transmitters which send AIS (Automatic Identification System) packets. The packets contain spatial information spotting navigational hazards (reefs, skerries, shipwrecks etc) and navigational aids (buoys, ligts, racons). Thus AIS equipped ships can see the locations of navigation hazards on the AIS display.(12) Often the AIS beacon is not located at the indicated mavigation hazard spot but it is located at a convenient location on shore. An AIS beacon can send packets for more than one navigational hazards within its coverage area. This system is often called ''Synthetic AIS'' or ''Virtual AIS''. These stations may also be programmed to provide other types of navigation safety information, for example, meteorological and hydrological data, via application specific text or binary messages (i.e. AIS messages 6, 8, 12, 14, or 25).

AIS information is transmitted on VHF marine channels 87B (161.975 MHz) and 88B (162.025 MHz) using 9600 bps Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation. AIS packets are formatted according to the HDLC (High-level Data Link Control) packet protocol. Shore based AIS beacons providing location and status of an aid to navigation (ATON) normally transmit AIS message 21 every three minutes.

==References==
# Appleyard, S.F., Linford, R.S. and Yarwood, P.J.: "Marine Electronic Navigation", 2nd edition, Routledge & Kegan Paul, ISBN 0-7102-1271-2, pp. 68–69, 1988.
# Connolly, R.: "Navigation Beacons", ''Radio & Communications Monitoring Monthly'', '''3'''(4), ISSN 1749-7809, p. 58, April 2008.
# Jessop, G.R., G6JP: "VHF-UHF manual" (4th ed), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 0-900612-63-0, page 2.19, 1983.
# [http://www.wpcouncil.org/documents/pel_met2.pdf Pelagic Fishing Methods in the Pacific], Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.
# Robert Connolly: "Greyline DXing, Fishing NDBs and NOTAM software", ''Radio User'', '''5'''(6), pp. 35–36, ISSN 1748-8117, June 2010.
# IEEE: "Local and metropolitan area networks — Specific requirements — Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications: Higher-Speed Physical Layer Extension in the 2.4 GHz Band (IEEE Std 802.11b-1999)", ''Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers'', p. 2, 2003.
# [http://www.tapr.org/pdf/AX25.2.2.pdf AX.25 Link Access Protocol for Amateur Packet Radio]
# Terry L. Fox, WB4JFI: "AX.25 Amateur Packet-Radio Link-Layer Protocol, Version 2.0", ''The [[American Radio Relay League]]'', Newington, CT, ISBN 0-87259-011-9, p. 18, 1984.
# Remington, S., KH6SR: "[http://pe2bz.philpem.me.uk/Comm/-%20ELF-VLF/-%20Info/A-107-Art-of-NDB-DXing/index.htm On the Art of NDB DXing]", ''The Longwave Club of America'', 1987-1989
# Robert Connolly: "Time to get NDB hunting", ''Radio User'', '''6'''(6), pp. 5, ISSN 1748-8117, June 2011.
# Keneth Davies: "Ionospheric Radio", The Institution of Electrical Engineers, ISBN 0-86341-186-X, 1990, p. 296.
# U.S. Coast Guard: [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=typesAIS Types of Automatic Identification Systems], USCG Navigation Center, Alexandria, VA (2012).

== See also==

* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]
* [[LowFER]]
* [[HiFER]]
* [[Radio propagation beacon]]

==Further reading==

* Klawitter, G.: "Funk-Baken und Indikatorstationen" (in German), Siebel Verlag, ISBN 3-89632-055-6 (2001)
* [http://www.ndblist.info/index.htm NDB list website] by Alan Gale, G4TMV
* Godfrey Manning: "Sky High: ADF and NDBs", ''[[Radio User]]'', '''2'''(12), pp. 25, ISSN 1748-8117, December 2007
* Godfrey Manning: "Sky High: NDB/ADF", ''Radio User'', '''3'''(1), PW Publishing Ltd, ISSN 1748-8117, pages=24–25, January 2008.
* The WiFi Alliance: [http://www.wi-fi.org/files/wp_6_WPA%20Deployment%20for%20Public%20Access_10-28-04.pdf WPA deployment for public access], 2004.
* [http://www.wi-fi.org/files/kc_25_Five%20Steps%20to%20Creating%20a%20Wireless%20Network.pdf Five steps to creating a Wireless Network]
* Sheldon Remington, NI6E (ex KH6SR): "[http://pe2bz.philpem.me.uk/Comm/-%20ELF-VLF/-%20Info/A-107-Art-of-NDB-DXing/index.htm On the Art of NDB DXing]", ''The Lowdown'', 1987-1988.

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Electric_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons|!]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-09-25T06:07:33Z

Strange Attractor: /* Notes and references */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===
[[File:ON0EME capture.jpg|thumb|right|Screen capture of ON0EME by G4DZU]]
A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.[23]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency (kHz) !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144401 ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144420 ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144484 ||
|-
| GB3WGI[24] || IO64BL || 144487 || 100 W CW and JT65. Activated on June 4, 2013.
|-
| K4MHZ || FM25 || 144300 || 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa.
|-
| N7BHC || FM15PA || 144291 || Mode: CW, 13 WPM. Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period). Location: 35.0302 N - 76.7146 W
|-
| NP2X/B || FK77PR || 144291 || St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com
|-
| PY2MTV/B || GG66va || 144300 || Beaming to AF/EU
|-
| VE1SMU/H || || 144.288 ||
|-
| VO1ZA || GN37JS || 144400 || Inactive
|-
| W1RJA/B || FN41CJ || 144282 || Southern Rhode Island. Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL
|-
| WA1ZMS || FM07FM || 144285 || Activated on October 29, 2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)
|-
|}

===Indian Ocean beacon project===

An Australian ham radio group has set up a beacon to investigate if there is any VHF ducting between Australia and South Africa. Beacon VK6RIO is located in Perth, W. Australia and operates on 144.950 MHz. The beacon transmits 100 watts into four 8-element Yagis with digital Chirp modulation. This special modulation scheme can be detected some 50 dB below the noise floor.

The beacon is GPS locked both in frequency, time and Chirp synchronisation. In order to detect the Chirp beacon, the receiving station requires a GPS locked [[Software Defined Radio]] (SDR), a GPS locked 144 MHz down-converter and 1 PPS signal from a GPS receiver to time stamp received signals. Open source PC software by Hermann, DL3HVH, shall be made available for processing the received signals.

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown (25)
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.
# [http://www.g4cqm.co.uk/beacons.html 144 MHz Transatlantic Beacon List] by Derek Hilleard G4CQM
# "GB3WGI 144 MHz transatlantic beacon", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(08), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 11, August 2013.
# Allocations vary by country. In Australia, VK3RMB is on 10368.536 MHz, VK3RGI on 10368.434 MHz and VK3RXX on 10368.530 MHz.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-09-25T06:05:09Z

Strange Attractor: /* SHF and microwave beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===
[[File:ON0EME capture.jpg|thumb|right|Screen capture of ON0EME by G4DZU]]
A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.[23]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency (kHz) !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144401 ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144420 ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144484 ||
|-
| GB3WGI[24] || IO64BL || 144487 || 100 W CW and JT65. Activated on June 4, 2013.
|-
| K4MHZ || FM25 || 144300 || 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa.
|-
| N7BHC || FM15PA || 144291 || Mode: CW, 13 WPM. Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period). Location: 35.0302 N - 76.7146 W
|-
| NP2X/B || FK77PR || 144291 || St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com
|-
| PY2MTV/B || GG66va || 144300 || Beaming to AF/EU
|-
| VE1SMU/H || || 144.288 ||
|-
| VO1ZA || GN37JS || 144400 || Inactive
|-
| W1RJA/B || FN41CJ || 144282 || Southern Rhode Island. Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL
|-
| WA1ZMS || FM07FM || 144285 || Activated on October 29, 2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)
|-
|}

===Indian Ocean beacon project===

An Australian ham radio group has set up a beacon to investigate if there is any VHF ducting between Australia and South Africa. Beacon VK6RIO is located in Perth, W. Australia and operates on 144.950 MHz. The beacon transmits 100 watts into four 8-element Yagis with digital Chirp modulation. This special modulation scheme can be detected some 50 dB below the noise floor.

The beacon is GPS locked both in frequency, time and Chirp synchronisation. In order to detect the Chirp beacon, the receiving station requires a GPS locked [[Software Defined Radio]] (SDR), a GPS locked 144 MHz down-converter and 1 PPS signal from a GPS receiver to time stamp received signals. Open source PC software by Hermann, DL3HVH, shall be made available for processing the received signals.

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown (25)
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.
# [http://www.g4cqm.co.uk/beacons.html 144 MHz Transatlantic Beacon List] by Derek Hilleard G4CQM
# "GB3WGI 144 MHz transatlantic beacon", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(08), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 11, August 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-09-01T01:18:13Z

Strange Attractor: /* Indian Ocean beacon project */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===
[[File:ON0EME capture.jpg|thumb|right|Screen capture of ON0EME by G4DZU]]
A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.[23]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency (kHz) !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144401 ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144420 ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144484 ||
|-
| GB3WGI[24] || IO64BL || 144487 || 100 W CW and JT65. Activated on June 4, 2013.
|-
| K4MHZ || FM25 || 144300 || 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa.
|-
| N7BHC || FM15PA || 144291 || Mode: CW, 13 WPM. Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period). Location: 35.0302 N - 76.7146 W
|-
| NP2X/B || FK77PR || 144291 || St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com
|-
| PY2MTV/B || GG66va || 144300 || Beaming to AF/EU
|-
| VE1SMU/H || || 144.288 ||
|-
| VO1ZA || GN37JS || 144400 || Inactive
|-
| W1RJA/B || FN41CJ || 144282 || Southern Rhode Island. Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL
|-
| WA1ZMS || FM07FM || 144285 || Activated on October 29, 2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)
|-
|}

===Indian Ocean beacon project===

An Australian ham radio group has set up a beacon to investigate if there is any VHF ducting between Australia and South Africa. Beacon VK6RIO is located in Perth, W. Australia and operates on 144.950 MHz. The beacon transmits 100 watts into four 8-element Yagis with digital Chirp modulation. This special modulation scheme can be detected some 50 dB below the noise floor.

The beacon is GPS locked both in frequency, time and Chirp synchronisation. In order to detect the Chirp beacon, the receiving station requires a GPS locked [[Software Defined Radio]] (SDR), a GPS locked 144 MHz down-converter and 1 PPS signal from a GPS receiver to time stamp received signals. Open source PC software by Hermann, DL3HVH, shall be made available for processing the received signals.

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.
# [http://www.g4cqm.co.uk/beacons.html 144 MHz Transatlantic Beacon List] by Derek Hilleard G4CQM
# "GB3WGI 144 MHz transatlantic beacon", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(08), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 11, August 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-08-12T23:21:15Z

Strange Attractor: /* Indian Ocean beacon project */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===
[[File:ON0EME capture.jpg|thumb|right|Screen capture of ON0EME by G4DZU]]
A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.[23]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency (kHz) !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144401 ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144420 ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144484 ||
|-
| GB3WGI[24] || IO64BL || 144487 || 100 W CW and JT65. Activated on June 4, 2013.
|-
| K4MHZ || FM25 || 144300 || 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa.
|-
| N7BHC || FM15PA || 144291 || Mode: CW, 13 WPM. Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period). Location: 35.0302 N - 76.7146 W
|-
| NP2X/B || FK77PR || 144291 || St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com
|-
| PY2MTV/B || GG66va || 144300 || Beaming to AF/EU
|-
| VE1SMU/H || || 144.288 ||
|-
| VO1ZA || GN37JS || 144400 || Inactive
|-
| W1RJA/B || FN41CJ || 144282 || Southern Rhode Island. Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL
|-
| WA1ZMS || FM07FM || 144285 || Activated on October 29, 2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)
|-
|}

===Indian Ocean beacon project===

An Australian ham radio group has set up a beacon to try to find out if there is any VHF ducting between Australia and South Africa. Beacon VK6RIO is located in Perth, W. Australia and operates on 144.950 MHz. The beacon transmits 100 watts into four 8-element Yagis with digital Chirp modulation. This special modulation scheme can be detected some 50 dB below the noise floor.

The beacon is GPS locked both in frequency, time and Chirp synchronisation. In order to detect the Chirp beacon, the receiving station requires a GPS locked [[Software Defined Radio]] (SDR), a GPS locked 144 MHz down-converter and 1 PPS signal from a GPS receiver to time stamp received signals. Open source PC software by Hermann, DL3HVH, shall be made available for processing the received signals.

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.
# [http://www.g4cqm.co.uk/beacons.html 144 MHz Transatlantic Beacon List] by Derek Hilleard G4CQM
# "GB3WGI 144 MHz transatlantic beacon", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(08), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 11, August 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-08-12T17:51:50Z

Strange Attractor: /* Indian Ocean beacon project */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===
[[File:ON0EME capture.jpg|thumb|right|Screen capture of ON0EME by G4DZU]]
A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.[23]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency (kHz) !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144401 ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144420 ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144484 ||
|-
| GB3WGI[24] || IO64BL || 144487 || 100 W CW and JT65. Activated on June 4, 2013.
|-
| K4MHZ || FM25 || 144300 || 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa.
|-
| N7BHC || FM15PA || 144291 || Mode: CW, 13 WPM. Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period). Location: 35.0302 N - 76.7146 W
|-
| NP2X/B || FK77PR || 144291 || St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com
|-
| PY2MTV/B || GG66va || 144300 || Beaming to AF/EU
|-
| VE1SMU/H || || 144.288 ||
|-
| VO1ZA || GN37JS || 144400 || Inactive
|-
| W1RJA/B || FN41CJ || 144282 || Southern Rhode Island. Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL
|-
| WA1ZMS || FM07FM || 144285 || Activated on October 29, 2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)
|-
|}

===Indian Ocean beacon project===

An Australian ham radio group has set up a beacon to try to find out if there is any VHF ducting between Australia and South Africa. Beacon VK6RIO is located in Perth, W. Australia and operates on 144.950 MHz. The beacon transmits 100 watts into four 8-element Yagis with digital Chirp modulation. This special modulation scheme can be detected some 50 dB below the noise floor.

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.
# [http://www.g4cqm.co.uk/beacons.html 144 MHz Transatlantic Beacon List] by Derek Hilleard G4CQM
# "GB3WGI 144 MHz transatlantic beacon", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(08), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 11, August 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-07-31T07:52:41Z

Strange Attractor: /* ON0EME moon beacon */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===
[[File:ON0EME capture.jpg|thumb|right|Screen capture of ON0EME by G4DZU]]
A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.[23]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency (kHz) !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144401 ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144420 ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144484 ||
|-
| GB3WGI[24] || IO64BL || 144487 || 100 W CW and JT65. Activated on June 4, 2013.
|-
| K4MHZ || FM25 || 144300 || 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa.
|-
| N7BHC || FM15PA || 144291 || Mode: CW, 13 WPM. Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period). Location: 35.0302 N - 76.7146 W
|-
| NP2X/B || FK77PR || 144291 || St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com
|-
| PY2MTV/B || GG66va || 144300 || Beaming to AF/EU
|-
| VE1SMU/H || || 144.288 ||
|-
| VO1ZA || GN37JS || 144400 || Inactive
|-
| W1RJA/B || FN41CJ || 144282 || Southern Rhode Island. Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL
|-
| WA1ZMS || FM07FM || 144285 || Activated on October 29, 2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)
|-
|}

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.
# [http://www.g4cqm.co.uk/beacons.html 144 MHz Transatlantic Beacon List] by Derek Hilleard G4CQM
# "GB3WGI 144 MHz transatlantic beacon", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(08), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 11, August 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

File:ON0EME capture.jpg

2013-07-31T07:51:34Z

Strange Attractor: ==Description== Screen capture of ON0EME by G4DZU using a FLEX 5000 SDR. Category:Beacons Category:Images

==Description==

Screen capture of ON0EME by G4DZU using a FLEX 5000 SDR.


[[Category:Beacons]]
[[Category:Images]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-07-30T14:28:51Z

Strange Attractor: /* Notes and references */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.[23]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency (kHz) !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144401 ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144420 ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144484 ||
|-
| GB3WGI[24] || IO64BL || 144487 || 100 W CW and JT65. Activated on June 4, 2013.
|-
| K4MHZ || FM25 || 144300 || 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa.
|-
| N7BHC || FM15PA || 144291 || Mode: CW, 13 WPM. Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period). Location: 35.0302 N - 76.7146 W
|-
| NP2X/B || FK77PR || 144291 || St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com
|-
| PY2MTV/B || GG66va || 144300 || Beaming to AF/EU
|-
| VE1SMU/H || || 144.288 ||
|-
| VO1ZA || GN37JS || 144400 || Inactive
|-
| W1RJA/B || FN41CJ || 144282 || Southern Rhode Island. Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL
|-
| WA1ZMS || FM07FM || 144285 || Activated on October 29, 2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)
|-
|}

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.
# [http://www.g4cqm.co.uk/beacons.html 144 MHz Transatlantic Beacon List] by Derek Hilleard G4CQM
# "GB3WGI 144 MHz transatlantic beacon", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(08), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 11, August 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-07-30T14:25:53Z

Strange Attractor: /* 144 MHz transatlantic beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.[23]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency (kHz) !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144401 ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144420 ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144484 ||
|-
| GB3WGI[24] || IO64BL || 144487 || 100 W CW and JT65. Activated on June 4, 2013.
|-
| K4MHZ || FM25 || 144300 || 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa.
|-
| N7BHC || FM15PA || 144291 || Mode: CW, 13 WPM. Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period). Location: 35.0302 N - 76.7146 W
|-
| NP2X/B || FK77PR || 144291 || St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com
|-
| PY2MTV/B || GG66va || 144300 || Beaming to AF/EU
|-
| VE1SMU/H || || 144.288 ||
|-
| VO1ZA || GN37JS || 144400 || Inactive
|-
| W1RJA/B || FN41CJ || 144282 || Southern Rhode Island. Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL
|-
| WA1ZMS || FM07FM || 144285 || Activated on October 29, 2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)
|-
|}

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-07-30T14:24:06Z

Strange Attractor: /* 144 MHz transatlantic beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency (kHz) !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144401 ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144420 ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144484 ||
|-
| GB3WGI || IO64BL || 144487 || 100 W CW and JT65. Activated on June 4, 2013.
|-
| K4MHZ || FM25 || 144300 || 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa.
|-
| N7BHC || FM15PA || 144291 || Mode: CW, 13 WPM. Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period). Location: 35.0302 N - 76.7146 W
|-
NP2X/B || FK77PR || 144291 || St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com
|-
| PY2MTV/B || GG66va || 144300 || Beaming to AF/EU
|-
| VE1SMU/H || || 144.288 ||
|-
| VO1ZA || GN37JS || 144400 || Inactive
|-
| W1RJA/B || FN41CJ || 144282 || Southern Rhode Island. Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL
|-
| WA1ZMS || FM07FM || 144285 || Activated on October 29, 2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)
|-
|}

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-07-30T14:14:20Z

Strange Attractor: /* 144 MHz transatlantic beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

===144 MHz transatlantic beacons===

A number of VHF beacons have been installed on both shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as an early warning system for exceptional sporadic-E (Es) conditions, which shall allow transatlantic QSOs on 2 m. The followng list includes most beacons, not all of them are always operational.

