Plain-language answer: The Reverse Beacon Network is a network of automated receiving stations that spots decoded CW and supported digital signals.
Why operators care
It can compare reach, timing, frequency, and relative reports, but skimmer antennas, receivers, propagation, and local noise differ widely.
Set it up correctly
Send a clean correctly identified signal, compare the same skimmers across repeated tests, and record band, time, power, and antenna configuration.
The common mistake
Comparing raw SNR numbers from different skimmers as if they came from one calibrated laboratory receiver.
Operating boundary
Current regulations, service documentation, satellite status, software versions, and the complete station’s continuous-duty limits control. Online reports are observations, not guaranteed link performance.
