The
Eastern Iowa DX Bulletin
Number
289, August 29, 2025
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
This bulletin is available via email
subscription only. See
http://www.arrl.org/bulletins
to subscribe. (The online archive is no
longer updated.)
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
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
3C, EQUATORIAL
GUINEA. Yuris, YL2GM and Yevgen, EA5EL will be QRV as 3C3W from Bioko
Island (AF-010) in
September. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters. QSL via YL2GN.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0926)
3CØ, ANNOBON I.
After their Equatorial Guinea activation, Yuris, YL2GM and Yevgen,
EA5EL will be QRV in
September as 3CØW.
Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters. QSL via YL2GN.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0926)
4U/ITU, ITU HQ.
Special callsign 4UØITU
continues to mark the 160th anniversary of the ITU until the end of 2025,
operating from the 4U1ITU club station.
-[DXNL # 2471 August 13, 2025] (0815-0905)
5H, TANZANIA.
Chas, NK8O will be QRV as 5H3DX
from August 31st to
September 21st. Activity will be in his spare time on 30
to 10 meters using CW, FT8, and FT4. QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 34 August 21, 2025] (0822-0926)
8R, GUYANA.
Aldir, PY1SAD, is QRV as 8R1TM
until September 23rd.
Activity is on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, and various digital
modes. This includes some Satellite activity as well. QSL to PY1SAD, LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 33 August 14, 2025] (0815-0926)
9M2, WEST
MALAYSIA. In celebration of Malaysia's national holiday,
special event stations 9M25MA,
9M25MB, 9M25MC, 9M25MD, 9M25MJ, 9M25MK, 9M25MM, 9M25MN, 9M25MP, 9M25MR, 9M25MT, and 9M25MW are QRV until September 30th.
QSL via operators' instructions.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 33 August 14, 2025] (0815-1003)
9M2, WEST
MALAYSIA.
Celebrating the 68th anniversary of Malaysia's independence (August 31,
1957), members of Terengganu DX (West Malaysia) will be active as 9M1957M from August 1st to September 30th.
They will operate SSB, CW and FT8 on 80-10 meters. QSL direct to 9M2RDX (see https://www.qrz.com/db/9M1957M).
-[425DXN # 1785 July 19, 2025] (0801-1003)
9M6, EAST
MALAYSIA. Members of the Amateur Radio Club Sarawak will
be QRV with special event station 9M8BARF
from September 1st
to 15th to highlight the 12th Borneo Amateur Radio
Festival being held in Kuching. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS,
or direct to 9M8HAZ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0919)
9M6, EAST
MALAYSIA. In celebration of Malaysia's national holiday,
special event stations 9M25MS
and 9M25MQ
are QRV from Sabah and Sarawak, respectively until September 30th.
QSL via operators' instructions.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 33 August 14, 2025] (0815-1003)
9X, RWANDA.
Harald, DF2WO will be QRV as 9X2AW
from Kigali from September
1st to 21st. Activity will be on various HF bands and 6
meters using CW, SSB, FT8, and FT4, and on Satellite QO-100. QSL via MØOXO's OQRS and
LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0926)
A3, TONGA.
Masa, JK1JXZ is currently active as A35JK
from Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu (OC-049), Tonga until September 12th.
Main activity so far has been on 17 and 15 meters FT8. QSL via LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1791 August 30, 2025] (0829-0912)
A9, BAHRAIN.
Members of the Bahrain Amateur Radio Society celebrate the IARU
centenary with special call sign A91ØØIARU,
and the 75th anniversary of IARU Region 1 with special call sign A975IARU. They are
active 6 to 10 days each month. QSL via EC6DX.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 33 August 14, 2025] (0815-0905)
CE9, ANTARCTICA.
Alex, DL2ALY, is currently QRV as DPØGVN
from the Neumayer III station (AN-16). QSL via DL4BBH.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 33 August 14, 2025] (0815-0905)
CU, AZORES.
