DX Code of Conduct

The Eastern Iowa DX Bulletin
Number 253, December 20, 2024

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 three DX bulletins listed below and other sources. Credit for the source is given at the end of each article.

Articles are ordered by the entity's callsign prefix from the ARRL DXCC Entities List. Callsigns used are in bold with dates of operation highlighted in red. Clickable links are provided for QSL and other information wherever possible. Note that articles may be edited for grammar, language, style and accuracy and will remain in The Bulletin while active; articles that are announcements of ongoing operations, or that have no specified end date, will be removed after three weeks.

Also included is a Propagation section, updated daily; and a Contest Calendar of upcoming popular contests.

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
   Ohio-Penn DX Bulletin (OPDX)
      Edited by Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW. Although OPDX is no longer
      published as a weekly bulletin, Tedd still sends DX news emails.
      We will occasionally publish some of them.
   Propagation data is from:
      National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
          Space Weather Prediction Center 
      Dr. Tony Phillips' SpaceWeather.com, used by permission
   Contest data courtesy of the WA7BNM Contest Calendar 



DX News

3D2, FIJI. After his New Caledonia operation, Gerhard, OE3GEA will be QRV as 3D2GE from Nadi (OC-016) and Nacula (OC-156) from December 25th to January 7th. Activity will be holiday style on 30 to 10 meters using only CW. QSL to OE3GEA.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 47 December 19, 2024]  (1220-0110)

4X, ISRAEL. To celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the Israel Association of Radio Communication (formerly known as Israel Amateur Radio Club) will be running special event stations 4X8NER and 4Z8NER from December 25th to January 2nd. A certificate will be available: https://tools.iarc.org/chanukah24/. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, or via 4Z5MU.
-[425DXN # 1754 December 14, 2024]  (1220-0103)

4X, ISRAEL. In anticipation of Christmas, special event stations 4X8X from the Latrun Monastery and 4X9X from the Yardenit Baptismal Site will be active on December 6th to 8th. They will be followed by 4X7X from the Abbey of the Dormition on December 20th to 22nd. A certificate will be available: https://www.iarc.org/xmas2024. QSL all calls via 4X6ZM.
-[425DXN # 1752 November 30, 2024]  (1206-1227)

5R, MADAGASCAR. Eric, F6ICX is active again as 5R8IC from Sainte-Marie Island (AF-090), Madagascar until the end of the year. He will operate mainly CW on 40-10 meters; during the last two weeks of December he will also be QRV on the QO-100 satellite. QSL via LoTW, ClubLog's OQRS, or via F6ICX.
-[425DXN # 1742 September 21, 2024]  (0927-0103)

9A, CROATIA. Promoting IARU Region 1's Program for Disabled Radio Amateurs, members of the Croatian Amateur Radio Association (HRS) will activate special callsigns 9A24PDRA, 9A24PD and 9A24D starting on December 3rd (the International Day of Persons with Disabilities) until the end of the year. QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW, ClubLog and QRZ Logbook.
-[425DXN # 1753 December 7, 2024]  (1206-1227)

A4, OMAN. Special event station A43QAT is QRV to mark Qatar's National Day. QSL via EC6DX.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 46 December 12, 2024]  (1213-0103)

CE9, ANTARCTICA. Oleg ZS1ANF (ex UA1PBA) will be active during his spare time as ZS7ANF from Wolf's Fang Runway (AN-016). QRV mostly on CW on 40-10m until February 2025. QSL via DL5EBE or RK1PWA, LoTW.
-[DXNL # 2436 December 11, 2024]  (1213-0103)

CN, MOROCCO. Ralf, DB4REB will be active as CN2REB while vacationing in Morocco from November 30th to January 30, 2025. He plans to operate CW, FT8 and SSB on various bands from Agadir and some POTA sites along the coast. See https://www.qrz.com/db/CN2REB for updates. QSL via eQSL, or DB4REB.
-[425DXN # 1751 November 23, 2024]  (1129-0131)

