The
Eastern Iowa DX Bulletin
Number
304, December 12, 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 (The online archive is no
longer updated.)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
4X, ISRAEL.
Celebrating Hanukkah, the Israel Association of Radio Communication
will be running special event stations 4X8NER and 4Z8NER from December 14th to 22nd.
A certificate will be available at https://tools.iarc.org/chanukah25/.
QSL via 4Z5MU or LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1805 December 6, 2025] (1212-1226)
5R,
MADAGASCAR. Eric, F6ICX, is QRV as 5R8IC from
Sainte-Marie Island
(AF-090) until the
end of December. Activity is on the HF bands using
CW, SSB, FT8, FT4, and Satellite QO-100. QSL to F6ICX.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 49 December 4, 2025] (1205-0102)
6Y, JAMAICA.
Lester, W8YCM, is QRV as both W8YCM/6Y
and 6Y8LV until mid-January 2026.
Activity is holiday style on 17, 12, and 10 meters using SSB. QSL
direct to W8YCM.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 50 December 11, 2025] (1212-0116)
9A,
CROATIA. Special event station 9A169TESLA is QRV until December 31st
to
celebrate Nikola Tesla's birthday. QSL via operators' instructions.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 49 December 4, 2025] (1205-0102)
9Y, TRINIDAD
& TOBAGO. Earl, WA3DX will be active as 9Y9DX from Arouca,
Trinidad (SA-011) on December
17th-29th. He will operate mainly FT8 and FT4 on 40-10
meters. QSOs will be uploaded to ClubLog. QSL via LoTW, or direct to WA3DX.
-[425DXN # 1805 December 6, 2025] (1212-0102)
A7, QATAR.
Special callsign A71QND
by the Qatar Amateur Radio Society celebrates Qatar National Day (December 18th).
Also taking part in the celebrations will be the Bahrain Amateur Radio
Society as A91QTR
on December 12th-18th,
and the Emirates Amateur Radio Society as A6ØQATAR on December 18th-22nd
(individual operators may append a serial number to the special
callsign), and possibly the Kuwait Amateur Radio Society (9K9QATAR), the Royal
Omani Amateur Radio Society as A43QAT,
and the Saudi Amateur Radio Society (HZ1QATAR).
-[425DXN # 1806 December 13, 2025] (1212-1226)
C5,
THE GAMBIA. Andre, ON7YK, is QRV as C5YK from Kotu until January 25th.
Activity is on 20 to 10 meters using SSB, RTTY, FT8, FT4, and some CW.
QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 49 December 4, 2025] (1205-0123)
CE, CHILE.
Luis, CE2ML, plans to be QRV as XR2K
in the ARRL 10 Meter contest (December
13th-14th). QSL to CE2ML.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 50 December 11, 2025] (1212-1219)
CE,
CHILE. John, NI6D will be active as CE7/NI6D along the
Carretera
Austral in Northern Patagonia on December 6th-18th.
He will operate
FT8/FT4 on 40-10 meters, low power, during the local afternoon/evening
hours. QSL via LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1804 November 29, 2025] (1205-1219)
CE9, ANTARCTICA.
Lasse, DL9LU is the IT engineer and radio operator of the new
overwintering team at Neumayer III Station, Antarctica (AN-016). He
arrived on November 18th and will remain there until shortly before
Christmas 2026. He will be active as DPØGVN; QSL for both
HF and QO-100 contacts via ClubLog's OQRS,
LoTW, or via DL4BBH.
-[425DXN # 1803 November 22, 2025] (1121-1226)
CE9,
ANTARCTICA. David, F4FKT, signs FT4YM/p from
Concordia station (IOTA
AN-016, WAP MNB-03) and FT4YM
from the station Dumont d'Urville on
Petrels Island (WAP FRA-01) until
February 2026. Additional options are
a possible short operation from the Australian camp 8km south of
Concordia as VKØ/FT4YM/p
or also from aboard the vessel Astrolabe P-800
on the voyage back to Tasmania as FT4YM/mm) a permit has not been
secured so far though. QSL via F5PFP:
Mehdi-Jean Escoffier, 460 Chemin
des Fermetures, 38440, Saint-Jean-de-Bournay, France.