Martin, OK1FZM, and Lenka, OK1WZM, will be signing CU2/homecalls from
Sao Liguel Island (EU-003) from August
26th to September 6th. They'll then move on to Flores
(EU-089). QSL CU2/OK1FZM via OK1FZM, and
CU2/OK1WZM via OK1WZM.
-[DXNL # 2473 August 27, 2025] (0829-0905)
CX, URUGUAY.
Special event callsign CW2ØØDI
is for members of Radio Club Uruguayo to celebrate the bicentennial of
Uruguayan declaration of independence (August 25, 1825) from August 20th to September 18th.
QSL via the bureau, LoTW, or direct to CX1AA.
-[425DXN # 1789 August 16, 2025] (0815-0919)
D4, CAPE VERDE.
Special station D45ØICV
celebrates the 50th anniversary of Cape Verde's independence until the end of the year.
QSL via IK2NCJ.
-[DXNL # 2471 August 13, 2025] (0815-0905)
DXCC TOP TWENTY.
Here are the top 20 entities on ClubLog’s "DXCC Most Wanted" list as of
August 29, 2025:
1. P5 DPRK
(North Korea) 11. VKØM Macquarie
Island
2. BS7H Scarborough
Reef 12.
KH4 Midway Island
3. CEØX San Felix
Islands 13. PYØS Saint Peter
And Paul Rocks
4. BV9P Pratas
Island 14.
KP5 Desecheo Island
5. KH7K Kure
Island
15. VPØS South Sandwich Islands
6.
KH3 Johnston
Island 16.
ZL9 New Zealand Subantarctic
Islands
7. 3Y/P Peter 1
Island 17.
FK/C Chesterfield Islands
8. FT5/X Kerguelen
Island 18.
VKØH Heard Island
9. YVØ Aves
Island
19. FT/T Tromelin Island
10. 3Y/B Bouvet
Island 20.
EZ Turkmenistan
For the complete list, see
https://clublog.org/mostwanted.php
-[KØCF August 29, 2025 (0829-0919)
E4, PALESTINE.
OM2DX, OM2IB, OM2ZZ, OM3RG, and some more operators are still going
forward with their plans for operating from Bethlehem during September
as E44OM,
depending on the security situations. QRV on HF, as many bands and
modes as possible. QSL via OM2DX.
-[DXNL # 2473 August 27, 2025] (0829-0926)
E6, NIUE.
Gavin, ZL3GAV, is QRV as E6SP
until August 31st.
QSL to ZL3GAV.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 34 August 21, 2025] (0822-0905)
EA, SPAIN.
Special callsigns EG1SDC-EG9SDC
(September 1st-7th),
EH1SDC-EH9SDC
(September 8th–14th),
and EG41SDC
(September 1st-14th)
will be active to commemorate Day of Asturias and the principality's
patron saint, popularly known as the Santina de Covadonga. This is the
41st edition of the 'SDC' special event. Also active will be CB1SDC from Chile (September 1st-14th).
See https://santina.dxfun.com/
for more information, including on-line logs and downloadable
certificates. QSL for all callsigns via EA1AUM, LoTW
and eQSL.
-[425DXN # 1790 August 23, 2025] (0829-0919)
FO, FRENCH
POLYNESIA. David, F1SXC and Herve, F4DPA will be active as
TX14TOM from
Tai'arapu-Est, Tahiti (OC-046), French Polynesia on August 17th-31st.
See https://log-et-qsl.associations-radioamateurs.org/wp/
for log search and eQSL. QSL via LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1790 August 23, 2025] (0822-0905)
H4, SOLOMON IS.
Bernhard, DL2GAC, will be back on the air as H44MS from Malaita
Island (OC-047) from September
2025 to April 2026.
-[DXNL # 2473 August 27, 2025] (0829-0919)
HA, HUNGARY.
During September, HA4ØMATRA,
operated by the Vak Bottyan Radio Club (HA6KVC), marks the 40th
anniversary of the Matra Landscape Protection Area. For more
information see: http://www.bnpi.hu.
