What Is a Beacon Station License in Amateur Radio?

Amateur radio beacon stations are automated transmitters that broadcast on specific frequencies, continuously or on a regular schedule, to help operators assess radio propagation conditions. If you can hear a beacon from a distant location, you know that propagation to that location is open. Beacons serve as passive propagation indicators across amateur radio bands.

What Beacons Do

A typical amateur radio beacon transmits its call sign, location, and sometimes power level and antenna type using Morse code or digital modes. By monitoring known beacons, operators can determine:

• Whether a particular band is open for long-distance communication
• The direction from which signals are propagating (useful for directional antenna pointing)
• Signal strength and consistency (useful for predicting contact quality)

The NCDXF/IBP Beacon Network

The Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and International Beacon Project (IBP) operate a coordinated global beacon network — 18 beacons located around the world that transmit in sequence on five HF frequencies (14.100, 18.110, 21.150, 24.930, and 28.200 MHz). By monitoring these frequencies, operators can rapidly assess worldwide HF propagation conditions.

FCC Licensing for Beacons

Amateur radio beacon stations require an FCC authorization as either:

• A standard amateur station license used specifically for beacon operation (the licensee's personal or club call sign)
• A specialized auxiliary station authorization

Under FCC Part 97, beacon stations must transmit the station call sign at least once every ten minutes. They may not transmit on frequencies below 28 MHz with more than 100 watts, and must not cause harmful interference to other amateur stations. Beacon licenses are visible in the FCC ULS and can be identified by the beacon-related information in associated station documentation.