Do You Use the NCDXF Beacon's to Assess Propagation?

[KY6R]

I've been using VOACAP - and then just spinning the dial, but every now and then check the NCDXF beacons.

I'm wondering if anyone uses the Beacons as their main source to check propagation.

[AC4RD]

I used to use the beacons all the time, and I still think they're a great resource.  I've got the beacons from 20 to 10 meters on memory channels in the HF rig in the car, so I can listen and see what shape a band is in quickly.  But lately I don't seem to use them very often.  They're a great resource, though!

[W7ETA]

I stopped using beacons when internet spotting started.
73
Bob

[AA6YQ]

I've been using VOACAP - and then just spinning the dial, but every now and then check the NCDXF beacons.

I'm wondering if anyone uses the Beacons as their main source to check propagation.

I use the NCDXF beacons to calibrate propagation forecasts. PropView includes both a beacon monitor and the ability to generate graphical forecasts using the included VOACAP and ICEPAC engines. Here's a PropView beacon schedule; if you have Commander installed, PropView will direct it to QSY your transceiver to the correct frequency to monitor the next beacon in your schedule.

DX spots don't reveal openings of which no one QRV is aware. Beacons and propagation forecasts do reveal such openings.

    73,

        Dave, AA6YQ

[ES1TU]

For me there are two major sources:

a) beacon monitoring stations
b) reverse beacon network

There are 2 beacon monitoring stations close to me. Unfortunately one got hit by lightning and other guy is moving to new qth.
So - they are both down at the moment. Fortunately there is a monitoring station http://www.k0koc.com/faros/chrome.asp in Maryland and I check how it copies OH2 beacon which is close to me.

RBN (reverse beacon network) is another cool thing. I send my cw "cq" for a minute and after that I have very good overview how I'm heard on the "other side".
http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=0&c=es1tu&t=dx
Unfortunately their telnet server at telnet.reversebeacon.net:7000 has been a bit unstable lately, but I hope it will be fixed soon.