{|
! Callsign !! Locator !! Frequency !! Info
|-
| CU2VHF || HM77DT || 144.401MHz ||
|-
| CU8DUB || HM49KL || 144.420MHz ||
|-
| ED8ZAA/B || IL18 || 144.484MHz ||
|}

K4MHZ FM25 2M Transatlantic Beacon, Hatteras, NC: IN SERVICE on 144.300 MHz CW at 10 WPM. Running 100W to a 12 element long Yagi at 50' on a center azimuth of 70 degrees towards the Azores, Canary Islands, and southern Europe/North Africa. Operation is on the European call frequency of 144.300 MHz to optimize odds of reception.

N7BHC FM15 Frequency: 144.291MHz Mode: CW, 13 wpm Transmit sequence: N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA N7BHC FM15PA (15 second carrier) (15 seconds receive period) Latitude: 35.0302 N (35° 1' 49'' N) Longitude: 76.7146 W (-76° 42' 52'' W) Grid: FM15PA

NP2X/b FK77PR - St. Croix, US Virgin Islands - 240 feet AMSL (73 meters AMSL) - RF Concepts 160 watt, reduced to 100 watts for beacon operation - 15 element yagi @ beam heading of 55 degrees (Portgual) - np2xbeacon@gmail.com - 144.291MHz

PY2MTV/B GG66va BEAM TO AF/EU 144.300

VE1SMU/H 144.288

VO1ZA GN37JS 144.400 - QRT AT PRESENT

W1RJA/B FN41CJ (Southern Rhode Island) Frequency: 144.282 Emission: A1 (amplitude keyed CW) Power: 60 Watts Feedline: 160' Cablewave FLC 12-50 half inch hardline. Antenna: 9.5 dBd 5 element yagi beaming 60 degrees azimuth. Height: 140 feet (43M) above base elevation of 130 feet (40M) ASL

WA1ZMS FM07FM 144.285 (It was activated at 20:30z on 29-Oct-2006 - 4200FT AMSL - Antenna: 2-yagi pair, Directive Systems DPM144-5 Antenna gain: 11.5dBd Radiated power: 1400W ERPd)

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-06-16T15:57:52Z

Strange Attractor: /* Beacon projects */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thumb|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-06-16T15:57:21Z

Strange Attractor: /* Beacon projects */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==
[[File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png|thub|right|NCDXF-IARU beacon setup]]
Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

File:TS-50S NCDXF beacon.png

2013-06-16T15:56:08Z

Strange Attractor: ==Summary== '''Description:'''A beacon tranceiver, controller and power supply of the NCDXF network. Category:Images Category:Beacons

==Summary==
'''Description:'''A beacon tranceiver, controller and power supply of the NCDXF network.

[[Category:Images]]
[[Category:Beacons]]

Longwave Broadcast Stations

2013-06-08T14:34:05Z

Strange Attractor: /* List of Longwave broadcast stations */

==List of Longwave broadcast stations==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
|- style="background: #FFE0FF"
! kHz !! Station !! Country !! Power (kW) !! Notes
|-
| 153 || Bechar || Algeria || 1,000 ||
|-
| 153 || [http://www.dradio.de/dlf Deutschlandfunk] || Germany || 500 || DRM?
|-
| 153 || Bod || Romania || 1,200 ||
|-
| 162 || [http://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter France Inter] || France || 2,000 ||
|-
| 162 || Agri || Turkey || 1,000 ||
|-
| 171 || [http://www.medi1.com Nador Medi-1] || Morocco || 2,000 ||
|-
| 171 || B'shakovo etc || Russia || 1,200 ||
|-
| 177 || [http://www.dradio.de Deutschland Radio] || Germany || 750 ||
|-
| 180 || Polati || Turkey || 1,200 ||
|-
| 183 || [http://www.europe1.fr Europe 1] || Germany || 2,000 ||
|-
| 189 || Caltanissetta || Italy || 10 || no longer on the air
|-
| 198 || [http://www.bbc.co.uk Droitwich (BBC)] || United Kingdom || 500 ||
|-
| 207 || Munich DLF || Germany || 500 ||
|-
| 207 || Azilal || Morocco || 800 ||
|-
| 216 || Roumoules RMC || France || 1,400 ||
|-
| 216 || Baku || Azerbaydzhan || 500 ||
|-
| 216 || [http://www.radiomontecarlo.net Radio Monte Carlo] || Monaco || - ||
|-
| 225 || [http://www.polskieradio.pl/jedynka Polish Radio 1] || Poland || - ||
|-
| 234 || [http://www.rtl.fr/ RTL] || Luxembourg || 2,000 ||
|-
| 243 || [http://www.dr.dk D. R. Radio 1] || Denmark || 300 || no longer on the air
|-
| 252 || Tipaza || Algeria || 1,500 ||
|-
| 252 || [http://www.atlantic252.com/ Atlantic 252] || Republic of Ireland || 500 || no longer on the air
|-
| 261 || Burg (R Ropa) || Germany || 200 ||
|-
| 261 || Taldom Moscow || Russia || 2,500 ||
|-
| 270 || Czech Radio || Czech Republic || 1,500 ||
|-
| 279 || Sasnovy || Belarus || 500 ||
|}

[[Category: Radio station lists]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-05-08T15:39:14Z

Strange Attractor: /* Notes and references */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.
# Charlie Newton, G2FKZ: "Radio Auroras", revised edition edited by Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8681-8, pp. 8, 2012.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-05-08T15:36:28Z

Strange Attractor: /* History */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.(22)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-05-08T15:35:33Z

Strange Attractor: /* History */ GB2IGY

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19) GB3IGY transmitted with the unusual for the time high power of 1 kW. It was situated at Badgers Mount, Sevenoaks, England and was operated by Ken Ellis, G5KW.

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio beacon

2013-04-02T14:33:40Z

Strange Attractor: /* IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DARC beacons DRA5 and DK0WCY]]
A '''radio beacon''' (Радиомаяк) is a transmitter at a known location, which transmits a continuous or periodic radio signal with limited information content (for example its identification or location), on a specified radio frequency. Occasionally the beacon function is combined with some other one-way transmission, like [[telemetry]] data or meteorological information.

Radio beacons have many applications, including air and sea navigation, propagation research, robotic mapping and radio frequency identification (RFID).

==Radio navigation beacons ==
[[Image:QSL-AV-358.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A QSL card from an NDB located on an oil platform in the North Sea]]
A very simple aviation radio navigational aid is the '''NDB''' or '''Non-directional Beacon'''. An NDB is simply a low frequency or medium frequency transmitter, which is used to locate airways intersections, airports or to conduct instrument approaches, with the use of a radio direction finder located on the aircraft. The aviation NDBs, especially the ones marking airways intersections, are gradually decommissioned, as they are replaced with other navigational aids based on newer technologies. Due to relatively low purchase, maintenance and calibration cost, they are still used to mark locations of smaller aerodromes and important helicopter landing sites.

There are also marine beacons, based on the same techonlogy and installed at coastal areas, for use by ships at sea.(1) Most of them, especially in the western world, are no longer in service, while some have been converted to [[telemetry]] transmitters for [[differential GPS]]. Chains of radio navigation beacons for marine use are still active around the Russian and Ukrainian coastline.(2) (10)

===NDB technical===
[[File:Decca 80002-NDB.jpg|thumb|right|A DECCA 80002 non-directional beacon.]]
NDBs typically operate in the frequency range from 190 kHz to 535 kHz (although they are allocated frequencies from 190 to 1750 kHz) and transmit a carrier modulated by either 400 or 1020 Hz. NDBs can also be colocated with DME stations and ILS marker beacons. NDB owners are mostly governmental agencies and airport authorities.

Transmission power varies. Locator beacons are low power, typically 25-100 W. Beacons marking airways are medium to high power, typically 200 W to 1 kW, and sometimes higher up to 5 kW. In most cases there are two transmitters at the beacon site, the main transmitter and a backup reserve transmitter. The backup transmitter sends the beacon identification morse code letters followed by a dot (morse code "E").

Antennas are of vertical polarization, either lattice towers with a "top hat" or T-like wire antennas supported between two masts. NDB antennas incorporate a segment that consists of an variable inductor or [[variometer]] and a variable capacitor in series, "tuned" to the particular frequency or frequencies assigned to that antenna. NDB's tuned segment is part of the antenna itself. There is often an electrical counterpoise, in the form of copper wires or wire mesh buried in the ground underneath the antenna.

===Monitoring NDBs===
[[Image:QSL-C-300.png|thumb|right|200px|A PFC QSL card from an NDB]]
Besides their use in aircraft navigation, aero NDBs and marine radio beacons are also popular with [[DXing|DXers]]. Because NDBs are generally low-power (usually 25 watts), they normally cannot be heard over long distances, but favorable conditions in the [[ionosphere]] can allow NDB signals to travel much farther than normal. Because of this, radio DXers interested in picking up distant signals enjoy listening to faraway NDBs. Also, since the band allocated to NDBs is free of broadcast stations and their associated interference, and because most NDBs do little more than transmit their Morse Code callsign, they are very easy to identify, making NDB monitoring a very entertaining niche within the [[DXing]] hobby.

In North America, the NDB band is from 190 to 435 kHz and from 510 to 530 kHz. In Europe, there is a longwave broadcasting band from 150 to 280 kHz, so the European NDB band is from 280 kHz to 530 kHz with a gap between 495 and 505 kHz because 500 kHz was the international maritime distress (emergency) frequency.

The beacons that are between 510 kHz and 530 kHz can sometimes be heard on AM radios that can tune below the beginning of the AM broadcast band. (For example, the "HEH" beacon in Newark, OH at 524 kHz is within the bandwidth of most AM radios, and the "OS" beacon in Columbus, OH at 515 kHz can also be heard on some AM radios). Some beacons can also be heard on 530 kHz, although from the adjacent frequencies such as "LYQ" at 529 kHz in Manchester, TN but for the most part, reception of NDBs requires a radio receiver that can receive frequencies below 530 kHz (the longwave band). Many so-called "shortwave" radios can receive all frequencies from 150 kHz to 30 MHz, which makes them ideal for listening to the stronger NDB signals. Whilst this type of receiver is adequate for reception of local beacons, specialized techniques (receiver preselectors, noise limiters and narrow IF filters) are required for the reception of very weak signals from remote beacons.(9)

The best time for NDB DXing is the last three hours before sunrise. Reception of NDBs is also usually best during the fall and winter because during the spring and summer, there is more atmospheric noise on the LF and MF bands.
<gallery>
Image:QSL-C-300.png| C (Mobile Point, AL) on 300 kHz
File:QSL-RS-306 5.jpg| RS (Risna, Estonia) on 306.5 kHz
File:QSL-AV-358.jpg
File:QSL-D-398.jpg
</gallery>

==ILS marker beacons==

A '''marker beacon''' is a specialized beacon used in aviation in conjunction with an instrument landing system (ILS), to give pilots a means to determine distance to the runway. Marker beacons transmit upwards using beam antennas on the dedicated frequency of 75.0 MHz. ILS marker beacons are gradually phased-out and most new ILS installations have no marker beacons.

==Radio propagation beacons==
See ''[[Radio propagation beacon]]''

A '''radio propagation beacon''' is specifically used to study the propagation of radio signals. Nearly all of them are part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

==Single letter HF beacons==
See: ''[[Letter beacon]]''

A group of mysterious radio beacons with single-letter identifiers ("C", "D", "M", "S", "P", etc) transmitting in morse code have been regularly reported on various HF frequencies. There is no official information available about these transmitters and they are not registered with the [[ITU]]. Some investigators suggest that some of these beacons (the so called "cluster beacons") are actually [[radio propagation beacon]]s for naval use.

==Space and satellite radio beacons==

Beacons are also used in both geostationary and inclined orbit satellites. Almost every satellite transmits one or more beacon signals, normally on fixed frequencies. The satellite beacons are used to locate the satellite (determine its azimuth and elevation) in the sky and point the receiving antenna accurately. In addtion they contain modulated houskeeping information (telemetry). Many satellites transmit two distinct beacons, the ''general beacon'', which transmits limited information in CW or FSK and is used for locating and identifying the satellite and the ''engineering beacon'', which transmits telemetry data in FSK or PSK. Satellite radio beacons have proved useful in studies of various ionospheric phenomena, like traveling ionospheric disturbances, isolated plasma lenses etc.(11)

An S-band radio beacon was left on the moon by the Apollo 17 mission, transmitting FSK telemetry on 2276.0 MHz.(3)

==Driftnet buoy radio beacons==

See: ''[[Fishnet beacon]]''

[[File:fishnet_buoy_transmitter.jpg|thumb|right|A chinese Seamaster fishnet radio buoy.]]
Driftnet radio buoys are extensively used by fishing boats operating in open seas and oceans.(4) They are useful for collecting long fishing lines or fishing nets, with the assistance of a [[radio direction finder]]. According to product information released by manufacturer [http://www.radiobuoy.com/index.html Kato Electronics Co, Ltd.], these buoys transmit on 1600–2850 kHz with a power of 4-15 W.

Some types of driftnet buoys, called "SelCall buoys", answer only when they are called by their own ships. Using this technique the buoy prevents nets and fishing gears from being carried away by other ships, while the battery power consumption remains low.(5)

==Distress radiobeacons==

Distress radiobeacons, also collectively known as '''distress beacons''', '''emergency beacons''', or simply, '''beacons''', are those tracking transmitters that operate as part of the international Cospas-Sarsat Search and Rescue satellite system. When activated, these beacons send out a distress signal that, when detected by geostationary|non-geostationary satellites, can be located by triangulation. In the case of 406 MHz beacons which transmit digital signals, the beacons can be uniquely identified almost instantly (via GEOSAR). Furthermore, a GPS position can be encoded into the signal, thus providing both instantaneous identification & position. Distress signals from the beacons are homed by Search and Rescue (SAR) aircraft and ground search parties who can in turn come to the aid of the concerned boat, aircraft, and/or persons.

There are three kinds of distress radiobeacons:
* '''EPIRB''' (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) used for maritime distress,
* '''ELT''' (Emergency Locator Transmitters) signal aircraft distress
* '''PLB''' (Personal Locator Beacons) are for personal use and are intended to indicate a person in distress who is away from normal emergency response capabilities (i.e. 911)

The basic purpose of distress radiobeacons is to get people rescued within the the first 24 hours following an accident, when the majority of survivors can still be saved [http://www1.va.gov/emshg/apps/kml/docs/CERT_Manual.pdf].

==IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi beacons==
[[File:Wi-Fi logo.jpg|right|120px]]
In the field of Wi-Fi (wireless local area networks using the IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g specification), the term ''beacon'' signifies a specific data transmission from the wireless access point (AP), which carries the SSID, the channel number and security protocols such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Protection) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).

A Wi-Fi beacon "frame" does not specify the link layer address of another Wi-Fi device, therefore it can be received and processed by any LAN client. (6)

* In ''infrastructure networks'', beacon frames are sent by access points. Usually the beacon interval can be set though the access point configuration screen. An interval of 100 ms is recommended, as it provides good performance for most applications.

* In ''ad hoc networks'' there are no access points, so one of the peer stations assumes the responsibility for sending the beacon. After receiving a beacon frame, each station waits for the beacon interval and then, if no beacon is received, it transmits it's own beacon frame after a random time delay.

There are no special timeslot or channel reservations for beacons transmissions, so they are sent using the mandatory 802.11 CSMA/CA algorithm. If another station is sending a frame when the beacon is to be sent, then the access point must wait, therefore the actual time between beacon transmissions may be longer than the beacon interval. This is compensated by utilizing the timestamp found within the beacon frame.

Transmission of beacon frames generates a substantial amount of overhead. However, the beacon serves a variety of functions:

* Each beacon transmission identifies the presence of an access point. By default, each WiFi radio network interface (NIC) passively scans all RF channels and listens for beacons coming from access points in order to find a suitable access point.

* When a beacon is found, the radio NIC learns a great deal about that particular network. This enables a ranking of access points based on the received signal strength of the beacon, along with capability information regarding the network. The radio NIC can then associate with the most preferable access point.

* After association, the station continues to scan for other beacons in case the signal from the currently-associated access point become too weak to maintain communications. As the radio NIC receives beacons from the associated access point, the radio NIC updates its local clock to maintain timing synchronization with the access point and other stations. In addition, the radio NIC will abide by any other changes, such as data rate, that the frame body of the beacon indicates.

* The beacons also support stations implementing power saving mode. With infrastructure networks, the access point buffers frames destined for "sleeping" stations and announces which radio NICs have frames waiting for, through the TIM that's part of the beacon.

==AX.25 packet radio beacons==

Stations participating in packet radio networks based on the [[AX.25]] link layer protocol also use beacon transmissions to identify themselves and broadcast brief information about operational status. The beacon transmissions use special '''UI''' or ''Unnumbered Information'' frames, which are not part of a connection and can be displayed by any station. (7) (8) Beacons in traditional AX.25 amateur packet radio networks contain free format information text, readable by human operators.

This mode of AX.25 operation, using a formal machine-readable beacon text specification developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, became the basis of the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) networks.

==AIS beacons==

These beacons are VHF transmitters which send AIS (Automatic Identification System) packets. The packets contain spatial information spotting navigational hazards (reefs, skerries, shipwrecks etc) and navigational aids (buoys, ligts, racons). Thus AIS equipped ships can see the locations of navigation hazards on the AIS display.(12) Often the AIS beacon is not located at the indicated mavigation hazard spot but it is located at a convenient location on shore. An AIS beacon can send packets for more than one navigational hazards within its coverage area. This system is often called ''Synthetic AIS'' or ''Virtual AIS''. These stations may also be programmed to provide other types of navigation safety information, for example, meteorological and hydrological data, via application specific text or binary messages (i.e. AIS messages 6, 8, 12, 14, or 25).

AIS information is transmitted on VHF marine channels 87B (161.975 MHz) and 88B (162.025 MHz) using 9600 bps Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation. AIS packets are formatted according to the HDLC (High-level Data Link Control) packet protocol. Shore based AIS beacons providing location and status of an aid to navigation (ATON) normally transmit AIS message 21 every three minutes.

