SARC Beacons

SARC creates and maintains radio beacons—on 6 meters, 10 GHz, and 24 GHz—not only to serve the practical needs of the amateur radio community, but also to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our beacons provide critical propagation references for local and distant operators, enabling real-time assessment of band conditions, especially on rarely-used or technically demanding frequencies. The 6m beacon supports regional communications and weak-signal experimentation, while our microwave beacons at 10 and 24 GHz are among the very few in Western Canada—operating from high-elevation sites to maximize coverage and utility. These beacons are not off-the-shelf systems; they represent advanced engineering efforts by our members, led by Dino Gueorguiev VE7NX and Scott Charles VA7SC, and they demonstrate SARC’s commitment to innovation, experimentation, and leadership in the amateur radio community. By maintaining this infrastructure, we offer unique tools for learning, testing, and long-distance communication that benefit both the local region and the broader radio science community.