-[DXNL # 2473 August 27, 2025] (0829-0926)
HK, COLOMBIA.
Lothar, DK8LRF, will be back on the bands as HK3JCL from September 3rd until May 15th
next year. QSL via DK8LRF.
-[DXNL # 2471 August 13, 2025] (0829-0926)
I, ITALY.
Watch for IJ7/IK7WDS,
IJ7/IW7DMH, IJ7/IW7DOL, IJ7/IZ7AUH, and IJ7/IZ7LDC to be
active from San Pietro Island (EU-073) on August 29th-31st.
They will be QRV on the HF bands, on 6 and 2 meters, and via QO-100.
QSL via operator's instructions.
-[425DXN # 1790 August 23, 2025] (0829-0905)
I, ITALY.
ARI section Fidenza honors Marconi's memory with the following
callsigns during 2025: II4LDMA
in August; II4RADS
in September; II4WLTX
in October; II4EACC
in November; II4TJTB
in December. QSL via IQ4FE and LoTW.
-[DXNL # 2471 August 13, 2025] (0815-0905)
K, UNITED STATES.
Jonathan, KK7NQW
will be active from Burrows Island (NA-065) during the US Islands QSO
Party, from 1200 UTC
on August 30th until 0300 UTC on August 31st (https://usislands.org/qso-party-rules/).
He will operate SSB and digital modes (PSK31, Contestia, and possibly
FT8) on 40, 20, 15, and 10m. QSL via LoTW, or direct to KK7NQW.
-[425DXN # 1791 August 30, 2025] (0829-0905)
K, UNITED STATES.
Howard, K1VSJ
puts Martha's Vineyard (NA-046) on the air until September 1st.
QSL via bureau or direct to K1VSJ.
-[DXNL # 2473 August 27, 2025] (0829-0905)
LA, NORWAY.
Special callsigns LA1ØØIARU,
LB1ØØIARU
and LM1ØØIARU
(the latter operated by NRRL staff and elected officials) are for the
Norwegian Radio Relay League to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the
International Amateur Radio Union.
-[425DXN # 1791 August 30, 2025] (0829-0919)
LA, NORWAY.
Heli, DDØVR, and his wife Bigi, DE3WBR, are going on a trip through
Sweden, Finland and Norway and plan to activate IOTA references from
August 29th to September 29th: Norway: Mageroya (Finnmark County West
Group, EU-044) and Vestvaagoy (Lofoten Islands Group, EU-076). QRV as LA/DDØVR on 80-6m.
QSL via DDØVR.
-[DXNL # 2473 August 27, 2025] (0829-0926)
LA, NORWAY.
The special event callsign LA1ØØA
commemorates the first amateur radio contact between Norway and the USA
in 1925. On November 25, 1925 Johannes Diesen (LA1A) conducted that
first QSO with U1YB at Dartmouth College (NH), USA.
-[DXNL # 2471 August 13, 2025] (0815-0905)
OH, FINLAND.
Heli, DDØVR, and his wife Bigi, DE3WBR, are going on a trip through
Sweden, Finland and Norway and plan to activate IOTA references from August 29th to September 29th:
Finland: Radio Arcala Station OH8X
(no IOTA). QRV as OH/DDØVR
on 80-6m. QSL via DDØVR.
-[DXNL # 2473 August 27, 2025] (0829-0926)
OH, FINLAND.
Special station OH1ØØIARU
(ops OH2BCI, OH2BH, OH2KI, OH2KM, OH2KW, OH3JR, OH5BM, OH5BQ, and
OH7GGX) continues to celebrate IARU's centenary until the end of 2025.
QSL via bureau or direct via OH3JR.
-[DXNL # 2471 August 13, 2025] (0815-0905)
PA, NETHERLANDS.