==References==
# Appleyard, S.F., Linford, R.S. and Yarwood, P.J.: "Marine Electronic Navigation", 2nd edition, Routledge & Kegan Paul, ISBN 0-7102-1271-2, pp. 68–69, 1988.
# Connolly, R.: "Navigation Beacons", ''Radio & Communications Monitoring Monthly'', '''3'''(4), ISSN 179-7809, p. 58, April 2008.
# Jessop, G.R., G6JP: "VHF-UHF manual" (4th ed), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 0-900612-63-0, page 2.19, 1983.
# [http://www.wpcouncil.org/documents/pel_met2.pdf Pelagic Fishing Methods in the Pacific], Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.
# Robert Connolly: "Greyline DXing, Fishing NDBs and NOTAM software", ''Radio User'', '''5'''(6), pp. 35–36, ISSN 1748-8117, June 2010.
# IEEE: "Local and metropolitan area networks — Specific requirements — Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications: Higher-Speed Physical Layer Extension in the 2.4 GHz Band (IEEE Std 802.11b-1999)", ''Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers'', p. 2, 2003.
# [http://www.tapr.org/pdf/AX25.2.2.pdf AX.25 Link Access Protocol for Amateur Packet Radio]
# Terry L. Fox, WB4JFI: "AX.25 Amateur Packet-Radio Link-Layer Protocol, Version 2.0", ''The [[American Radio Relay League]]'', Newington, CT, ISBN 0-87259-011-9, p. 18, 1984.
# Remington, S., KH6SR: "[http://pe2bz.philpem.me.uk/Comm/-%20ELF-VLF/-%20Info/A-107-Art-of-NDB-DXing/index.htm On the Art of NDB DXing]", ''The Longwave Club of America'', 1987-1989
# Robert Connolly: "Time to get NDB hunting", ''Radio User'', '''6'''(6), pp. 5, ISSN 1748-8117, June 2011.
# Keneth Davies: "Ionospheric Radio", The Institution of Electrical Engineers, ISBN 0-86341-186-X, 1990, p. 296.
# U.S. Coast Guard: [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=typesAIS Types of Automatic Identification Systems], USCG Navigation Center, Alexandria, VA (2012).

== See also==

* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]
* [[LowFER]]
* [[HiFER]]
* [[Radio propagation beacon]]

==Further reading==

* Klawitter, G.: "Funk-Baken und Indikatorstationen" (in German), Siebel Verlag, ISBN 3-89632-055-6 (2001)
* [http://www.ndblist.info/index.htm NDB list website] by Alan Gale, G4TMV
* Godfrey Manning: "Sky High: ADF and NDBs", ''[[Radio User]]'', '''2'''(12), pp. 25, ISSN 1748-8117, December 2007
* Godfrey Manning: "Sky High: NDB/ADF", ''Radio User'', '''3'''(1), PW Publishing Ltd, ISSN 1748-8117, pages=24–25, January 2008.
* The WiFi Alliance: [http://www.wi-fi.org/files/wp_6_WPA%20Deployment%20for%20Public%20Access_10-28-04.pdf WPA deployment for public access], 2004.
* [http://www.wi-fi.org/files/kc_25_Five%20Steps%20to%20Creating%20a%20Wireless%20Network.pdf Five steps to creating a Wireless Network]
* Sheldon Remington, NI6E (ex KH6SR): "[http://pe2bz.philpem.me.uk/Comm/-%20ELF-VLF/-%20Info/A-107-Art-of-NDB-DXing/index.htm On the Art of NDB DXing]", ''The Lowdown'', 1987-1988.

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Electric_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons|!]]

Radio beacon

2013-04-02T14:27:28Z

Strange Attractor:

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DARC beacons DRA5 and DK0WCY]]
A '''radio beacon''' (Радиомаяк) is a transmitter at a known location, which transmits a continuous or periodic radio signal with limited information content (for example its identification or location), on a specified radio frequency. Occasionally the beacon function is combined with some other one-way transmission, like [[telemetry]] data or meteorological information.

Radio beacons have many applications, including air and sea navigation, propagation research, robotic mapping and radio frequency identification (RFID).

==Radio navigation beacons ==
[[Image:QSL-AV-358.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A QSL card from an NDB located on an oil platform in the North Sea]]
A very simple aviation radio navigational aid is the '''NDB''' or '''Non-directional Beacon'''. An NDB is simply a low frequency or medium frequency transmitter, which is used to locate airways intersections, airports or to conduct instrument approaches, with the use of a radio direction finder located on the aircraft. The aviation NDBs, especially the ones marking airways intersections, are gradually decommissioned, as they are replaced with other navigational aids based on newer technologies. Due to relatively low purchase, maintenance and calibration cost, they are still used to mark locations of smaller aerodromes and important helicopter landing sites.

There are also marine beacons, based on the same techonlogy and installed at coastal areas, for use by ships at sea.(1) Most of them, especially in the western world, are no longer in service, while some have been converted to [[telemetry]] transmitters for [[differential GPS]]. Chains of radio navigation beacons for marine use are still active around the Russian and Ukrainian coastline.(2) (10)

===NDB technical===
[[File:Decca 80002-NDB.jpg|thumb|right|A DECCA 80002 non-directional beacon.]]
NDBs typically operate in the frequency range from 190 kHz to 535 kHz (although they are allocated frequencies from 190 to 1750 kHz) and transmit a carrier modulated by either 400 or 1020 Hz. NDBs can also be colocated with DME stations and ILS marker beacons. NDB owners are mostly governmental agencies and airport authorities.

Transmission power varies. Locator beacons are low power, typically 25-100 W. Beacons marking airways are medium to high power, typically 200 W to 1 kW, and sometimes higher up to 5 kW. In most cases there are two transmitters at the beacon site, the main transmitter and a backup reserve transmitter. The backup transmitter sends the beacon identification morse code letters followed by a dot (morse code "E").

Antennas are of vertical polarization, either lattice towers with a "top hat" or T-like wire antennas supported between two masts. NDB antennas incorporate a segment that consists of an variable inductor or [[variometer]] and a variable capacitor in series, "tuned" to the particular frequency or frequencies assigned to that antenna. NDB's tuned segment is part of the antenna itself. There is often an electrical counterpoise, in the form of copper wires or wire mesh buried in the ground underneath the antenna.

===Monitoring NDBs===
[[Image:QSL-C-300.png|thumb|right|200px|A PFC QSL card from an NDB]]
Besides their use in aircraft navigation, aero NDBs and marine radio beacons are also popular with [[DXing|DXers]]. Because NDBs are generally low-power (usually 25 watts), they normally cannot be heard over long distances, but favorable conditions in the [[ionosphere]] can allow NDB signals to travel much farther than normal. Because of this, radio DXers interested in picking up distant signals enjoy listening to faraway NDBs. Also, since the band allocated to NDBs is free of broadcast stations and their associated interference, and because most NDBs do little more than transmit their Morse Code callsign, they are very easy to identify, making NDB monitoring a very entertaining niche within the [[DXing]] hobby.

In North America, the NDB band is from 190 to 435 kHz and from 510 to 530 kHz. In Europe, there is a longwave broadcasting band from 150 to 280 kHz, so the European NDB band is from 280 kHz to 530 kHz with a gap between 495 and 505 kHz because 500 kHz was the international maritime distress (emergency) frequency.

The beacons that are between 510 kHz and 530 kHz can sometimes be heard on AM radios that can tune below the beginning of the AM broadcast band. (For example, the "HEH" beacon in Newark, OH at 524 kHz is within the bandwidth of most AM radios, and the "OS" beacon in Columbus, OH at 515 kHz can also be heard on some AM radios). Some beacons can also be heard on 530 kHz, although from the adjacent frequencies such as "LYQ" at 529 kHz in Manchester, TN but for the most part, reception of NDBs requires a radio receiver that can receive frequencies below 530 kHz (the longwave band). Many so-called "shortwave" radios can receive all frequencies from 150 kHz to 30 MHz, which makes them ideal for listening to the stronger NDB signals. Whilst this type of receiver is adequate for reception of local beacons, specialized techniques (receiver preselectors, noise limiters and narrow IF filters) are required for the reception of very weak signals from remote beacons.(9)

The best time for NDB DXing is the last three hours before sunrise. Reception of NDBs is also usually best during the fall and winter because during the spring and summer, there is more atmospheric noise on the LF and MF bands.
<gallery>
Image:QSL-C-300.png| C (Mobile Point, AL) on 300 kHz
File:QSL-RS-306 5.jpg| RS (Risna, Estonia) on 306.5 kHz
File:QSL-AV-358.jpg
File:QSL-D-398.jpg
</gallery>

==ILS marker beacons==

A '''marker beacon''' is a specialized beacon used in aviation in conjunction with an instrument landing system (ILS), to give pilots a means to determine distance to the runway. Marker beacons transmit upwards using beam antennas on the dedicated frequency of 75.0 MHz. ILS marker beacons are gradually phased-out and most new ILS installations have no marker beacons.

==Radio propagation beacons==
See ''[[Radio propagation beacon]]''

A '''radio propagation beacon''' is specifically used to study the propagation of radio signals. Nearly all of them are part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

==Single letter HF beacons==
See: ''[[Letter beacon]]''

A group of mysterious radio beacons with single-letter identifiers ("C", "D", "M", "S", "P", etc) transmitting in morse code have been regularly reported on various HF frequencies. There is no official information available about these transmitters and they are not registered with the [[ITU]]. Some investigators suggest that some of these beacons (the so called "cluster beacons") are actually [[radio propagation beacon]]s for naval use.

==Space and satellite radio beacons==

Beacons are also used in both geostationary and inclined orbit satellites. Almost every satellite transmits one or more beacon signals, normally on fixed frequencies. The satellite beacons are used to locate the satellite (determine its azimuth and elevation) in the sky and point the receiving antenna accurately. In addtion they contain modulated houskeeping information (telemetry). Many satellites transmit two distinct beacons, the ''general beacon'', which transmits limited information in CW or FSK and is used for locating and identifying the satellite and the ''engineering beacon'', which transmits telemetry data in FSK or PSK. Satellite radio beacons have proved useful in studies of various ionospheric phenomena, like traveling ionospheric disturbances, isolated plasma lenses etc.(11)

An S-band radio beacon was left on the moon by the Apollo 17 mission, transmitting FSK telemetry on 2276.0 MHz.(3)

==Driftnet buoy radio beacons==

See: ''[[Fishnet beacon]]''

[[File:fishnet_buoy_transmitter.jpg|thumb|right|A chinese Seamaster fishnet radio buoy.]]
Driftnet radio buoys are extensively used by fishing boats operating in open seas and oceans.(4) They are useful for collecting long fishing lines or fishing nets, with the assistance of a [[radio direction finder]]. According to product information released by manufacturer [http://www.radiobuoy.com/index.html Kato Electronics Co, Ltd.], these buoys transmit on 1600–2850 kHz with a power of 4-15 W.

Some types of driftnet buoys, called "SelCall buoys", answer only when they are called by their own ships. Using this technique the buoy prevents nets and fishing gears from being carried away by other ships, while the battery power consumption remains low.(5)

==Distress radiobeacons==

Distress radiobeacons, also collectively known as '''distress beacons''', '''emergency beacons''', or simply, '''beacons''', are those tracking transmitters that operate as part of the international Cospas-Sarsat Search and Rescue satellite system. When activated, these beacons send out a distress signal that, when detected by geostationary|non-geostationary satellites, can be located by triangulation. In the case of 406 MHz beacons which transmit digital signals, the beacons can be uniquely identified almost instantly (via GEOSAR). Furthermore, a GPS position can be encoded into the signal, thus providing both instantaneous identification & position. Distress signals from the beacons are homed by Search and Rescue (SAR) aircraft and ground search parties who can in turn come to the aid of the concerned boat, aircraft, and/or persons.

There are three kinds of distress radiobeacons:
* '''EPIRB''' (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) used for maritime distress,
* '''ELT''' (Emergency Locator Transmitters) signal aircraft distress
* '''PLB''' (Personal Locator Beacons) are for personal use and are intended to indicate a person in distress who is away from normal emergency response capabilities (i.e. 911)

The basic purpose of distress radiobeacons is to get people rescued within the the first 24 hours following an accident, when the majority of survivors can still be saved [http://www1.va.gov/emshg/apps/kml/docs/CERT_Manual.pdf].

==IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi beacons==
[[File:Wi-Fi logo.jpg|right|120px]]
In the field of Wi-Fi (wireless local area networks using the IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g specification), the term ''beacon'' signifies a specific data transmission from the wireless access point (AP), which carries the SSID, the channel number and security protocols such as WEP (Wired Equivalent Protection) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).

A Wi-Fi beacon transmission does not specify the link layer address of another Wi-Fi device, therefore it can be received and processed by any LAN client. (6)

* In ''infrastructure networks'', beacon frames are sent by access points. Usually the beacon interval can be set though the access point configuration screen. An interval of 100 ms is recommended, as it provides good performance for most applications.

* In ''ad hoc networks'' there are no access points, so one of the peer stations assumes the responsibility for sending the beacon. After receiving a beacon frame, each station waits for the beacon interval and then, if no beacon is received, it transmits it's own beacon frame after a random time delay.

There are no special timeslot or channel reservations for beacons transmissions, so they are sent using the mandatory 802.11 CSMA/CA algorithm. If another station is sending a frame when the beacon is to be sent, then the access point must wait, therefore the actual time between beacon transmissions may be longer than the beacon interval. This is compensated by utilizing the timestamp found within the beacon frame.

Transmission of beacon frames generates a substantial amount of overhead. However, the beacon serves a variety of functions:

* Each beacon transmission identifies the presence of an access point. By default, each WiFi radio network interface (NIC) passively scans all RF channels and listens for beacons coming from access points in order to find a suitable access point.

* When a beacon is found, the radio NIC learns a great deal about that particular network. This enables a ranking of access points based on the received signal strength of the beacon, along with capability information regarding the network. The radio NIC can then associate with the most preferable access point.

* After association, the station continues to scan for other beacons in case the signal from the currently-associated access point become too weak to maintain communications. As the radio NIC receives beacons from the associated access point, the radio NIC updates its local clock to maintain timing synchronization with the access point and other stations. In addition, the radio NIC will abide by any other changes, such as data rate, that the frame body of the beacon indicates.

* The beacons also support stations implementing power saving mode. With infrastructure networks, the access point buffers frames destined for "sleeping" stations and announces which radio NICs have frames waiting for, through the TIM that's part of the beacon.

==AX.25 packet radio beacons==

Stations participating in packet radio networks based on the [[AX.25]] link layer protocol also use beacon transmissions to identify themselves and broadcast brief information about operational status. The beacon transmissions use special '''UI''' or ''Unnumbered Information'' frames, which are not part of a connection and can be displayed by any station. (7) (8) Beacons in traditional AX.25 amateur packet radio networks contain free format information text, readable by human operators.

This mode of AX.25 operation, using a formal machine-readable beacon text specification developed by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, became the basis of the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) networks.

==AIS beacons==

These beacons are VHF transmitters which send AIS (Automatic Identification System) packets. The packets contain spatial information spotting navigational hazards (reefs, skerries, shipwrecks etc) and navigational aids (buoys, ligts, racons). Thus AIS equipped ships can see the locations of navigation hazards on the AIS display.(12) Often the AIS beacon is not located at the indicated mavigation hazard spot but it is located at a convenient location on shore. An AIS beacon can send packets for more than one navigational hazards within its coverage area. This system is often called ''Synthetic AIS'' or ''Virtual AIS''. These stations may also be programmed to provide other types of navigation safety information, for example, meteorological and hydrological data, via application specific text or binary messages (i.e. AIS messages 6, 8, 12, 14, or 25).

AIS information is transmitted on VHF marine channels 87B (161.975 MHz) and 88B (162.025 MHz) using 9600 bps Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation. AIS packets are formatted according to the HDLC (High-level Data Link Control) packet protocol. Shore based AIS beacons providing location and status of an aid to navigation (ATON) normally transmit AIS message 21 every three minutes.

==References==
# Appleyard, S.F., Linford, R.S. and Yarwood, P.J.: "Marine Electronic Navigation", 2nd edition, Routledge & Kegan Paul, ISBN 0-7102-1271-2, pp. 68–69, 1988.
# Connolly, R.: "Navigation Beacons", ''Radio & Communications Monitoring Monthly'', '''3'''(4), ISSN 179-7809, p. 58, April 2008.
# Jessop, G.R., G6JP: "VHF-UHF manual" (4th ed), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 0-900612-63-0, page 2.19, 1983.
# [http://www.wpcouncil.org/documents/pel_met2.pdf Pelagic Fishing Methods in the Pacific], Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.
# Robert Connolly: "Greyline DXing, Fishing NDBs and NOTAM software", ''Radio User'', '''5'''(6), pp. 35–36, ISSN 1748-8117, June 2010.
# IEEE: "Local and metropolitan area networks — Specific requirements — Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications: Higher-Speed Physical Layer Extension in the 2.4 GHz Band (IEEE Std 802.11b-1999)", ''Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers'', p. 2, 2003.
# [http://www.tapr.org/pdf/AX25.2.2.pdf AX.25 Link Access Protocol for Amateur Packet Radio]
# Terry L. Fox, WB4JFI: "AX.25 Amateur Packet-Radio Link-Layer Protocol, Version 2.0", ''The [[American Radio Relay League]]'', Newington, CT, ISBN 0-87259-011-9, p. 18, 1984.
# Remington, S., KH6SR: "[http://pe2bz.philpem.me.uk/Comm/-%20ELF-VLF/-%20Info/A-107-Art-of-NDB-DXing/index.htm On the Art of NDB DXing]", ''The Longwave Club of America'', 1987-1989
# Robert Connolly: "Time to get NDB hunting", ''Radio User'', '''6'''(6), pp. 5, ISSN 1748-8117, June 2011.
# Keneth Davies: "Ionospheric Radio", The Institution of Electrical Engineers, ISBN 0-86341-186-X, 1990, p. 296.
# U.S. Coast Guard: [http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=typesAIS Types of Automatic Identification Systems], USCG Navigation Center, Alexandria, VA (2012).

== See also==

* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]
* [[LowFER]]
* [[HiFER]]
* [[Radio propagation beacon]]

==Further reading==

* Klawitter, G.: "Funk-Baken und Indikatorstationen" (in German), Siebel Verlag, ISBN 3-89632-055-6 (2001)
* [http://www.ndblist.info/index.htm NDB list website] by Alan Gale, G4TMV
* Godfrey Manning: "Sky High: ADF and NDBs", ''[[Radio User]]'', '''2'''(12), pp. 25, ISSN 1748-8117, December 2007
* Godfrey Manning: "Sky High: NDB/ADF", ''Radio User'', '''3'''(1), PW Publishing Ltd, ISSN 1748-8117, pages=24–25, January 2008.
* The WiFi Alliance: [http://www.wi-fi.org/files/wp_6_WPA%20Deployment%20for%20Public%20Access_10-28-04.pdf WPA deployment for public access], 2004.
* [http://www.wi-fi.org/files/kc_25_Five%20Steps%20to%20Creating%20a%20Wireless%20Network.pdf Five steps to creating a Wireless Network]
* Sheldon Remington, NI6E (ex KH6SR): "[http://pe2bz.philpem.me.uk/Comm/-%20ELF-VLF/-%20Info/A-107-Art-of-NDB-DXing/index.htm On the Art of NDB DXing]", ''The Lowdown'', 1987-1988.

