Propagation Fred Laun K 3 ZO Propagation for

Propagation Fred Laun, K 3 ZO

Propagation for Contesters This is not a basic propagation course! Traditional propagation theory and software programs usually do not acknowledge the occurrence of ducting.

Propagation for Contesters Sources for Technical Information • ARRL Handbook has an entire chapter on propagation http: //www. arrl. org/catalog/9280/ • ON 4 UN’s Low Band DXing deals with low-band propagation in a big way http//www. arrl. org/catalog/? item=9140

Propagation for Contesters Sources for Technical Information • Other web sources http: //www. nwra-az. com/spawx/

Propagation for Contesters Preparation for Contests • Listen to all the bands several days preceding the contest. This will give you some idea what the bands will be like during the contest • You can also consult http: //www. sel. noaa. gov/forecast. html

Propagation for Contesters Preparation for Contests • Friday of the contest, consult http: //dx. qsl. net/propagation/ • Solar flux and K are very important. The A is less important, as it is 24 hours old • Europe is the principal target, know the prop to Eu!

Propagation for Contesters Operating Plan • Have an operating plan, band by band, hour by hour • In low sunspot years, if 10 m opens to Europe the most likely time will be 1400 UTC but this is not always true • Mid-evening expect a direct path drop out on 40 m

Propagation for Contesters Operating Plan • Long paths • Skew patch • What to expect in coming years

Propagation for Contesters Disturbed conditions • How to tell when there is a sudden rise in the K index indicating disturbed conditions • Changes to make in operating strategy as a result