DU, PHILIPPINES. Hannes, OE1SGU/OE3SGU will be active as DU1OE from Luzon Island (OC-042), Philippines on December 10th-27th. He will be QRV on 40-6 meters all modes. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS, LoTW and eQSL.
-[425DXN # 1753 December 7, 2024]  (1206-1227)

DXCC TOP TWENTY. Here are the top 20 entities on ClubLog’s "DXCC Most Wanted" list as of December 19, 2024:
   1. P5     DPRK (North Korea)  11. ZS8    Prince Edward & Marion Islands
   2. BS7H   Scarborough Reef    12. KH4    Midway Island
   3. CEØX   San Felix Islands   13. VKØM   Macquarie Island
   4. BV9P   Pratas Island       14. PYØS   Saint Peter And Paul Rocks
   5. KH7K   Kure Island         15. KP5    Desecheo Island
   6. KH3    Johnston Island     16. VPØS   South Sandwich Islands
   7. 3Y/P   Peter 1 Island      17. ZL9    New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
   8. FT5/X  Kerguelen Island    18. FK/C   Chesterfield Islands
   9. YVØ    Aves Island         19. VKØH   Heard Island
  10. 3Y/B   Bouvet Island       20. FT/T   Tromelin Island
For the complete list, see https://clublog.org/mostwanted.php
-[KØCF December 20, 2024  (1220-0110)

E7, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. Special event station E71YOTA is QRV during the month of December during the Youth On The Air operating event. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 45 December 5, 2024]  (1206-0103)

EA, SPAIN. The HamRadioDX.es club runs a Christmas special event until December 25th with the callsign EG7FN, including short-term awards. For more information see EG7FN.
-[DXNL # 2436 December 11, 2024]  (1213-1227)

FK, NEW CALEDONIA. Gerhard, OE3GEA is QRV as TX24HAID from Noumea (OC-032) until December 25th. Activity is holiday style on 30 to 10 meters using only CW. QSL to OE3GEA.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 47 December 19, 2024]  (1220-1227)

FO, FRENCH POLYNESIA. Hardy, DL7JLL is QRV as FO/DL7JLL from Mangareva Island (OC-063) until January 15th. Activity is on 20, 15, and 10 meters using SSB. QSL to DL7JLL.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 47 December 19, 2024]  (1220-0117)

FR, REUNION I. Thomas, DJ2TG is QRV as FR/DJ2TG until December 23rd. Activity is on 30 meters and up using SSB and FT8. QSL to DJ2TG.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 46 December 12, 2024]  (1213-0103)

FS, SAINT MARTIN. Oleh, UR5BCP will be QRV as FS/UR5BCP from December 26th to January 2nd. Activity will be on 40 to 15 meters using CW. This might include activity from Sint Maarten if he obtains a license. QSL via KD7WPJ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 47 December 19, 2024]  (1220-0103)

FY, FRENCH GUIANA. Joe, OZØJ, is QRV as TOØJ until December 31st on 80-10m (FT8, some CW and SSB) with vertical antennas. For more information see: https://to0j.oz0j.dk. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS, LoTW or via OZØJ.
-[DXNL # 2437 December 18, 2024]  (1220-0103)

HL, SOUTH KOREA. Special event station HLØYOTA is QRV during the month of December during the Youth On The Air operating event. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 45 December 5, 2024]  (1206-0103)

HZ, SAUDI ARABIA. Special event station HZ1QATAR is QRV to mark Qatar's National Day. QSL via EC6DX.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 46 December 12, 2024]  (1213-0103)

I, ITALY. The 4U1GSC Amateur Radio Club will use special callsign 4U3ØB to mark the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Global Service Centre in Brindisi, Italy. Look for activity from November 15th to December 31st. QSL via 9A2AA.
-[425DXN # 1747 October 26, 2024]  (1115-1227)