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Electric_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons|!]]

Letter beacon

2013-03-16T20:44:20Z

Strange Attractor: /* Location of letter beacons */

[[Image:LetterBeacon-D-5153 7 kHz.png|thumb|right|250px|Letter Beacon D on 5153.7 kHz]]
A '''Letter beacon''' (or '''single letter beacon''') is a high frequency (HF) radio transmission of uncertain origin, which consists of only a single repeating [[Morse Code]] letter.

These transmissions sre often referred to as:
* "Letter beacons"
* SLB, or "Single Letter Beacons"
* SLHFB, or "Single Letter High Frequency Beacons", the original [[SPEEDX]] designation.
* SLHFM, or "Single Letter High Frequency Markers"
* Cluster beacons
* MX — an [[ENIGMA]] (1) and [[ENIGMA2000|ENIGMA-2000]] (2) designation.

==History==

The letter beacon radio transmissions were discovered in the late 1960s but were known only to a few specialized [[DXing|DXer]]s. Their presence became known to the wider [[amateur radio]] community in 1978, when beacon “W” started transmitting on 3584 kHz, in the 80 meters band. [[SPEEDX]] published indirect evidence that this particular transmitter was located in Cuba. (3)

In 1982 [[SPEEDX]] reported, supposedly on the basis of HF direction finding by the US military, that beacon “K” transmitting on 9043 kHz was located at 48° 30' N - 134° 58' E, near the city of Khabarovsk in the USSR. (4), (5) A few years later, W. Orr, W6SAI, suggested that the "K" beacons were actually located at Petropavlovsk on the Kamchatka Peninsula and the "U" beacons were located at the Barents Sea coast, between Murmansk and Amderma. (6)

==Location of letter beacons==

According to Schimmel, in 1986 the [[FCC]] released the following HF direction finding results for single letter beacons, all of which indicate locations in the USSR: (5)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter
! Location
|-
| C || Moscow, RUS
|-
| D || Odessa, UKR
|-

|-
| O || Moscow, RUS
|-
| P || Kaliningrad, RUS
|-
| S || Arkhangelsk, RUS
|-
| U || Between Murmansk & Amderma, RUS
|-
| Z || Mukachevo, UKR
|-
|}

The link with the USSR and, more recently, Russia is further supported by the existence of single letter beacons transmitting letters existing only in the [[:Image:Rusian-CW.png|Cyrillic morse code alphabet]], like the '''Ю''' beacon (22) which operated on 13627 and 13639 kHz in the early 1980s.

The '''[[ENIGMA]] group''' also accepted these locations for cluster beacons "C", "D", "P" and "S", adding Vladivostok for beacon "F". (7)
A recent source (2006) regarding locations was published on the Web by [[Ary Boender]].(8) (24) This publication also contains an extensive list of frequencies of letter beacons, both current and historical. The following locations are stated for cluster beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter
! Location
|-
| A || Astrakhan, RUS (tentative)
|-
| C || Moscow, RUS
|-
| D || Sevastopol, UKR
|-
| F || Vladivostok, RUS
|-
| K || Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, RUS
|-
| L || Unknown, appeared on July 1, 2011
|-
| M || Magadan, RUS
|-
| P || Kaliningrad, RUS
|-
| S || Severomorsk, RUS
|-
|}

For solitary beacons and markers, Boender suggests these locations:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter
! Location
|-
| L || Tirana, ALB (defunct)
|-
| R || Izhevsk (Ustinov), RUS
|-
| P || Kaliningrad, RUS
|-
| V || Khiva, UZB
|-
|}

Transmissions of the "P" beacon in December 2007, even on medium frequency (420 and 583 kHz) indicate the Russian Naval Base of Kaliningrad as a possible source. (9) Kaliningrad officially uses the ITU registered callsign '''RMP'''. The identity of "P" beacon as an alias for RMP was first discovered by Ary Boender in 1995, when it transmitted RTTY weather forecast for Baltic Sea using callsign RMP on 3262 kHz [http://www.numbersoddities.nl/MX.pdf].

==Types of letter beacons==
The single letter beacons are currently classified in two groups, the "Cluster beacons" and the "Channel markers". A beacon "P" exists in both groups. A third group, the FSK beacons, is now extinct. The following sections list the beacons currently (July 2010) active, according to published listeners’ reports.

===Cluster beacons===
A group of radio beacons with single-letter identifiers ("C", "D", "M", "S", "P", "A", "M" and "K") have been regularly reported in small spectrum segments centered around 3594, 4558, 5154, 7039, 8495, 10872, 13528, 16332 and 20048 kHz. The term "cluster beacons" is frequently used for them, as these beacons transmit in parallel on frequencies only 0.1 kHz apart. These beacons transmit only their single-letter identifier in standard CW (A1A) using morse code.

The following callsigns and frequencies of cluster beacons have been reported recently in [http://www.ary.luna.nl Numbers&Oddities newsletter], [[Utility DX Forum]] and [[ENIGMA2000|ENIGMA-2000]]:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter !! Channel
! Frequencies (kHz)
|-
| align="center" | '''L''' (21)
| align="center" | -0.8
| 7038.2, '''7041.8'''(23), 8494.2, '''8497.9'''
|-
| align="center" | '''D'''
| align="center" | -0.3
| 3593.7, 4557.7, 5153.7, 7038.7, 8493.7, 10871.7, 13527.7, 16331.7, 20047.7
|-
| align="center" | '''P'''
| align="center" | -0.2
| 3593.8, 4557.8, 5153.8, 7038.8, 8494.8, 10871.8, 10872.8 (21), 13527.8, 16331.8, 20047.8
|-
| align="center" | '''S'''
| align="center" | -0.1
| 3593.9, 4557.9, 5153.9, 7038.9, 8494.9, 10871.9, 13527.9, 16331.9, 20047.9
|-
| align="center" | '''C'''
| align="center" | 0.0
| 3594.0, 4558.0, 5154.0, 7039.0, 8495.0, 10872.0, 13528.0, 16332.0, 20048.0
|-
| align="center" | '''A'''
| align="center" | +0.1
| 3594.1, 4558.1, 5154.1, 7039.1, 8495.1, 10872.1 13528.1 16332.1 (10)
|-
| align="center" | '''F'''
| align="center" | +0.2
| 7039.2, 8495.2, 10872.2, 13528.2, 16332.2
|-
| align="center" | '''K'''
| align="center" | +0.3
| 4558.3, 5154.3, 7039.3, 8495.3, 10872.3, 16332.3
|-
| align="center" | '''M'''
| align="center" | +0.4
| 5154.4, 7039.4, 8495.4, 10872.4, 13528.4, 16332.4
|-
|}

Occasionally some cluster beacons (especially "F" and "M") have been reported transmitting on frequencies different from their regular channel for short periods.

===Solitary beacons and channel markers===
A second family of letter beacons includes those operating outside the clusters. For this reason they are often called "Solitary beacons" or "Solitaires". These beacons also transmit their single-letter identifier in standard CW (A1A) using Morse code.

A few solitary beacons, like "R" on 4325.9 and 5465.9 kHz, operate exactly like the cluster beacons, sending only their single letter identifier. (20)

The majority of solitary beacons, and most notably "P" on various MF and HF frequencies, most of the time transmit their single-letter identifier in morse code. However, occasionally the routine transmission is interrupted and brief messages are sent in fast Morse code or in an FSK digital mode. Therefore, the proper term for these beacon-like single-letter transmissions is "channel markers" (6) (15), as their purpose is to occupy and identify a particular HF transmission channel when no traffic is transmitted. There is no evidence that the cluster beacon "P" and the solitary beacon "P" are directly related.

It was reported in Numbers and Oddities, issue 142, that beacon C on 8000 kHz also transmitted messages under the regular callsign '''RIW''', which is allocated to a Russian naval communications station in Khiva, Uzbekistan. (11)

There are also a few oddities, transmitting signals with poor modulation and irregular timing, like "V" on 5342 and 6430.7 kHz.

The following callsigns and frequencies of solitary beacons and markers have been reported recently in [http://www.ary.luna.nl Numbers&Oddities newsletter], [[Utility DX Forum]] and [[ENIGMA2000|ENIGMA-2000]]:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter
! Regular callsign
! Frequencies (kHz)
|-
| align="center" | '''R''' (20)
| align="center" |
| 4325.9, 5465.9
|-
| align="center" | '''V'''
| align="center" |
| 3658.0, 4108.0(18), '''4150.0''', 5141.0, 5342, 6430.7, '''6498.0''', 6809, 7027.5, 8103.5, 10202
|-
| align="center" | '''P''' (12)
| align="center" | '''RMP'''
| 420, 448, 474, 490(17), 583, 3167, 3291, 3327, 3699.5, 3837, 4031, 4043, 4079
|-
| align="center" | '''C'''
| align="center" | '''RIW'''
| 8000
|-
| align="center" | '''L''' || || 6917.4, 8497.8
|-
| align="center" | '''W''' || || 8162.0
|-
|}

Channel marker "W", which appeared in 2012, is possibly related to a net for Russian Air Force Tu-95MS Bear H strategic bombers.

===FSK beacons===
This group included the "K" and "U" beacons, which are no longer active. They transmitted their morse code single letter identification by shifting the frequency of the carrier by approximately 1000 Hz. This mode of "FSK-CW" has the [[ITU]] designation '''F1A'''. The use of FSK indicated that the transmitter was suitable for FSK data transmissions, like [[RTTY]].

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter
! Regular callsign
! Frequencies (kHz)
|-
| align="center" | '''K'''
| align="center" |
| 9043
|-
| align="center" | '''U'''
| align="center" |
|
|-
|}

==ENIGMA designation==

[[Chris Midgley]] and [[Mike Gaufman]] of [[ENIGMA]] devised a naming scheme for all stations in their sphere of interest. In the original scheme, the following identifications were issued to letter beacons: (13)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ENIGMA ID
! Description
|-
| align="center" | '''MX'''
| Cluster beacons
|-
| align="center" | '''MXV'''
| Irregular “V” beacons, not in clusters
|-
| align="center" | '''MXS'''
| Solitaires: letter beacons out of cluster bands
|-
| align="center" | '''MXF'''
| FSK beacons (K, U), no longer active in 1995
|-
|}

[[ENIGMA2000|ENIGMA-2000]], the internet based ENIGMA successor group, revised the original ENIGMA designators. The current designations for letter beacons are the following (since 2007):(14)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ENIGMA ID
! Description
|-
| align="center" | '''MX'''
| Solitary HF single letter beacons
|-
| align="center" | '''MXI'''
| Single letter beacons in clusters
|-
| align="center" | '''MXII'''
| FSK beacons (K, U), no longer active
|-
| align="center" | '''MXV'''
| Irregular “V” transmissions
|-
| align="center" | '''MXP'''
| Letter beacons also sending messages
|-
| align="center" | '''MXIII'''
| (deleted, merged with MX)
|-
| align="center" | '''MXIV'''
| (deleted, merged with MX)
|-
|}

==Purpose of letter beacons==
The purpose and the applications of letter beacons are not yet known with certainty. Many theories and speculations have appeared in specialized bublications, but none is based on documentary evidence. They have been postulated to be [[radio propagation beacon]]s, channel markers, used in tracking satellites, or used for civil defense purposes. (15) Some stations of this family, in particular the “U” beacon, have been implicated in deliberate [[Radio jamming|jamming]]. (16)

Today the [[radio propagation beacon]] theory is generally accepted for the cluster beacons. According to ENIGMA the cluster beacons are used by the Russian Navy (and especially the submarine branch) to find the most suitable radio frequency for contact based on current radio propagation conditions. (7)

Connolly also links "P" channel marker with communications facilities at the Russian naval base of Kaliningrad. (9) "P" transmissions carrying Russian Navy "XXX" (flash priority) morse code messages with callsigns '''RPM''' and '''RDL''' further support this view.

==Similar systems==
[[Image:QSL-C-300.png|thumb|right|QSL card from a USCG beacon with signle letter ID]]
A few aero navigation [[Radio beacon#Radio navigation beacons|Non Directional Beacons]] (NDBs) and marine beacons also transmit single letter identification codes. They can be easily distinguished from Letter beacons as they transmit in the allocated low frequency and medium frequency bands, most of them are listed in appropriate aviation handbooks and their transmission mode is A2A (full carrier with audio modulation).

Some [[High Frequency Beacon]]s also transmit a single letter as identification. On September 7, 2010 a beacon was heard on 9111.7 kHz at 1546 UTC. It sent a slow marker "A", which did not sound like a Russian beacon (MX). It sounded like somebody was playing with the key sending letters "A" and "M". Transmission lasted untill at
least 1630 UTC. (19)

==See also==
* [[Spy Numbers Stations]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]
* [[ENIGMA]]
* [[Radio propagation beacon]]

==Notes & References==
# ''[[ENIGMA]]'' stands for "European Numbers Information Gathering and Monitoring Association". It was a unique association of radio listeners based in the United Kingdom and operated during the 1990’s.
# ''[[ENIGMA2000]]'' is an internet based community with the same general interests as the old ENIGMA association and with wider coverage of general Intelligence matters. This group produces a regular newsletter and maintains the old ENIGMA station naming scheme. ENIGMA-2000 shows less interest in letter beacons than its predecessor.
# "SLHFB (Single letter high frequency beacons)", ''The SPEEDX reference guide to the Utilities'', SPEEDX, 1984, page K1.
# "SLHFB (Single letter high frequency beacons)", ''The SPEEDX reference guide to the Utilities'', SPEEDX, 1984, pages K7-K10.
# Schimmel, D.W.: "The underground frequency guide", HighText Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878707-17-5, 1994, pages 78–83.
# William I. Orr, W6SAI: "High Frequency Single-Letter Beacons (SLBs); Part 1: The K- and U-Beacons, The Search Goes On", ''[[Popular Communications]]'', ISSN 0733-3315, December 1984, pages 28-31.
# "Station News", ENIGMA Newsletter, issue 18, January 2008, page 15.
# Ary Boender: "Channel Markers & Cluster Beacons", http://home.luna.nl/~ary/chmarker.htm , September 2006.
# Robert Connolly: "Maritime matters: Why we hear more signals from the Russian Navy?", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, PW Publishing Ltd, Issue 3.1, January 2008, page 32.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers & Oddities" issue 135, http://www.ary.luna.nl/2008.zip , December 2008.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers & Oddities" issue 142, http://www.ary.luna.nl/no142.zip , July 2009.
# Some transmission are in FSK morse code (F1A) instead of CW (A1A), but other beacon characteristics classify it as a solitary "P" beacon.
# "Station Naming", ENIGMA Newsletter, issue 7, January 1995
# ENIGMA Control List, Number 23, ENIGMA-2000, October 2007, http://www.ominous-valve.com/ecl23.pdf
# Poundstone Willian: "Big Secrets", Quill, New York, 1983, ISBN 0688048307, pages 191-193
# Pleikys Rimantas: Jamming, Rimantas Pleikys, Vilnius 1998
# Robert Connolly: "DGPS, Single Letter Beacons and NDB changes", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, PW Publishing Ltd, Issue 5.10, October 2010, page 49.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers & Oddities" issue 159, http://www.numbersoddities.nl/n&o-159.pdf, December 2010.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers and Oddities", issue 156, September 2010, pp. 15.
# ''I doubt that "R" is a Navy service. The distance from Izhevsk (formerly Ustinov) to the nearset sea coasts is 1200 km. Only low frequencies are in use (3194//3321//4325) for 24 hrs operations. How could it reach ships in local daytime? Unlike clusters, it is not a propagation or navigation beacon. Unlike single "P" (RMP-Kaliningrad) naval station, it does not transmit any RTTY or CW messages. It is more similar to "The Pip" (3757;5448). In both cases, transmissions consist of a single letter (marker) in CW, and of short SSB voice messages, most probably for checking a readiness of network operators. I think that both "R" and "XP" are similar communications stations of Staffs of military districts (voenny okrug) of the Russian Army. The reliable coverage area would be up to 500 km, at least in local daytime.''
# Cluster beacon "L" appeared on 7038.2 and 8494.2 kHz and was was first reported by the VERON Intruder Watch on June 29, 2011 at 1800 UTC. "L" was also active throughout July 2011. The first thoughts were that "L" transmitted from St Petersburg but so far there is no evidence to support this. It moved on July 23, 2011 to 7041.6 and 8497.9 kHz and again on July 24, 2011 to 7041.8 and 8497.8 kHz. ([[Ary Boender]]: "[http://www.numbersoddities.nl/N&O-165.pdf Number and Oddities]", issue 166, pp.7). Cluster beacon "L" is not the solitary letter beacon "L" that transmitted in the past from Tirana, Albania, given that Albania is now a member of NATO. At the same time, the 10 MHz "P" beacon moved 1 kHz up, from 10871.8 to 10872.8 kHz.
# "SLHFB (Single letter high frequency beacons)", ''The SPEEDX reference guide to the Utilities'', SPEEDX, 1984, page=K2.
# IARU R1 monitoring system: "[http://tinyurl.com/3t6po2c Intruder News from: July 28th 2011]"
# ''A couple of years ago I had the chance to speak to a Russian naval radio operator who works on a Russian frigate. He confirmed to me that the channel markers are military stations, mostly used by the navy. His English was poor so I could not ask for more detailed info, and as I don't speak Russian, you can imagine that it was a really nice conversation. I had to write down the morse characters of the call signs of the stations and he told me the locations. It was really fun, believe me :-) A couple of the markers that he mentioned have now disappeared but still exist as cluster beacons. The radio operator identified 'L' as St.Petersburg, 'P' as Kaliningrad (HQ of the Baltic Fleet), 'S' as Arkhangelsk and 'C' as Moscow (naval HQ). He knew that there were more stations but didn't know which ones because they were not relevant for his vessel.'' [[Ary Boender]]: "32nd edition of the N&O column / Spooks newsletter", December 24, 2000 [http://www.cvni.net/radio/nsnl/nsnl032/nsnl32mx.html].