-[DXNL # 2486 November 26, 2025] (1128-1219)
CE9, ANTARCTICA.
Alex, UG1A, operating as RI1ANI, is expected
to leave Novolazarevskaya Station on December 1st, and head to Progress
station. From December
5th onwards, he will take part in the traverse from
Progress to Vostok Station, where he will stay for approximately 40
days. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS,
or via RN1ON.
-[425DXN # 1805 December 6, 2025] (1205-0102)
CEØY,
EASTER I. John, NI6D will join the 3GØYR team and also
operate as
CEØ/NI6D on November 26th – 28th.
He will later be QRV from Patagonia, Chile
as CE7/NI6D
from December 6 to 18,
on 40m - 6m FT4/8.
-[DXNL # 2486 November 26, 2025] (1128-1219)
CEØY, EASTER I.
Jorge, CEØYHF,
is QRV until the end
of December while on work assignment in the Hanga Roa
hospital. Activity is in his spare time. QSL via CEØYHF.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 46 November 13, 2025] (1114-1226)
CN, MOROCCO.
Special callsign CN25JIM
will be active from December
8th to 21st, and especially
on December 13th,
from the Middle Atlas mountain range of Morocco. The special callsign's
suffix stands for Journee Internationale de la Montagne (International
Mountain Day). QSL via operator's instructions.
-[425DXN # 1805 December 6, 2025] (1205-1226)
CN, MOROCCO.
Yannick, F6FYD will be QRV as CN2YD
from November 11th
to March 31, 2026. Activity will on 20 to 10 meters using
primarily SSB. This includes a possible trip to Mogador Island
(AF-065). QSL direct to F6FYD.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 45 November 6, 2025] (1107-1219)
CT, PORTUGAL.
special callsign CS25FB
will be QRV on December
13th-14th for the 25th anniversary of Faia Brava, the
first privately owned natural reserve in Portugal. QSL via the
information at CS25FB.
-[425DXN # 1806 December 13, 2025] (1212-1219)
DL, GERMANY.
Celebrating the city of Chemnitz, one of the European Capitals of
Culture for 2025, special event callsigns DL2Ø25B, DL2Ø25C, DL2Ø25E, DL2Ø25S, and DL2Ø25W will be
active from November
15th to December 15th. Complete information can be found
on https://2025c.de/.
All QSOs will be uploaded to eQSL, LoTW, ClubLog, and DCL (DARC
Community Logbook); paper QSL cards will not be issued, but digital
QSLs - as well as a new set of certificates - will be downloadable from
the event's website.
-[425DXN # 1802 November 15, 2025] (1114-1219)
DXCC TOP TWENTY.
Here are the top 20 entities on ClubLog’s "DXCC Most Wanted" list as of
December 12, 2025:
1. P5 DPRK
(North Korea) 11.
KH4 Midway Island
2.
KH3 Johnston
Island 12.
VKØM Macquarie Island
3. KH7K Kure
Island
13. EZ Turkmenistan
4. CEØX San Felix
Islands 14.
KP5 Desecheo Island
5. FT5/X Kerguelen
Island 15.
PYØS Saint Peter And Paul Rocks
6. BS7H Scarborough
Reef 16.
VPØS South Sandwich Islands
7. BV9P Pratas
Island 17.
YK Syria
8. YVØ Aves
Island
18. ZL9 New Zealand Subantarctic
Islands
9. 3Y/P Peter 1
Island 19.
VKØH Heard Island
10. 3Y/B Bouvet
Island 20.
FT/T Tromelin Island
For the complete list, see
https://clublog.org/mostwanted.php
-[KØCF December 12, 2025 (1212-0102)
EA, SPAIN.
Special event callsign EG45URF
celebrates the 45th anniversary of the San Fernando part of URE until December 14th.
QSL via EA7URF.
-[DXNL # 2488 December 10, 2025] (1212-1219)
EA, SPAIN.
Members of the Jaen Amateur Radio Union (URJ) celebrate
their city's jubilee with the callsign AM12ØØJ until December 28th.
For
awards see AM1200J on
qrz.com. QSL via EA7URJ.
-[DXNL # 2487 December 3, 2025] (1205-1226)
EA,
SPAIN. Throughout December, AO25YOTA will be one
of many stations
worldwide getting on the air to support YOTA (Youngsters on the Air)
activity. For more information see: https://events.ham-yota.com.
