The
Eastern Iowa DX Bulletin
For
March 17, 2023 to March 24, 2023
Craig Fastenow, KØCF, Editor
This bulletin is a compilation of currently active DX operations (or those that will become active within the current week) from recent issues of the four DX bulletins listed below and other sources. Credit for the source is given at the end of each article. The articles are ordered by the entity's official callsign prefix, callsigns used are in bold, and dates of operation are highlighted in red. Hot links are provided for QSL and other information wherever possible. Articles will remain in The Bulletin while active with a 5-week maximum.
DX News
items are courtesy of:
The ARRL DX Bulletin
The bulletin is available at http://www.arrl.org
425 DX News, A.R.I. DX Bulletin (425DXN)
Edited by Mauro Pregliasco, I1JQJ
& Valeria Pregliasco, IK1ADH
425 DX News Home Page: https://www.425dxn.org/
425 DX News Google Group: https://groups.google.com/g/425eng
DX Newsletter (DXNL)
Edited by Andreas Salder, DK5ON
A weekly service of DARC Committee
"DX", http://www.darcdxhf.de
Quick jump to:
Propagation
Contest Calendar
3A, MONACO.
Lorenzo, 3A2OG
is a new amateur radio operator and has been active while testing
various HF antennas. He is interested in using QRP and in portable
operations. QSL direct.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 9, 2023] (0310-0331)
4L, GEORGIA.
Rene, DL2JRM is QRV as 4L/DL2JRM
until March 20th.
Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using CW. QSL to DL2JRM.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 16, 2023] (0317-0324)
7P, LESOTHO.
Schalk, ZS4Z is QRV as 7P8LL.
Activity is on 80 to 2 meters, including 70 and 23 centimeters. QSL via
EA7FTR.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 9 March 2, 2023] (0303-0324)
8P, BARBADOS.
Eliot, W1MJ will be active holiday style as 8P9MJ from Barbados
(NA-021) on March
18th-25th. Operating QRP CW using wire antennas, he hopes
"to do at least one or two Parks on the Air sessions". QSL via LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1663 March 18, 2023] (0317-0324)
9G,
GHANA. Team 9G4X
(Zeev 4X4ZS, Haim 9G5AF, Curt N2ZX, George N4GRN, Joe
K9UR, Gregg W6IZT, Hal W8HC, Bob W9AP and Mike WBØSND) will be active
from Langma, Ghana on March
22nd-30th, including a Multi-Two entry in
the CQWW WPX Phone Contest. Outside the contest they will operate five
stations: three on 160-10 meters, one on 6 meters and one QRV on
QO-100. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS,
LoTW, or via K4NHW. The team also looks
forward to working with some of the local amateurs sharing DXpedition
and contest operating experiences that they hope will encourage the
locals to pick up and continue after departure. The 5-element antenna
for six meters will be donated to the Accra Amateur Radio Club (9G2DX)
for their continued use during the 6m season.
-[425DXN # 1660 February 25, 2023] (0317-0331)
9X,
RWANDA. The Russian DXpedition Team will be active as 9X5RU from near
Kigali, Rwanda from March
22nd to April 7th. The team (R5AF, R5EC,
R7AL, R9LR, RT9L, RW8A, RW9JZ and UA3QLC) will be QRV on 160-6m and the
QO-100 satellite, CW, SSB and FT8 with several stations and a wide
range of antennas. QSL via ClubLog's
OQRS and LoTW. Bookmark
https://9x5ru.org/
for more information and updates.
-[425DXN # 1662 March 11, 2023] (0317-0407)
9X, RWANDA. Eddy,
OE3SEU, is currently on a caravan tour through Africa and operates as 9X3SE/p since
February 26th. QRV on SSB and via QO-100. It is unknown how long he
will stay in the country. QSL via LoTW.
-[DXNL # 2344 March 8, 2023] (0310-0331)
A6,
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. The national ham organization EARS
runs the
special event station A6ØAP
with additional designators /Ø to /15 to
mark their country's astronaut program.
A6ØAP/Ø Op.
A61Y QSL: EA7FTR
A6ØAP/1 Op.
