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The Eastern Iowa DX Bulletin
Number 265, March 14, 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
      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
   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. Heath, VK3TWO will be QRV as 3D2TWO from March 16th to 27th. Activity will be on 40 to 6 meters, running 10 watts with SSB and FT8. QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 13, 2025]  (0314-0328)

5H, TANZANIA. Maurizio, IK2GZU, operates as 5H3MB from March 18th to April 8th. QSL via IK2GZU, LoTW, eQSL.
-[DXNL # 2449 March 12, 2025]  (0314-0411)

6W, SENEGAL. Willy, ON4AVT, signs 6W7/ON4AVT from February 2nd to April 10th from the town Warang. QRV on 80-10m (CW, SSB, FT8) and via QO-100. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS, LoTW, eQSL.
-[DXNL # 2443 January 29, 2025]  (0131-0411)

6Y, JAMAICA. Members of the EIDXG (EI DX Group) will be active as 6Y7EI from Jamaica (NA-097) on March 13th-24th. They will operate all modes on 160-6 meters. QSL via MØOXO's OQRS.
-[425DXN # 1766 March 8, 2025]  (0307-0328)

6Y, JAMAICA. Iain, G4SGX will be active as G4SGX/6Y from Jamaica (NA-097) on March 1st-21st. He will operate CW only on 80-10 meters (hopefully also "some top band action") and will take part in the RSGB Commonwealth (BERU) Contest (8-9 March). QSL via LoTW, or via MØOXO's OQRS.
-[425DXN # 1764 February 22, 2025]  (0228-0321)

8P, BARBADOS. Chris, WA7RAR will be active as 8P9CB from Barbados (NA-021) on March 5th-16th. He will operate SSB and CW on 20-10 meters, often from POTA sites. QSL via LoTW, QRZ Logbook, or direct to WA7RAR.
-[425DXN # 1765 March 1, 2025]  (0228-0321)

8R, GUYANA. Aldir, PY1SAD will be active again as 8R1TM from Georgetown, Guyana from March 11th to April 26th. He will operate CW, SSB and digital modes on the HF bands and via satellite. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, QRZ Logbook, or direct to PY1SAD.
-[425DXN # 1765 March 1, 2025]  (0307-0425)

C6, BAHAMAS. Chad, WE9V will be active as C6ACK while visiting "various islands" in the Bahamas from February to May. He will be QRV on 40-6m. He says he will eventually set up ClubLog. QSL via LoTW (preferred), or direct to WD9DZV.
-[425DXN # 1764 February 22, 2025]  (0221-0502)

C6, BAHAMAS. Steve, KJ4LJB is active holiday style as C6AJB from Eleuthera (NA-001), Bahamas until March 20th. He operates FT8 and SSB ("I may try RTTY, and possibly other digital modes") on 80-10 meters. He reports that "the logs for March 8 were lost! If you worked me on that day and need C6A, please try again". QSL cards will not be issued; FT8 QSOs will be logged and uploaded to LoTW; he says, "otherwise a log will not be kept".
-[425DXN # 1767 March 15, 2025]  (0314-0321)

CT, PORTUGAL. Celebrating the 200th anniversary since German physicist Georg Simon Ohm began his research in the nature of electrical resistance, members of the Associacao de Radioamadores da Regiao de Lisboa (CS5LX) will be active as CS2ØØOHM on March 16th (Ohm's birth date). QSL via operator's instructions.
-[425DXN # 1767 March 15, 2025]  (0314-0321)

D4, CAPE VERDE. Special event call sign D45ØICV is active until the end of the year to mark Cape Verde's Independence Day. QSL via IK2NCJ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 13, 2025]  (0314-0404)

D6, COMOROS. Elvira, IV3FSG will be QRV as D68Z from Moroni from March 3rd to 18th. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4. QSL via IK2DUW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 9 February 27, 2025]  (0228-0321)

DL, GERMANY. Celebrating World Amateur Radio Day, DARC special event callsign DA25WARD will be active from March 8th until April 27th. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau; direct QSL via DL2VFR.
-[425DXN # 1766 March 8, 2025]  (0307-0425)