-[DXNL # 2487 December 3, 2025] (1205-1226)
EA, SPAIN.
Celebrating Christmas and the New Year from the city of Vigo, EG1NV
will be active from December
2nd to January 12th. See
https://www.qrz.com/db/EG1NV
for more information. QSL via LoTW, eQSL,
and QRZ Logbook.
-[425DXN # 1804 November 29, 2025] (1128-0109)
F, FRANCE.
To mark the 60th anniversary since the first French satellite, named
Asterix, was launched into orbit (November 26, 1965), members of the
Wingles Radio Club (F4KLR) will be active as TM6ØATX on Fridays and Saturdays between
November 14th and December 13th, and again on December 19th-23rd.
All SSB and CW QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau; FT8
QSOs will be confirmed via eQSL. Or, QSL direct via F4KLR.
-[425DXN # 1800 November 1, 2025] (1114-1226)
FM,
MARTINIQUE. Dimitry UT5UGR is currently on Martinique
(NA-107) and
operates as FM/UT5UGR
outside the CQWW, and TO7A
during the CQWW DX CW
Contest (November
29th-30th) (SOAB HP). QSL via UT5UGR.
-[DXNL # 2486 November 26, 2025] (1128-1219)
FS, SAINT MARTIN.
Giovanni, IZ2DPX, will be active from both parts of the island (NA-105)
as FS/IZ2DPX
and PJ7/IZ2DPX from December
13th to 21st. QRV on 60-6m with 100W on SSB and FT8/4. QSL
via IZ2DPX.
-[DXNL # 2488 December 10, 2025] (1212-1226)
G, ENGLAND.
Carl, MØICR, remains active as GB1SANTA
until December 25th.
An award is also available (see GB1SANTA).
-[DXNL # 2487 December 3, 2025] (1205-1226)
HA, HUNGARY.
The first official, regular radio broadcast in Hungary began on
December 1, 1925, which is now celebrated as Hungarian Radio Day. To
mark that centenary, the Hungarian Radio Amateur Society (MRASZ) and
the Honfy Jozsef Radioclub (HA1KHJ) organize a commemorative activity
to be held from November
15th to December 31st under nine special callsigns: HG1ØØRADIO, HG1ØØYHRB, HG1ØØAN, HG1ØØEG, HG1ØØFO, HG1ØØIT, HG1ØØRC, HG1ØØSD and HG1ØØUD. Look for
activity on 160-10m CW, SSB & digital modes, and via QO-100. A
certificate will be available: https://mrasz.org/100-years-of-hungarian-broadcasting-award.
-[425DXN # 1802 November 15, 2025] (1114-0102)
HB,
SWITZERLAND. Club HB9IPA continues to celebrate their
club's 70th
anniversary with the special callsign HB7ØIPA until the end of 2025
on
HF and via QO-100.
-[DXNL # 2487 December 3, 2025] (1205-0102)
HBØ,
LIECHTENSTEIN. Pete, ZL4TE, signs HBØ/ZL4TE on December 16th and 17th,
followed by ZA/ZL4TE
from Albania. After that he travels on to Austria, Germany, Hungary,
England but has not decided yet about getting on the air.
-[DXNL # 2488 December 10, 2025] (1212-1219)
HC, ECUADOR.
Operators HC5AI, HC8M, and HC5HP will be QRV as HD5MW from Ingapirca
until December 14th.
Activity is on the HF bands using CW, SSB, and FT8. QSL via MØOXO's OQRS.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 50 December 11, 2025] (1212-1219)
HR, HONDURAS.
Gerard, F2JD will be active again as HR5/F2JD from Copan,
Honduras from November
15th to March 12, 2026. He will operate CW, SSB and FT8/
FT4 on the HF bands. Log search on http://LesNouvellesDX.fr/voirlogs.php.
QSL via F6AJA.
-[425DXN # 1799 October 25, 2025] (1114-1226)
HS,
THAILAND. Special event callsign HS25SG will be
activated on December
1st-30th to celebrate the 33rd Southeast Asian Games and
as part of the
"SatFinder" educational campaign, which promotes space, satellite, and
radio science to students and the general public through amateur radio
activities. See https://www.qrz.com/db/HS25SG
for more information. QSL
via ClubLog's OQRS,
LoTW, and QRZ Logbook.
