Propagation beacon
A propagation beacon is a radio beacon that is used to assess the radio weather for long-distance traffic.
Propagation beacons are mostly operated by radio amateurs ; they are available on various amateur radio bands from long wave to microwaves . The most famous international beacon project NCDXF / IARU of the International Amateur Radio Union currently consists of 18 beacon stations which alternately transmit on the shortwave frequencies 14.100 MHz, 18.110 MHz, 21.150 MHz, 24.930 MHz and 28.200 MHz. By listening to these frequencies, you can quickly gain an overview of which regions of the earth and over which frequency ranges a spread is currently possible.
The oldest propagation beacon still in operation today is in Denmark with the amateur radio call sign OZ7IGY. It has been broadcasting since the International Geophysical Year 1957, currently on 12 amateur radio bands from 28 MHz to 24 GHz.
The DK0WCY beacon in Germany broadcasts information about radio weather on 10.144 MHz.
literature
- John G. Troster, Robert S. Fabry: The NCDXF / IARU International Beacon Network. In: QST , October 1994, 31-33; November 1994, 49-51; September 1997, 47-48.
- Eugene M. Zimmerman: Propagation Beacons. In: QST, July 2007, 78-80.
Web links
- Website of the NCDXF / IARU International Beacon Project (English)
- German amateur radio aurora tobacco DK0WCY
- Information on the meaning of the data transferred from DK0WCY ( PDF file; 104 kB)
- Beacons on bands below 14 MHz on the DARC eV website
- Beacon list from DL8WX