The
Eastern Iowa DX Bulletin
For
September 22, 2023 to September 29, 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 three 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
3D2/R, ROTUMA.
Darren, VK4MAP is QRV as 3D2RAT
until September
29th. Activity is holiday style on 80 to 10 meters using
SSB. QSL
direct to VK4MAP.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 37 September 14, 2023] (0915-1006)
4L, GEORGIA.
Giovanni, IW7EHC, stays in Georgia from September until December
and operates as 4L/IW7EHC
from Batumi. QSL via IW7EHC.
-[DXNL # 2369 August 30, 2023] (0901-1006)
4U/IT,
ITU HQ. As part of WRC-23 Preparation, delegates are QRV
as 4U1ITU in
their spare time until
the end of the month. Activity is on the HF
bands. QSL via operators' instructions.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 37 September 14, 2023] (0915-1006)
4W,
TIMOR-LESTE. Satoshi, JH2EUV is QRV as 4W/JH2EUV from Dili until
October 13th. Activity is in his spare time on 80 to 6
meters. QSL to
JH2EUV.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 37 September 14, 2023] (0915-1006)
4X, ISRAEL.
Special stations 4XØ1G
from Beit Zeida (Holyland Square OØ5HG), 4XØ2G from Daliyot
Forest (Holyland Square PØ5HG), 4XØ3G
from Rujm el-Hiri (Holyland Square OØ4HG) and 4XØ4G from Juhader
Stream (Holyland Square QØ5HG) will be active on September 22nd-23rd.
QSLs via 4X6ZM and log
search on https://www.iarc.org/golan.
-[425DXN # 1689 September 16, 2023] (0922-0929)
5X, UGANDA.
Czech DXpedition Group's members OK1BOA, OK1FCJ and OK6DJ will be
active as 5X3K
from Uganda from September
28th to October 7th, with "full operation" expected on
October 1st – 6th. They will operate SSB, CW, RTTY and FT8 on 160-10
meters. QSL via LoTW, ClubLog's OQRS,
or via OK6DJ. See https://www.cdxp.cz/
for more information.
-[425DXN # 1685 August 19, 2023] (0922-1006)
5Z, KENYA.
Rick, MØLEP is QRV as 5Z4/MØLEP
and will be here during
the month of September. Activity is on the HF bands. QSL
via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 36 September 7, 2023] (0908-0929)
6W, SENEGAL.
Elvira, IV3FSG will be active again as 6W/IV3FSG from
Senegal from September
26th to October 16th. Usually, she operates SSB and
digital modes in her spare time. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS,
or direct to IK2DUW.
-[425DXN # 1690 September 23, 2023] (0922-1020)
6Y, JAMAICA.
Dan, MØCVZ will sign 6Y5DH
from September 10th
to 30th (10m - 40m, SSB). QSL via ClubLog’s OQRS
or eQSL.
-[DXNL # 2370 September 6, 2023] (0908-0929)
9Y, TRINIDAD
& TOBAGO. Celebrating Trinidad and Tobagos' 47th
Republic Day, special callsign 9Y47RD
will be active on September
22nd-25th. QSL via LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1690 September 23, 2023] (0922-0929)
A2, BOTSWANA.
Sajid, VA3QY plans to be QRV as A22EW
until October 8th.
Activity is on 20 to 10 meters, and possibly 6 meters, using CW and
SSB. QSL via KB2MS or eQSL.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 36 September 7, 2023] (0908-1006)
A6, UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES.
Taking part in the celebrations of Saudi National Day (September 23rd),
the Emirates Amateur Radio Society will operate special callsign A6ØARS on September 17th-23rd.
QSL via EA7FTR.
Individual operators may append a serial number to the special
callsign, and be QRV as A6ØARS/Ø, A6ØARS/1, etc. (see qrz.com for the
QSL routes).
-[425DXN # 1689 September 16, 2023] (0915-0929)
A9, BAHRAIN.
Also taking part in the celebrations of Saudi National Day, the Bahrain
Amateur Radio Society will operate special callsign A91ARS on September 17th-23rd.
QSL via EC6DX.
-[425DXN # 1689 September 16, 2023] (0915-0929)
DL, GERMANY.