-[425DXN # 1804 November 29, 2025] (1128-0102)
JA, JAPAN.
Take, JI3DST will be active as JS6RRR
from Miyako Island (AS-079) from December 11th until April 17th.
He will operate SSB, CW and FT8 on 40-6m. Other callsigns to be used
are JI3DST/6,
JJ5RBH/6, JI3DST/p and JJ5RBH/p. QSOs will
be uploaded to ClubLog and LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1805 December 6, 2025] (1205-0102)
OA,
PERU. Jodi, N7IDX is QRV as OA4/N7IDX until December 14th.
Activity is
in his spare time on 20 to 10 meters, and possibly 6 meters. QSL direct
to N7IDX.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 49 December 4, 2025] (1205-1219)
OA,
PERU. The Peruvian Radio Club celebrates its 95th
anniversary with the
callsign 4T95O
during December.
QRV on 40-10 meters, as well as on 6m,
2m and 70cm, CW, SSB, RTTY, FM, and FT8. For QSL information (including
a downloadable eQSL) see: https://www.oa4o.pe
-[DXNL # 2486 November 26, 2025] (1128-0102)
OE, AUSTRIA.
Special callsign OEØYOTA
is going to take part in the December
YOTA Month 2025 events.
-[DXNL # 2486 November 26, 2025] (1128-0102)
ON, BELGIUM.
Commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge during
World War II, members of UBA Section Bruxelles-Est (ON5UB) will be
active as OR81NUTS
from December 13th
to 31st.
The suffix of the special callsign is General Anthony C. McAuliffe's
famous single-word reply in response to a surrender ultimatum.
-[425DXN # 1805 December 6, 2025] (1205-0102)
PA, NETHERLANDS.
The Dutch Radio Group Christmas Event will run from December 10th to January 2nd
with six special callsigns: PD25HOLLY,
PD25HOHOHO, PD25REDNOSE, PD25SANTA, PD25XMAS and PD26HNWY. More
information can be found on https://www.qrz.com/db/PD25XMAS.
-[425DXN # 1805 December 6, 2025] (1205-0102)
PA, NETHERLANDS.
Special callsigns celebrating Christmas and the New
Year from the Netherlands include:
PA25SANTA Dec 1 -
Jan 1 QSL via PA1AW
PA25XMAS
Dec
1-31
no QSL, certificate on QRZ
PD25STAR
Dec
1-31
no QSL, certificate on QRZ
PD26HNY
Dec 1 - Jan 31 no QSL, certificate on QRZ
PF25XMAS
Dec
1-31
QSL via PC1K;
certificate on QRZ
PH25XMAS
Dec
6-28
no QSL, certificate on https://award.pa3efr.nl
PH26HNY
Dec 28 - Jan 5 no QSL, certificate on https://award.pa3efr.nl
PI25XMAS
Dec
1-31
no QSL, certificate on QRZ
-[425DXN # 1804 November 29, 2025] (1128-0102)
PA,
NETHERLANDS. Special callsign PA8ØVERON celebrates
the 80th anniversary
of the Vereniging voor Experimenteel Radio Onderzoek (VERON) until the
end of November. During
December, PA1ØØIARU
joins IARU celebrations.
QSLs via PA1AW.
-[DXNL # 2486 November 26, 2025] (1128-1226)
PJ4, BONAIRE.
Watch for PJ4W
to be QRV in the ARRL 10 Meter contest (December 13th-14th) using CW
and SSB. QSL via LoTW.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 50 December 11, 2025] (1212-1219)
PJ7, SINT
MAARTEN. Giovanni, IZ2DPX, will be active from both parts
of the island (NA-105) as PJ7/IZ2DPX
and FS/IZ2DPX from December
13th to 21st. QRV on 60-6m with 100W on SSB and FT8/4. QSL
via IZ2DPX.
-[DXNL # 2488 December 10, 2025] (1212-1226)
PY,
BRAZIL. Ralf, DL9GCR, will be QRV as PY5/DL9GCR from November 23rd
until December 20th from Parana. QSL direct via DL9GCR, eQSL.