DL, GERMANY. Special callsign DL2Ø25C celebrates Chemnitz as one of the European Capitals of Culture 2025 from January 18th until March 31st. In addition, DL2Ø25B, DL2Ø25E, DL2Ø25W, and DL2Ø25S will also be active, marking previous German cities similarly honored (Berlin, Essen, Weimar) and the DARC district Saxony, where Chemnitz is located. An award program is also available; see https://www.2025c.de. QSL only in various digital forms.
-[DXNL # 2441 January 15, 2025]  (0117-0328)

DXCC TOP TWENTY. Here are the top 20 entities on ClubLog’s "DXCC Most Wanted" list as of March 14, 2025:
   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 March 14, 2025  (0314-0404)

E5, SOUTH COOK IS. Frank, DJ5NQ is QRV as E51ANQ from Rarotonga during the month of March. Activity is holiday style on the HF bands using CW and SSB. QSL direct to DJ5NQ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 13, 2025]  (0314-0404)

EA, SPAIN. Look for EG6ØGURU/p to be QRV from various SOTA locations in Spain 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 in 2022. See https://sites.google.com/view/ea2if-memorial for more information; QSL cards will not be provided, but QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1767 March 15, 2025]  (0314-0328)

EA8, CANARY IS. Jan, DL4XT will be QRV as EA8/DL4XT from Fuerteventura from March 15th to 22nd. Activity will be on 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters using primarily CW and SSB. QSL to DL4XT.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 13, 2025]  (0314-0321)

EP, IRAN. Hamid, EP4HR has been active on 17 meters using FT8 around 1700z. QSL via IZ2RZQ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 9 February 27, 2025]  (0228-0321)

FO/M, MARQUESAS IS. Fred, F4LYI will be active holiday style as FO/F4LYI from March 19th to 25th. Announced plans are to be QRV from Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands (OC-027) on March 19th-21st; from Us Huka, Marquesas Islands (OC-027) on March 21st-25th. See https://www.qrz.com/db/FO/F4LYI for updates. He will operate SSB on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters. QSL direct to F4LYI.
-[425DXN # 1767 March 15, 2025]  (0314-0328)

FJ, SAINT BARTHELEMY. Janusz, SP9FIH will be active as TO1P from St. Barthelemy (NA-146) from March 24th to April 4th. He will operate SSB, FT8 and RTTY on 40, 17 and 10 meters. See http://fj.dxpeditions.org for updates. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS.
-[425DXN # 1765 March 1, 2025]  (0228-0404)

FO, FRENCH POLYNESIA. Olafur, TF1OL is QRV as FO/TF1OL from Tahiti. Activity is on the HF bands. He has been active on 17 meters using FT8 around 0830Z. His length of stay is unknown. QSL to TF1OL.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 6, 2025]  (0307-0328)

FY, FRENCH GUIANA. Renato, PY8WW is active as FY/PY8WW from French Guiana until March 18th. "This will become a recurring, but not continuous, operation", he says. QSL exclusively via ClubLog's OQRS and LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1767 March 15, 2025]  (0314-0321)

H4, SOLOMON IS. Bernhard, DL2GAC will be active again as H44MS from the Solomon Islands from February 9th to May 7th. He is usually QRV daily, with activity on 80-6 meters SSB and FT8. QSL via DL2GAC.
-[425DXN # 1761 February 1, 2025]  (0207-0509)

HKØ, SAN ANDRES & PROVIDENCIA. Adrian, HJ4ADR will be QRV as HJ4ADR/Ø from Providencia Island (NA-049) from March 20th to 26th. Activity will be holiday style on 40 and 10 meters using SSB and FT8. QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 13, 2025]  (0314-0328)

HKØ, SAN ANDRES & PROVIDENCIA. Ray, K3ARC will be QRV as HKØA from San Andres Island (NA-033) from March 9th to 19th. Activity will be on 20 to 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL direct to K3ARC.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 6, 2025]  (0307-0321)