*Dutch Lighthouse Hunt* This event takes place during September
from Dutch lighthouses with various callsigns:
First group:
PA1LIGHTHOUSE -
Haamstede (PA7Q)
PD1LIGHTHOUSE -
Texel Island (PD2TX)
PD2LIGHTHOUSE -
Breskens (PD2XX)
PD3LIGHTHOUSE - Hoek
van Holland (PD2WCW)
PD4LIGHTHOUSE -
Marken (PD4JOH)
PD5LIGHTHOUSE -
Westkapelle (PD2AE
PD6LIGHTHOUSE -
Marken (PDØTM)
PD9LIGHTHOUSE -
Maasvlakte (PD9RW).
Second group:
PAØ1LH, PDØ1LH, PDØ2LH, PDØ3LH, PDØ4LH, PDØ5LH, PDØ6LH, PDØ7LH,
PDØ8LH, PDØ9LH, PDØØLH.
For more information and the award rules see: https://dutchradiogroup.com/
-[DXNL # 2473 August 27, 2025] (0829-0926)
SM, SWEDEN.
Heli, DDØVR, and his wife Bigi, DE3WBR, are going on a trip through
Sweden, Finland and Norway and plan to activate IOTA references from August 29th to September 29th:
Sweden: Oeland (Kalmar County Group, EU-037) and Gotland (Gotland
County Group, EU-020). QRV as SM/DDØVR
on 80-6m. QSL via DDØVR.
-[DXNL # 2473 August 27, 2025] (0829-0926)
SM, SWEDEN.
The radio club SK3GK
commemorates the first radio broadcast from the city Gaevle in 1925 until the end of the year.
QSL via bureau.
-[DXNL # 2471 August 13, 2025] (0815-0905)
SV, GREECE.
Adrian, M1LCR will be QRV as SV8/M1LCR/p
from Paxos Island (EU-052) on September
2nd to 13th.
Activity will be holiday style on 80 to 6 meters using SSB and RTTY,
with main activity occurring during the upcoming IARU Region 1 Field
Day. QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0919)
SV5, DODECANESE.
Bernhard, DJ5MN is QRV as SV5/DJ5MN
and SV5/DJ5MN/p
until September 8th.
Activity is in his spare time on 40 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, and
FT8. He is also active on various Low Earth Orbit Satellites using CW,
SSB, and FM. QSL to DJ5MN.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0912)
T3Ø, WEST
KIRIBATI. Members of the Rebel DX Group are QRV as T3ØTTT from North
Tarawa until
September 8th. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW,
SSB, FT8, and FT4 with up to 10 stations active. QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 25 June 19, 2025] (0620-0905)
T8, PALAU.
Yoshinori, JG2RMR will be QRV as T88DZ
from September 2nd
to 7th, and Yasu, JH2FDJ will be QRV as T88DF from September 2nd to 11th,
including for both participation in the Phone leg of the All Asian DX
Contest (September 6th-7th). QSL T88DZ via JG2RMR, and
T88DF via JH2FDJ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0912)
TJ, CAMEROON.
Darek, SP3GDH is QRV as TJ1GD
while here working on humanitarian missions. He has been active in his
spare time on 40 to 10 meters using FT8. This includes some activity on
Satellite QO-100. QSL via SP3EOL.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0919)
TY, BENIN.
Antonio, IK7WUL plans to be QRV as TY2AA
from August 18th to
September 7th. Activity will be in his spare time on 20
meters using SSB. QSL via I8KHC, LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 33 August 14, 2025] (0815-0905)
TZ, MALI.
Jeff, K1MMB will be QRV as TZ4AM
from September
through December. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using
CW and SSB. Look for the TZ4AM/B beacon on 50050.5 kHz. QSL via KX4R.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0926)
UA, EUROPEAN
RUSSIA. Special event station R1ØØGQ is QRV until September 7th
to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the city of Shchelkovo. QSL via
bureau.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 34 August 21, 2025] (0822-0912)
UAØ, ASIATIC
RUSSIA. Oleg, RD1A, continues to operate as RI42SP/mm from
aboard the vessel North Pole during September. QSL via RN3RQ.
