Q Gerry Miller, AA2ZJ, asks, “I recently stumbled on what I believe are beacon signals from about 200 to 400 kHz. They identify in CW, sending their call signs over and over. Some of the call signs I’ve copied include CAT, PPK, UR and NEL. Can you solve this mystery for me?
A The signals you’ve received are indeed beacons. Specifically, they are nondirectional navigational beacons, many of which are maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration and the US Navy, among others. Most of the beacons identify themselves with two or three-letter call signs sent in Morse. These beacons can be heard over great distances when conditions are right.
There are radio hobbyists who embrace the challenge of “DXing” these beacons and even obtaining QSLs to confirm reception. One excellent tool for identifying the beacons can be found on the Web at http://www.airnav.com/navaids/. At this site you can plug in the call sign and see the location and other information about the beacon.
For example, you mentioned hearing NEL. According to the database, that call sign belongs to a Navy beacon located in Lakehurst, New Jersey.
From QST May 1999