HL, SOUTH KOREA. Special event station HL1ØØIARU will be active from March to April to mark the 100th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union. QSL via HL1IWD.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 9 February 27, 2025]  (0228-0328)

I, ITALY. The following special event callsigns celebrate Marconi's patent applications made between 1897 and 1926: II4SHLD (March), II4GHPR (April), II4JGGR (May), II4RXOS (June), II4COHR (July), II4LDMA (August), II4RADS (September), II4WLTX (October), II4EACC (November), II4TJTB (December). QSL via IQ4FE, LoTW.
-[DXNL # 2449 March 12, 2025]  (0314-0404)

J3, GRENADA. Mike, VE2XB will be QRV as J38XB from March 17th to 31st. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using some CW and SSB. QSL to VE2XB.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 13, 2025]  (0314-0404)

J6, ST. LUCIA. Mike, MØMDS will be QRV as J6/MØMDS from Anse Chastanet from March 15th to 24th. Activity will be holiday style on 160 to 10 meters using QRS CW, as well as SSB and FT8. QSL to MØMDS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 13, 2025]  (0314-0328)

JA, JAPAN. Junichi, JH1RNI will be active holiday style as JH1RNI/6 from Ishigaki Island (AS-024) on March 15th-21st. He will operate CW, FT8 and SSB "if possible" on 40-6 meters.
-[425DXN # 1767 March 15, 2025]  (0314-0321)

KH9, WAKE I. Allen, KH7AL/KH9 (https://kh7al.site/kh9-blog/) is "on the home stretch", and "as I see my travel date quickly approaching for my break from Wake Island, I feel the urge to log as many contacts as I can. Therefore, I have planned a multi-day radio activities to dish out some QSOs before I am wheels up and heading home for some fun time with my family". His next scheduled activities are:
   March 15th  0700-0900 UTC  15m CW
   March 16th  0700-0900 UTC  12m SSB
   March 16th  1930-2359 UTC  15m SSB
   March 17th  0700-0900 UTC  12m CW
He also reports that Richard, a colleague at work, just passed his Technician exam and got a new callsign. He is eager to upgrade to General, and Allen "would like to get him on 10m to say hello very soon".
He regularly announces and updates his operating schedule on https://kh7al.site/kh9-upcoming-activity/. QSL via KH7AL (direct with SASE), Bureau or LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1767 March 15, 2025]  (0314-0321)

LZ, BULGARIA. Radio club Blagovestnik honors the memory of Orthodox saints with the following callsigns during 2025: LZ372SG (March-April), LZ286MDK (May-June), LZ591MK (July-August), LZ117ME (September-October), LZ3Ø6WW (November-December). The club also celebrates the 75th anniversary of the International Police Association with the callsign LZ75IPA. QSL via bureau.
-[DXNL # 2449 March 12, 2025]  (0314-0404)

OH, FINLAND. Radio club OH2AP celebrates its 60th anniversary with the callsign OF6ØAP during 2025. An award is available for contacts with OF6ØAP, OH2AP, OH2NP, OH2OV. For more information see OF6ØAP on qrz.com.
-[DXNL # 2449 March 12, 2025]  (0314-0404)

ON, BELGIUM. Celebrating the centenary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), the local divisions of the Belgian IARU society (UBA) will activate 28 special event stations from March 15th until May 15th: ON1ØØI, ON1ØØA, ON1ØØR, ON1ØØU, OO1ØØI, OO1ØØA, OO1ØØR, OO1ØØU, OP1ØØI, OP1ØØA, OP1ØØR, OP1ØØU, OQ1ØØI, OQ1ØØA, OQ1ØØR, OQ1ØØU, OR1ØØI, OR1ØØA, OR1ØØR, OR1ØØU, OS1ØØI, OS1ØØA, OS1ØØR, OS1ØØU, OT1ØØI, OT1ØØA, OT1ØØR, and OT1ØØU. In addition, members of the UBA Board and HF Committee will be active as OQØIARU and ORØIARU. A series of certificates will be available, see https://www.uba.be/en/news/uba-iaru-100-event for the details and the OQRS for bureau cards (TBA soon).
-[425DXN # 1764 February 22, 2025]  (0314-0516)