-[DXNL # 2485 November 19, 2025] (1121-1219)
SM,
SWEDEN. Radio club SK3GK is QRV with special callsign SM1ØØXF until
December 31st to mark the first radio broadcast 100 years
ago from
Gaevle. QSL via bureau.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 49 December 4, 2025] (1205-0102)
SP,
POLAND. Tadeusz Heftman, TPAX made the first amateur radio
contact
confirmed by a QSL card between Poland and a station from outside the
country (NØPM in the Netherlands) on December 6, 1925. Commemorating
that milestone, special event station SNØTPAX will operate
CW and SSB
throughout December.
The activity is organized by the PZK and the SP DX
Club. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau.
-[425DXN # 1804 November 29, 2025] (1128-1226)
SP, POLAND.
Special callsign HF4SES
will be in use from October
31st to December 31st
to mark the launch of RadioAwards.club, a "platform designed for
organizing and managing ham radio award events worldwide". See https://radioawards.club/ses/premier-event
for more information and the certificate.
-[425DXN # 1801 November 8, 2025] (1107-1226)
SV, GREECE.
On December 1, 1913, the island of Crete was officially integrated into
the Greek state after centuries of Ottoman rule. SX1913C is a special
callsign that will commemorate that event from December 15th to 21st.
The operators will be SV1TAO, SV7JAX, SV8RSX and SV9TNA. Electronic QSL
cards will be sent by email.
-[425DXN # 1805 December 6, 2025] (1212-1226)
T5, SOMALIA.
Elvira, 6O3T,
is now QRT
and is on her way home to Italy. Further activations are a possibility
though.
-[DXNL # 2488 December 10, 2025] (1212-1219)
T8, PALAU.
Koh, JA1ADT will be active as T88AC
from Koror (OC-009), Palau on December
10th-17th.
He will participate in the ARRL 10-Meter Contest (December 13th-14th).
Outside the contest he will focus on the low bands. QSOs will be
uploaded to ClubLog. QSL via LoTW or direct to JA1ADT.
-[425DXN # 1805 December 6, 2025] (1205-1219)
TA,
TURKEY. Special event callsign TC25YOTA, staffed by
youngsters, will be
active throughout
December. See also: https://events.ham-yota.com.
QSL
via ClubLog's OQRS.
-[DXNL # 2487 December 3, 2025] (1205-0102)
TG,
GUATEMALA. Todd, AF4CZ, will be active holiday style as TG9/AF4CZ from
Guatemala from December
7th to January 5th. He will operate mainly
FT8/FT4 on 40-10 meters. QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW, eQSL and
ClubLog.
-[425DXN # 1804 November 29, 2025] (1205-0109)
TL,
CENTRAL AFRICA. Joao, CR7BNW will be active as TL8BNW from Bangui,
Central African Republic for six months (December 2025-June 2026).
He
will operate SSB and FT8 on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters. QSOs will be
uploaded to LoTW and QRZ Logbook.
-[425DXN # 1804 November 29, 2025] (1128-1226)
TR, GABON.
Roland, F8EN will be active again as TR8CR from Gabon
starting on October
25th for two months. He will operate CW only. Log search
on http://LesNouvellesDX.fr/voirlogs.php.
QSL via F6AJA.
-[425DXN # 1799 October 25, 2025] (1024-1219)
V5,
NAMIBIA. Gunter, DK2WH is QRV as V51WH from Omaruru until March 24,
2026. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using SSB, RTTY, FT8,
and some CW.
He will be active as V55Y
in various contests. QSL to DK2WH.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 47 November 20, 2025] (1121-1226)
VE, CANADA.
Mike, VYØZOO,
will be QRV from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, from December 14th to 20th.
Activity will be on 40 through 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via VE2XB.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 50 December 11, 2025] (1212-1219)
VE,
CANADA. After his activity from Broughton Island (NA-130),
Mike, VYØZOO
is expected to be back to Southampton Island (NA-007) until November
30th. Next, he plans to go and be QRV as VYØZOO from
Sanikiluaq,
Flaherty Island (NA-196) on December
1st-7th, and as VYØZOO/VE2
from Kangiqsualujjuaq (mainland Canada) on December 7th-14th.
