How the beacon network works
The International Beacon Project is run by the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) with the IARU. Eighteen beacons on every continent transmit on 14.100, 18.110, 21.150, 24.930 and 28.200 MHz. Each one transmits for 10 seconds on 20m, then moves to 17m, 15m, 12m and 10m in turn, while the next beacon in the list takes its place on 20m. The whole sequence repeats every three minutes, so every beacon is heard on every band once every three minutes.
The timing is fixed to UTC, so if your clock is right you know exactly which beacon you're hearing. That's why this page can show it without any data feed: it works it out from the time on your device. Make sure your computer or phone sets its clock automatically.
Using the beacons to check propagation
Tune to one of the beacon frequencies in CW or USB mode and listen for a few minutes. Every beacon you hear tells you that path is open on that band right now. The four dashes at falling power show how good the path is: hearing the 100 mW dash means a QRP station would get through. Comparing bands shows which is best for DX at the moment, and comparing the short and long path headings with a beam shows which way round the world signals are coming.
Software such as Faros can monitor the beacons automatically, and the Reverse Beacon Network decodes them across the world. For a quick check, though, a few minutes of listening with this page open is all you need. Compare what you hear with the band conditions and the grey line map.
Please don't transmit on beacon frequencies
The band plans keep 14.099 to 14.101, 18.109 to 18.111, 21.149 to 21.151, 24.929 to 24.931 and 28.199 to 28.201 MHz clear for the beacons. Transmitting there blocks them for everyone, so keep away, especially with data modes whose audio offset might put your signal on the beacon frequency.
Questions
What frequencies are the NCDXF beacons on?
14.100, 18.110, 21.150, 24.930 and 28.200 MHz. Each beacon transmits for 10 seconds on each band in turn, and the cycle repeats every three minutes.
Why can't I hear a beacon the page says is transmitting?
The path may be closed, the beacon may be off air for repairs, or your clock may be wrong. Check your device sets its time automatically.
What do the four dashes mean?
They're sent at 100 W, 10 W, 1 W and 0.1 W. The weakest dash you can hear shows how good the path is.
Which mode should I listen in?
CW or USB, with the dial set to the beacon frequency. In CW mode you'll hear the tone at your radio's CW offset.