Special callsign DR45HAAN
celebrates the 45th anniversary of the DARC club Haan (DOK R24) until September 30th.
QSL via DL7ET.
-[DXNL # 2372 September 20, 2023] (0922-0929)
DL, GERMANY.
Look for DJ1JB/p,
DJ4EL/p and DJ5TM/p to be active
from IOTA group EU-042 from September
28th to October 4th. Their main QTH will be Pellworm
Island, with side trips to nearby Grode, Suderoog and Norderoogsand.
-[425DXN # 1690 September 23, 2023] (0922-1006)
DL,
GERMANY. The special event callsign DP375WF (DOK 375WF)
will be
activated by radio amateurs from and around Muenster to remember the
375-year anniversary of the Peace of Westphalia, ending the Thirty
Years' War in 1648. An award is available; see
https://www.qrz.com/db/DP375WF.
-[DXNL # 2371 September 13, 2023] (0915-1006)
DXCC TOP TWENTY.
Here are the top 20 entities on ClubLog’s "DXCC Most Wanted" list as of
September 22, 2023:
1. P5 DPRK (North
Korea) 11. 3Y/B Bouvet Island
2. BS7H Scarborough
Reef 12.
ZS8 Prince Edward & Marion Islands
3. CEØX San Felix
Islands 13. KH4
Midway Island
4. BV9P Pratas
Island 14.
VKØM Macquarie Island
5. KH7K Kure
Island
15. PYØS Saint Peter And Paul Rocks
6. KH3 Johnston
Island 16.
PYØT Trindade & Martim Vaz Islands
7. FT/G Glorioso
Island 17.
KP5 Desecheo Island
8. 3Y/P Peter 1
Island 18.
VP8S South Sandwich Islands
9. FT5/X Kerguelen
Island 19.
KH5 Palmyra & Jarvis Islands
10. YVØ Aves
Island
20. ZL9 New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
For
the complete
list, see https://clublog.org/mostwanted.php
-[KØCF September 22, 2023] (0922-1006)
EA6,
BALEARIC ISLANDS. Andreas, DK5ON will be
active from Mallorca Island (EU-004, ARLHS BAL-010 / WLOTA 1902) as
EA6/DK5ON
(6m - 40m, CW, SSB, digital) from September 14th to 28th.
QSL via DK5ON, LoTW or
ClubLog’s OQRS.
-[DXNL # 2371 September 13, 2023] (0915-0929)
F, FRANCE.
The special event stations TM23RBY
(QSL via F8EFU), TM23RUGB (QSL via F5KHG), and TM63RWC (QSL via F4KLW) operate
around the Rugby World Championship until October 28th
on 160-6m and via QO-100.
-[DXNL # 2372 September 20, 2023] (0922-1027)
F, FRANCE.
Special event station TM23RUGB
will be QRV from Tonneins from September
10th to 13th, next on September 21st to 24th,
and then on October
16th to 22nd, during the Rugby World Cup. Activity will be
on the HF bands. QSL via F5KHG.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 36 September 7, 2023] (0908-0929)
FO, FRENCH
POLYNESIA. Vincent, K6VVK will be active holiday style as FO/K6VVK from two
French Polynesia islands, namely Moorea (OC-046) on September 25th to October 1st
and Rangiroa (OC-066) on October
2nd-6th.
He will operate SSB, CW and FT8/FT4 on the HF bands and 6 meters. He
will upload his log to LoTW, eQSL and ClubLog; paper QSLs will not be
provided.
-[425DXN # 1689 September 16, 2023] (0922-1006)
HL, SOUTH KOREA.
Look for DS1TUW/2
to be active from Taeijak Island (AS-090) on September 23rd-24th.
He will operate FT8 and CW on 40-6 meters. QSL via LoTW; ClubLog's OQRS
will be available for direct cards.
-[425DXN # 1687 September 2, 2023] (0922-0929)
HV, VATICAN CITY.
Fabio, I4UFH will be active from HVØA,
Vatican City on
September 23rd. QSL via LoTW, or direct to IKØFVC.
-[425DXN # 1690 September 23, 2023] (0922-0929)
HZ, SAUDI ARABIA.