==Further reading==
# Schimmel, D.W.: "The underground frequency guide", HighText Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878707-17-5, 1994.
# Harry L. Helms, W5HLH: How to tune the secret shortwave spectrum, Tab Books, Inc., ISBN 0-8306-1185-1, 1981, pp. 141–143.
# "SLHFB (Single letter high frequency beacons)", ''The SPEEDX reference guide to the Utilities'', SPEEDX, 1984.
# [http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/spooks Spooks] mailing list.
# [http://www.numbersoddities.nl/ Numbers and Oddities]: Ary Boender compiles this monthly bulletin with reception reports of various mysterious transmissions and makes it available for download at his personal web site.
# Mike G.: "Single letter cluster beacons", ENIGMA Newsletter #14, January 1998, pages 31-33.
# Simon Mason: "New revelations about single letter transmissions (MX)", ENIGMA Newsletter #16, January 1999, pages 39-40.
# William I. Orr, W6SAI: "High Frequency Single-Letter Beacons (SLBs); Part 1: The K- and U-Beacons, The Search Goes On", ''[[Popular Communications]]'',CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 0733-3315, December 1984, pages 28-31.
# William I. Orr, W6SAI: "Those Mysterious High Frequency Single-Letter Beacons (SLBs); Part 2: The Cluster Beacons – A Soviet Riddle!", ''[[Popular Communications]]'',CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 0733-3315, January 1985, pages 22-24.
# William I. Orr, W6SAI: "The Cluster Beacons Revisited; An Inside Look at Nine Puzzling Channels", ''[[Popular Communications]]'', CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 0733-3315, February 1985, pages 38-40.
# Enigma Control List [http://www.ominous-valve.com/enigma.txt], Enigma-2000, May 2005.
# Fritz Nusser: "[http://www.astrosol.ch/networksofthecisforces/navymorsenetworks/beaconsandclusterbeacons/index.html Channel Markers and Cluster Beacons]", ''[http://www.astrosol.ch/index.html Fascinatning Shortwaves]'' (2001-2009)

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o1Ox5-UIeg Moscow's "C" Single Letter Cluster Beacon 7.390MHz 40mtr ham band], using a FT-817 HF tranceiver (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrVcLd9jHpk Letter Beacon "D"] on 5153.7 kHz using a Sangean 909 portable receiver (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Letter_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-03-14T18:29:55Z

Strange Attractor: /* Notes and references */ ref for WSPR beacons etc

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 2", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(03), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 30, March 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-02-19T08:29:53Z

Strange Attractor: /* ITU sponsored beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-02-19T08:28:55Z

Strange Attractor: /* ITU sponsored beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" style="background: #F3F3FF"
|-
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

|-
| '''Radio Beacon LN2A'''

[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| style="background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

|-
| '''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{| "background: #F3FFF3"
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-02-18T10:00:09Z

Strange Attractor: /* Notes and references */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

'''Radio Beacon LN2A'''
[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

'''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.
# IPS Radio and Space Services: [http://www.ips.gov.au/beacon/vl8ips.html Radio Beacon VL8IPS] (dead link)

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-02-18T09:57:05Z

Strange Attractor: /* ITU sponsored beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

'''Radio Beacon LN2A'''
[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 

'''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|-
|}

* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-02-18T09:51:48Z

Strange Attractor: /* ITU sponsored beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

'''Radio Beacon LN2A'''
[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 
|-

'''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}
* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-02-18T09:50:54Z

Strange Attractor: /* ITU sponsored beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7) (20)
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

'''Radio Beacon LN2A'''
[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 
|-
|}

'''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: Rockwell Collins HF-8022
* Transmitter power: approximately 2 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: AEA 628D biconical monopole
* Mode: suppressed carrier SSB (USB & LSB) with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above reference frequency and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}
* Reception reports could be sent beacon@ips.gov.au

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-02-18T09:43:37Z

Strange Attractor: /* ITU sponsored beacons */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7)
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

'''Radio Beacon LN2A'''
[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 
|-
|}

'''Radio Beacon VL8IPS'''

This beacon was established by IPS Radio and Space Services in conjuction with thw Royal Australian Navy.
* Identification signal (in Morse code): VL8IPS
* Location: Humpty Doo, near Darwin, Northen Territory, 12 deg 36 min S - 131 deg 16 min 51 sec E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-02-03T06:51:33Z

Strange Attractor: /* History */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacons OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY in East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7)
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

'''Radio Beacon LN2A'''
[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-02-02T15:30:53Z

Strange Attractor: /* Notes and references */ +ref

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacon OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY from East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7)
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

'''Radio Beacon LN2A'''
[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008.
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.
# Martin Harrison, G3USF: "Getting started in... beacons, part 1", ''RadCom'', '''89'''(02), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 22, February 2013.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Radio propagation beacon

2013-02-02T15:28:57Z

Strange Attractor: /* History */

[[Image:DK0WCY-station.jpg|thumb|right|DK0WCY & DRA5 beacons]]
A '''radio propagation beacon''' is a [[radio beacon]], which is mainly used for investigating the propagation of radio signals. Currently most radio propagation beacons use [[amateur radio]] frequencies. They can be found on HF, VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies. Microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers.[1] [2] Andy Talbot, G4JNT, gives the following definition for beacons licensed in the Amateur Radio service: ''A station in the Amateur Service or Amateur Satellite Service that autonomously transmits in a fixed format, which may include repeated data or information, for the study of propagation, determination of frequency or bearing, or for other experimental purposes''.[1]

==History==
The earliest record of radio propagation beacons goes back to World War II, when the German military operated propagation beacons on wavelengths of approximate 80 m and 10 m. Many propagation beacons were installed during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 These included amateur radio beacon OZ7IGY and GB3IGY (later GB3RAL) on 144 MHz, which are still operational, as well as the now defunct DM3IGY from East Germany on 28001 kHz. (19)

==Transmission characteristics==
[[File:WB0RIO-CW-beacon.jpg|thumb|right|A CW beacon keyer based on discrete CMOS digital chips.]]
The majority of propagation beacons operate in continuous wave (CW or A1A) and transmit their identification (callsign and location) in Morse code. Some of them send long dashes (sometimes at varying power levels) to facilitate signal strength measurement. A small number of beacons transmit Morse code by frequency shift keying (F1A). A few beacons transmit signals in digital modulation modes, like [[RTTY|radioteletype]] (F1B) and [[PSK31]] (G1B).

Most beacons consist of a simple digital keyer, based on discrete digital electronics or a microcontroller, and a low power transmitter or tranceiver. FT-897, a budget HF tranceiver produced by Yaesu/Vertex, has a programmable beacon mode and is used in some temporary propagation beacon installations. Recently K6HX published a versatile Morse code keyer design based on the popular Arduino microcontroller platform.

Antennas usually are types with low directivity. There are exceptions, however, like the high power beacons with directional antennas, specifially set up for transatlantic VHF propagation experiments.

==160 meters beacons==

The IARU Region 2 (North and South America) bandplan reserves the range 1999 kHz to 2000 kHz for propagation beacons.

==60 meters beacons==

In addition to the DARC and RSBG beacon projects on 5195 and 5290 kHz (see below), Eddie Bellerby of [[UDXF]] discovered in March 2011 a new CW beacon on 5206 kHz, sending LX0HF, presumably from Luxembourg.[13] Further intelligence indicates that the beacon is operated by Philippe LX2A/LX7I of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society.[14] Two more european beacons are listed on 5 MHz, OV1BCN on 5290 kHz, operated by OZ1FJB and OK1IF on 5258.5 kHz from the Czech Republic, though their current status is unclear.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DRA5 || 5195.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| LX0HF || 5205.3 kHz || ||
|-
| OK1IF || 5258.5 kHz || JO40HG || Inactive. Recording: [http://ok1if.c-a-v.com/5MHzOK/OK4AS.WAV]
|-
| GB3RAL || 5290.0 kHz || IO91IN || RSGB
|-
| GB3WES || 5290.0 kHz || IO84QN || RSGB
|-
| GB3ORK || 5290.0 kHz || IO89JA || RSGB
|-
| OV1BCN || 5290.0 kHz || JO55SI || Op OZ1FJB [http://oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html]
|-
| SZ1SV || 5398.5 kHz || KM17UX || Op SV1IW & SV1JG. Inactive.
|-
|}

==30 meters beacons==

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Callsign !! Frequency !! Locator !! Details
|-
| DK0WCY || 10144.0 kHz || JO44VQ || DARC
|-
| IK3NWX || 10137.3 kHz || JN55VF || nr Monselice, PD 15m asl
|-
|}

==10 meters beacons==
[[File:K5DZE BCN QSL.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from K5DZE 28 MHz beacon at Dry Ridge, KY.]]
Most HF radio propagation beacons are found in the 10 meters (28 MHz) frequency band, where they are good indicators of Sporadic E ionospheric propagation. According to IARU bandplans, the following 28 MHz frequencies are allocated to radio propagation beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! IARU Region
! Beacon allocations
|-
| R1
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 WW Time Shared
* 28201-28225 Continuous Duty
|-
| R2[3]
|
* 28190-28199 Regional Time Shared
* 28199-28201 IBP/NCDXF
* 28201-28225 Beacons, continuous duty
* 28225-28300 Shared
|-
| R3
|
* 28190-28200 IBP
|-
|}

==40 MHz beacons==
* The first radio propagation beacon on 40 MHz is OZ7IGY in Jystrup, Denmark (JO55WM) and transmits on 40021 kHz. Transmitted power is 22 W to a dipole antenna. Modulation is F1A keying (frequency Shift Keying), with a shift of 250 Hz. [http://www.oz7igy.dk/]
* The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] has a license for beacon transmissions from GB3RAL (Didcot, UK) on 40050 & 60050 kHz.

==6 meters (50 MHz) beacons==
[[Image:LX0FOUR antenna.jpg|thumb|right|Antenna tower of LX0SIX and LX0FOUR beacons]]
In the 6 meters (50 MHz) band, beacons operate in the lower part of the band, in the range 50000 kHz to 50080 kHz. The ARRL bandplan recommends 50060  to 50080 kHz for beacons in the United States. Due to unpredictable and intermittent long distance propagation, usually achieved by a combination of ionospheric conditions, beacons are very important in providing early warning for 50 MHz openings.

==4 meters (70 MHz) beacons==

===General beacon operations===
Numerous beacons operate on 70 MHz in recent years. Their main purrpose is to dected the relativley rare and extreme Es (sporadic E) opennings, which exceed 70 MHz.

There is no definite international beacon allocation, due to various countries having different [[amateur radio]] allocations in this band. Generally beacons operate near the bottom end (70.000-70.100 MHz).(11) (12). Most respect the [[RSGB]] bandplan, staying below 70.050 MHz.

* 70.000-70.050 MHz: UK beacon allocation, including personal beacons on 70.030 MHz

===Special beacon allocations===
* USA: 70.005 MHz is allocated to the WE9XFT beacon. Transmits from Bedford, VA, under an FCC experimental license issued to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, with a power of 3 kW. In 2012 this beacon shall transmit from the same location under new callsign WF9XRU.
* Austria: 70.045 MHz is allocated to the OE5QL beacon.
* Hong Kong: 71.757 MHz is allocated to the VR2FOUR beacon.

==VHF/UHF beacons==
[[Image:GB3VHF-rack.jpg|thumb|right|GB3VHF propagation beacon (144 MHz)]]
Beacons on 144 MHz and higher frequencies are mainly used to identify tropospheric radio propagation openings. It is not uncommon for VHF and UHF beacons to use directional antennas. Frequency allocations for beacons on VHF and UHF bands vary widely in different ITU/IARU regions and countries.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" | IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 2 m
| align="center" | 144.400-144.490
| align="center" | 144.275–144.300
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.25 m
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | 222.050–222.060
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 70 cm
| align="center" | 432.800-432.990
| align="center" | 432.300–432.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 33 cm
| align="center" | N/A
| align="center" | Varies Locally
| align="center" | N/A
|-
| align="center" | 23 cm
| align="center" | 1,296.800-1,296.990
| align="center" | 1,296.070-1,296.080
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 13 cm
| align="center" | 2,320.800-2,320.990
| align="center" | 2,304.300-2,304.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
|}

The current allocation in the United Kingdom, which also reflects IARU Region 1 recommendations, is the following:[4]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Band
! Beacon allocation (kHz)
|-
| 4 m
| 70,000-70,030
|-
| 2 m
| 144,400-144,490
|-
| 70 cm
| 432,800-432,990
|-
| 23 cm
| 1296,800-1296,990
|-
|}

===ON0EME moon beacon===

A beacon specifically for earth-moon-earth (EME or "moonbounce") reception became operational in 2012 in Belgium. The beacon uses call sign ON0EME and transmits on 1296.0 MHz with a very high power of 1000 kW ERP. The antenna is a solid parabolic reflector with a diameter of 3.7 m. [17]

==SHF and microwave beacons==

In addition to identifying propagation, microwave beacons are also used as signal sources to test and calibrate antennas and receivers. SHF beacons are not as common as beacons on the lower bands, and beacons above the 3 cm (10 GHz) band are unusual.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! rowspan="2" | Band
! colspan="3" | Beacon Sub-band (MHz)
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! align="center" |IARU R1
! align="center" |IARU R2
! align="center" |IARU R3
|-
| align="center" | 9 cm
| align="center" | 3,400.800-3,400.995
| align="center" | 3,456.300-3,456.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 5 cm
| align="center" | 5,760.800-5,760.995
| align="center" | 5,760.300-5,760.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 3 cm
| align="center" | 10,368.800-10,368.995
| align="center" | 10,368.300-10,368.400
| align="center" | Unknown
|-
| align="center" | 1.2 cm
| align="center" colspan="3"| Beacons are rare
|}

==Optical and infrared beacons==
Recently some groups of [[amateur radio|radio amateurs]], especially in Britain, experiment with two-way communications on optical wavelengths. This activity has led to the design and installation of a few beacons operating on optical wavelengths. These beacons transmit modulated light using high intensity LEDs and are used mainly for equipment setting and calibration. An interesting example is the optical beacon located at GB3CAM (Wyton, UK) operating at 628 nm.[16]

==License-free experimental beacons==

Main articles: ''[[LowFER]]'', ''[[HiFER]]''.

These are extremely low power experimental beacons which operate legally without a license on specific bands, which are reserved for very short range radio transmissions or for industrial, scientific and medical devices (ISM) and in which a limited level of radiated RF energy is allowed. They are operated as radio propagation experiments by radio amateurs and other radio hobbyists.

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Type !! Frequencies !! Countries !! [[FCC]] Part 15 rules
|-
| [[LowFER]] || 160-190 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.217
|-
| MedFER || 510 & 1704 kHz (510-1705 kHz) || USA, Canada || § 15.219
|-
| BeFER || 6776 kHz || Canada || -
|-
| [[HiFER]] || 13553-13567 kHz || USA, Canada || § 15.225
|-
| 49ers || 49846 kHz (49820-49900 kHz) || USA || § 15.235
|-
|}

==Beacon projects==

Most radio propagation beacons are operated by individual radio amateurs or amateur radio societies and clubs. As a result, there are frequent additions and deletions to the lists of beacons. There are, however a few major projects coordinated by organizations like the [[International Telecommunications Union]] and the International Amateur Radio Union.

===IARU Beacon Project===
[[Image:IARU.gif|left|50px|url="http://www.darc.de"]]
The International Beacon Project (IBP), which is coordinated by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), consists of 18 HF propagation beacons worldwide, which transmit in turns on 14100 kHz, 18110 kHz, 21150 kHz, 24930 kHz, and 28200 kHz. [5] The IARU/NDXF beacons transmit in turns on the five designated frequencies according to the following schedule, which repeats every 3 minutes:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! Slot !! DXCC entity !! Call !! Location !! Latitude !! Longitude !! Grid Sq !! 14100 !! 18110 !! 21150 !! 24930 !! 28200 !! Operator
|-
| 01 || United Nations || 4U1UN || New York City || 40º 45' N || 73º 58' W || FN3ØAS || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || UNRC
|-
| 02 || Canada || VE8AT ||Eureka, Nunavut || 79º 59' N || 85º 57' W || EQ79AX || 00.10 || 00.20 || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || RAC
|-
| 03 || United States || W6WX || Mt. Umunhum || 37º 09' N || 121º 54' W || CM97BD || 00:20 || 00.30 || 00:40 || 00.50 || 01:00 || NCDXF
|-
| 04 || Hawaii || KH6WO || Laie || 21º 38' N || 157º 55' W || BL11AP || 00.30 || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || (Off)
|-
| 05 || New Zealand || ZL6B || Masterton || 41º 03' S || 175º 36' E || RE78TW || 00.40 || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || NZART
|-
| 06 || Australia || VK6RBP || Rolystone || 32º 06' S || 116º 03' E || OF87AV || 00.50 || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || WIA
|-
| 07 || Japan || JA2IGY || Mt. Asama || 34º 27' N || 136º 47' E || PM84JK || 01.00 || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || JARL
|-
| 08 || Russia || RR9O || Novosibirsk || 54º 59' N || 82º 54' E || NO14KX || 01.10 || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || SRR
|-
| 09 || Hong Kong || VR2B || Hong Kong || 22º 16' N || 114º 09' E || OL72BG || 01.20 || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || HARTS
|-
| 10 || Sri Lanka || 4S7B || Colombo || 6º 6' N || 80º 13' E || NJ06CC || 01.30 || 01.40 || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || RSSL
|-
| 11 || South Africa || ZS6DN || Pretoria || 25º 54' S || 28º 16' E || KG44DC || 01:40 || 01.50 || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || ZS6DN
|-
| 12 || Kenya || 5Z4B || Kariobangi || 1º 15' S || 36º 53' E || KI88KS || 01.50 || 02.00 || 02.10 || 02.20 || 02.30 || ARSC
|-
| 13 || Israel || 4X6TU || Tel Aviv || 32º 03' N || 34º 46' E || KM72JB || 02:00 || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02.30 || 02:40 || IARC
|-
| 14 || Finland || OH2B || Lohja || 60º 19' N || 24º 50' E || KP2Ø || 02:10 || 02:20 || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || SRAL
|-
| 15 || Madeira || CS3B || Santo da Serra || 32º 43' N || 16º 48' W || IM12OR || 02.20 || 02.30 || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || ARRM
|-
| 16 || Argentina || LU4AA || Buenos Aires || 34º 37' S || 58º 21' W || GFØ5TJ || 02:30 || 02:40 || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || ARC
|-
| 17 || Peru || OA4B || Lima || 12º 04' S || 76º 57' W || FH17MW || 02.40 || 02.50 || 00.00 || 00.10 || 00.20 || RCP
|-
| 18 || Venezuela || YV5B || Caracas || 10º 25' N || 66º 51' W || FK6ØNJ || 02:50 || 00.00 || 00:10 || 00:20 || 00:30 || RCV
|-
|}

The original NCDXF/IARU beacon project, coordinated by John W6ISQ, consisted of nine 100W beacons which operated only on 14100 kHz on a coordinated 10 minute sequence. The beacons used to send a longer callup sequence, like "QST DE 4U1UN/B BEACON" followed by dashes with 100 W, 10 W, 1 W, and 100 mW, finally ending with "4U1UN/B SK". The original beacons were 4U1UN/B, W6WX/B, KH6O/B, JA2IGY, 4X6TU, OH2B, CT3B, ZS6DN and LU4AA. This network evolved into its current format with 18 beacons on five frequencies around 1999.(15) The current beacons consist of a Kenwood TS-50 tranceiver, a beacon controller, a vertical antenna and a GPS unit.
{{Clear}}

===ITU sponsored beacons===

As part of an International Telecommunications Union-funded project, radio propagation beacons were installed by national authorities at Sveio, Norway (callsign LN2A, 59.60420N - 5.291670E) and at Darwin, Australia (callsign VL8IPS, 12.60420S - 131.29200E). The beacons operated on frequencies 5471.5 kHz, 7871.5 kHz, 10408.5 kHz, 14396.5 kHz, and 20948.5 kHz.(6) (15) Since 2002, there have been no reception reports for these beacons and the relevant ITU web pages have been removed. (7)
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
| '''HF Field-Strength measurement campaign'''

For a number of years, ITU-R Study Group 3 has been promoting a world-wide HF field-strength measurement campaign, the impetus for which arose from WARC HFBC-87 and the request for improved accuracy in HF propagation prediction. At that time, the Study Group recognised that significant improvements in HF propagation prediction methods needed a substantial body of new measurement data and to that end, administrations and organisations were invited to participate in the measurement campaign, either by installing suitable transmitters or by collecting long-term data from appropriate receiving systems. The campaign is specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845 'HF field-strength measurement' and comprises a world-wide network of transmitters and receivers using coded transmissions on pre-determined frequencies.

