BEACON Device Help
This guide covers common issues with your BEACON Citizen Compliance Node. If your problem is not listed here, contact the Citizen Compliance Division at compliance@energy.gov.ndrc.uk or visit your local Ministry of Energy office.
Common Problems
My device shows "UNABLE TO CONTACT NDRC SERVERS"
This means your BEACON cannot reach the national monitoring platform. Check that your WiFi router is powered on and has internet access. Try rebooting your BEACON by pressing ENTER when prompted, or use the System Menu to reboot (hold ENTER + DOWN for 1.5 seconds). If the problem persists, your internet service may be disrupted — contact your district infrastructure office.
My device shows "DEVICE OFFLINE"
Your BEACON is not connected to the NDRC platform. Verify that your home WiFi network is working and that other devices can connect to the internet. Check the Device Status screen on your BEACON (navigate with the DOWN button) for WiFi signal strength and connection details. If signal strength is low, move your BEACON closer to your WiFi router.
My registration code has expired (72-hour deadline passed)
Registration is still possible after the 72-hour deadline. Complete the registration process immediately at /beacon/register to avoid further penalties. Note that a Class C compliance flag has already been recorded against your CARL-ID. Contact the Citizen Compliance Division if you require an exemption due to extenuating circumstances.
I changed my WiFi network
If your home WiFi network has changed (new router, new password, or new address), you will need to reconfigure your BEACON. Access the System Menu by holding ENTER + DOWN simultaneously for 1.5 seconds, then select Factory Reset. The device will restart and enter WiFi Setup mode, allowing you to connect to a new network. Your registration and CCI history will be preserved.
My CCI score is not updating
Scores update every 15 seconds when connected. Check the Device Status screen to verify WiFi and MQTT connectivity. If both show as connected but the score is not changing, the issue may be with the national platform — wait 10 minutes and check again. If the problem continues for more than 1 hour, report a fault to compliance@energy.gov.ndrc.uk.
No sounds or LED activity
Your BEACON may be in Quiet Mode. This is activated when:
- Your availability status is set to Do Not Disturb
- Quiet hours are configured via the Control Panel (
http://[your-beacon-ip]/api)
Check your status on the Control Panel or wait until quiet hours end. Display notifications will still appear on screen even during quiet mode.
How do I access the System Menu?
Hold ENTER and DOWN simultaneously for 1.5 seconds. The System Menu provides:
- Reboot Device — Restart your BEACON
- Factory Reset — Erase WiFi settings and return to setup mode (registration is preserved)
- Network Info — View IP address, WiFi details, and signal strength
- Registration Info — View your CARL-ID link and registration code
How do I use my BEACON for login?
When you sign in to a government service that requires two-factor authentication, your BEACON device will automatically display a 6-digit code with a green highlighted border. Simply enter this code into the login form within 30 seconds. If the code expires, a new code will be generated automatically. You can also view your authentication codes manually by navigating to Tools > TOTP Auth on your device. Authentication codes are managed centrally by the Ministry of Technology — you do not need to configure anything yourself.
My BEACON device is damaged or lost
Your BEACON device is the property of the Non-Democratic Republic of Carl. If your device is damaged, malfunctioning, or lost, you must report it to the Ministry of Energy immediately. Failure to report a non-operational device may result in compliance penalties. Do not attempt to repair the device yourself — tampering is a criminal offence under the Public Order Act 2023.
Contact the Citizen Compliance Division at compliance@energy.gov.ndrc.uk to arrange a replacement.
Understanding Your Display
Your BEACON has 4 inputs: 3 navigation buttons (UP, DOWN, ENTER) and a rotary encoder with a built-in push button for adjusting values and switching fields. Navigate between the 8 screens using UP and DOWN:
| Screen | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Home | CCI score, environment readings, energy quota, status badge |
| Compliance | Detailed CCI breakdown by scoring factor |
| Environment | Temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, light level |
| Energy Quota | Your energy allocation and current usage percentage |
| Tasks | Assigned civic tasks from your supervisor, completion status, and deadlines |
| Notices | Government notices requiring acknowledgment, Daily Directive |
| Tools | Pomodoro timer, countdown timer, stopwatch, TOTP authenticator |
| Device Status | WiFi signal, MQTT status, IP address, firmware version |
Assigned Tasks
Your supervising authority may assign mandatory civic tasks directly to your BEACON device. Assigned tasks appear on the Tasks screen and include a description, priority level, and deadline.
- Navigate to the Tasks screen using the UP and DOWN buttons.
- Scroll through your assigned tasks using UP and DOWN.
- To mark a task as complete, select the task and press ENTER. Press ENTER again to toggle back if you marked a task in error.
- Task completion is reported to your supervising authority and contributes a 5% bonus to your CCI score.
- Overdue or incomplete tasks may be flagged to the relevant ministry. Persistent failure to complete assigned tasks is recorded against your CARL-ID.
Government Notices
Official government notices are delivered directly to your BEACON device and require your acknowledgment. When unread notices are waiting, a flashing envelope icon appears on the Home screen status bar.
- Navigate to the Notices screen to view all pending and acknowledged notices.
- Select a notice and press ENTER to acknowledge it.
- The Daily Directive — a daily affirmation from Republic leadership — also appears on the Notices screen each day. Acknowledgment of the Daily Directive is mandatory.
- Unacknowledged notices are reported to the issuing ministry. Failure to acknowledge notices in a timely manner may result in compliance penalties and a reduction in your CCI score.
HTTP Control Panel
Your BEACON device hosts a built-in control panel accessible from any device on the same network. Open a web browser and navigate to:
http://[your-beacon-ip]/api
You can find your BEACON's IP address on the Device Status screen or in the System Menu under Network Info.
The Control Panel allows you to:
- Set availability status — Choose from Available, Busy, or Do Not Disturb. Your status is visible to your supervising authority.
- Manage assigned tasks — View task details and mark tasks as complete from your browser.
- Configure quiet hours — Set start and end times during which audible alerts are suppressed (display notifications remain active).
- View device information — Check firmware version, connectivity status, and registration details.
The Control Panel is provided for your convenience. Your BEACON must remain powered on and connected at all times regardless of Control Panel settings. Quiet hours do not exempt you from notice acknowledgment obligations.
Quiet Hours and Availability Status
Your BEACON supports configurable quiet hours and availability status to manage when audible alerts are sounded.
Quiet Hours
- Configure quiet hours via the HTTP Control Panel at
http://[your-beacon-ip]/api. - During quiet hours, audible tones and LED flashes are suppressed. On-screen notifications and the flashing envelope icon remain active.
- Quiet hours do not pause CCI scoring, task deadlines, or notice acknowledgment requirements. You are still obligated to acknowledge all notices and complete assigned tasks within their deadlines.
Availability Status
- Set your status to Available, Busy, or Do Not Disturb via the Control Panel.
- Your availability status is reported to your supervising authority and may be visible on workplace management systems.
- Do Not Disturb suppresses audible alerts in the same manner as quiet hours. Critical and Compliance-level government alerts will still sound regardless of your status setting.
- Extended periods in Do Not Disturb status may be flagged for review by your supervising authority.
Contact and Support
- Citizen Compliance Division: compliance@energy.gov.ndrc.uk
- Ministry of Energy: Visit your local district office
- Technical faults: Ministry of Technology helpdesk — 0117 463 8742, ext. 420