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Beacon is a transmitting ARDF-style Morse application. It repeatedly sends a selected identifier on the active TX VFO, alternating between a configurable transmit window and silent interval.
Since v6.0.0, Beacon and FoxHunt are separate applications and separate programmable actions. Beacon starts directly in its transmit cycle; it does not open through FoxHunt.
Beacon is resident in the FieldOps edition. In Labs, install the Beacon overlay app with UV Studio. The BEACON shortcut launches the resident application or the matching installed overlay app, depending on the edition.
[!WARNING] Beacon starts its first transmission immediately. Before launching it, verify the active TX VFO, frequency, power, antenna,
F Lock,TXLock, callsign and identification requirements, duty cycle, and local regulations. Do not leave an unattended beacon transmitting where autonomous or periodic transmissions are prohibited.
Assign BEACON to F1Shrt, F1Long, F2Shrt, F2Long, or M Long, then trigger that shortcut. In Labs you can also launch Beacon from the F + 7 app selector.
| Setting | Message | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
MOE to MO5 |
MOE, MOI, MOS, MOH, MO5 |
five standard IARU ARDF fox identifiers |
MO |
MO |
finish/home identifier |
CALL |
configured callsign followed by MOE |
identified amateur-band beacon |
The callsign comes from CHIRP Message Line 1. Letters are converted to uppercase; letters, digits, and / are supported. See Programming with CHIRP.
The identifier uses a 1000 Hz tone at approximately 12 WPM.
TX: 5 to 60 seconds, in 5-second steps; default 30 secondsIDLE: 5 to 240 seconds, in 5-second steps; default 30 secondsFor classic five-fox timing, use TX = 60 s and IDLE = 240 s.
| Mode | Behavior |
|---|---|
TONE |
Keeps the FM carrier active for the complete TX window and keys the 1000 Hz tone |
CARR |
Keys the carrier and tone together for each Morse element, so the signal disappears in the gaps |
TONE is the cleaner default. CARR more closely reproduces carrier-interrupted ARDF transmitters, but direct carrier keying can produce small clicks and additional spectral spread.
| Control | Action |
|---|---|
1 |
Cycle the TX duration |
2 |
Cycle the IDLE duration |
3 |
Cycle the identifier |
4 |
Toggle TONE / CARR |
F, then 1, 2, 3, or 4 |
Step the corresponding setting backwards |
hold F for about 0.5 seconds |
Lock or unlock all Beacon controls |
M during TX |
Stop the current transmission and begin a fresh idle interval |
M while idle |
Restart the full idle countdown |
EXIT |
Stop safely and exit Beacon |
Before every burst, Beacon checks the normal TX-frequency restrictions, per-channel TXLock, battery state, and modulation. If transmission is refused, it shows the corresponding radio status and waits before trying the next scheduled burst.
Beacon saves its identifier, TX duration, IDLE duration, and TONE / CARR mode. These settings are restored at the next launch and are included in an AirCopy Settings transfer. The temporary application lock is not saved.