understand band condition information use a propagation gadget by: dick morgan k6rah
TRANSCRIPT
Understand band condition informationUse a propagation gadget
By:
Dick Morgan K6RAH
Radio Signal Confusion? Yes!Like predicting the weather…only harder!
Whole branch of science – complex & evolvingChanging space weather conditions affect all hams
Solar cyclesSeasonal variations affecting frequencies differentlyRadio blackouts (X-Rays)Solar radiation storms (Proton flux)Geomagnetic storms (A & K-Index, solar wind, Bz)Solar flux & Sunspot number Electron flux (Electron flux)
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
What’s To Know?Solar activity tends to go in 10 to 11 year “cycles”
Now well into Solar Cycle 24 Cycle 19 was an historic era for ham radio 1954-1964.
Many factors affect electromagnetic radio wavesSun generates most factors via ultraviolet radiationThe factors affect the ionospheric layers above EarthSome happen simultaneously – good & badSolar flares, solar winds, X-rays, Coronal Mass
Ejections, and sunspotsMUF = Maximum Usable Frequency changes
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
The Ionosphere
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
Outer part of Earth’s atmosphere Several layers High electron & ion content Constantly changing
What’s To Know?The Ionosphere
30 to 300+ miles above EarthOften described in four distinct layers
D = closest to Earth 25-55 miles up (daylight hours only) E = 55-90 miles up (mostly daylight only) F1 = 90-150 miles up F2 = 250+ miles up
Layers can absorb, reflect, or pass radio wavesIonospheric conditions affect frequencies differently Frequencies differ between day and night
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
Transmission ModesLine of sight (VHF & UHF) - RepeatersGround Wave – Lower frequenciesRefractions/Skip – Important for HF DX
Special Effects –Scatter; Ducting; Sporadic E, Earth-Moon-Earth, etc.
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
No signalin Tulsa?
Gadgets Provide a SummaryHF Conditions by bandVHF ConditionsDetailed propagation readings Visual of the Sun – yes/noSunspot NumberSolar Flare IndexMaximum usable frequency (MUF)Available on QRZ.com & K5RWK.org
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
SFI = Solar Flare IndexSolar radiation @10.7cm (62.5 to 300 scale)Indicates “F layer” ionization levelHigher number means more ionization = DX!High number increases the MUFUpdated 3 times daily
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
SN = Sunspot Number Scale is 0 to 250. Calculated & updated once
daily Loosely correlates to the solar flare index Higher sunspot numbers = usually better DX
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
A = Planetary A Index Scale is 0 to 400. Calculated & updated once
daily Measures average geomagnetic activity Lower number = usually better DX (below 15)
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
K = Planetary K Index Scale is 0 to 9. Calculated & updated 8X daily Measures geomagnetic activity Lower number = usually better DX (below 5)
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
Hard X-Rays Scale is A0, B, C, M, & X9.9. Calculated &
updated 8X daily
Measures intensity X-Rays mostly impacting D Layer
A & B levels = better propagation C levels up = higher signal absorption, poor
conditions
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
304A = 304 Angstroms Scale is Zero to Unknown. Updated hourly Measures total radiation @ angstroms Makes up about half of all F Layer ionization Correlates loosely to the Solar Flare Index
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
Proton Flux Scale is Zero to Unknown. Updated hourly Measures density of charged protons in the
solar wind Higher numbers mean greater impact on E
Layer
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
Electron Flux Scale is Zero to Unknown. Updated hourly Measures density of charged electrons in
solar wind. Higher numbers mean greater impact on E
Layer
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
Aurora Scale is Zero to 10++. Updated hourly Measures strength of F Layer ionization in
polar regions. Higher numbers mean greater aurora @
lower latitude
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
N = Normalization Scale is Zero to 5. Updated hourly Measures confidence in Aurora
measurements. Lower numbers mean greater confidence
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
Bz = Bz Component Scale is +50 to -50. Updated hourly Measures strength and direction of the
interplanetary magnetic field as impacted by solar activity.
Positive = Same direction as Earth’s magnetic fieldNegative = Cancels Earth’s magnetic field. Increases impact of solar particles on ionosphere.
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.
Meaning for Us Hams? Elements sometime work together, other times oppose
each other. One measure does not tell the story! Listening is key!
The W0NBH Solar Gadget provides the 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 http://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html
Copyright 2014. The Richardson Wireless Klub, Inc. and Richard Morgan K6RAH.