-[DXNL # 2473 August 27, 2025] (0829-0926)
UAØ, ASIATIC
RUSSIA. Anton, RGØC, is currently operating from Ptichiy
(Bird Island; (AS-044) RR-13-30) as RGØC/p
on 20m CW with QRP power. The duration of his stay depends on weather
conditions. An additional one-day trip to Malyy Shantar in the same
group is also possible. QSL via RN3RQ.
-[DXNL # 2471 August 13, 2025] (0815-0905)
VE, CANADA.
Mike, VE2XB will be active as VYØZOO
from Coral Harbor on Southampton Island (NA-007) from August 28th to September 2nd.
He will operate SSB and CW on 80-10 meters. QSL direct to VE2XB.
-[425DXN # 1791 August 30, 2025] (0829-0905)
VK, AUSTRALIA.
Special event station VI1ØØSIG
is QRV until
September 3rd to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
Australian Army Signal Corps. QSL via MØOXO's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 34 August 21, 2025] (0822-0905)
VK9L, LORD HOWE
I. Janusz, SP9FIH will be active as VK2/SP9FIH from Lord
Howe Island (OC-004) from August
27th to September 13th. Plans are to operate SSB and FT8
(FH/SF) on 30, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters. See https://vk9.dxpeditions.org/
for more information. Reminder: according to the Australian
Communications and Media Authority's updated "Amateur Radio Call Sign
Policy", VK9 prefixed callsigns can be used only by operators located
in an Australian External Territory other than the Antarctic. Lord Howe
Island is part of New South Wales, hence the use of VK2/homecall. QSL
via ClubLog's OQRS (direct requests for QSL will be uploaded to LoTW
within few days, bureau requests will be uploaded after 12 months).
-[425DXN # 1787 August 2, 2025] (0822-0912)
XW, LAOS.
Maxim, OH7O is QRV as XW4YY
from Ban Na Nga until
September 11th. Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using SSB
and FT8. QSL via MØOXO's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0912)
XW, LAOS.
Simon, HSØZIB is QRV as XWØLP
from Luang Prabang. Activity is on 12 and 10 meters and may soon be on
40 meters. QSL via MØOXO's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 35 August 28, 2025] (0829-0919)
YO, ROMANIA.
Members of the Federatia Romana de Radioamatorism (FRR) will be active
as YO2Ø25ENESCU
from August 24th to
September 21st,
during the George Enescu International Festival and Competition. Held
in Bucharest since 1958, the Festival honors and celebrates the memory,
the music and the personality of Romanian composer, pianist, violinist
and conductor George Enescu (1881-1955). Certificates and eQSL will be
available on https://hamlog.online/.
-[425DXN # 1789 August 16, 2025] (0822-0926)
YO, ROMANIA.
Special callsign YR16ØØVT
will be used by members of Radio Club YO6KGS until March 31, 2026,
to
popularize Via Transilvanica, the long-distance trail (1600 km) used
for hiking, cycling and horse riding that crosses Romania. More
information can be found on https://www.qrz.com/db/YR1600VT.
QSL via eQSL.
-[425DXN # 1788 August 9, 2025] (0808-0905)
Z8, SOUTH SUDAN.
Diya, YI1DZ is back in Juba and QRV as Z81D mostly during
his weekends. Activity is on various HF bands using SSB and FT8. QSL
via OM3JW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 33 August 14, 2025] (0815-0905)
ZB, GIBRALTAR.
All Gibraltar licensed operators are allowed to switch to the "ZG" prefix during
the week leading towards Gibraltar National Day (September 10th).
-[425DXN # 1791 August 30, 2025] (0829-0912)
ZL, NEW ZEALAND.
Special callsign ZL1ØØC
celebrates the centenary of the New Zealand Association of Radio
Transmitters (NZART), which was formed on August 16, 1926. The callsign
is valid until
August 6, 2026.
