Understanding LF and HF Propagation

Introduction

In 2008 it was suggested to me that “RadCom”, the RSGB's member publication, could run
a series of features looking at an “HF band per month”. The idea was that I would pick the
band each month that offered the best chance of good propagation.

After a bit of head scratching I worked out which band would slot into which month. But I
was also determined to make the series much more than that. I wanted to look at the
processes behind ionospheric propagation and try to explain some of the terms that are
commonly used, such as solar flux index, K index, interplanetary magnetic field (Bz) and
many more.

The end result was a series of features that formed a good introduction to the topic. When
I finished, my good friend Alan Melia G3NYK, took over and wrote three more features on
LF propagation – a topic he is very well placed to explain.

After answering questions at the 2009 and 2010 Newark Hamfests it dawned on me that
these features could be bundled together into a single PDF, so giving the reader a good
grounding in LF and HF propagation. I hope you agree.

Even though by the time you read this the solar cycle will have advanced somewhat a lot
of what is said about each “band per month” still applies.

It starts with the 20m (14MHz) band in October, ends with 10m (28MHz) in June and also
includes a look at how to use beacons and WSPR. It finishes with Alan looking at LF
(generally considered to be the bands below 300kHz).

Steve Nichols, G0KYA

RSGB Propagation Studies Committee
 TECHNICAL FEATURE STEVE NICHOLS
20 HOLLY BLUE ROAD, WYMONDHAM G0KYA
NORWICH NR18 6XU
RSGB PROPAGATION STUDIES COMMITTEE

E-MAIL [email protected]

Understanding propagation
Band of the month October 2008 – 20 metres (14MHz)

