1. SURVIVING PROPAGATION 2017-18
Understand band condition information Use a propagation gadget & beacons
Try digital modes now!
By:
Dick
By:
Dick Morgan K6RAH
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

2. Radio Signal Confusion? Yes!
Like predicting the weather…only much harder!
Whole branch of astroscience – complex & still evolving
Space weather conditions affect all hams
Low Solar Cycle…..everybody…Boo-Hiss!
Low solar flux & sunspot numbers…Boo-Hiss!
Seasonal variations affect frequencies differently
Blackouts
Solar storms
Geomagnetic storms
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

3. What’s To Know? Solar activity goes in 10 to 11 year “cycles”
Now slipping down Solar Cycle 24 thru Boo-Hiss!
Cycle 19 was an historic era for ham radio
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

4. What’s To Know? Many factors affect electromagnetic radio waves
Sun causes most factors (ultraviolet radiation)
The factors affect 4 Ionospheric layers above Earth
Some things happen simultaneously – good & bad
Solar flares, sunspots, solar winds, X-rays
and…Coronal Mass Ejections…Boo-Hiss!
MUF constantly changes
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

5. What’s To Know? The Ionosphere Often described in four distinct layers
D = closest to Earth miles up (daylight hours only)
E = miles up (mostly daylight only)
F1 = miles up
F2 = 250+ miles up
Layers absorb, bend, or pass radio waves
Ionospheric conditions affect frequencies differently &
Frequencies differ between day and night
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

6. Transmission Types Line of sight (VHF & UHF) – Repeaters, Satellites
Ground Wave – Lower frequencies
Refraction/Skip – Important for HF DX
Special Effects –Scatter; Ducting; Sporadic E, NVIS, Earth-Moon-Earth
No signal in Tulsa?
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

7. Gadgets Provide Easy Summary
HF & VHF Conditions by band
Maximum usable frequency (MUF)
Available free on QRZ.com & K5RWK.org
Updated propagation details
Sunspot Number (now 35) Boo-Hiss!
Solar Flux Index – (now 70) Boo-Hiss!
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

8. SFI = Solar Flux Index Solar radiation @10.7cm (62.5 to 300 scale)
Indicates “F layer” ionization level
Higher number = more ionization = DX!
High numbers = increase in MUF
Updated 3 times daily
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

9. SN = Sunspot Number Scale is 0 to 250. Updated once daily
Loosely correlates to the solar flux index
Higher sunspot numbers = better DX
2017
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

10. K = Planetary K Index Scale is 0 to 9. Updated 8X daily
Measures geomagnetic activity
Lower number = usually better DX (below 5)
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

11. Meaning for Us Hams?
One measure does not tell the story! Elements sometime work together, other times oppose each other. Listening is key!
The Solar Gadget provides facts, then interprets likely overall result on HF band conditions.
MUF, magnetic field, and basic noise level also very helpful.
Watch MUF increase as ionosphere becomes more & more active!
Gadget is on the QRZ.com & K5RWK home page.
Website is
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

12. HF Propagation Beacons
Is this band “dead” today? Nobody transmitting?
Radio beacons (18 around the world) transmit CW signals. Monitor to determine current band conditions.
Beacon frequencies: , , , , MHz.
Sequenced from 100 W down to 0.1 W.
Check for details.
W6NEK Beacon (free tracker)
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

13. HF Reverse Beacons
Determine who is receiving your signal with:
Send CW CQ and call sign
Search by your call to see which beacons received you.
Compare signal reports from reverse beacons (dB).
Determine your antenna directionality
Determine your amplifier effectiveness.
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

14.
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

15. Try HF Digital Modes PSK31, JT65, JT9 - Low power, narrow bandwidth
Very active modes (poor HF propagation) - Boo-Hiss!
Use a TNC/sound card, PC, existing rig
Free software - for digital modes
Keyboard (PSK) or mouse clicks (JT)
CW still a great option! Digital ‘punch’
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

16. Bandwidth Punch Comparison
Bandwidth % *Watt =
SSB = 2,500 Hz 100% 50 W
RTTY = 300 – 1,000 Hz 12% 417 W
JT65A = 178 HZ w/EC 7% 714 W
CW = Hz 4% 1,250 W
PSK31 = Hz 2% 2,500 W
JT9 = 16 Hz w/EC % 8,333 W
*Equivalent punch power/Hz based on 50 Watts PEP
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.

17. Thank you for your Boos and Hisses!
Copyright The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.