QSL via the bureau and LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1789 August 16, 2025] (0815-0905)
ZS, SOUTH AFRICA.
Special event stations ZS1ØØSARL,
ZS6SRL, and ZS9HQ are QRV until the end of 2025
to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the South African Radio League.
QSL via bureau.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 33 August 14, 2025] (0815-0905)
Propagation (Updated daily)
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 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! |
 |
Propagation
Summary
For the 8 day period from Saturday, August 23rd through yesterday, August 30th.
The average solar flux was 218, up 94 points from the previous week,
with a weekly high of 317 on Saturday, August 30th, following
a low of 143 on August 23rd.
The average sunspot count was 177, up 115 from last week,
peaking at 227 on Wednesday, August 27th after a
weekly low of 87 on August 23rd.
The Planetary K-index weekly average was 2.7 with a
maximum of 3.3 on Monday, August 25th, indicating
generally quiet geomagnetic conditions. Yesterday's K-index maximum was 2.3 with generally quiet conditions.
Solar flare activity since August 24th has been high with 12
major flares, the largest of which was an M 4.5 event on Tuesday,
August 26th.
Propagation
Data
Major solar flares, Sunday, August 24th through 1333 UTC, August 31st.
| # | Date | UTC | Mag. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 30 | 2002 | M 2.7 |
| 2 | Aug 30 | 1559 | M 1.2 |
| 3 | Aug 30 | 1409 | M 1.3 |
| 4 | Aug 28 | 2040 | M 1.5 |
| 5 | Aug 28 | 1711 | M 1.2 |
| 6 | Aug 28 | 1416 | M 1.1 |
| 7 | Aug 26 | 0525 | M 4.5 |
| 8 | Aug 26 | 0030 | M 3.3 |
| 9 | Aug 25 | 1538 | M 1.1 |
| 10 | Aug 25 | 1518 | M 1.2 |
| 11 | Aug 25 | 0524 | M 4.5 |
| 12 | Aug 24 | 0836 | M 1.3 |
(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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31 | 75% | 20% | 220 |
| Sep 1 | 75% | 20% | 215 |
| Sep 2 | 75% | 20% | 210 |
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 August 26, 2025).
|
|
|
Chance
Of X-Flares Today
Giant
sunspot 4197 has developed an unstable 'beta-gamma-delta' magnetic
field that harbors energy for strong explosions. NOAA forecasters
estimate a 75% chance of M-class
solar flares and a 25% chance of X-flares
during the next 24 hours.
(Copyright © SpaceWeather.com August 30, 2025.
Republished by
permission.)
A CME Is Heading For Earth
The sun is a tricky star. While we were watching giant sunspot 4197, a
different, much smaller sunspot erupted. On Aug 30th at 20:02 UTC,
sunspot 4204 produced a long duration M2.7-class solar flare:
Although the flare was not very intense, it lasted for 3
hours, long enough to lift a CME out of the sun's atmosphere. Indeed,
new data from SOHO coronagraphs confirm that a CME is heading straight
for Earth. Here it is.
A NASA model of the CME predicts it will strike our planet late on Sept. 1st. The impact could spark a strong G3-class
geomagnetic storm spilling into Sept. 2nd. During such a storm, auroras
may be photographed in US states as far south as Virginia, Missouri
and Colorado. Stay tuned for updates as the CME approaches.
(Copyright © SpaceWeather.com August 31, 2025.
Republished by
permission.)
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:
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:
Highs
for Cycle 25
Solar Flux: 336 on
August 8, 2024.
Sunspots: 382 on August
10, 2024.