I, ITALY. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the start of regular radio broadcasting in Italy (October 6, 1924), ARI local branches across Italy are using special callsigns until December 29th. The callsigns will be in the format II#Rxyz (e.g. II9RCAT for ARI Catania) and IR#Rxyz (e.g. IR1RVDB for ARI Valbormida). In addition, special event station I1MRTV will be active from the RAI Radio and Television Museum in Torino. Certificates and electronic QSLs will be available for download from the HamAward platform (direct link from each special callsign's qrz.com page).
-[425DXN # 1743 September 28, 2024]  (0927-1227)

J7, DOMINICA. Team J75K (FM5WD, IK3ZAQ and IV3JVJ) will be active from Dominica (NA-101) from December 26th to January 4th. They will operate SSB, CW and FT8/FT4 on 160-6 meters. See https://j75k.jimdofree.com for more information. Log search on ClubLog. QSL via LoTW, or direct to IV3JVJ.
-[425DXN # 1753 December 7, 2024]  (1220-0103)

JD1/O, OGASAWARA. Harry, JG7PSJ will be QRV as JD1BMH from Chichijima (AS-031) from December 23rd to January 3rd. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, and RTTY. QSL direct to JG7PSJ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 47 December 19, 2024]  (1220-0103)

KH9, WAKE I. Currently stationed on Wake Island (OC-053), Allen, KH7AL is QRV as KH7AL/KH9 in his spare time. Next planned activities:
  December 22nd +/- 20:00 UTC on 10m SSB
  December 23rd +/- 08:00 UTC on 17m SSB
  December 29th +/- 20:00 UTC on 17m SSB
  December 30th +/- 08:00 UTC on 17m SSB
He keeps an "Activation Blog" and an "Upcoming" section on https://sites.google.com/view/kh7al/. QSL via KH7AL.
-[425DXN # 1755 December 21, 2024]  (1220-0103)

LY, LITHUANIA. Special callsign LY24XMAS will be active throughout December. LY2QT offers a commemorative coin for 10 QSOs with special event stations carrying an XMAS or HNY suffix; one QSO with LY24XMAS is obligatory and 5 Euro for covering postage; send your application to LY2QT, ly2qt.wal@gmail.com. QSL LY24XMAS via LY2QT.
-[DXNL # 2435 December 4, 2024]  (1206-0103)

OE, AUSTRIA. Special event station OE65XMAS is QRV until January 6th. QSL via bureau.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 47 December 19, 2024]  (1220-0110)

OH, FINLAND. Once again Santa Radio, OF9X (Old Father Nine Xmas) will be active on December 13th-31st on 160-6 meters CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, or via OH2BH. Each operator will send his suffix as part of the report (e.g. 599BH for Martti, OH2BH). You can contact a maximum of 16 Santa operators on a variety of bands and modes, which makes up your Santa total score. This time the score card is reported on https://www.qrz.com/db/OF9X. The Santa Radio operators are:
  Rami   OH2BCI (BCI)     Juha   OH2LQ  (LQ)
  Martti OH2BH  (BH)      Pekka  OH2TA  (TA)
  Davide OH2BLS (BLS)     Henri  OH3JR  (JR)
  Era    OH2CV  (CV)      Pauli  OH5BQ  (BQ)
  Arttu  OH2FB  (FB)      Alex   OH5UY (UY)
  Jorma  OH2KI  (KI)      Reijo  OH7GGX (GGX)
  Jyri   OH2KM  (KM)      Tero   OH7WP (WP)
  Arto   OH2KW  (KW)      Esa    OH7WV  (WV)

-[425DXN # 1754 December 14, 2024]  (1213-0103)

OH, FINLAND. Celebrating the Christmas Holiday Season, the OH9A team is once again active as OG1XMAS on all bands and modes on December 1st-24th. QSL via LoTW (preferred), ClubLog's OQRS, or OH1NOA.
-[425DXN # 1753 December 7, 2024]  (1206-1227)