Special callsigns HZ93ND,
7Z93ND and 8Z93ND will be used
by the Saudi Amateur Radio Society (HZ1SAR) to celebrate Saudi National
Day on September
10th-25th.
The logs will be uploaded to ClubLog. See qrz.com for more information.
Based on the number of lunar years, Saudi National Day commemorates the
renaming of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz to the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia (September 23, 1932). Other national societies of Gulf
Cooperation Council's neighboring countries that might join the
celebrations include the Kuwait Amateur Radio Society as 9K9KSA (QSL via EC6DX), and the
Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society as A43KSA. QSL via EC6DX.
-[425DXN # 1689 September 16, 2023] (0915-0929)
K,
UNITED STATES. Members of the Port City Amateur Radio Club
(W1WQM) will
be active as K1W
from White Island, Isles of Shoals (NA-217) on
September 16th-25th.
QSL via K1RX.
-[425DXN # 1688 September 9, 2023] (0915-0929)
K, UNITED STATES.
The Shy-Wy Amateur Radio Club operates the callsign W7Y in a "Come and
get Wyoming" special event from September
22nd until October 2nd, designed to help operators
world-wide to log the rather rare state of Wyoming. See also: https://shywyarc.net/wp/comeandgetwyoming/
-[DXNL # 2372 September 20, 2023] (0922-1006)
KH2, GUAM.
A group of Japanese operators operate from Guam with the callsigns NH8A/NH2 (SSB, QSL
only via LoTW), AHØF/KH2
(CW, QSL direct to JA2NQG), AH2CW (CW, SSB, QSL
only via LoTW), AHØFM/KH2
(FM and SSB, QSL via JA2UAY), KB6O/KH2 (SSB, FT8,
QSL via LoTW), and NN2F/KH2
(SSB, QSL via LoTW).
-[DXNL # 2372 September 20, 2023] (0922-1013)
KH2, GUAM.
Uli, DL2AH closed down his station on Rota (KHØ/DL2AH)
on September 14th and now moves on to Guam (OC-026), where he expects
to be
QRV starting September
16th for two weeks. His focus will be on FT8 and
FT4 operation on 20m - 10m. QSL via DL2AH.
-[DXNL # 2371 September 13, 2023] (0915-0929)
OHØ,
ALAND ISLANDS. Operators PA2A, PE1NYQ, PG2K and PAØVHA
will be QRV as
OHØRY from
Mellanon Island from September
17th to 30th. Activity will
be on the HF bands. This includes being an entry in the upcoming CQ
World Wide RTTY DX Contest. QSL via operators' instructions.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 37 September 14, 2023] (0915-1006)
ON, BELGIUM.
Special callsign OP1ØKF
marks the 10th anniversary of King Philippe's coronation during September.
An award is also available: https://www.onz.be/op10kf-award-request/.
QSL via bureau, eQSL.
-[DXNL # 2369 August 30, 2023] (0901-0929)
ON, BELGIUM.
Special event station OO35ATH
is QRV during the month
of September to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the
Radio Club de Ath. QSL via operators' instructions.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 31, 2023] (0901-0929)
OZ, DENMARK.
Dieter, DF2SD will be active as OV9R
from Fano Island (EU-125) and National Park Vadehavet from September 16th to 30th,
including an entry in the CQ WW RTTY DX Contest. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS,
LoTW and eQSL.
-[425DXN # 1689 September 16, 2023] (0915-0929)
PACIFIC TRIP.
Uli, DL2AH is going to be active again from the Pacific:
KH2/DL2AH
Guam (OC-026), September 16th – 30th
V7... Majuro
(OC-029), Marshall
Is. October
3rd –
15th
V63AH Kosrae
(OC-059), Micronesia October 18th –
30th
He will operate SSB and FT8 on 80-6 meters. QSL via LoTW,
eQSL, or direct to
DL2AH.
-[425DXN # 1685 August 19, 2023] (0915-1103)
PJ2,
CURACAO. Gabor, HA3JB will be QRV as PJ2/HA3JB from September 16th to
26th. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB,
RTTY, and FT8.
This includes being an entry in the upcoming CQ World Wide RTTY DX
contest. QSL direct to HA3JB.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 37 September 14, 2023] (0915-1006)
PJ2, CURACAO.