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 |
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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YO DX HF Contest | Aug 30 | 1200Z | Aug 31 | 1200Z | Rules |
| World Wide Digi DX Contest | Aug 30 | 1200Z | Aug 31 | 1200Z | Rules |
| Kansas QSO Party | Aug 30 | 1400Z | Aug 31 | 2000Z | Rules |
| Tennessee QSO Party | Sep 7 | 1700Z | Sep 8 | 0300Z | Rules |
| ARRL September VHF Contest | Sep 13 | 1800Z | Sep 15 | 0300Z | Rules |
| Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW | Sep 20 | 1200Z | Sep 21 | 1200Z | Rules |
| New Jersey QSO Party | Sep 20 | 1400Z | Sep 21 | 0159Z | Rules |
| Texas QSO Party | Sep 20 | 1400Z | Sep 21 | 2000Z | Rules |
| Wisconsin Parks on the Air | Sep 20 | 1600Z | Sep 20 | 2300Z | Rules |
| Washington State Salmon Run | Sep 20 | 1600Z | Sep 21 | 2400Z | Rules |
| New Hampshire QSO Party | Sep 20 | 1600Z | Sep 21 | 2200Z | Rules |
| North American Sprint, RTTY | Sep 21 | 0000Z | Sep 21 | 0359Z | Rules |
| CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY | Sep 27 | 0000Z | Sep 28 | 2400Z | Rules |
| Maine QSO Party | Sep 27 | 1200Z | Sep 28 | 1200Z | Rules |
| Oceania DX Contest, Phone | Oct 4 | 0600Z | Oct 5 | 0600Z | Rules |
| California QSO Party | Oct 4 | 1600Z | Oct 5 | 2200Z | Rules |
| QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party | Oct 11 | 0000Z | Oct 11 | 2359Z | Rules |
| Makrothen RTTY Contest | Oct 11 | 0000Z | Oct 12 | 1559Z | Rules |
| Nevada QSO Party | Oct 11 | 0300Z | Oct 12 | 2100Z | Rules |
| Oceania DX Contest, CW | Oct 11 | 0600Z | Oct 12 | 0600Z | Rules |
| Scandinavian Activity Contest, SSB | Oct 11 | 1200Z | Oct 12 | 1200Z | Rules |
| Arizona QSO Party | Oct 11 | 1500Z | Oct 12 | 0500Z | Rules |
| Pennsylvania QSO Party | Oct 11 | 1600Z | Oct 12 | 0400Z | Rules |
| Oct 12 | 1300Z | Oct 12 | 2200Z | ||
| South Dakota QSO Party | Oct 11 | 1800Z | Oct 12 | 1800Z | Rules |
| 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, CW | Oct 18 | 0001Z | Oct 19 | 2359Z | Rules |
| New York QSO Party | Oct 18 | 1400Z | Oct 19 | 0200Z | Rules |
| Worked All Germany Contest | Oct 18 | 1500Z | Oct 19 | 1459Z | Rules |
| Stew Perry Topband Challenge | Oct 18 | 1500Z | Oct 19 | 1500Z | Rules |
| Illinois QSO Party | Oct 19 | 1700Z | Oct 20 | 0100Z | Rules |
| ARRL School Club Roundup | Oct 20 | 1300Z | Oct 24 | 2359Z | Rules |
| CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB | Oct 25 | 0000Z | Oct 26 | 2400Z | Rules |
| ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW | Nov 1 | 2100Z | Nov 3 | 0300Z | Rules |
| WAE DX Contest, RTTY | Nov 8 | 0000Z | Nov 9 | 2359Z | Rules |
| 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, Digital | Nov 8 | 0001Z | Nov 9 | 2359Z | Rules |
| JIDX Phone Contest | Nov 8 | 0700Z | Nov 9 | 1300Z | Rules |
| OK/OM DX Contest, CW | Nov 8 | 1200Z | Nov 9 | 1200Z | Rules |
| ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB | Nov 15 | 2100Z | Nov 17 | 0300Z | Rules |
| LZ DX Contest | Nov 22 | 1200Z | Nov 23 | 1200Z | Rules |
| North American SSB Sprint Contest | Nov 23 | 0000Z | Nov 23 | 0400Z | Rules |
| CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW | Nov 29 | 0000Z | Nov 30 | 2400Z | Rules |