QSL
direct to VE2XB.
-[425DXN # 1804 November 29, 2025] (1128-1219)
VK, AUSTRALIA.
The callsign VK2SANTA
remains on the air until
December 24th.
-[DXNL # 2488 December 10, 2025] (1212-1226)
VU,
INDIA. Datta, VU2DSI will be active as AU2JCB from November 21st to
December 15th to commemorate the birthdate (November 30,
1858) of
Indian physicist and radio pioneer Jagadish Chandra Bose. He will
operate SSB on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters, and FM on 50800, 51500 and
29700 kHz. QSL direct to VU2DSI.
-[425DXN # 1801 November 8, 2025] (1121-1219)
YB, INDONESIA.
Special event callsigns 8C67NBA,
8C67NBB, 8C67NBC, 8C67NBD, 8C67NBE, 8C67NBF, 8C67NBJ, and 8C67NBK will be QRV
on December 13th and
14th to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the Indonesian
province of Nusa Tenggara Barat. Electronic QSLs on https://myqsl.id/
or QSL via operators' instructions.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 50 December 11, 2025] (1212-1219)
YO,
ROMANIA. Members of the YO3KRM Radioclub will run a
Christmas Special
Event on December 5th-31st, with three special callsigns: YOØHOHO,
YOØXMAS, and
YRØUDOLPH.
QSL via YO3GND.
Certificates will be available,
see YOØHOHO for
the details.
-[425DXN # 1804 November 29, 2025] (1205-0102)
Z8, SOUTH SUDAN.
Diya, YI1DZ, will be QRV as Z81D
from Juba from December
14th to March 10th. Activity will be in his spare time.
QSL to YI1DZ.
-[ARRL DX Bulletin # 50 December 11, 2025] (1212-0116)
ZL,
NEW ZEALAND. Special callsign ZL6ØPAH will be used
by Phil, ZL3PAH from
November 23rd to
February 22, 2026, to celebrate his diamond jubilee in
amateur radio. He will operate CW, RTTY, and "maybe a little SSB too"
on 80-10 meters. QSL via LoTW.
-[425DXN # 1802 November 15, 2025] (1121-0220)
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.
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Propagation
Summary
For the 8 day period from Saturday, December 6th through yesterday, December 13th.
The average solar flux was 162, down 40 points from the previous week,
with a weekly high of 200 on Saturday, December 6th, followed by
a low of 122 on December 13th.
The average sunspot count was 124, down by 35 from last week,
peaking at 146 on Monday, December 8th followed by a
weekly low of 76 on December 13th.
The Planetary K-index weekly average was 4.1 with a
maximum of 6.3 on Wednesday, December 10th, indicating
a moderate geomagnetic storm. Yesterday's K-index maximum was 4.7 with generally quiet conditions.
Solar flare activity since December 7th has been high with 14
major flares, the largest of which was a major X 1.1 event on Monday,
December 8th.
Propagation
Data
Major solar flares, Sunday, December 7th through 1725 UTC, December 14th.
| # | Date | UTC | Mag. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 12 | 0505 | M 2.0 |
| 2 | Dec 10 | 2208 | M 4.4 |
| 3 | Dec 10 | 1343 | M 1.6 |
| 4 | Dec 10 | 0737 | M 1.9 |
| 5 | Dec 10 | 0422 | M 1.2 |
| 6 | Dec 09 | 1514 | M 1.5 |
| 7 | Dec 09 | 0747 | M 1.6 |
| 8 | Dec 09 | 0138 | M 1.1 |
| 9 | Dec 09 | 0058 | M 2.0 |
| 10 | Dec 08 | 2228 | M 1.2 |
| 11 | Dec 08 | 2117 | M 3.1 |
| 12 | Dec 08 | 0654 | M 1.8 |
| 13 | Dec 08 | 0501 | X 1.1 |
| 14 | Dec 08 | 0036 | M 2.0 |
(NOAA's graph of recent flare activity: GOES-X-Ray-Flux)
From the NOAA Space Weather Prediction
Center,
here are the probabilities of major solar flares and the predicted 10.7
cm Solar Flux for the next 3 days. NOAA updates this information daily.
| Date | M-Flares | X-Flares | Solar Flux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 14 | 30% | 1% | 120 |
| Dec 15 | 25% | 1% | 120 |
| Dec 16 | 25% | 1% | 120 |
Looking farther ahead, here is the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center forecast of 10.7 cm radio flux and maximum Planetary K-index (Kp) for the next 12 days. This data is updated by NOAA every Monday (last updated on December 8, 2025).