A61M QSL: A61BK
A6ØAP/2 Op.
A61Q QSL: EA7FTR
A6ØAP/3 Op. A61FK
QSL: A61BK
A6ØAP/4 Op. A61BK
QSL: A61BK
A6ØAP/5 Op. A61DD
QSL: EA7FTR
A6ØAP/6 Op. A61QQ
QSL: A61BK
A6ØAP/7 Op. A61AY
QSL: DIRECT
A6ØAP/8 Op. A65GC
QSL: DIRECT
A6ØAP/9 Op. A61ZX
QSL: IZ8CLM
A6ØAP/1Ø Op. A65BR QSL: DIRECT
A6ØAP/11 Op. A61NN QSL: EA7FTR
A6ØAP/12 Op. A65GD QSL: Direct
A6ØAP/13 Op. A65GJ QSL: Direct
A6ØAP/14 Op. A61FJ QSL: LZ1YE
A6ØAP/15 Op. A61DI QSL: EA7FTR
They remain active until
the end
of August. For more information see:
https://www.mbrsc.ae/service/astronaut_prog/
QSL A6ØAP via EA7FTR.
-[DXNL # 2345 March 15, 2023] (0317-0421)
A6, UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES.
Thomas, DL2RMC is QRV as A65CW
until the end of
September. He is active on 80 to 6 meters using CW and
FT8. This includes activity on Satellite QO-100. QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 9 March 2, 2023] (0303-0331)
C2, NAURU.
Phill, FK1TS will be on Nauru (OC-031) for six days (March 18th-24th)
and plans to be QRV as C21TS:
in the "worst case scenario, I might pop up on 6m and 10m only with a
mobile whip", he says, but he hopes to be able to "string up some
wire". He will operate FT8 only, using MSHV on secondaries in multi
stream mode. QSL via LoTW. He might be moving to Nauru for an extended
period, sometime after June this year. See https://www.qrz.com/db/C21TS
for updates.
-[425DXN # 1663 March 18, 2023] (0317-0324)
C6, BAHAMAS.
Steve, KG4LJB is active holiday style as C6AJB from Eleuthera
(NA-001), Bahamas until
March 24th. He operates FT8 and SSB. QSL via LoTW ("I do
not have the time or resources to issue paper QSL cards").
-[425DXN # 1663 March 18, 2023] (0317-0324)
CT3, MADEIRA
ISLANDS. Look for CT9/DD8ZX,
CT9/DF7EE
and CT9/DJ9KM
to be active from Madeira (AF-014) on March 22nd-28th.
Helmut, DF7EE will participate in the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest as CQ3W. QSL CT9/DD8ZX and CT9/DJ9KM via LoTW
or home calls; QSL CQ3W and CT9/DF7EE via LoTW or ClubLog's
OQRS.
-[425DXN # 1662 March 11, 2023] (0317-0331)
CYØ, SABLE ISLAND.
After a delay of almost 3 years, the CYØS DXpedition to
Sable Island is now due to take place from March 20th to 30th.
The team consists of: Jay K4ZLE, Craig K9CT, Lou N2TU, John W2GD, Dan
W4DKS, Glenn WØGJ,
Murray WA4DAN, and Lee WW2DX. They plan to set up 3 rigs for 160-6m
(including 60m) and 2m EME. QSL via WA4DAN, OQRS,
LoTW.
-[DXNL # 2345 March 15, 2023] (0317-0331)
D4, CAPE VERDE.
Luca, HB9OBD will be active holiday style as D44KIT from Sal
Island (AF-086), Cape Verde from March 8th to April 5th.
He will operate SSB and FT8 on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters. QSL via LoTW,
eQSL, or via EB7DX.
-[425DXN # 1661 March 4, 2023] (0303-0407)
D6, COMOROS.
Hiro, JF1OCQ will be active as D67AA
from Comoros (AF- 007) on March
10th-22nd. He will operate SSB, CW, FT8 (F/H) and FT4 on
160-10 meters (see https://www.qrz.com/db/D67AA
for the band plan). QSL via LoTW (preferred) or direct to JF1OCQ; he
will upload his log also to ClubLog and other platforms.