PA, NETHERLANDS. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Dutch Marine Radio Amateur Club (https://www.marac-radio.nl), special callsign PA4ØMARAC will be active from March 1st until December 31st. A QSO with this station earns 10 points for the MARAC awards (see PI4MRC on qrz.com). QSL via PA3CNI.
-[425DXN # 1765 March 1, 2025]  (0228-0321)

PJ2, CURACAO. Thaire, W2APF will be active as PJ2/W2APF from January 12th to April 8th. He will operate CW, SSB and FT8 on 80-10 meters. QSL via LoTW or W2APF.
-[425DXN # 1757 January 4, 2025]  (0110-0404)

PJ7, SINT MAARTEN. Tom, AA9A will be QRV as PJ7AA from March 9th to April 5th. Activity will be on 40 to 6 meters using CW, FT8, and FT4. QSL direct to AA9A or ClubLog's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 6, 2025]  (0307-0404)

TR, GABON. Roland, F8EN is back to Gabon and active as TR8CR until at least April, maybe longer. He operates CW only. Log search on http://LesNouvellesDX.fr/voirlogs.php. QSL via F6AJA.
-[425DXN # 1763 February 15, 2025]  (0214-0328)

TY, BENIN. Gerard, F5NVF is QRV as TY5C from Godomey until April 2nd. Activity is holiday style on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8. QSL direct to F5RAV, or via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 2 January 9, 2025]  (0110-0404)

V3, BELIZE. Kinion, KB5UOD is QRV as V32KW until March 20th. Activity is on the HF bands. He plans to activate various POTA and SOTA sites. QSL to KB5UOD.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 13, 2025]  (0314-0321)

V4, ST. KITTS & NEVIS. Fred, G4XWM will be QRV as V4/G4XWM from St. Kitts (NA-104) from March 8th to 29th. Activity is on the HF bands. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS, LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 6, 2025]  (0307-0328)

V6, MICRONESIA. Richard, WE9G will be QRV as V6WG from Kosrae Island (OC-059) from March 18th until April 1st. QSL to WE9G.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 13, 2025]  (0314-0404)

V7, MARSHALL IS. Tim, KZ4V, will be busy on research missions to different Marshall Islands atolls during March and April, among them Enewetak (OC-087), Bikini (OC-028), Rongelap (OC-028), Wotje (OC-029), and Majuro (OC-029). Mostly, he will operate from aboard a vessel (KZ4V/mm) but sometimes also from dry land as V73MT, including a 5-day stay on Enewetak; date is not known so far. (Editor’s note: shipboard operations do NOT count for DXCC.) QSL via ClubLog, LoTW.
-[DXNL # 2449 March 12, 2025]  (0314-0404)

VE, CANADA. Pierre, VK3KTB will be active again as VYØERC from the Eureka Amateur Radio Club station on Ellesmere Island (NA-008) from March 7th to April 2nd. He operates SSB, CW and FT8 on various bands when time permits. QSL via MØOXO's OQRS and LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1766 March 8, 2025]  (0307-0404)

VK9C, COCOS (KEELING) IS. A group of operators will be QRV as VK9CU from March 4th to 11th. Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8 (F/H or Super Fox) with three stations active around the clock. QSL via DL2AWG.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 9 February 27, 2025]

VP5, TURKS & CAICOS IS. Les, KI5GTR, signs VP5/KI5GTR from March 14th to 24th on CW, SSB, and FT8; he hopes to also activate some POTA references. QSL via KI5GTR.
-[DXNL # 2449 March 12, 2025]  (0314-0328)

VU4, ANDAMAN & NICOBAR IS. A large group of operators will be QRV as VU4AX from South Andaman Island (AS-001) from March 10th to 25th. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters, including 60 meters, using CW, SSB, and various digital modes with six stations active. QSL via MØURX's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 10 March 6, 2025]  (0307-0328)

XU, CAMBODIA. Members of the club station XU7AMO at the National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia are QRV on Satellite QO-100 until March 16th. For a detailed schedule see: https://camrg.com. QSL via NØMMA.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 11 March 13, 2025]  (0314-0321)

YU, SERBIA. The Serbian radio club Novi Sad celebrates its centenary in 2025 with the callsign YU1ØØBPQ. QSL via YU7BPQ.
-[DXNL # 2449 March 12, 2025]  (0314-0404)




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 Friday, March 7th through yesterday, March 14th.