ON, BELGIUM. The radio club Verviers (ON4GDV) commemorates the 80th anniversary of Belgium's liberation and the Battle of the Bulge until the end of the year with the callsign OR8ØUSA. QSL via ON4GDV.
-[DXNL # 2436 December 11, 2024]  (1213-0103)

ON, BELGIUM. Special event station OQ24YOTA is QRV during the month of December during the Youth On The Air operating event. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 45 December 5, 2024]  (1206-0103)

OZ, DENMARK. Special callsign OZ4ØØPOST will be used by members of Experimenterende Danske Radioamatoerer to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Royal Danish Post Office, established on December 24, 1624, under King Christian IV. Watch for activity from December 24th to January 5th. See https://www.qrz.com/db/OZ400POST for information about the Post Award. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS (preferred), or via the bureau to OZ1ACB.
-[425DXN # 1755 December 21, 2024]  (1220-0110)

PA, NETHERLANDS. Celebrating Christmas and the New Year, special callsign PH24XMAS will be active on December 6th-28th, followed by PH25HNY from December 28th to January 5th. Paper QSL cards will not be provided.
-[425DXN # 1752 November 30, 2024]  (1206-0110)

PA, NETHERLANDS. Barry, PC1K will be active as PC24XMAS in December. A certificate will be downloadable from https://pc1k.nl/xmas "immediately after making a QSO". QSL via PC1K, LoTW, or QRZ Logbook.
-[425DXN # 1752 November 30, 2024]  (1129-0103)

PA, NETHERLANDS. Celebrating Christmas and the New Year, special callsigns PA24XMAS, PD24ELF and PI24XMAS will be active on December 1st-31st, while PD25HNY will be QRV from December 24th until January 31st. See https://www.qrz.com/db/PI24XMAS for a certificate. QSL cards will not be issued.
-[425DXN # 1751 November 23, 2024]  (1129-0103)

PACIFIC TOUR. Reportedly, Gerhard, OE3GEA will be active holiday style from New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, American Samoa and Hawaii from December 20th to January 21st:
  December 20th-25th      TX24HAID    Noumea (OC-032)
  December 25th-Jan. 7th  3D2GE       Nadi (OC-016)/Nacula (OC-156)
  December 27th-30th      YJØGE       Port Vila (OC-035)
  January 9th-12th        5WØGE       Apia (OC-097)
  January 12th-15th       KH8/OE3GEA  Pago Pago (OC-045)
  January 18th-21st       KH6/OE3GEA  Hawaii
He will operate CW on 30-10 meters. QSL via OE3GEA.
-[425DXN # 1754 December 14, 2024]  (1220-0124)

PACIFIC TRIP. Hardy, DL7JLL will be active as FO/DL7JLL from Mangareva (OC-063), French Polynesia and as VP6JLL from Pitcairn Island (OC-044) from December 18th to January 15th. He will operate SSB only on 20, 15 and 10 meters. QSL via DL7JLL.
-[425DXN # 1754 December 14, 2024]  (1213-0117)

PJ7, SINT MAARTEN. Ed, N2HX, plans to put Sint Maarten (NA-105) on the air from October 20th to December 27th as PJ7PL, including the CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 26th-27th), the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 23rd-24th) and ARRL 10-Meter Contest (December 14th-15th). QSL via N2HX.
-[DXNL # 2428 October 16, 2024]  (1018-1227)

PY, BRAZIL. The Bicho do Mato DX Team celebrates its 10th anniversary with the callsign ZV2BM throughout December. QSL via bureau, LoTW, eQSL.
-[DXNL # 2435 December 4, 2024]  (1206-0103)

S5, SLOVENIA. Special event station S525PMC will be active from December 5th to January 5th to promote the PMC Contest, sponsored by the Radio Club Slovenj Gradec (S59DCD). The International Association of Peace Messenger Cities was established in 1988 to recognize and encourage the role and responsibility cities have in creating a culture of peace. The PMC Contest, promoting contacts between stations located in the Peace Messenger Cities and the rest of the world, will be held on January 4th-5th. Complete information can be found on https://www.s59dcd.si/index.php/sl/ww-pmc/ww-pmc-contest-rules. QSL via eQSL.
-[425DXN # 1753 December 7, 2024]  (1206-0103)