Jeff, K8ND is QRV as PJ2ND
from Signal Point until
mid-October. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW and
SSB. He may be active as PJ2T
in upcoming contests. QSL PJ2ND via K8ND and PJ2T
via KU9C.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 31, 2023] (0901-1006)
SM, SWEDEN.
Gaby, DF9TM and Frank, DL2SWW have been active as SD7M and SD7W, respectively,
from Sturko Island (EU-138) since September 18, and will remain there until September 23rd or 24th.
All QSOs will be uploaded to Club Log and confirmed automatically via
the bureau.
-[425DXN # 1690 September 23, 2023] (0922-0929)
SM,
SWEDEN. Frank, DHØJAE will be on Hanoe (EU-138, ARLHS SWE
027, JO76ka)
from September 18th to 24th and operate CW/SSB on the HF bands as
SM/DHØJAE.
QSL via DHØJAE or ClubLog’s OQRS.
-[DXNL # 2371 September 13, 2023] (0915-0929)
SV,
GREECE. Members of the Salamis Radio Amateur Group will be
QRV with
special call SX48ØSNB
from September 16th
to 30th to commemorate the
480 BC Battle of Salamis. QSL on LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 37 September 14, 2023] (0915-1006)
SV9, CRETE.
Seppo, OH1VR will be QRV as SV9/OH1VR
near Chania from September
28th to October 3rd. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters
using mainly CW. QSL direct to OH1VR.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 38 September 21, 2023] (0922-1006)
SV9, CRETE.
John, SV9CJO is QRV as special event station SV9/J43ND during all of September
representing a social action against drugs. QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 31, 2023] (0901-0929)
T2,
TUVALU. The Rebel DX Group (https://www.facebook.com/rebeldxgroup)
will
be active as T22T
from Tuvalu (OC-015) from September
21st to October
9th. Plans are to have up to ten stations QRV on 160-6m
FT8 (seven
stations operating either F/H and normal mode), CW (two stations) and
SSB (one station). See https://www.qrz.com/db/T22T
for the band plan.
QSL via ClubLog's OQRS.
-[425DXN # 1687 September 2, 2023] (0915-1013)
T32, EASTERN
KIRIBATI.
Ken, KH6QJ is QRV as T32AZ
from Kiritimati, IOTA OC-024,
until October 17th. QSL to KH6QJ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 31, 2023] (0901-1006)
T7, SAN MARINO.
Celebrating "Sammarinesi nel mondo" (San Marino nationals around the
world), members of the ARRSM Radio Club will operate special event
station T71SNM
on September 24th.
QSL direct to T7ØA.
-[425DXN # 1690 September 23, 2023] (0922-0929)
T8, PALAU.
Taka, JA1LRV, will
be active as T88LR
from the Palau VIP Guest Hotel from September 26th to October 3rd.
His companion Take, JA1RKL, still awaits his T8 callsign. QSL via home
calls.
-[DXNL # 2372 September 20, 2023] (0922-1006)
TI, COSTA RICA.
Members of The Radio Club of Costa Rica Rica (TIØRC) are QRV with
special call sign TI7ØRC
during September
to celebrate the club's 70th anniversary. QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 31, 2023] (0901-0929)
TK, CORSICA.
Thomas, DL1ASA is QRV as TK/DL1ASA/p
for the next few
weeks.
He will also try to be active from IOTA EU-164, various SOTA, WWFF, and
various Lighthouse references. Activity is holiday style on the HF
bands. QSL to DL1ASA.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 36 September 7, 2023] (0908-0929)
V7, MARSHALL
ISLANDS. Bob, N7XR plans to be QRV as V73XR from
Kwajalein, IOTA OC-028, beginning
in September and active for three months. QSL via ClubLog’s OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 31, 2023] (0901-0929)
VK, AUSTRALIA.
"Amateur Radio", the official journal of the Wireless Institute of
Australia, will reach 90 years of continuous publication in October. To
mark this milestone, the WIA has obtained the special event call sign VK9ØAR for use until December 31st
by any member of the WIA as well as any affiliated club. QSL via LoTW
and MØOXO's OQRS.
