The IARU supports, with a small annual grant, a worldwide network of HF beacons known as the International Beacon Project (IBP). The beacons were constructed by volunteers of the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and operate from 18 locations on the following frequencies on a time-shared basis: 14.100, 18.110, 21.150, 24.930, and 28.200 MHz. The NCDXF/IARU beacons help both amateur and non-amateur HF radio users assess the current condition of the ionosphere.

See IARU Region 2 active and inactive beacons here. You can download the list as .XLS, .XLX, .ODS or .CSV. The PDF download option is currently not working. Please send an email to hfbeacon@​iaru-​r2.​org if you see anything that needs to be corrected.

Additional beacons operate in the 10 meter band from 28.100 MHz to 28.300 MHz and should be coordinated by one of the regional IARU Beacon Coordinators following the IARU Band Plans.

Amateur Radio Operators desiring to implement any beacon should ensure that it operates within the regulations governing amateur radio operations in each country and consult the appropriate Regional HF beacon coordinator. Additional assistance may be obtained from the IARU Member Society in the country where the beacon will be located.

IARU Regional HF beacon coordinators

Region 1 – HF beacon coordinator
Dennis Green, ZS4BS
E‑Mail: hf-​beacon@​iaru-​r1.​org

Region 2 – HF Beacon Coordinator
Jerry Moyer, AC5JM
E‑Mail: hfbeacon@​iaru-​r2.​org

Region 3 – Beacon Project Coordinator
Agus Gunarso, YB1LZ
E‑Mail: beacon-​coord@​iaru-​r3.​org

Except for short-term experiments such as observation of the effects of solar eclipses the IARU does not support the operation of amateur beacons below 14 MHz because of congestion in these bands.

Also available in Español (Spanish).