The reasons for the campaign and the continuing need for participation in it, are underlined in Resolution ITU-R 27 (HF field-strength measurement campaign). So far, regular transmissions are being provided by the Administrations of Australia and Norway. Details of the transmitter in Norway, operated by the Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting, are given below:

'''Radio Beacon LN2A'''
[[File:QSL LN2A front.jpg|right|200px]]
[[File:QSL LN2A back.jpg|right|200px]]
* Identification signal (Morse code): LN2A
* Location: Sveio, Norway 59 deg 37 min N, 5 deg 19 min E
* Hours of transmission: 24 hours per day
* Assigned frequencies: 5471.225 kHz, 7871.225 kHz, 10408.225 kHz, 14396.225 kHz and 20946.225 kHz
* Reference frequencies, corresponding to suppressed carrier frequencies when using suppressed carrier SSB techniques: 5470 kHz, 7870 kHz, 10407 kHz, 14395 kHz and 20945 kHz
* Transmitter: ICOM IC 725 transceiver, IC-4KL PA
* Transmitted power: approximately 1 kW on all frequencies
* Antenna: 5 band trap vertical monopole
* Mode: Suppressed carrier SSB, with the reference frequencies (suppressed carrier frequencies) 1225 Hz below the assigned frequencies, with the FSK "mark" 800 Hz above the reference frequency, and the FSK "space" 1650 Hz above the reference frequency.
* Signal duration and format: as specified in Recommendation ITU-R P.845; 4 min for each frequency, 20 min for all five frequencies according to the following schedule:

{|
! Reference frequency (kHz) !! Minutes after each hour
|-
| align="center" | 14395 || align="center" | 00 - 20 - 40
|-
| align="center" | 20945 || align="center" | 04 - 24 - 44
|-
| align="center" | 5470 || align="center" | 08 - 28 - 48
|-
| align="center" | 7870 || align="center" | 12 - 32 - 52
|-
| align="center" | 10407 || align="center" | 16 - 36 - 56
|}

Administrations and organizations participating in the work of ITU-R are invited to consider the possibility of participating in the campaign, either through the provision of transmissions or by the collection of field strength measurement data, both in accordance with the specifications given in Recommendation ITU-R P.845. For further details on the campaign, including the availability of a suitable receiving system, please contact the ITU-R Counsellor for Study Group 3 (Dr. Kevin A. Hughes) at ITU Headquarters, in Geneva.

The Norwegian Telecommunications Authority and Telenor Broadcasting would be pleased to acknowledge reception reports of LN2A with a QSL card.

The contact address is:

Norwegian Telecommunications Authority (Att. AYO/TF) 
P O Box 447 Sentrum 
N-0104 Oslo 
Norway 
|-
|}

===DARC beacon project===
[[Image:DARC.png|left|50px]]
[[Image:DRA5-QSL.jpg|right|200px]]
The [[Deutscher Amateur Radio Club]] (DARC) sponsors two beacons which transmit from Scheggerott, near Kiel (54.68750N - 9.791670E, JO44VQ). [8] These beacons are DRA5 on 5195 kHz and DK0WCY on 10144 kHz. In addition to identification and location, every 10 minutes these beacons transmit solar, geomagnetic and ionospheric bulletins. Transmissions are in Morse code (CW) for aural reception, [[RTTY]] (45 baud 170 Hz at HH+10) and [[PSK31]] (at HH+50). [9] DK0WCY operates also a limited service beacon on 3579 kHz at 0720-0900 and 1600-1900 local time.

{{Clear}}

===RSGB 5 MHz beacon project===
[[Image:RSGB-Logo.png|left|50px]]
The [[Radio Society of Great Britain]] (RSGB) operates three radio propagation beacons on 5290 kHz, which transmit in sequence, for one minute each, every 15 minutes. The project includes GB3RAL near Didcot (51.56250N - 1.291670W, IO91IN), GB3WES in Cumbria (54.56250N - 2.6250W, IO84QN) and GB3ORK in the Orkney Islands (59.02080N - 3.208330W, IO89JA).

Beacon GB3RAL, which is located at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory, also transmits continuously on 28215 kHz and on a number of low VHF frequencies (40050, 50053, 60053 and 70053 kHz).[10]

=== U.S. Navy beacons ===
A radio propagation beacon with callsign NAF was installed in 1983 at Cape Prince, Wales, AK. It transmitted both CW and FSK identification with 100 W to a three-band fan dipole on 5604, 11004 and 16804 kHz. The project, which included reception sites at Fairbanks, AK, Seattle, WA, State College, PA and San Diego, CA, was coordinated by the U.S. Naval Security Group Command and its purpose was to verify and calibrate HF propagation prediction software. (15) It is not known when the project was terminated.

Another propagation beacon was installed in 1991 at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory at Cape Prince of Wales, AK. The beacon operated on 25545 kHz and tranmitted the morse code letter "R". A reception facility existed at Fairbanks, AK, some 900 km away. The R beacon was used to study aurora and sporadic E events at high geographical latitudes.(18)

===WSPR Network===
This is an a large scale [[amateur radio]] propagation beacon project which uses the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) transmission scheme available with the WSJT software suite, created by Joe Taylor, K1JT. The loosely-coordinated beacon transmitters and receivers, collectively known as the WSPRnet, report the real-time propagation characteristics of a number of frequency bands and geographical locations via the Internet. The [http://wsprnet.org/drupal/ WSPRnet website] provides detailed propagation report databases and real-time graphical maps of propagation paths. WSPR Network operates on the following amateur radio frequencies (USB dial settings in kHz) 136.0, 502.4, 1836.6, 3592.6, 5287.2, 7038.6, 101387.0, 14095.6, 18104.6, 21094.6, 24924.6, 28124.6, 50293.0, 70028.6 and 144489.0 kHz.

==The future of radio propagation beacons==

It seems that there is no longer an interest in HF radio propagation by international organizations, government departments or research institutes, therefore they shall be operated only as part of the [[amateur radio]] service.

A slow process is underway to supplement morse code (CW) identification, which is mostly suitable for aural reception, with digital modulation patterns. The RSGB beacons on 5290 kHz already transmit such code for 30" in each transmission. In the 2011 [[Radio Society of Great Britain|RSGB]] Convention, Bo OZ2M shall talk about the introduction of ''machine generated modulation'' to most radio propagation beacons, in order to enable automatic monitoring.

Beacon timing functions are also modernized. When more beacons share a frequency, they are synchronized by electronic clocks locked to GPS satellite transmissions.

==Notes and references==
[[Image:QSL-N7LT-BCN.jpg|thumb|right|QSL card from beacon N7LT/BCN on 28248.5 kHz]]
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(5), pp.56-58 (May 2008).
# Andy Talbot, G4JNT: "Amateur Beacons", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, '''3'''(8), pp. 30-33 (August 2008)
# [http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf New IARU Region 2 bandplan introduced in January 2008]
# [http://www.qsl.net/g3yrc/Bandplans/UK%20VHF.htm Amateur Radio UK VHF Bandplan], Great Yarmouth Radio Club
# [http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html International Beacon Project] by the Northern California DX Foundation (2008)
# [http://www.ham-radio.nl/bakenshf/baken0-20mhz.htm HF 0-20 MHz beacons]
# [http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/res/R-RES-R.27-1993-PDF-E.pdf ITU Resolution ITU-R 27/1993: HF Field-strength measurement campaign] (PDF)
# [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora beacon DKØWCY] by Deutscher Amateur-Radio-Club e.V. ([[DARC]]), 2004.
# Pat Hawker, G3VA: "The DK0WCY/DRA5 Propagation Beacons", ''Technical Topics Scrapbook - All 50 years'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], ISBN 9781-9050-8639-9, pp. 98 (2008)
# Mike Willis, G0MJW: "The GB3RAL VHF Beacon cluster", ''RadCom'', '''84'''(04), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 65-59, April 2008
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm 70 MHz beacon list]
# The Four meters website: [http://www.70mhz.org/bandplan_uk.htm RSGB 4m bandplan]
# Southgate Amateur Radio Club: [http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/lx0hf_beacon.htm Luxembourg 60m beacon LX0HF]
# [http://www.radioamateurs-online.fr/2011/03/luxembourg-une-balise-sur-60m-lx0hf/ Luxembourg: Une balise sur 60m LX0HF] Radioamateurs-Online, March 11, 2011.
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', New York, ISBN 0-945016-11-8, pp. 5-17, 5-18. (1995).
# Stuart Wisher, G8CYW: "More adventures in optical communications", ''RadCom'', '''88'''(05), [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], pp. 41, May 2012
# Joe Lynch, N6CL: "VHF Plus", ''CQ Amateur Radio", '''88'''(07), pp. 81, July 2012.
# Rose, R., Hunsucker, R.D. and Lott G.K.: "Results from a year-long Auroral-E measurement campaign", ''Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center'', San Diego, CA, April 1993.

==See also==
* [[Ionosonde]]
* [[Radio beacon]]
* [[JG2XA]]: AN HF Doppler investigation beacon project.
* [[Letter beacon]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]

==Beacon lists==

Currently there are two regularly updated international beacon lists, compiled by Martin G3USF and Joost, ZS5S. Both lists are available on-line. An additional online list by WJ5O contains only 28 MHz (10 meter) beacons.

* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm Worldwide List of HF Beacons].
* Martin Harrison, G3USF: [http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm Worldwide List of 50 Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BEACON.TXT List of active HF Amateur Radio Beacons].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNADD.TXT Additional HF Beacon Information].
* Joost Schuitemaker, ZS5S: [http://users.iafrica.com/z/zs/zs5s/bulls/BCNQRT.TXT Inactive HF Beacons].
* William H Hays, WJ5O: [http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm Ten meter propagation beacons]

==Further reading==
[[Image:IK0WRB-beacon10.png|thumb|right|IK0WRB beacon keyer schematic]]
* [http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html IARU/NDXF International Beacon Project]
* Ken Reitz, KS4ZR: "[http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT-10meters.pdf Exploring the World of 10 Meter Beacons]", ''[[Monitoring Times]]'', May 2007, pages 14-16.
* R.Wilkinson, G6GVI, S.Cooper, GM4AFF, & B. Hansen, OZ2M: "[http://www.70mhz.org/beacons.htm The 70 MHz Beacon List]", ''The Four Metres Website'', 2008.
* John Jaminet, W3HMS and Charlie Heisler, K3VDB: "Building a beacon for 2401 MHz", ''CQ VHF'', '''10'''(3), CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 1085-0708, pages 44–46, 2007.
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/5MHzBcnsWeb.pdf Design and building of the 5 MHz beacons, GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK].
* Andrew Talbot, G4JNT: [http://www.g4jnt.com/BeaconPres-2.ppt The Next Generation of Beacons for the 21st century] (PPT format).
* UK Microwave Group (UKMuG): [http://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm UK Amateur Radio & Microwave Beacons].
* [http://www.g0afh.com/gb3vhf/index.html GB3VHF – a beacon designed for the 21st Century]
* [http://web.tiscalinet.it/vcoletti/pic/keyer/beacon.html IK0WRB beacon keyer], based on a PIC16F84 microcontroller.
* [http://www.dk0wcy.de/ Aurora Beacon DK0WCY]
* [http://www.oz1fjb.dk/page_1269782382686.html OV1BCN]: a new HF propagation beacon on 5290.5 kHz.
* [http://users.telenet.be/BEACONCLUSTER/home.html BEACONCLUSTER] worldwide beacon maps by Richard Kaminski ON4CJU.
* [http://brainwagon.org/2009/11/14/another-try-at-an-arduino-based-morse-beacon/ K6HX beacon keyer] using an [http://www.arduino.cc Arduino] microcontroller board.
* [http://www.solorb.com/elect/hamcirc/beacon/index.html WB0RIO Morse Code Beacon Keyer]: a beacon keyer based on CMOS digital componets, by G. Forrest-Cook, WB0RIO (1996).
* [http://www.ac6v.com/beacons.htm Beacons a Bunch]: software resources for monitoring IARU/NCDXF beacons, compliled by Jeff Dinkins, AC6V.
* [http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm Low power 628nm (red) light beacon], co-sited with GB3CAM beacons at Wyton
* [http://www.on0eme.org ON0EME moon beacon status]

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|-
| '''FCC rules, §97.203 Beacon station.'''

* (a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be a beacon. A holder of a Technician, Technician Plus, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of a beacon, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

* (b) A beacon must not concurrently transmit on more than 1 channel in the same amateur service frequency band, from the same station location.

* (c) The transmitter power of a beacon must not exceed 100 W.

* (d) A beacon may be automatically controlled while it is transmitting on the 28.20-28.30 MHz, 50.06-50.08 MHz, 144.275-144.300 MHz, 222.05-222.06 MHz, or 432.300-432.400 MHz segments, or on the 33 cm and shorter wavelength bands.

* (e) Before establishing an automatically controlled beacon in the National Radio Quiet Zone or before changing the transmitting frequency, transmitter power, antenna height or directivity, the station licensee must give written notification thereof to the Interference Office, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944.

** (1) The notification must include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), antenna center of radiation above ground level (AGL), antenna directivity, proposed frequency, type of emission, and transmitter power.

** (2) If an objection to the proposed operation is received by the FCC from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, WV, for itself or on behalf of the Naval Research Laboratory at Sugar Grove, Pendleton County, WV, within 20 days from the date of notification, the FCC will consider all aspects of the problem and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.

* (f)A beacon must cease transmissions upon notification by a District Director that the station is operating improperly or causing undue interference to other operations. The beacon may not resume transmitting without prior approval of the District Director.

* (g) A beacon may transmit one-way communications.
|-
|}

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF8zc8zRaok 10 Meter Amateur Radio Propagation CW Beacon Demo] by KI7F (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dyDte9kSkU 10 Meter beacon equipment]: Modified CB radio using a freakin` beacon controller (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy3ufVTsqKE Arduino Morse Beacon Keyer] by Mark VandeWettering K6HX (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Radio_propagation_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Letter beacon

2012-12-12T01:16:42Z

Strange Attractor: /* Notes & References */

[[Image:LetterBeacon-D-5153 7 kHz.png|thumb|right|250px|Letter Beacon D on 5153.7 kHz]]
A '''Letter beacon''' (or '''single letter beacon''') is a high frequency (HF) radio transmission of uncertain origin, which consists of only a single repeating [[Morse Code]] letter.

These transmissions sre often referred to as:
* "Letter beacons"
* SLB, or "Single Letter Beacons"
* SLHFB, or "Single Letter High Frequency Beacons", the original [[SPEEDX]] designation.
* SLHFM, or "Single Letter High Frequency Markers"
* Cluster beacons
* MX — an [[ENIGMA]] (1) and [[ENIGMA2000|ENIGMA-2000]] (2) designation.

==History==

The letter beacon radio transmissions were discovered in the late 1960s but were known only to a few specialized [[DXing|DXer]]s. Their presence became known to the wider [[amateur radio]] community in 1978, when beacon “W” started transmitting on 3584 kHz, in the 80 meters band. [[SPEEDX]] published indirect evidence that this particular transmitter was located in Cuba. (3)

In 1982 [[SPEEDX]] reported, supposedly on the basis of HF direction finding by the US military, that beacon “K” transmitting on 9043 kHz was located at 48° 30' N - 134° 58' E, near the city of Khabarovsk in the USSR. (4), (5) A few years later, W. Orr, W6SAI, suggested that the "K" beacons were actually located at Petropavlovsk on the Kamchatka Peninsula and the "U" beacons were located at the Barents Sea coast, between Murmansk and Amderma. (6)

==Location of letter beacons==

According to Schimmel, in 1986 the [[FCC]] released the following HF direction finding results for single letter beacons, all of which indicate locations in the USSR: (5)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter
! Location
|-
| C || Moscow, RUS
|-
| D || Odessa, UKR
|-

|-
| O || Moscow, RUS
|-
| P || Kaliningrad, RUS
|-
| S || Arkhangelsk, RUS
|-
| U || Between Murmansk & Amderma, RUS
|-
| Z || Mukachevo, UKR
|-
|}

The link with the USSR and, more recently, Russia is further supported by the existence of single letter beacons transmitting letters existing only in the [[:Image:Rusian-CW.png|Cyrillic morse code alphabet]], like the '''Ю''' beacon (22) which operated on 13627 and 13639 kHz in the early 1980s.

The '''[[ENIGMA]] group''' also accepted these locations for cluster beacons "C", "D", "P" and "S", adding Vladivostok for beacon "F". (7)
A recent source (2006) regarding locations was published on the Web by [[Ary Boender]].(8) (24) This publication also contains an extensive list of frequencies of letter beacons, both current and historical. The following locations are stated for cluster beacons:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter
! Location
|-
| A || Astrakhan, RUS (tentative)
|-
| C || Moscow, RUS
|-
| D || Sevastopol, UKR
|-
| F || Vladivostok, RUS
|-
| K || Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, RUS
|-
| L || Unknown, appeared on July 1, 2011
|-
| M || Magadan, RUS
|-
| P || Kaliningrad, RUS
|-
| S || Severomorsk, RUS
|-
|}

For solitary beacons and markers, Boender suggests these locations:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter
! Location
|-
| L || Tirana, ALB (defunct)
|-
| R || Izhevsk (Ustinov), RUS
|-
| P || Kaliningrad, RUS
|-
| V || Khiva, UZB
|-
|}

Transmissions of the "P" beacon in December 2007, even on medium frequency (420 and 583 kHz) indicate the Russian Naval Base of Kaliningrad as a possible source. (9) Kaliningrad officially uses the ITU registered callsign '''RMP'''.