-[425DXN # 1661 March 4, 2023] (0310-0324)
DL, GERMANY.
The DARC club V22 runs the special event station DM775NB (special DOK
NB775) to mark the 775th anniversary of the city Neubrandenburg in
2023. QSL via bureau or direct to DM6RAC.
-[DXNL # 2345 March 15, 2023] (0317-0407)
DU, PHILIPPINES.
Jacek, SP5APW will be QRV as DU1/SP5APW
from the Babuyan Islands, IOTA OC-092, from March 18th to 26th.
Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using SSB and FT8. QSL to SP5APW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 16, 2023] (0317-0331)
DXCC TOP TWENTY.
Here are the top 20 entities on ClubLog’s "DXCC Most Wanted" list, last
updated March 12, 2023:
1. P5 DPRK (North
Korea) 11. FT5/X Kerguelen Island
2. 3Y/B Bouvet
Island 12.
YVØ Aves Island
3. FT5/W Crozet
Island 13.
VKØM Macquarie Island
4. BS7H Scarborough
Reef 14.
ZS8 Prince Edward & Marion Islands
5. CEØX San Felix
Islands 15. KH4
Midway Island
6. BV9P Pratas
Island
16. PYØS Saint Peter And Paul Rocks
7.
KH7K Kure
Island
17.
PYØT Trindade & Martim Vaz Islands
8. KH3 Johnston
Island 18.
KP5 Desecheo Island
9. 3Y/P Peter 1
Island 19.
VP8S South Sandwich Islands
10. FT/G Glorioso
Island 20.
KH5 Palmyra & Jarvis Islands
For
the complete
list, see https://clublog.org/mostwanted.php
-[KØCF March 17, 2023] (0317-0331)
EA, SPAIN.
The Radio Club de Henares operates the special event station AO25AH during March to
draw attention to the Spanish Amateur Radio Historical Archive EA4DO,
established in 1998.
-[DXNL # 2345 March 15, 2023] (0317-0407)
EA, SPAIN.
Look for EG4IF,
EG1GURU, EG2GURU, EG3GURU, EG4GURU,
EG5GURU and EG7GURU to be QRV
from various SOTA locations during
March.
This activity is a tribute to Jose-Antonio Gurutzarri "Guru" Jauregi
(EA2IF), an outstanding personality of the Summits On The Air program,
who passed away on March 11, 2022. QSL cards will not be provided; see
https://sites.google.com/view/ea2if-memorial
for the certificate that
will be available.
-[425DXN # 1660 February 25, 2023] (0224-0331)
EX, KYRGYZSTAN.
Bob, DU7ET (VQ9ET) will be QRV from Bishkek as EXØET
for five weeks
starting February 22nd. After this he will return to the
Philippines. QSL direct to DU7ET.
-[DXNL # 2342 February 22, 2023] (0224-0331)
FG, GUADELOUPE.
Jean-Luc, F1ULQ will be active as TO1Q
from Guadeloupe (NA-102) starting on March 20th for a couple of
weeks. He will operate SSB and FT8 on 80-6m, and will
participate in the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest. QSL via LoTW, ClubLog's OQRS
or via F1ULQ.
-[425DXN # 1663 March 18, 2023] (0317-0407)
FG, GUADELOUPE.
Gildas, F6HMQ and Michel, F6GWV
are QRV as FG/F6HMQ
and FG/F6GWV
respectively until
March 26th. They will be active as TO3Z in the ARRL
International SSB DX contest and the upcoming CQ World Wide WPX SSB
contest. QSL to home calls, and TO3Z via F6HMQ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 9 March 2, 2023] (0303-0324)
FG, GUADELOUPE.
Philippe, F1DUZ, operates as FG4KH
until March 8th,
including the REF SSB contest (February 25th-26th) and the ARRL DX SSB
Contest (March
4th-5th). QSL via F1DUZ, LoTW,
eQSL.
-[DXNL # 2341 February 15, 2023] (0217-0312)
FM, MARTINIQUE.