-[425DXN # 1690 September 23, 2023] (0922-1013)
VK, AUSTRALIA.
Operated by a number of YL operators in Tasmania (VK7) and around the
rest of Australia, special callsign VI7ALARA
is active on the HF bands until
November 8th to mark the Australian Ladies Amateur Radio
Association's meet (http://www.alara.org.au/)
to be held in Hobart. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS.
-[425DXN # 1686 August 26, 2023] (0825-0929)
VK9L,
LORD HOWE ISLAND. Bob, W7YAQ and Al, K7AR will be active
as VK9LAA
from
Lord Howe Island (OC-004) from September
20 to October 4, including an
entry in the CQ WW RTTY DX Contest (September 23-24). They will run two
stations on 160-6 meters. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS,
LoTW, or via W7YAQ.
-[425DXN # 1685 August 19, 2023] (0915-1006)
XV, VIET NAM.
Greg, XV9BPO
was active on 15 meters using CW around 1500z. QSL via EA5GL.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 37 September 14, 2023] (0915-1006)
XZ, MYANMAR.
Akio, JE2QIZ, remains active as XZ2B
until September 30th
on 15-6m CW. Digital modes are not permitted. QSL via JH3SIF, LOTW, ClubLog’s OQRS.
-[DXNL # 2372 September 20, 2023] (0922-0929)
ZA, ALBANIA.
Antonis, SV1ENG will be active holiday style as ZA/SV1ENG from
Lucove, Albania from September
22nd to October 1st. Plans are to operate mostly CW, and
possibly some SSB on 40-10 meters. QSL via ClubLog’s OQRS,
or via SV1ENG.
-[425DXN # 1688 September 9, 2023] (0922-1006)
ZA, ALBANIA.
Chris, OE6VCG, will be active as ZA/OE6VCG
from September 20th
until October 1st on FT4/8 and JT65. QSL via OE6VCG, LoTW,
eQSL.
-[DXNL # 2372 September 20, 2023] (0922-1006)
ZD9, TRISTAN DA CUNHA
ISLANDS. Yuris, YL2GM, activates Tristan da Cunha (AF-029)
from September 24th
until October 22nd as ZD9W
on 160-6m on CW, SSB, and FT8. For more details see: https://lral.lv/zd9w/index.html.
QSL via LoTW (upload after his return).
-[DXNL # 2372 September 20, 2023] (0922-1020)
ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS.
Mark, W5LAC will be "attempting portable QRP operation" as ZF2MS from Grand
Cayman Island (NA-016) on September
22nd-29th. Look for him on 20-6 meters FT8 or SSB. QSL via
W5LAC.
-[425DXN # 1690 September 23, 2023] (0922-0929)
ZL7, CHATHAM
ISLANDS. Holger, ZL3IO will be active as ZL7IO from
Waitangi, Chatham Islands (OC-038) on September 15th-29th,
hopefully
including an entry in the CQ WW DX RTTY Contest (September 23rd-24th).
"Station set up will likely take a number of days", he says, but
eventually he expects to be QRV on 160-10 meters CW, RTTY, SSB, FT8 and
FT4. He plans to return at the end of October (CQ WW DX SSB), and at
the end of November (CQ WW DX CW). QSL via LoTW, ClubLog's OQRS,
or via
DK7AO.
-[425DXN # 1687 September 2, 2023] (0915-0929)
Propagation
The Weekly Solar Data chart plots Solar Flux
Index (SFI), Sunspot number (SSN) and Planetary K-Index (K-Idx) 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.
|
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! |
 |
Propagation
Summary
For the 8 day period from Monday, September 18th through yesterday, September 25th.
The
average solar flux was up 23 points from the previous week, with a
weekly high of 176 on Friday, September 22nd, following a low of 155 on
September 18th.
The average sunspot count was up by 57
points for the week, peaking at 198 on Saturday, September 23rd after a
weekly low of 139 on September 18th.
The Planetary K-index
weekly average was 4.3 and the maximum was 6.7 on Tuesday, September
19th, resulting in moderate geomagnetic storm conditions.
Solar
flare activity since September 18th has been high with 13 flares, the
largest of which was an M 8.7 event on Thursday, September 21st.
