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)
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! |
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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).
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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.
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 |
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 |