==Types of letter beacons==
The single letter beacons are currently classified in two groups, the "Cluster beacons" and the "Channel markers". A beacon "P" exists in both groups. A third group, the FSK beacons, is now extinct. The following sections list the beacons currently (July 2010) active, according to published listeners’ reports.

===Cluster beacons===
A group of radio beacons with single-letter identifiers ("C", "D", "M", "S", "P", "A", "M" and "K") have been regularly reported in small spectrum segments centered around 3594, 4558, 5154, 7039, 8495, 10872, 13528, 16332 and 20048 kHz. The term "cluster beacons" is frequently used for them, as these beacons transmit in parallel on frequencies only 0.1 kHz apart. These beacons transmit only their single-letter identifier in standard CW (A1A) using morse code.

The following callsigns and frequencies of cluster beacons have been reported recently in [http://www.ary.luna.nl Numbers&Oddities newsletter], [[Utility DX Forum]] and [[ENIGMA2000|ENIGMA-2000]]:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter !! Channel
! Frequencies (kHz)
|-
| align="center" | '''L''' (21)
| align="center" | -0.8
| 7038.2, '''7041.8'''(23), 8494.2, '''8497.9'''
|-
| align="center" | '''D'''
| align="center" | -0.3
| 3593.7, 4557.7, 5153.7, 7038.7, 8493.7, 10871.7, 13527.7, 16331.7, 20047.7
|-
| align="center" | '''P'''
| align="center" | -0.2
| 3593.8, 4557.8, 5153.8, 7038.8, 8494.8, 10871.8, 10872.8 (21), 13527.8, 16331.8, 20047.8
|-
| align="center" | '''S'''
| align="center" | -0.1
| 3593.9, 4557.9, 5153.9, 7038.9, 8494.9, 10871.9, 13527.9, 16331.9, 20047.9
|-
| align="center" | '''C'''
| align="center" | 0.0
| 3594.0, 4558.0, 5154.0, 7039.0, 8495.0, 10872.0, 13528.0, 16332.0, 20048.0
|-
| align="center" | '''A'''
| align="center" | +0.1
| 3594.1, 4558.1, 5154.1, 7039.1, 8495.1, 10872.1 13528.1 16332.1 (10)
|-
| align="center" | '''F'''
| align="center" | +0.2
| 7039.2, 8495.2, 10872.2, 13528.2, 16332.2
|-
| align="center" | '''K'''
| align="center" | +0.3
| 4558.3, 5154.3, 7039.3, 8495.3, 10872.3, 16332.3
|-
| align="center" | '''M'''
| align="center" | +0.4
| 5154.4, 7039.4, 8495.4, 10872.4, 13528.4, 16332.4
|-
|}

Occasionally some cluster beacons (especially "F" and "M") have been reported transmitting on frequencies different from their regular channel for short periods.

===Solitary beacons and channel markers===
A second family of letter beacons includes those operating outside the clusters. For this reason they are often called "Solitary beacons" or "Solitaires". These beacons also transmit their single-letter identifier in standard CW (A1A) using Morse code.

A few solitary beacons, like "R" on 4325.9 and 5465.9 kHz, operate exactly like the cluster beacons, sending only their single letter identifier. (20)

The majority of solitary beacons, and most notably "P" on various MF and HF frequencies, most of the time transmit their single-letter identifier in morse code. However, occasionally the routine transmission is interrupted and brief messages are sent in fast Morse code or in an FSK digital mode. Therefore, the proper term for these beacon-like single-letter transmissions is "channel markers" (6) (15), as their purpose is to occupy and identify a particular HF transmission channel when no traffic is transmitted. There is no evidence that the cluster beacon "P" and the solitary beacon "P" are directly related.

It was reported in Numbers and Oddities, issue 142, that beacon C on 8000 kHz also transmitted messages under the regular callsign '''RIW''', which is allocated to a Russian naval communications station in Khiva, Uzbekistan. (11)

There are also a few oddities, transmitting signals with poor modulation and irregular timing, like "V" on 5342 and 6430.7 kHz.

The following callsigns and frequencies of solitary beacons and markers have been reported recently in [http://www.ary.luna.nl Numbers&Oddities newsletter], [[Utility DX Forum]] and [[ENIGMA2000|ENIGMA-2000]]:

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter
! Regular callsign
! Frequencies (kHz)
|-
| align="center" | '''R''' (20)
| align="center" |
| 4325.9, 5465.9
|-
| align="center" | '''V'''
| align="center" |
| 3658.0, 4108.0(18), '''4150.0''', 5141.0, 5342, 6430.7, '''6498.0''', 6809, 7027.5, 8103.5, 10202
|-
| align="center" | '''P''' (12)
| align="center" | '''RMP'''
| 420, 448, 474, 490(17), 583, 3167, 3291, 3327, 3699.5, 3837, 4031, 4043, 4079
|-
| align="center" | '''C'''
| align="center" | '''RIW'''
| 8000
|-
| align="center" | '''L''' || || 6917.4, 8497.8
|-
| align="center" | '''W''' || || 8162.0
|-
|}

Channel marker "W", which appeared in 2012, is possibly related to a net for Russian Air Force Tu-95MS Bear H strategic bombers.

===FSK beacons===
This group included the "K" and "U" beacons, which are no longer active. They transmitted their morse code single letter identification by shifting the frequency of the carrier by approximately 1000 Hz. This mode of "FSK-CW" has the [[ITU]] designation '''F1A'''. The use of FSK indicated that the transmitter was suitable for FSK data transmissions, like [[RTTY]].

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ID letter
! Regular callsign
! Frequencies (kHz)
|-
| align="center" | '''K'''
| align="center" |
| 9043
|-
| align="center" | '''U'''
| align="center" |
|
|-
|}

==ENIGMA designation==

[[Chris Midgley]] and [[Mike Gaufman]] of [[ENIGMA]] devised a naming scheme for all stations in their sphere of interest. In the original scheme, the following identifications were issued to letter beacons: (13)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ENIGMA ID
! Description
|-
| align="center" | '''MX'''
| Cluster beacons
|-
| align="center" | '''MXV'''
| Irregular “V” beacons, not in clusters
|-
| align="center" | '''MXS'''
| Solitaires: letter beacons out of cluster bands
|-
| align="center" | '''MXF'''
| FSK beacons (K, U), no longer active in 1995
|-
|}

[[ENIGMA2000|ENIGMA-2000]], the internet based ENIGMA successor group, revised the original ENIGMA designators. The current designations for letter beacons are the following (since 2007):(14)

{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center"
|- style="background: #E7E7FF"
! ENIGMA ID
! Description
|-
| align="center" | '''MX'''
| Solitary HF single letter beacons
|-
| align="center" | '''MXI'''
| Single letter beacons in clusters
|-
| align="center" | '''MXII'''
| FSK beacons (K, U), no longer active
|-
| align="center" | '''MXV'''
| Irregular “V” transmissions
|-
| align="center" | '''MXP'''
| Letter beacons also sending messages
|-
| align="center" | '''MXIII'''
| (deleted, merged with MX)
|-
| align="center" | '''MXIV'''
| (deleted, merged with MX)
|-
|}

==Purpose of letter beacons==
The purpose and the applications of letter beacons are not yet known with certainty. Many theories and speculations have appeared in specialized bublications, but none is based on documentary evidence. They have been postulated to be [[radio propagation beacon]]s, channel markers, used in tracking satellites, or used for civil defense purposes. (15) Some stations of this family, in particular the “U” beacon, have been implicated in deliberate [[Radio jamming|jamming]]. (16)

Today the [[radio propagation beacon]] theory is generally accepted for the cluster beacons. According to ENIGMA the cluster beacons are used by the Russian Navy (and especially the submarine branch) to find the most suitable radio frequency for contact based on current radio propagation conditions. (7)

Connolly also links "P" channel marker with communications facilities at the Russian naval base of Kaliningrad. (9) "P" transmissions carrying Russian Navy "XXX" (flash priority) morse code messages with callsigns '''RPM''' and '''RDL''' further support this view.

==Similar systems==
[[Image:QSL-C-300.png|thumb|right|QSL card from a USCG beacon with signle letter ID]]
A few aero navigation [[Radio beacon#Radio navigation beacons|Non Directional Beacons]] (NDBs) and marine beacons also transmit single letter identification codes. They can be easily distinguished from Letter beacons as they transmit in the allocated low frequency and medium frequency bands, most of them are listed in appropriate aviation handbooks and their transmission mode is A2A (full carrier with audio modulation).

Some [[High Frequency Beacon]]s also transmit a single letter as identification. On September 7, 2010 a beacon was heard on 9111.7 kHz at 1546 UTC. It sent a slow marker "A", which did not sound like a Russian beacon (MX). It sounded like somebody was playing with the key sending letters "A" and "M". Transmission lasted untill at
least 1630 UTC. (19)

==See also==
* [[Spy Numbers Stations]]
* [[High Frequency Beacon]]
* [[ENIGMA]]
* [[Radio propagation beacon]]

==Notes & References==
# ''[[ENIGMA]]'' stands for "European Numbers Information Gathering and Monitoring Association". It was a unique association of radio listeners based in the United Kingdom and operated during the 1990’s.
# ''[[ENIGMA2000]]'' is an internet based community with the same general interests as the old ENIGMA association and with wider coverage of general Intelligence matters. This group produces a regular newsletter and maintains the old ENIGMA station naming scheme. ENIGMA-2000 shows less interest in letter beacons than its predecessor.
# "SLHFB (Single letter high frequency beacons)", ''The SPEEDX reference guide to the Utilities'', SPEEDX, 1984, page K1.
# "SLHFB (Single letter high frequency beacons)", ''The SPEEDX reference guide to the Utilities'', SPEEDX, 1984, pages K7-K10.
# Schimmel, D.W.: "The underground frequency guide", HighText Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878707-17-5, 1994, pages 78–83.
# William I. Orr, W6SAI: "High Frequency Single-Letter Beacons (SLBs); Part 1: The K- and U-Beacons, The Search Goes On", ''[[Popular Communications]]'', ISSN 0733-3315, December 1984, pages 28-31.
# "Station News", ENIGMA Newsletter, issue 18, January 2008, page 15.
# Ary Boender: "Channel Markers & Cluster Beacons", http://home.luna.nl/~ary/chmarker.htm , September 2006.
# Robert Connolly: "Maritime matters: Why we hear more signals from the Russian Navy?", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, PW Publishing Ltd, Issue 3.1, January 2008, page 32.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers & Oddities" issue 135, http://www.ary.luna.nl/2008.zip , December 2008.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers & Oddities" issue 142, http://www.ary.luna.nl/no142.zip , July 2009.
# Some transmission are in FSK morse code (F1A) instead of CW (A1A), but other beacon characteristics classify it as a solitary "P" beacon.
# "Station Naming", ENIGMA Newsletter, issue 7, January 1995
# ENIGMA Control List, Number 23, ENIGMA-2000, October 2007, http://www.ominous-valve.com/ecl23.pdf
# Poundstone Willian: "Big Secrets", Quill, New York, 1983, ISBN 0688048307, pages 191-193
# Pleikys Rimantas: Jamming, Rimantas Pleikys, Vilnius 1998
# Robert Connolly: "DGPS, Single Letter Beacons and NDB changes", ''[[Radio User]]'', ISSN 1748-8117, PW Publishing Ltd, Issue 5.10, October 2010, page 49.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers & Oddities" issue 159, http://www.numbersoddities.nl/n&o-159.pdf, December 2010.
# Ary Boender: "Numbers and Oddities", issue 156, September 2010, pp. 15.
# ''I doubt that "R" is a Navy service. The distance from Izhevsk (formerly Ustinov) to the nearset sea coasts is 1200 km. Only low frequencies are in use (3194//3321//4325) for 24 hrs operations. How could it reach ships in local daytime? Unlike clusters, it is not a propagation or navigation beacon. Unlike single "P" (RMP-Kaliningrad) naval station, it does not transmit any RTTY or CW messages. It is more similar to "The Pip" (3757;5448). In both cases, transmissions consist of a single letter (marker) in CW, and of short SSB voice messages, most probably for checking a readiness of network operators. I think that both "R" and "XP" are similar communications stations of Staffs of military districts (voenny okrug) of the Russian Army. The reliable coverage area would be up to 500 km, at least in local daytime.''
# Cluster beacon "L" appeared on 7038.2 and 8494.2 kHz and was was first reported by the VERON Intruder Watch on June 29, 2011 at 1800 UTC. "L" was also active throughout July 2011. The first thoughts were that "L" transmitted from St Petersburg but so far there is no evidence to support this. It moved on July 23, 2011 to 7041.6 and 8497.9 kHz and again on July 24, 2011 to 7041.8 and 8497.8 kHz. ([[Ary Boender]]: "[http://www.numbersoddities.nl/N&O-165.pdf Number and Oddities]", issue 166, pp.7). Cluster beacon "L" is not the solitary letter beacon "L" that transmitted in the past from Tirana, Albania, given that Albania is now a member of NATO. At the same time, the 10 MHz "P" beacon moved 1 kHz up, from 10871.8 to 10872.8 kHz.
# "SLHFB (Single letter high frequency beacons)", ''The SPEEDX reference guide to the Utilities'', SPEEDX, 1984, page=K2.
# IARU R1 monitoring system: "[http://tinyurl.com/3t6po2c Intruder News from: July 28th 2011]"
# ''A couple of years ago I had the chance to speak to a Russian naval radio operator who works on a Russian frigate. He confirmed to me that the channel markers are military stations, mostly used by the navy. His English was poor so I could not ask for more detailed info, and as I don't speak Russian, you can imagine that it was a really nice conversation. I had to write down the morse characters of the call signs of the stations and he told me the locations. It was really fun, believe me :-) A couple of the markers that he mentioned have now disappeared but still exist as cluster beacons. The radio operator identified 'L' as St.Petersburg, 'P' as Kaliningrad (HQ of the Baltic Fleet), 'S' as Arkhangelsk and 'C' as Moscow (naval HQ). He knew that there were more stations but didn't know which ones because they were not relevant for his vessel.'' [[Ary Boender]]: "32nd edition of the N&O column / Spooks newsletter", December 24, 2000 [http://www.cvni.net/radio/nsnl/nsnl032/nsnl32mx.html].

==Further reading==
# Schimmel, D.W.: "The underground frequency guide", HighText Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878707-17-5, 1994.
# Harry L. Helms, W5HLH: How to tune the secret shortwave spectrum, Tab Books, Inc., ISBN 0-8306-1185-1, 1981, pp. 141–143.
# "SLHFB (Single letter high frequency beacons)", ''The SPEEDX reference guide to the Utilities'', SPEEDX, 1984.
# [http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/spooks Spooks] mailing list.
# [http://www.numbersoddities.nl/ Numbers and Oddities]: Ary Boender compiles this monthly bulletin with reception reports of various mysterious transmissions and makes it available for download at his personal web site.
# Mike G.: "Single letter cluster beacons", ENIGMA Newsletter #14, January 1998, pages 31-33.
# Simon Mason: "New revelations about single letter transmissions (MX)", ENIGMA Newsletter #16, January 1999, pages 39-40.
# William I. Orr, W6SAI: "High Frequency Single-Letter Beacons (SLBs); Part 1: The K- and U-Beacons, The Search Goes On", ''[[Popular Communications]]'',CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 0733-3315, December 1984, pages 28-31.
# William I. Orr, W6SAI: "Those Mysterious High Frequency Single-Letter Beacons (SLBs); Part 2: The Cluster Beacons – A Soviet Riddle!", ''[[Popular Communications]]'',CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 0733-3315, January 1985, pages 22-24.
# William I. Orr, W6SAI: "The Cluster Beacons Revisited; An Inside Look at Nine Puzzling Channels", ''[[Popular Communications]]'', CQ Communications, Inc, ISSN 0733-3315, February 1985, pages 38-40.
# Enigma Control List [http://www.ominous-valve.com/enigma.txt], Enigma-2000, May 2005.
# Fritz Nusser: "[http://www.astrosol.ch/networksofthecisforces/navymorsenetworks/beaconsandclusterbeacons/index.html Channel Markers and Cluster Beacons]", ''[http://www.astrosol.ch/index.html Fascinatning Shortwaves]'' (2001-2009)

==External links==
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o1Ox5-UIeg Moscow's "C" Single Letter Cluster Beacon 7.390MHz 40mtr ham band], using a FT-817 HF tranceiver (Youtube video).
# [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrVcLd9jHpk Letter Beacon "D"] on 5153.7 kHz using a Sangean 909 portable receiver (Youtube video).

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|Letter_beacon}}

[[Category:Beacons]]

Ionosonde

2012-11-17T19:49:49Z

Strange Attractor: /* Digisonde operating modes */

[[Image:IRX-58-23-ionosonde.jpg|250px|thumb|right|An IRX-58-23 ionosonde system.]]
An '''ionosonde''' or '''ionospheric sounder''' (colloq. '''chirpsounder'''), is a specialized radar system for the examination of the [[ionosphere]]. An ionosonde is used for finding the optimum operation frequencies for broadcasts or two-way communications in the high frequency range.(1)

==Description==

Ionospheric reflection of radio waves was discovered in 1924 by Edward Victor Appleton. The basic ionosonde technology was invented in 1925 by Gregory Breit and Merle A. Tuve (2) (3) and further developed in the late 1920s by a number of prominent physicists, including E. V. Appleton. The term ''[[ionosphere]]'' and, hence, the etymology of its derivatives, was proposed by Robert Watson-Watt.

An ionosonde consists of:

* A high frequency (HF) transmitter, automatically tunable over a wide range. Typically the frequency coverage is 0.5–23 MHz or 1–40 MHz, though normally sweeps are confined to approximately 1.6–12 MHz.
* A tracking HF receiver which can automatically track the frequency of the transmitter.
* An antenna with a suitable radiation pattern, which transmits well vertically upwards and is efficient over the whole frequency range used.
* Digital control and data analysis circuits.

The transmitter sweeps all or part of the HF frequency range, transmitting short pulses. These pulses are reflected at various layers of the ionosphere, at heights of 100–400 km, and their echos are received by the receiver and analyzed by the control system. The result is displayed in the form of an ionogram.

Modern ionosondes, like the popular [http://ulcar.uml.edu/digisonde_dps.html Lowell DIGISONDE(TM)], use low power transmitters but compensate by using specialized DSP techniques in the receiver. The result is a portable instrument, which can be easily relocated to interesting HF communications sites.