Propagation
Data
Major solar flares, Thursday, September 18th through 1323 UTC, September 26.
| # | Date | UTC | Mag. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 24 | 1500 | M 1.0 |
| 2 | Sep 24 | 0328 | M 4.4 |
| 3 | Sep 24 | 0307 | M 1.2 |
| 4 | Sep 23 | 2043 | M 1.5 |
| 5 | Sep 22 | 2300 | M 1.9 |
| 6 | Sep 22 | 1715 | M 1.5 |
| 7 | Sep 22 | 1623 | M 1.4 |
| 8 | Sep 22 | 0336 | M 1.2 |
| 9 | Sep 21 | 1254 | M 8.7 |
| 10 | Sep 20 | 1419 | M 8.2 |
| 11 | Sep 19 | 2014 | M 4.0 |
| 12 | Sep 19 | 0938 | M 1.8 |
| 13 | Sep 19 | 0355 | M 1.1 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26 | 40% | 15% | 166 |
| Sep 27 | 40% | 15% | 164 |
| Sep 28 | 45% | 15% | 164 |
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 once a week on Monday.
|
|
|
Highs
for Cycle 25
Solar Flux: 234 on
January 15, 2023.
Sunspots: 227 on July 11, 2023.
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/
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]
Selected Upcoming Contests
| Contest | Start | End | Web Site | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY | Sep 23 | 0000Z | Sep 24 | 2400Z | Rules |
| Maine QSO Party | Sep 23 | 1200Z | Sep 24 | 1200Z | Rules |
| UK/EI DX Contest, SSB | Sep 30 | 1200Z | Oct 1 | 1200Z | Rules |
| Collegiate QSO Party | Oct 7 | 0000Z | Oct 8 | 2359Z | Rules |
| Oceania DX Contest, Phone | Oct 7 | 0600Z | Oct 8 | 0600Z | Rules |
| Russian WW Digital Contest | Oct 7 | 1200Z | Oct 8 | 1159Z | Rules |
| California QSO Party | Oct 7 | 1600Z | Oct 8 | 2200Z | Rules |
| Makrothen RTTY Contest | Oct 14 | 0000Z | Oct 14 | 0800Z | Rules |
| Oct 14 | 1600Z | Oct 14 | 2400Z | ||
| Oct 15 | 0800Z | Oct 15 | 1600Z | ||
| Nevada QSO Party | Oct 14 | 0300Z | Oct 15 | 2100Z | Rules |
| Oceania DX Contest, CW | Oct 14 | 0600Z | Oct 15 | 0600Z | Rules |
| Scandinavian Activity Contest, SSB | Oct 14 | 1200Z | Oct 15 | 1200Z | Rules |
| Arizona QSO Party | Oct 14 | 1500Z | Oct 15 | 0500Z | Rules |
| Pennsylvania QSO Party | Oct 14 | 1600Z | Oct 15 | 0400Z | Rules |
| Oct 15 | 1300Z | Oct 15 | 2200Z | ||
| South Dakota QSO Party | Oct 14 | 1800Z | Oct 15 | 1800Z | Rules |
| ARRL School Club Roundup | Oct 16 | 1300Z | Oct 20 | 2359Z | Rules |
| JARTS WW RTTY Contest | Oct 21 | 0000Z | Oct 22 | 2400Z | Rules |
| 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, CW | Oct 21 | 0001Z | Oct 22 | 2359Z | Rules |
| New York QSO Party | Oct 21 | 1400Z | Oct 22 | 0200Z | Rules |
| YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest | Oct 21 | 1400Z | Oct 23 | 0200Z | Rules |
| Stew Perry Topband Challenge | Oct 21 | 1500Z | Oct 22 | 1500Z | Rules |
| Illinois QSO Party | Oct 22 | 1700Z | Oct 23 | 0100Z | Rules |
| CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB | Oct 28 | 0000Z | Oct 29 | 2359Z | Rules |
| Ukrainian DX Contest | Nov 4 | 1200Z | Nov 5 | 1200Z | Rules |
| ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW | Nov 4 | 2100Z | Nov 6 | 0300Z | Rules |