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Co-Rotating
Interaction Region
Minor G1-class
geomagnetic storms are possible on Dec. 13th when a co-rotating
interaction region
(CIR) is expected to hit Earth. CIRs are transition zones between fast
and slow streams of solar wind. They contain CME-like shock waves,
which do a good job sparking auroras. Solar wind speeds will shoot up
to 600 km/s after the CIR passes.
(Copyright © SpaceWeather.com December 13, 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARRL 10-Meter Contest | Dec 13 | 0000Z | Dec 14 | 2359Z | Rules |
| ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW | Dec 21 | 1800Z | Dec 21 | 2359Z | Rules |
| RAC Winter Contest | Dec 27 | 0000Z | Dec 27 | 2359Z | Rules |
| Stew Perry Topband Challenge | Dec 27 | 1500Z | Dec 28 | 1500Z | Rules |
| RAEM Contest | Dec 28 | 0000Z | Dec 28 | 1159Z | Rules |
| ARRL Kids Day | Jan 3 | 1800Z | Jan 3 | 2359Z | Rules |
| ARRL RTTY Roundup | Jan 3 | 1800Z | Jan 4 | 2400Z | Rules |
| North American QSO Party, CW | Jan 10 | 1800Z | Jan 11 | 0600Z | Rules |
| North American QSO Party, SSB | Jan 17 | 1800Z | Jan 18 | 0600Z | Rules |
| ARRL January VHF Contest | Jan 17 | 1900Z | Jan 19 | 0359Z | Rules |
| CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW | Jan 23 | 2200Z | Jan 25 | 2159Z | Rules |
| REF Contest, CW | Jan 24 | 0600Z | Jan 25 | 1800Z | Rules |
| Vermont QSO Party | Feb 7 | 0000Z | Feb 8 | 2400Z | Rules |
| 10-10 Int. Winter Contest, SSB | Feb 7 | 0001Z | Feb 8 | 2359Z | Rules |
| Mexico RTTY International Contest | Feb 7 | 1200Z | Feb 8 | 2359Z | Rules |
| Minnesota QSO Party | Feb 7 | 1400Z | Feb 7 | 2400Z | Rules |
| British Columbia QSO Party | Feb 7 | 1600Z | Feb 8 | 2400Z | Rules |
| North American Sprint, CW | Feb 8 | 0000Z | Feb 8 | 0359Z | Rules |
| ARRL School Club Roundup | Feb 9 | 1300Z | Feb 13 | 2359Z | Rules |
| CQ WW RTTY WPX Contest | Feb 14 | 0000Z | Feb 15 | 2400Z | Rules |
| CQ 160-Meter Contest, SSB | Feb 20 | 2200Z | Feb 22 | 2159Z | Rules |
| ARRL Inter. DX Contest, CW | Feb 21 | 0000Z | Feb 22 | 2400Z | Rules |
| REF Contest, SSB | Feb 21 | 0600Z | Feb 22 | 1800Z | Rules |
| South Carolina QSO Party | Feb 21 | 1500Z | Feb 22 | 0159Z | Rules |
| North American QSO Party, RTTY | Feb 28 | 1800Z | Mar 1 | 0600Z | Rules |
| ARRL Inter. DX Contest, SSB | Mar 7 | 0000Z | Mar 8 | 2400Z | Rules |
| Oklahoma QSO Party | Mar 14 | 1400Z | Mar 15 | 2100Z | Rules |
| Stew Perry Topband Challenge | Mar 14 | 1500Z | Mar 15 | 1500Z | Rules |
| Idaho QSO Party | Mar 14 | 1900Z | Mar 15 | 1900Z | Rules |
| North American Sprint, RTTY | Mar 15 | 0000Z | Mar 15 | 0359Z | Rules |
| Wisconsin QSO Party | Mar 15 | 1800Z | Mar 16 | 0100Z | Rules |