==Operation==

As the transmitted frequency increases, the radio wave is refracted less by the ionisation in the layer, and so it penetrates further before it is eventually reflected. As the wave approaches the reflection height, its group velocity approaches zero and this increases the time-of-flight of the signal. Eventually, a frequency is reached that enables the wave to penetrate the layer without being reflected. For ordinary mode waves, this occurs when the transmitted frequency (fo) just exceeds the peak plasma frequency of the layer. These frequencies are identified by the layer where reflection takes place (foE, foF1, foF2 and foEs). In the case of the extraordinary wave, the magnetic field of the earth enhances the reflection capability of the ionosphere and reflection occurs at a frequency (fx) that is higher than the ordinary wave by half the electron gyrofrequency.

The frequency Fc at which a wave just penetrates a layer of ionisation is known as the critical frequency of that layer. The critical frequency is related to the electron density in the specific layer (D, E, F1 or F2).

All transmitted frequencies above this critical frequency will penetrate the layer without being reflected. Their group velocity, however, will be slowed by any ionisation, and this will add to the time-of-flight. If such a wave encounters another layer whose plasma frequency is higher than the frequency of the wave, it will be reflected, and the return signal will be further delayed as it travels back through the underlying ionisation. Therefore, HF frequencies between 5 and 30 MHz pass through the E layer and are reflected at the F layer. Similarly, MF frequencies (AM broadcast stations) at night pass through the D layer and are reflected by the E layer. When a ''sporadic E'' cloud passes over the ionosonde, then foEs becomes very high, often exceeding 25 MHz. This high reflection frequency allows medium distance ionospheric communications and TV DX reception in the low VHF range (28, 50 and even 70 MHz) with very strong signal stengths.

==Ionogram==

An '''ionogram''' is a display of the data produced by the ionosonde. It is a graph of the virtual height of the ionosphere plotted against frequency. Ionograms are often converted into electron density profiles. Data from ionograms may be used to measure changes in the Earth's ionosphere due to space weather events.

[[Image:Ionogram.png|center|border]]

The maximum usable frequency (MUF) for radio waves transmitted at a low angle over the horizon is approximate 3 times the highest frequency returned to the ionosonde from radio waves transmitted directly upwards (to the zenith of the location). Therefore, in the sample ionogram shown above, fxI was measured as 6.2 MHz (green dataset), and the MUF for ionospheric reflection at the area of the ionosonde was calculated as 18.7 MHz for a hop distance of 3000 km. The pink dataset, which represents the ordinary wave, shows reflections at approximately 3 MHz (E-layer) and 5.5 MHz (F-layer).

==The HAARP digisonde==

''This paragraph consists of [http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/privacy.html Public domain] material from the [http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/dsonde.html HAARP website]''

The [[HAARP]] Digisonde, which was developed and provided by the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, was one of the first instruments installed at the HAARP Research Station. The purposes of this instrument are to support frequency management of the 3600 kW Ionospheric Research Instrument transmitter and to provide real time ionospheric characteristics for guiding experiment selection. The Digisonde data are processed, archived, and are available for post-analysis of experiment results. Various formats of the information derived from the Digisonde are made available on the HAARP web site in chart form in near real time and can be accessed from the Data Index.
[[Image:HAARP-Ionogram.gif|left|250px]]
An example, annotated ionogram is shown in the figure to the left. Annotations in this figure are in blue lettering. (Click on the figure to see a full size image.)

This ionogram shows a well-formed F-Layer with a peak ionization at around 220 km. There is also a less obvious E-Layer at an altitude of about 110 km. The ionogram clearly shows how the transmitted digisonde signal splits into reflected ordinary and extraordinary waves. The ionogram chart and the parameter FoF2 in the list on the left side of the chart, show that the highest frequency that will be reflected from the ionosphere for vertical incidence (ie., for a radio wave traveling straight up from the ground) is 4.8 MHz.

The ionogram also shows what appear to be faint reflections from an altitude of 425 km. In reality, these chart points are the result of the sounder's radar signal being reflected by the ionosphere, returning to the ground where they are reflected back to the ionosphere for a second reflection before being detected by the Digisonde receiver. The time-of-flight is, therefore twice that of the normal reflection and the computed virtual height is twice the normal virtual height. This type of presentation is often seen under conditions of low ionospheric absorption.

== Digisonde operating modes (5)==

* '''Scanning ionogram:''' This is the basic mode, which results in the production of a standard ionogram. The system steps through frequencies according to the selected program, transmitting and coherently integrating a stream of N pulses. Prior to transmission on each frequency, four possible operating frequencies are monitored for interference and occupancy and the quietest is selected for the measurement. Then a few trial pulses are transmitted to allow automatic adjustment of receiver gain. As each coherent integration of pulse streams in completed, the raw output (i.e. 128 color coded amplitudes representing echoes at 128 heights) is added to the display of the developing ionogram. After all frequency steps have been completed the raw ionogram (16 complex Doppler lines at 256 heights and M frequency steps) is written out to a disk file. ARTIST, the automatic scaling program (Automatic Real-Time Ionogram Scaler with True height analysis), is invoked and a file of automatically scaled parameters is created and displayed.

* '''Fixed frequency ionogram:''' This is the same as a scanning ionogram except that the operating frequency remains the same, and no ionogram scaling is attempted.

* '''High resolution Doppler ionogram:''' Technically all Digisonde ionograms are Doppler ionograms since multiple Doppler lines (i.e. a Doppler spectrum) are created by the spectral domain integration for each range sampled. However, the pulse repetition rate is too rapid and the number of Doppler lines too few to adequately analyze Doppler spread. In order to get the optimum Doppler range and resolution for such an analysis the total integration period should be tens of seconds, therefore modes were developed which multiplex the coherent integration of echoes at several frequency steps simultaneously by switching frequencies between pulses.(4)

* '''Drift ionogram:''' This is similar to the Doppler Ionogram in that higher Doppler resolution is achieved by extending the integration period. In addition to multiplexing frequencies the receive antennas are also multiplexed. This provides a raw data file which records the relative phase of all Doppler lines of all echoes on the four antennas in the receiver array, giving the angle of arrival of the individual echoes.

* '''Oblique ionogram:''' This is the same as a Scanning Ionogram and results in a raw data display and disk file.

== See also ==
* [[Radio propagation beacon]]
* [[Ionosphere]]

==References==
# The term ''ionosonde'' was also used in the past to describe a balloon-borne upper atmospheric research device, used in determining the amount of ionizing radiation in the atmosphere caused primarily by nuclear testing. See H. Odishaw: "Glossary", ''Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists'', May 1961, pp. 257. Also [http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ionosonde/ Ionosonde Yahoo group].
# F.C. Judd, G2BCX: "Radio Wave Propagation (HF Bands)", ''Heinemann'', London, ISBN 0-434-90926-2, 1987, pages 12–20,27–37
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The new Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', ISBN 0-943016-11-8, 1995, pages 1-2 to 1-5.
# Zhigang Yuan, Baiqi Ning, Weixing Wan, Hong Yuan: "Acquirement and analysis of Doppler ionograms with high accuracy in the ionogram mode from Digisonde 256", ''Radio Science'', '''39''', RS2021, 2004.
# NOAA: "[ftp://ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov/ionosonde/documentation/Digisonde/ Digisonde DPS4 Operations Manual]", 2007.

==Further reading==
* Gwyn Williams, G4FKH: "Interpreting Digital Ionograms", ''RadCom'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], '''85'''(05), May 2009, pp. 44-46.
* Breit, G. and Tuve, M.A.: "A Test of the Existence of the Conducting Layer", ''Physical Review'', '''28'''(3), 1926, pp. 554-575.
* Appleton, E. V.: "The Timing of Wireless Echoes, the use of television and picture transmission", ''Wireless World'', 14, January 1931, pp. 43-44
* [http://www.ukssdc.ac.uk/ionosondes/ionosondes.html The UK Ionospheric Monitoring Group]
* [http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/ionosonde/ NOAA Ionosonde portal to information and data services]
* [http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/IONO/Dynasonde/ NOAA Dynasonde]: Real-time Ionospheric Explorer by advanced and prototype analysis methods.
* http://aintel.bi.ehu.es/chirps-data/chirps.html
* [http://ulcar.uml.edu/digisonde.html Lowell Center for Atmospheric Research, MA, USA]
* [http://ulcar.uml.edu/stationlist.html Ionosonde (partial) station list by location]
* [http://www.iono.noa.gr National Observatoy of Athens, Greece]
* [http://www.sil.sk.ca/cadi.html Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde (CADI)]

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|1=Ionosonde}}

[[Category:Utility radio stations]]

Ionosonde

2012-11-17T19:49:13Z

Strange Attractor: /* References */

[[Image:IRX-58-23-ionosonde.jpg|250px|thumb|right|An IRX-58-23 ionosonde system.]]
An '''ionosonde''' or '''ionospheric sounder''' (colloq. '''chirpsounder'''), is a specialized radar system for the examination of the [[ionosphere]]. An ionosonde is used for finding the optimum operation frequencies for broadcasts or two-way communications in the high frequency range.(1)

==Description==

Ionospheric reflection of radio waves was discovered in 1924 by Edward Victor Appleton. The basic ionosonde technology was invented in 1925 by Gregory Breit and Merle A. Tuve (2) (3) and further developed in the late 1920s by a number of prominent physicists, including E. V. Appleton. The term ''[[ionosphere]]'' and, hence, the etymology of its derivatives, was proposed by Robert Watson-Watt.

An ionosonde consists of:

* A high frequency (HF) transmitter, automatically tunable over a wide range. Typically the frequency coverage is 0.5–23 MHz or 1–40 MHz, though normally sweeps are confined to approximately 1.6–12 MHz.
* A tracking HF receiver which can automatically track the frequency of the transmitter.
* An antenna with a suitable radiation pattern, which transmits well vertically upwards and is efficient over the whole frequency range used.
* Digital control and data analysis circuits.

The transmitter sweeps all or part of the HF frequency range, transmitting short pulses. These pulses are reflected at various layers of the ionosphere, at heights of 100–400 km, and their echos are received by the receiver and analyzed by the control system. The result is displayed in the form of an ionogram.

Modern ionosondes, like the popular [http://ulcar.uml.edu/digisonde_dps.html Lowell DIGISONDE(TM)], use low power transmitters but compensate by using specialized DSP techniques in the receiver. The result is a portable instrument, which can be easily relocated to interesting HF communications sites.

==Operation==

As the transmitted frequency increases, the radio wave is refracted less by the ionisation in the layer, and so it penetrates further before it is eventually reflected. As the wave approaches the reflection height, its group velocity approaches zero and this increases the time-of-flight of the signal. Eventually, a frequency is reached that enables the wave to penetrate the layer without being reflected. For ordinary mode waves, this occurs when the transmitted frequency (fo) just exceeds the peak plasma frequency of the layer. These frequencies are identified by the layer where reflection takes place (foE, foF1, foF2 and foEs). In the case of the extraordinary wave, the magnetic field of the earth enhances the reflection capability of the ionosphere and reflection occurs at a frequency (fx) that is higher than the ordinary wave by half the electron gyrofrequency.

The frequency Fc at which a wave just penetrates a layer of ionisation is known as the critical frequency of that layer. The critical frequency is related to the electron density in the specific layer (D, E, F1 or F2).

All transmitted frequencies above this critical frequency will penetrate the layer without being reflected. Their group velocity, however, will be slowed by any ionisation, and this will add to the time-of-flight. If such a wave encounters another layer whose plasma frequency is higher than the frequency of the wave, it will be reflected, and the return signal will be further delayed as it travels back through the underlying ionisation. Therefore, HF frequencies between 5 and 30 MHz pass through the E layer and are reflected at the F layer. Similarly, MF frequencies (AM broadcast stations) at night pass through the D layer and are reflected by the E layer. When a ''sporadic E'' cloud passes over the ionosonde, then foEs becomes very high, often exceeding 25 MHz. This high reflection frequency allows medium distance ionospheric communications and TV DX reception in the low VHF range (28, 50 and even 70 MHz) with very strong signal stengths.

==Ionogram==

An '''ionogram''' is a display of the data produced by the ionosonde. It is a graph of the virtual height of the ionosphere plotted against frequency. Ionograms are often converted into electron density profiles. Data from ionograms may be used to measure changes in the Earth's ionosphere due to space weather events.

[[Image:Ionogram.png|center|border]]

The maximum usable frequency (MUF) for radio waves transmitted at a low angle over the horizon is approximate 3 times the highest frequency returned to the ionosonde from radio waves transmitted directly upwards (to the zenith of the location). Therefore, in the sample ionogram shown above, fxI was measured as 6.2 MHz (green dataset), and the MUF for ionospheric reflection at the area of the ionosonde was calculated as 18.7 MHz for a hop distance of 3000 km. The pink dataset, which represents the ordinary wave, shows reflections at approximately 3 MHz (E-layer) and 5.5 MHz (F-layer).

==The HAARP digisonde==

''This paragraph consists of [http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/privacy.html Public domain] material from the [http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/dsonde.html HAARP website]''

The [[HAARP]] Digisonde, which was developed and provided by the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, was one of the first instruments installed at the HAARP Research Station. The purposes of this instrument are to support frequency management of the 3600 kW Ionospheric Research Instrument transmitter and to provide real time ionospheric characteristics for guiding experiment selection. The Digisonde data are processed, archived, and are available for post-analysis of experiment results. Various formats of the information derived from the Digisonde are made available on the HAARP web site in chart form in near real time and can be accessed from the Data Index.
[[Image:HAARP-Ionogram.gif|left|250px]]
An example, annotated ionogram is shown in the figure to the left. Annotations in this figure are in blue lettering. (Click on the figure to see a full size image.)

This ionogram shows a well-formed F-Layer with a peak ionization at around 220 km. There is also a less obvious E-Layer at an altitude of about 110 km. The ionogram clearly shows how the transmitted digisonde signal splits into reflected ordinary and extraordinary waves. The ionogram chart and the parameter FoF2 in the list on the left side of the chart, show that the highest frequency that will be reflected from the ionosphere for vertical incidence (ie., for a radio wave traveling straight up from the ground) is 4.8 MHz.

The ionogram also shows what appear to be faint reflections from an altitude of 425 km. In reality, these chart points are the result of the sounder's radar signal being reflected by the ionosphere, returning to the ground where they are reflected back to the ionosphere for a second reflection before being detected by the Digisonde receiver. The time-of-flight is, therefore twice that of the normal reflection and the computed virtual height is twice the normal virtual height. This type of presentation is often seen under conditions of low ionospheric absorption.

== Digisonde operating modes ==

* '''Scanning ionogram:''' This is the basic mode, which results in the production of a standard ionogram. The system steps through frequencies according to the selected program, transmitting and coherently integrating a stream of N pulses. Prior to transmission on each frequency, four possible operating frequencies are monitored for interference and occupancy and the quietest is selected for the measurement. Then a few trial pulses are transmitted to allow automatic adjustment of receiver gain. As each coherent integration of pulse streams in completed, the raw output (i.e. 128 color coded amplitudes representing echoes at 128 heights) is added to the display of the developing ionogram. After all frequency steps have been completed the raw ionogram (16 complex Doppler lines at 256 heights and M frequency steps) is written out to a disk file. ARTIST, the automatic scaling program (Automatic Real-Time Ionogram Scaler with True height analysis), is invoked and a file of automatically scaled parameters is created and displayed.

* '''Fixed frequency ionogram:''' This is the same as a scanning ionogram except that the operating frequency remains the same, and no ionogram scaling is attempted.

* '''High resolution Doppler ionogram:''' Technically all Digisonde ionograms are Doppler ionograms since multiple Doppler lines (i.e. a Doppler spectrum) are created by the spectral domain integration for each range sampled. However, the pulse repetition rate is too rapid and the number of Doppler lines too few to adequately analyze Doppler spread. In order to get the optimum Doppler range and resolution for such an analysis the total integration period should be tens of seconds, therefore modes were developed which multiplex the coherent integration of echoes at several frequency steps simultaneously by switching frequencies between pulses.(4)

* '''Drift ionogram:''' This is similar to the Doppler Ionogram in that higher Doppler resolution is achieved by extending the integration period. In addition to multiplexing frequencies the receive antennas are also multiplexed. This provides a raw data file which records the relative phase of all Doppler lines of all echoes on the four antennas in the receiver array, giving the angle of arrival of the individual echoes.

* '''Oblique ionogram:''' This is the same as a Scanning Ionogram and results in a raw data display and disk file.

== See also ==
* [[Radio propagation beacon]]
* [[Ionosphere]]

==References==
# The term ''ionosonde'' was also used in the past to describe a balloon-borne upper atmospheric research device, used in determining the amount of ionizing radiation in the atmosphere caused primarily by nuclear testing. See H. Odishaw: "Glossary", ''Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists'', May 1961, pp. 257. Also [http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ionosonde/ Ionosonde Yahoo group].
# F.C. Judd, G2BCX: "Radio Wave Propagation (HF Bands)", ''Heinemann'', London, ISBN 0-434-90926-2, 1987, pages 12–20,27–37
# G. Jacobs, W3ASK, T.J. Cohen, N4XX and R.B. Rose, K6GKU: "The new Shortwave Propagation Handbook", ''CQ Communications, Inc.'', ISBN 0-943016-11-8, 1995, pages 1-2 to 1-5.
# Zhigang Yuan, Baiqi Ning, Weixing Wan, Hong Yuan: "Acquirement and analysis of Doppler ionograms with high accuracy in the ionogram mode from Digisonde 256", ''Radio Science'', '''39''', RS2021, 2004.
# NOAA: "[ftp://ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov/ionosonde/documentation/Digisonde/ Digisonde DPS4 Operations Manual]", 2007.

==Further reading==
* Gwyn Williams, G4FKH: "Interpreting Digital Ionograms", ''RadCom'', [[Radio Society of Great Britain]], '''85'''(05), May 2009, pp. 44-46.
* Breit, G. and Tuve, M.A.: "A Test of the Existence of the Conducting Layer", ''Physical Review'', '''28'''(3), 1926, pp. 554-575.
* Appleton, E. V.: "The Timing of Wireless Echoes, the use of television and picture transmission", ''Wireless World'', 14, January 1931, pp. 43-44
* [http://www.ukssdc.ac.uk/ionosondes/ionosondes.html The UK Ionospheric Monitoring Group]
* [http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/ionosonde/ NOAA Ionosonde portal to information and data services]
* [http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/IONO/Dynasonde/ NOAA Dynasonde]: Real-time Ionospheric Explorer by advanced and prototype analysis methods.
* http://aintel.bi.ehu.es/chirps-data/chirps.html
* [http://ulcar.uml.edu/digisonde.html Lowell Center for Atmospheric Research, MA, USA]
* [http://ulcar.uml.edu/stationlist.html Ionosonde (partial) station list by location]
* [http://www.iono.noa.gr National Observatoy of Athens, Greece]
* [http://www.sil.sk.ca/cadi.html Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde (CADI)]

{{CC-BY-SA-WP|1=Ionosonde}}

[[Category:Utility radio stations]]