SM, SWEDEN. The still operational long wave transmitter at the Grimeton Radio Station, callsign SAQ, will be activated on December 24th to send its traditional Christmas message to the world on 17.2 kHz CW at 08:00 UTC. The Grimenton Radio Station has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2004. As for the amateur bands, SK6SAQ will be QRV during the day on CW (3517, 7017, 14017 kHz) and SSB (3755 and 7140 kHz). More information can be found on https://alexander.n.se/en/. QSL SK6SAQ via the bureau.
-[425DXN # 1755 December 21, 2024]  (1220-1227)

SP, POLAND. Celebrating Christmas and the New Year, special callsigns HFØCLAUS and SPØCLAUS will be active from December 6th to January 6th. QSL via the bureau, eQSL, or direct to Dariusz Florczyk, ul. Kozminska 35, 63-330 Dobrzyca, Poland.
  Other special callsigns for the festive season include 3ZØXMAS (Poland), EG7FN (Spain, December 10th-25th), II2XMAS (Italy, November 29th-January 6th), LY24XMAS (Lithuania, December 1st-31st), OE65XMAS (Austria, December 20th-January 6th), OZ4XMAS (Denmark), PD2Ø25HNY (Netherlands, December 23rd-31st), TM2Ø24MC (France), VK6SANTA (Australia, December 1st-24th), YR8XMAS (Romania, December 1st-January 5th). See their qrz.com pages for more information.
-[425DXN # 1753 December 7, 2024]  (1206-0103)

SU, EGYPT. Special event station SU8YOTA is QRV during the month of December during the Youth On The Air operating event. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 45 December 5, 2024]  (1206-0103)

T32, EAST KIRIBATI. The Rebel DX Group is QRV as T32TTT from Kiritimati (Christmas Island, OC-024), East Kiribati until January 1st. This is a 2-man activity, with planned operations on 160-6 meters CW (two stations), SSB (one station) and FT8/FT4 (as many as twelve stations). QSL via ClubLog's OQRS for LoTW and direct cards.
-[425DXN # 1755 December 21, 2024]  (1220-0103)

TJ, CAMEROON. Thierry, TK1CX is QRV as TJ/TK1CX until the end of February. Activity is in his spare time on 20 to 10 meters using mostly FT8 and low power. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, or EA5ZD.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 47 December 19, 2024]  (1220-0228)

VP6, PITCAIRN I. Hardy, DL7JLL, signs VP6JLL from Pitcairn Island (OC-044) from December 18th to January 15th. QRV on 20, 15, and 10m with 50W and a wire antenna on SSB. QSL via DL7JLL.
-[DXNL # 2437 December 18, 2024]  (1220-0117)

VU, INDIA. Kaustav, VU2UUU is QRV with special call sign AT2Ø25 until January 15th while studying winter propagation, and monitoring solar cycle conditions. Activity is on the HF bands using CW and SSB. QSL via operator's instructions.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 47 December 19, 2024]  (1220-0117)

YL, LATVIA. Special event station YL24YOTA is QRV during the month of December during the Youth On The Air operating event. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 45 December 5, 2024]  (1206-0103)

ZA, ALBANIA. Ben, ON6BW plans to be QRV as ZA/ON6BW from Durres until December 22nd. QSL to ON6BW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 47 December 19, 2024]  (1220-1227)

ZD7, ST. HELENA. Derek, ZD7CTO has been active on 40 meters using FT8 between 0300 and 0400z. QSL direct to ZD7CTO.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 46 December 12, 2024]  (1213-0103)

ZL, NEW ZEALAND. Special event station ZM1ØØDX will be QRV from September 29th to December 26th to celebrate the very first trans-world QSO between Z4AA and G2SZ. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using all modes. In addition, special event station ZL4AA will also be active for this event. QSL via operators' instructions.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 36 September 26, 2024]  (0927-1227)




Propagation (Updated daily)

Solar Data

The Weekly Solar Data chart plots Solar Flux Index (SFI), Sunspot number (SSN) and Planetary K-Index (Kp) for the past 8 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.