Miguel, EA1BP will be active as FM/EA1BP
from Martinique (NA-107) on March
21st-28th. He will operate SSB with a focus on 17 and 12m
and will participate in the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest as TO7O. QSL via
LoTW, or via EA1BP. [TNX
NG3K]
-[425DXN # 1662 March 11, 2023] (0317-0331)
FO/M, MARQUESAS ISLANDS.
The "Magnet" is heading to the Marquesas Islands (OC- 027), where she
is expected to arrive around March
18th and stay until March 30th. Plans are for George,
AA7JV and Mike, KN4EEI "to put ashore a small DXpedition with three
stations": one full power station will be operated locally on 160-10
meters CW and SSB; two 100-watt stations will be operated remotely on
80-6 meters FT8. Bookmark https://www.qrz.com/db/AA7JV
for updates.
-[425DXN # 1661 March 4, 2023] (0317-0331)
FR, REUNION.
Stephane, F5UOW will be active holiday style as FR/F5UOW from
Reunion Island (AF-016) on March
9th-27th. He operates CW. QSL via LoTW, "not bureau".
-[425DXN # 1662 March 11, 2023] (0310-0331)
FS, SAINT MARTIN.
Tom, AA9A, will be active as PJ7AA
from March 3rd until
April 1st on 80-10m (CW, SSB, FT8). QSL via AA9A, OQRS, LoTW.
-[DXNL # 2343 March 1, 2023] (0303-0331)
G, ENGLAND.
Special callsign GB75MM
draws attention to the first Morris Minor car production 75 years ago.
It was the first automobile brand in Great Britain produced in the
millions. QRV until
March 28th. QSL via GB75MM or via GØAIH.
-[DXNL # 2345 March 15, 2023] (0317-0331)
GI, NORTHERN
IRELAND.
Special callsigns GB1PAT
and GB2PAT
are the for members of the Bushvalley Amateur Radio Club (MNØGKL) to
use on March 1st-28th
to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. QSLs via LoTW only. Three
certificates will be available for making contact with both callsigns
on different bands, see https://www.qrz.com/db/GB1PAT.
-[425DXN # 1661 March 4, 2023] (0303-0331)
HI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
Members of the Loma del Toro DX Club will be QRV as HIØLT from Isla
Cabras, IOTA NA-122, from March
12th to 19th. Activity will be on 160 to 2 meters using
CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4. QSL via EB7DX.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 9, 2023] (0310-0324)
HKØ, SAN ANDRES
AND PROVIDENCIA. Alex, DK8FD will be QRV as HKØ/DK8FD from
Providencia, IOTA NA-033, from March
20th to 25th. QSL to DK8FD.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 16, 2023] (0317-0324)
HP, PANAMA.
VA3QR will be active as HP3/VA3QR
from March 11th to
20th on 80-10m (SSB, FT8) with 100W. QSL via VA3QR, LoTW.
-[DXNL # 2344 March 8, 2023] (0310-0324)
I, ITALY.
Celebrating the centenary of the Italian Air Force (March 28, 1923), a
large number of special callsigns will be active from March 20th to June 20th:
IIØAQN,
IIØBPL, IIØCMP, IIØFRO, IIØGUI, IIØLAT, IIØMVV, IIØPDM, IIØRMC, II1CAM,
II2MIL, II2VNG, II3AFT, II3AVI, II3BLN, II3GOR, II3IST, II4PNF, II5PIS,
II5PON, II6PES, II7BRI, II7LEG, II8RCL, II8REG, II8VVL, II9CMS, II9CTF,
II9CVT, II9PAB, II9SIG, II9TMM, IO5LUT, IO9MAR, IY1TO. The
activity is organized by the Associazione Radioamatori Italiani (ARI)
in collaboration with the Air Force General Staff; each callsign
represents a place that had or still has significant importance in the
ITAAF history. A certificate will be available; see https://www.ari.it/images/stories/diplomi/centenarioam23.pdf
for information.
