Does anyone really listen to these beacons at present. In the early days
they were useful but now there is very little reporting. The majority of
operators that I speak to do not look for beacons, only real time QSO'S .
If one looks at the odd beacon report it is the same person reporting over
and over and is meaningless. I have not seen a report from any new countries
for a long time, no one listening. even heard a BEACON CQ today from a GW
station that went on for hours!!!!!!!!!!!!
The preferred mode on this band is normal CW and a real QSO.
Grabbers are useful for propagation testing when the band is quiet but a
real qso and report is more authentic and do not forget xband working for a
report from around EU.
The experienced operator knows when their system is working.

De G3KEV