GOOD OPPORTUNITIES. Welcome to a to be channelled towards the earth. 28MHz (10m) really hum.
new series that takes a look at a different HF As the particles approach us they are Therefore I am going to settle for 14MHz
band each month. In each column, I’ll funnelled towards the north and south poles, (20m) as my band of choice for October,
choose a band that I believe will offer resulting in visible and radio aurora. The although much of what follows could equally
beginners and newly-licensed amateurs ionosphere's F2 layer could become apply to 18MHz, so don’t ignore it.
good DX openings. I’ll tell you a little about unstable and may even disappear and there 20m or 14MHz, has become one of the
HF propagation and what you can expect to may be massive absorption in the D layer, main DX bands during sunspot minimum. It
work or hear. both of which can shut down the HF bands. has consistently given good DX openings to
At this point in the solar cycle it is going to The effect of this massive bombardment can all parts of the world and as a contest band
be tough to get the predictions right. We be seen on the earth’s magnetic field, which often has lots of rare stations that are
expect solar cycle 24 to kick off at any time ‘wobbles’ as a result. This can be measured relatively easy to work.
but, at the time of writing, the solar flux was using a device called a magnetometer and Around the equinox it really starts to
sitting stubbornly in the 65 – 70 zone, with the result is seen in the higher A and K improve. Opening just before sunrise and
no visible sunspots whatsoever. indices that you might hear mentioned on remaining opening until after sunset,
My best guesstimate is that the solar flux worldwide DX openings are possible and
for October will be in the range 65 – 75, also probable at this time of year.
although don’t be surprised if sunspots At the beginning of the month, the
suddenly make an appearance. amount of solar illumination in the northern
At the same time, the sun passed through and southern hemispheres is still roughly
the equinox on September 22 and is rapidly equal, meaning this is a good time for north-
heading south. This means that the south paths, such as UK to South Africa and
ionosphere in the northern hemisphere is South America. Easterly paths are common
cooling down and becoming denser. at sunrise and the propagation will shift
So, although there is less sunlight hitting southwards as the morning wears on. The
the regions that make up the ionosphere in prime time for contacts into South America is
the northern hemisphere, the actual F layer therefore around 0900 – 1000hrs and again
ionisation is higher than it was in the A screen grab from ACE-HF. The blue area shows in the late afternoon, when it may also open
summer and D and E layer absorption is now the parts of the world that you might be able to work to Africa.
on 20m from the UK at 1700UTC with 80% Paths to the eastern states of the USA
lower than it was. As a result we find that the reliability, 100W, dipole-to-dipole, namely
maximum usable frequency (MUF) during north/east USA/Canada, Northern Africa, parts of should open up shortly after noon and
the day is higher than it was in summer. Europe and a path into the Indian Ocean. remain until sunset. This path will be much
On the flip side, the sun sets a lot earlier better than it was in the summer and signals
than it did in summer, so we can expect the the GB2RS will be louder. Look out for long path
higher HF bands, 21MHz (15m), 18MHz news service openings to Australia (VK) and New Zealand
(17m) and 14MHz (20m), to close earlier or in solar (ZL) during early to mid morning and again
than they did, with only 14MHz remaining reports. at sunset. These will favour those HF
open until around 2100 – 2200hrs. We can operators with good beams.
At this point in the solar cycle, the sun is take a closer The band is likely to close within an hour
less active, both from a sunspot and a look at the A or two after sunset, although it may last
geomagnetic disturbance point of view. That The solar wind indicator at and K indices longer if conditions are good.
is, solar flares and coronal mass ejections, www.solarcycle24.com showing at a later date The highlight of the month if you are
fairly settled conditions. A solar
which both throw out tonnes of charged wind speed of about 380km/s
but, for now, chasing DX is the 2008 CQWW SSB
particles into space at unbelievable speeds, and the Bz field neutral. At this just Contest, which takes place from 0000UTC
are much less frequent. point the K index was 1 and remember on 25 October through to 2359UTC, 26
falling, the A index was 3 and
Take a look at the real-time solar wind the solar flux 66. that low A October. This is a fantastic opportunity to
‘speedometer’ at www.solarcycle24.com. (below 10) make SSB contacts with stations all around
From that you will see that speeds of around and K indices (look for 0 – 1) with the Bz the world and it should be possible to
400 – 1,000km per second are not being neutral or pointing ‘north’ are usually contact more than 100 countries over the
uncommon. In fact, this solar wind gauge is good signs for the HF bands. weekend if you really put your mind to it.
a useful indicator of HF conditions. If the So in summary, it is Autumn so HF You can also find out what DXpeditions
solar wind speed rises and the gauge conditions are better than in Summer, but are operating by subscribing to the reports at
marked ‘Bz’ (the interplanetary magnetic we still don’t have the long winter nights that www.425dxn.org/ and www.papays.com/
58 field) swings to the south, this is an make 3.5MHz (80m) and 1.8MHz (160m) opdx.html. Watch out for the Willis Island
indication that the interplanetary magnetic really come into their own. At the same time (VK9DWX) Dxpedition in mid October.
field could couple with the earth’s magnetic we don’t have the high solar flux levels that Do let me know what you manage to
field and highly-charged particles are going make 21MHz (15m), 24MHz (12m) and work on 20m in October.

RadCom ♦ October 2008

 TECHNICAL FEATURE STEVE NICHOLS
20 HOLLY BLUE ROAD, WYMONDHAM G0KYA
NORWICH NR18 6XU
RSGB PROPAGATION STUDIES COMMITTEE

E-MAIL [email protected]

Understanding propagation
This month’s chosen band is 40m but before we look at what you can work,
here’s some background on the band.