-[425DXN # 1663 March 18, 2023] (0317-0407)
J8, SAINT
VINCENT. Thomas, F4HPX will be active holiday style
as J8/AG7JQ
from "several islands" within Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines sometime
in March. He will operate mainly SSB, with some
FT8/FT4 "when tired" and maybe "a bit of automated (sorry) CW" on 40-10
meters. QSL via F4HPX (direct or
bureau), LoTW and eQSL.
-[425DXN # 1660 February 25, 2023] (0224-0324)
JD1/M, MINAMI
TORISHIMA. Take, JG8NQJ will be QRV as JG8NQJ/JD1 beginning
March 15th
and expects to be here for
two months while on work assignment. Activity will be in
his spare time on the HF bands using mainly CW with some FT8. QSL
direct to JA8CJY.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 9, 2023] (0310-0414)
JD1/O, OGASAWARA.
Look for JD1BOI
(QSL via JI1LET and
LoTW) and JD1BON
(QSL via JA1UII and LoTW)
to be active from Chichijima (AS-031), Ogasawara on March 9th-24th.
They will operate CW, SSB and digital modes (RTTY, FT8, FT4) on 160-6
meters.
-[425DXN # 1661 March 4, 2023] (0303-0324)
PJ2, CURACAO.
Andy, DK5ON will be active again as PJ2/DK5ON
from
Curacao (SA-099) on March
4th-22nd. He will operate SSB, CW and digital
modes on 160-6 meters. QSL via LoTW, ClubLog's
OQRS, or via DK5ON
(direct or bureau). [TNX NG3K]
-[425DXN # 1660 February 25, 2023] (0224-0324)
PJ4, BONAIRE.
John, KK9A will be QRV as PJ4/KK9A
from March 21st to
27th. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using CW and
SSB. This includes being active as PJ4R
in the upcoming CQ World Wide WPX SSB contest. QSL via WD9DZV.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 16, 2023] (0317-0331)
PJ7, SINT MAARTEN.
Tom, AA9A will be active again as PJ7AA
from Sint Maarten (NA-105) from March
3rd to April 1st. Usually he operates CW, SSB and FT8 on
80- 10 meters. QSL via ClubLog's
OQRS, LoTW or direct to AA9A.
-[425DXN # 1659 February 18, 2023] (0303-0331)
PZ, SURINAME.
Harrie, PA3EHS is QRV as PZ5HS
from Para until
March 25th. Activity is on the HF bands using SSB, JT6,
and FT8. QSL via PA3EHS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 9, 2023] (0310-0324)
S7, SEYCHELLES.
Dieter, AEØBF is QRV as S79/AEØBF
until March 19th.
Activity is on 40 to 10 meters. He has currently been active on 12 and
10 meters. QSL via DJ2EH.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 16, 2023] (0317-0324)
SU, EGYPT.
Ahmed, 9K2QA is QRV as SU9GA
from Cairo. He is active on 80 to 10 meters. QSL via 9K2QA.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 16, 2023] (0317-0407)
SV, GREECE.
The Greek section of the international 5th Ocean Club organizes an
operating event during the second
half of March around the special event callsign SX41D. QSL via
bureau.
-[DXNL # 2345 March 15, 2023] (0317-0331)
T3Ø, WESTERN
KIRIBATI. Soon the Rebel DX Group (including Kam,
T3Ø/T33KC, who is already setting up antennas) will be active as T3ØUN from North
Tarawa, West Kiribati (OC-017) for
about five weeks.
Plans are to be QRV on 160-6 meters with two CW operators, one SSB
operator and seven FT8 stations. Note that it will be quite possible to
see two FT8 stations on the same band at the same time on two
frequencies (one operating on the standard frequency, and the other
operating F/H on a different frequency - e.g. 14074 and 14090). QSL
exclusively via ClubLog's OQRS. See https://www.facebook.com/rebeldxgroup for updates.
-[425DXN # 1663 March 18, 2023] (0317-0407)
V2, ANTIGUA AND
BARBUDA.