The average solar flux was 160, up 6 points from the previous week, with a weekly high of 180 on Friday, March 14th, following a low of 147 on March 7th.

The average sunspot count was 119, down by 6 from last week, peaking at 160 on Thursday, March 13th after a weekly low of 73 on March 9th.

The Planetary K-index weekly average was 4.4 with a maximum of 5.7 on Friday, March 14th, indicating a minor geomagnetic storm.

Solar flare activity since March 8th has been quiet with only 1 major flare, which was an M 1.1 event on Tuesday, March 11th.

Propagation Data
Major solar flares, Saturday, March 8th through 1419 UTC, March 15th.

  #     Date     UTC     Mag.  
1 Mar 11  1304  M 1.1 

   (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 
 Mar 15 45%10%180
 Mar 16 45%10%180
 Mar 17 45%10%180

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 March 10, 2025).

 Date   Flux   Kp 
 Mar 15 1703
 Mar 16 1753
 Mar 17 1804
 Mar 18 1805
 Date   Flux  Kp 
 Mar 19 1853
 Mar 20 1902
 Mar 21 1952
 Mar 22 1902
 Date   Flux  Kp 
 Mar 23 1902
 Mar 24 1802
 Mar 25 1704
 Mar 26 1705

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.

The Sun's Northern Hemisphere is Waking Up
For much of the past year, solar activity has been dominated by southern sunspots. Now, the sun's northern hemisphere is waking up. Two-thirds of today's sunspot groups are north of the sun's equator, and the sunspot number is climbing again. Could this herald a second peak for Solar Max? Stay tuned.
(Copyright © SpaceWeather.com March 15, 2025. 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
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
CQ WW WPX Contest, SSB Mar 29 0000Z Mar 30 2400Z Rules
Louisiana QSO Party Apr 5 1400Z Apr 6 0200Z Rules
SP DX Contest Apr 5 1500Z Apr 6 1500Z Rules
JIDX CW Contest Apr 12 0700Z Apr 13 1300Z Rules
New Mexico QSO Party Apr 12 1400Z Apr 13 0200Z Rules
Georgia QSO Party Apr 12 1800Z Apr 13 2359Z Rules
ARRL Rookie Roundup, SSB Apr 13 1800Z Apr 13 2359Z Rules
Holyland DX Contest Apr 18 2100Z Apr 19 2100Z Rules
YU DX Contest Apr 19 0700Z Apr 20 0659Z Rules
Michigan QSO Party Apr 19 1600Z Apr 20 0400Z Rules
Ontario QSO Party Apr 19 1800Z Apr 20 1800Z Rules
Quebec QSO Party Apr 20 1200Z Apr 20 2200Z Rules
Florida QSO Party Apr 26 1600Z Apr 27 2159Z Rules
7th Call Area QSO Party May 3 1300Z May 4 0700Z Rules
Indiana QSO Party May 3 1600Z May 4 0400Z Rules
Delaware QSO Party May 3 1700Z May 4 2359Z Rules
New England QSO Party May 3 2000Z May 4 2400Z Rules
His Maj. King of Spain Contest, CW May 17 1200Z May 18 1200Z Rules
Arkansas QSO Party May 17 1400Z May 18 0200Z Rules
CQ WW WPX Contest, CW May 24 0000Z May 25 2400Z Rules
Kentucky QSO Party Jun 7 1300Z Jun 8 0100Z Rules
ARRL Inter. Digital Contest Jun 7 1800Z Jun 8 2400Z Rules
ARRL June VHF Contest Jun 14 1800Z Jun 16 0300Z Rules
     -[Contest data courtesy of the WA7BNM Contest Calendar ]