The Daily Solar Flux Index, Sunspot number, Planetary K-index, Solar Flux predictions and Solar Flare data used in this bulletin have been collected by KØCF from from the U.S. Department of Commerce's NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.

The propagation graphs above are the creations of KØCF and are unique in space weather reporting.

Please Note: The graphs are high resolution .PNG files which you may view in greater detail using your browser's "zoom" feature. Alternatively, right click on the graph and select "Open Image in New Tab" to enlarge it, or "Save Image As..." to save it to your computer for further analysis.

  NASA's current view of
  the Sun at a wave-
  length of 131 Angstroms.
  This wavelength shows 
  incredible solar detail.

  Click here or on the
  image to view as a full
  screen 48-hour video
  loop. It is fascinating!
The current Sun at 131 Angstroms

Propagation Summary
For the 8 day period from Tuesday, December 17th through yesterday, December 24th.

The average solar flux was 207, up 40 points from the previous week, with a weekly high of 259 on Tuesday, December 24th, following a low of 170 on December 17th.

The average sunspot count was 153, up 61 from last week, peaking at 219 on Tuesday, December 24th after a weekly low of 82 on December 18th.

The Planetary K-index weekly average was 3.9 with a maximum of 5.3 on Tuesday, December 17th, resulting in minor geomagnetic storm conditions. Yesterday's K-index maximum was 3.7 with generally quiet conditions.

Solar flare activity since December 18th has been high with 12 major flares, the largest of which was an M 8.9 event on Monday, December 23rd.

Propagation Data
Major solar flares, Wednesday, December 18th through 1437 UTC, December 25th.

  #     Date     UTC     Mag.  
1 Dec 25  0449  M 4.9 
2 Dec 25  0430  M 2.8 
3 Dec 24  0841  M 4.1 
4 Dec 24  0019  M 4.7 
5 Dec 23  1112  M 8.9 
6 Dec 22  2049  M 1.1 
7 Dec 21  0038  M 1.9 
8 Dec 20  1118  M 2.5 
9 Dec 20  0726  M 2.1 
10 Dec 19  1900  M 1.7 
11 Dec 19  1534  M 3.8 
12 Dec 19  1038  M 1.6 

   (NOAA's graph of recent flare activity: GOES-X-Ray-Flux)

From the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, here are the probabilities of major solar flares and the predicted 10.7 cm Solar Flux for the next 3 days. NOAA updates this information daily.

Date  M-Flares   X-Flares   Solar Flux 
 Dec 25 75%10%260
 Dec 26 75%10%260
 Dec 27 75%10%255

Looking farther ahead, here is the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center forecast of 10.7 cm radio flux and maximum Planetary K-index (Kp) for the next 12 days. This data is updated by NOAA every Monday (last updated on December 23, 2024).

 Date   Flux   Kp 
 Dec 25 2153
 Dec 26 2153
 Dec 27 2053
 Dec 28 1902
 Date   Flux  Kp 
 Dec 29 1902
 Dec 30 1852
 Dec 31 1752
 Jan 1 1802
 Date   Flux  Kp 
 Jan 2 1802
 Jan 3 1802
 Jan 4 1752
 Jan 5 1704

Global D Region Absorption
Conditions in the D-region of the ionosphere have a dramatic effect on HF communications. The D-Region Absorption map combines the effects of solar particles and photons. Yellow to red colors on the map depict increasing signal attenuation, where the bar chart at the right displays attenuation versus frequency. Click the thumbnail below for an animated map of D-Region Absorption:
Absorption

The Aurora Borealis
The aurora is not only beautiful to see but can have a profound impact on HF and VHF radio propagation. For the HF operator, auroras can result in a complete shut-down of propagation. However, on VHF, auroras present interesting DX possibilities. Beam antennas are very desirable and should be pointed north, towards the aurora. Signals are reflected by “back-scatter” and will be distorted with a rough buzz. SSB is the best voice mode to use, but copy can be difficult. CW will have a rough buzzy sound but be perfectly copyable. Click the thumbnail below for an animated map of aurora versus time:
Auroral Oval

Highs for Cycle 25
  Solar Flux: 336 on August 8, 2024.
  Sunspots:  382 on 
August 10, 2024.