Bud, AA3B will be QRV as V26K
from Antigua from March
21st to 27th. Activity will be on the HF bands using
mostly CW. He will be a Single Op/All Band/High Power entry in the
upcoming CQ World Wide WPX SSB contest. QSL to AA3B.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 16, 2023] (0317-0331)
V4, SAINT KITTS &
NEVIS. Bob, N4RF, signs V4/N4RF between March 19th and April 1st.
QRV on 160-10m, mostly on CW, some SSB and FT8. QSL via N4RF, LoTW.
-[DXNL # 2345 March 15, 2023] (0317-0331)
VE, CANADA.
Pierre, VE3KTB is QRV as VYØERC
from Eureka station on Ellesmere Island, IOTA NA-008, until April 13th.
Activity is in his spare time on 20 to 12 meters using CW, SSB, and
FT8, and possibly on some of the FM Satellites. QSL via MØOXO’s OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 16, 2023] (0317-0414)
VK, AUSTRALIA.
Special event station VI1ØØMB
will be QRV from
February 26th to
February 25th, 2024 to celebrate 100 years of the
Manly-Warringah Radio Society. QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 8 February 23, 2023] (0224-0324)
VK9N, NORFOLK
ISLAND. Chris VK3QB, Luke VK3HJ, Alan VK6CQ and Patrick
VK2PN, along with guest operators Matt KØBBC and Tom VK3FTOM, will be
active as VK9NT
from Norfolk Island (OC-005) on March
17th-31st. They will operate CW, SSB and FT8 on 160-10
meters and "some basic 6m" with up to three stations and will
participate in the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest as VJ9N. QSL via MØOXO's OQRS and
LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1659 February 18, 2023] (0317-0331)
VK9W, WILLIS
ISLAND. Sands, VK9WX
is here until April.
Activity is in his spare time on 80 to 10 meters. QSL via MØOXO.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 9 March 2, 2023] (0303-0331)
VP5, TURKS
& CAICOS ISLANDS. John AF3K, Ross, W2TT and Diane,
KA3FCE will be QRV as VP5/AF3K,
VP5/W2TT,
and VP5/KA3FCE,
respectively, from Providenciales, IOTA NA-002, from March 22nd to 29th.
Activity will be on the HF bands using CW, SSB, and various digital
modes. They will be active as VP5P
in the upcoming CQ World Wide WPX SSB contest. QSL VP5/AF3K, VP5/W2TT,
and VP5P via N2OO,and
VP5/KA3FCE direct via W2TT. All logs
will be uploaded to LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 16, 2023] (0317-0331)
VP5, TURKS AND
CAICOS ISLANDS. John, N9EAJ is QRV as VP5/N9EAJ from Grand
Turk, IOTA NA-003, until
March 22nd.
Activity is on the HF bands using mostly SSB with some CW. He will make
a side trip to the Columbus Landfall National Park for a Parks on The
Air activation. QSL via ClubLog’s
OQRS, LoTW or direct to N9EAJ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 9, 2023] (0310-0324)
VU, INDIA.
Special event station AT2G2Ø
is QRV from Gurugram until
June 2nd
to promote greater international cooperation through amateur radio in
conjunction with the G2Ø summit being held in New Delhi on September
9th and 10. QSL via operator's instructions.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 9, 2023] (0310-0414)
XE, MEXICO.
Special callsign 4BØT
will be used until
the end of June.
"As its name implies, it is a semi-automated station or bot that uses
the WSJT-Z program", Ramon XE1KK says. "The goal of the experiment is
to test different scripts of the program while pointing the antenna in
unusual directions and at different times". 4BØT will primarily operate
on 10 and 12 meters FT4, and on 6 meters FT8. QSL via LoTW only.
-[425DXN # 1661 March 4, 2023] (0303-0324)
YJ, VANUATU.
Chris, VK2YUS should be back on Efate Island, IOTA OC-035, and plans to
be active as YJØCA
from March 18th to
28th. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using SSB. QSL
direct to VK2YUS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 16, 2023] (0317-0331)
Propagation
The Weekly Solar Data chart plots Solar Flux
Index (SFI), Sunspot number and Planetary K-Index for the
past 7 days. With 8
Planetary K-index readings each day, only the minimum, average and
maximum K-index values are plotted. Note: You may click here or on the chart above to see
the same data for the past month.
With activity on the sun diminishing, the Eastern Iowa DX Bulletin Propagation section will only be updated when warranted until further notice.
The very active Sun, current view from NASA. This image is at a wave- length of 131 Angstroms. Click on the image to view as a 48-hour video loop. It is fascinating! |
![]() |
Propagation Notes
(As of 10:33 AM 03/17/2023)
Solar flux readings have been on a slow decline during the past week,
ranging from the weekly high of 179 on March 9th to a low of 135 on
March 16th. The sunspot count weekly high was 135 on March 10th and
12th and the low was 84 on the 16th. Geomagnetic conditions have been
relatively quiet except for a coronal mass ejection (CME) impact on
March 15th causing the Kp index to hit 6.
Solar activity has declined this week, as reflected in the absence of
significant flares until this morning at 1507 UTC. There is only a 1%
probability of an X-flare in the
next 48 hours.
Propagation conditions remain very good, with good DX on all the HF
bands from 20 through 10 meters. The CME impact on March 15th resulted
in a 6 Meter opening to South America. There have also been some nice
openings on 10.
NOAA's predicted solar flux is 135, 140, 138, and 135 on March
17th-20th, then 132 on March 21st-22nd, 130 on March 23rd and 155 on
March 24th.
Favorite
Propagation web sites
Excellent Maximum Usable Frequency
map: https://prop.kc2g.com/
https://www.spaceweather.com/
https://www.solarham.net/
https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/
Highs
for Cycle 25
Solar Flux: 234 on January 15, 2023.
Sunspots: 209 on February 11, 2023.
Solar
Flares This Week
(As of 11:06 PM 03/19/2023)
Date | UTC | Mag. |
---|---|---|
Mar 20, 2023 | 0148 | M 1.2 |
Mar 17, 2023 | 1507 | M 1.0 |
Selected Upcoming Contests
Contest | Start | End | Web Site | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BARTG HF RTTY Contest | Mar 18 | 0200Z | Mar 20 | 0200Z | Rules |
Russian DX Contest | Mar 18 | 1200Z | Mar 19 | 1200Z | Rules |
CQ WW WPX Contest, SSB | Mar 25 | 0000Z | Mar 26 | 2400Z | Rules |
Louisiana QSO Party | Apr 1 | 1400Z | Apr 2 | 0200Z | Rules |
SP DX Contest | Apr 1 | 1500Z | Apr 2 | 1500Z | Rules |
JIDX CW Contest | Apr 8 | 0700Z | Apr 9 | 1300Z | Rules |
New Mexico QSO Party | Apr 8 | 1400Z | Apr 9 | 0200Z | Rules |
Georgia QSO Party | Apr 8 | 1800Z | Apr 9 | 2359Z | Rules |
YU DX Contest | Apr 15 | 0700Z | Apr 16 | 0659Z | Rules |
CQMM DX Contest | Apr 15 | 0900Z | Apr 16 | 2359Z | Rules |
Michigan QSO Party | Apr 15 | 1600Z | Apr 16 | 0400Z | Rules |
Ontario QSO Party | Apr 15 | 1800Z | Apr 16 | 1800Z | Rules |
ARRL Rookie Roundup, SSB | Apr 16 | 1800Z | Apr 16 | 2359Z | Rules |
Florida QSO Party | Apr 29 | 1600Z | Apr 30 | 2159Z | Rules |
10-10 Int. Spring Contest, CW | May 6 | 0001Z | May 7 | 2359Z | Rules |
ARI International DX Contest | May 6 | 1200Z | May 7 | 1159Z | Rules |
7th Call Area QSO Party | May 6 | 1300Z | May 7 | 0700Z | Rules |
Indiana QSO Party | May 6 | 1600Z | May 7 | 0400Z | Rules |
Delaware QSO Party | May 6 | 1700Z | May 7 | 2359Z | Rules |
New England QSO Party | May 6 | 2000Z | May 7 | 2400Z | Rules |
CQ-M International DX Contest | May 13 | 1200Z | May 14 | 1159Z | Rules |