Geomagnetic Storm Watch
NOAA forecasters say a G1-class geomagnetic storm is possible today when a CME hurled into space by an M8.9-class solar flare on Dec. 23rd strikes Earth. This is a low-probability forecast. The CME was directed mostly south of Earth, so a miss is as likely as a hit. However, if it does strike, high-latitude sky watchers could see some out-of-this-world Christmas lights.
(Copyright © SpaceWeather.com December 25, 2024. Republished by permission.)

Christmas Flare
Christmas began with a bang. At 0449 UT on Dec. 25th, active sunspot 3932 produced a strong M4.9-class solar flare. NOAA's GOES-16 satellite recorded the extreme ultraviolet flash:
Christmas Flare
Soon after the flare, the US Air Force reported a Type II solar radio burst. This is a natural type of radio emission caused by shock waves inside CMEs. The drift rate of the Type II radio burst suggests that a CME will soon emerge from the blast site traveling a little faster than 1,000 km/s. Confirmation awaits fresh data from SOHO coronagraphs.
(Copyright © SpaceWeather.com December 25, 2024. Republished by permission.)

Popular Propagation web sites
  https://prop.kc2g.com/ (Excellent Maximum Usable Frequency map)
  NOAA https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
  https://www.spaceweather.com/
  https://www.solarham.com/
  https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/

A Propagation Tutorial
The solar X-ray flux tracks solar activity and solar flares. Solar flux, which can vary from as low as 50 to as high as 300, influences the level of ionization in the F2 region of the ionosphere, providing a very good prediction of HF DX conditions. The higher the solar flux, the better conditions will be for the higher HF frequencies and even 6 meters. However, the levels need to be maintained for some days to allow ionization in the F2 layer to build up. A solar flux of 150 results in good HF band conditions, while levels of 200 and up can provide great conditions.

Large X-ray flares on the sun can increase the ionization of the D layer of the ionosphere (a lower layer) on the sunlit side of the Earth, greatly attenuating or blocking HF radio transmissions for up to a half hour. Solar flares often produce Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) which, if Earth directed, can lead to geomagnetic storms. Some large flares are also accompanied by strong radio bursts that may interfere with other radio frequencies and cause problems for satellite communication and radio navigation (GPS).

The Planetary K-index is a measure of the magnitude of geomagnetic storms and is an excellent indicator of disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field. A level of 1 or 2 represents quiet geomagnetic conditions; a reading of 3 or 4 may cause some propagation deterioration; 5 and 6 are minor to moderate geomagnetic storms; and 7 to 9 are strong, severe, and extreme storm conditions. Strong geomagnetic storms can trigger Auroral displays and cause HF radio blackouts. Higher geomagnetic activity also has the adverse effect of lowering maximum usable frequencies, much like lower solar flux does.

For best conditions, the solar flux should be above 150 for a few days with the K index below 2. When these conditions are met, some good DX is likely!
-[Compiled from information on NOAA.gov and other sources]



Contest Calendar

  Weekly Contests

Contest Start UTC End Web Site
K1USN Slow Speed Test Monday 0000Z 0100Z Rules
ICWC Medium Speed Test Monday 1300Z 1400Z Rules
Monday 1900Z 2000Z
Tuesday 0300Z 0400Z
CWops Test (CWT) Wednesday 1300Z 1400Z Rules
Wednesday 1900Z 2000Z
Thursday 0300Z 0400Z
Thursday 0700Z 0800Z
Weekly RTTY Test Friday 0145Z 0215Z Rules
NCCC CW Sprint (NS) Friday 0230Z 0300Z Rules
     Note: Start Days are in UTC, e.g. Monday at 0000 UTC is
     Sunday at 7:00 PM in the Central Daylight Saving Time zone, or
     Sunday at 6:00 PM in the Central Standard Time zone.

  Full Calendar

Contest Start End Web Site
OK DX RTTY Contest Dec 21 0000Z Dec 21 2400Z Rules
Croatian DX Contest Dec 21 1400Z Dec 22 1400Z Rules
ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW Dec 22 1800Z Dec 22 2359Z Rules
RAC Winter Contest Dec 28 0000Z Dec 28 2359Z Rules
Stew Perry Topband Challenge Dec 28 1500Z Dec 29 1500Z Rules
ARRL RTTY Roundup Jan 4 1800Z Jan 5 2400Z Rules
ARRL Kids Day Jan 4 1800Z Jan 4 2359Z Rules
YB DX Contest Jan 11 0000Z Jan 11 2359Z Rules
North American QSO Party, CW Jan 11 1800Z Jan 12 0600Z Rules
Hungarian DX Contest Jan 18 1200Z Jan 19 1200Z Rules
North American QSO Party, SSB Jan 18 1800Z Jan 19 0600Z Rules
ARRL January VHF Contest Jan 18 1900Z Jan 20 0359Z Rules
CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW Jan 24 2200Z Jan 26 2159Z Rules
BARTG RTTY Sprint Jan 25 1200Z Jan 26 1200Z Rules
Winter Field Day Jan 25 1700Z Jan 26 1700Z Rules
Vermont QSO Party Feb 1 0000Z Feb 2 2400Z Rules
10-10 Int. Winter Contest, SSB Feb 1 0001Z Feb 2 2359Z Rules
Mexico RTTY International Contest Feb 1 1200Z Feb 2 2359Z Rules
Minnesota QSO Party Feb 1 1400Z Feb 1 2400Z Rules
British Columbia QSO Party Feb 1 1600Z Feb 2 2400Z Rules
North American Sprint, CW Feb 2 0000Z Feb 2 0359Z Rules
CQ WW RTTY WPX Contest Feb 8 0000Z Feb 9 2400Z Rules
ARRL School Club Roundup Feb 10 1300Z Feb 14 2359Z Rules
ARRL Inter. DX Contest, CW Feb 15 0000Z Feb 16 2400Z Rules
CQ 160-Meter Contest, SSB Feb 21 2200Z Feb 23 2159Z Rules
South Carolina QSO Party Feb 22 1500Z Feb 23 0159Z Rules
North American QSO Party, RTTY Feb 22 1800Z Feb 23 0600Z Rules
North Carolina QSO Party Feb 23 1500Z Feb 24 0100Z Rules
ARRL Inter. DX Contest, SSB Mar 1 0000Z Mar 2 2400Z Rules
Open Ukraine RTTY Championship Mar 1 1800Z Mar 2 1359Z Rules
YB DX RTTY Contest Mar 8 0000Z Mar 8 2359Z Rules
Oklahoma QSO Party Mar 8 1400Z Mar 9 2100Z Rules
Stew Perry Topband Challenge Mar 8 1500Z Mar 9 1500Z Rules
Idaho QSO Party Mar 8 1900Z Mar 9 1900Z Rules
North American Sprint, RTTY Mar 9 0000Z Mar 9 0359Z Rules
Wisconsin QSO Party Mar 9 1800Z Mar 10 0100Z Rules
BARTG HF RTTY Contest Mar 15 0200Z Mar 17 0200Z Rules
Russian DX Contest Mar 15 1200Z Mar 16 1200Z Rules
Virginia QSO Party Mar 15 1400Z Mar 16 2400Z Rules
North American SSB Sprint Contest Mar 23 0000Z Mar 23 0400Z Rules
     -[Contest data courtesy of the WA7BNM Contest Calendar ]