PROPAGATION THEORY. The solar flux PROPAGATION IN PRACTICE. Local reduced, making it easier for us to work
remained stubbornly in the 60s in daytime contacts are not what 40m is really stations to the west.
September and, although we can expect a good for – its DX potential is what attracts Also look out for greyline openings. There
rapid rise in solar flux and conditions on the people to the band. are, in fact, two types of greyline paths –
upper bands as Cycle 24 progresses, at the It is said that the low bands open up to those where both stations are enjoying a
moment things are not good. The 1.8, 3.5 DX after sunset and before sunrise but that concurrent sunrise or sunset and those
and, to a lesser extent, the 7MHz bands are isn’t quite true. 40m is a lot higher in where one station is experiencing sunrise
susceptible to D layer absorption and the frequency than either 80m or 160m and while the other has sunset and vice versa.
lower sunspot numbers mean lower therefore D layer absorption is a lot less. This For example, back in 2002, I showed that
absorption, which is good news for 40m or means that 40m can start to open to DX in on a true sunrise/sunrise greyline path
the 7MHz band. the afternoon in late autumn and remain between the UK and VP8 (The Falklands)
The low A and K indices at this point in open to DX for a period after the sun has we saw enhancements on 40m of up to
the solar cycle usually mean good low band risen. In fact, the first 60 minutes after 10dB (that’s 2-3 S points) around 30
propagation. Against that you do find that DX sunrise in the winter on 40m is not called minutes before sunrise.
conditions on 40m are usually better with a the ‘Golden Hour’ for nothing. Sunrise/sunset greyline enhancements on
higher solar flux – there often isn’t enough Forty metres will start to open up to DX in 40m are also possible, such as the path
ionisation to keep DX paths open between the UK and the west coast of
throughout the night at this time. So 40m US/Canada (W6/W7/VE7) at UK sunset and
is benefiting from low absorption but the UK to Japan (JA) at sunrise, but at this point
low solar flux will probably stop the band in the cycle such openings may be difficult,
from providing fantastic openings especially for modestly equipped stations.
throughout the whole night. Nevertheless, Although most people think of greyline
you should be able to work many DX enhancement as occurring on paths that lie
stations if you pick the right time. along the terminator this isn’t the whole
Just because one day or one hour story. You can also get good enhancements
appears to be rubbish, other times and on paths that are at right angles to the
days could be much better. The secret terminator and into the night zone. These
for DX working is to check the bands are often mistakenly called ‘greyline’, and
every day. should technically be called sunrise and
The 40m band should be open to A screengrab from Geoclock showing greyline conditions sunset enhancements.
at sunrise in mid November.
European stations during the day and you Look for enhanced signals from the east
may be able to work other UK stations too, at or 30-60 minutes before your sunset.
if the distance between you is more than an easterly direction and to Scandinavia in You will also see enhanced signals from the
250 - 300 miles. Closer stations might be the late afternoon and will get stronger after west on 40m, perhaps from 0-60 minutes
inaudible on 40m and you would be better sunset. Propagation will swing around as after your sunrise. Propagation prediction
off heading towards 80m. night progresses and Africa should be programs don’t generally predict
With so little solar activity and therefore possible too. Later in the evening, sunrise/sunset or greyline enhancements,
ionisation, signals that are sent straight up, propagation will start to go ‘long’ as the but they can show you sunrise/sunset times
which are above what we call the critical critical frequency drops and a lot of the and the night/day areas of the world.
frequency (f0f2), don't get reflected back to European QRM diminishes, leaving more While there is no doubt that CW (Morse)
earth, but carry on into outer space. If the DX signals. will increase your chances of working DX on
critical frequency is lower than 7MHz you You also have a good shot at the North- 40m, do try with SSB. The band can sound
will find it difficult to work stations in a East coast of Canada and Newfoundland like a zoo at times and is narrow, but hang
radius of up to 150 - 200 miles from you, from around 1700 - 1800hrs and onward on in there. And if you are a CW fan do take
while still able to work stations further afield until the early hours. This path peaks again part in the CQWW CW contest on 29/30
due to the lower angle of the radio waves at sunrise and onwards until about 0900hrs. November. There will be plenty of rare
hitting the ionosphere. You can access Openings to the Caribbean and South entities and they often operate on other
real-time and historical date for the critical America are also possible at around 0300 - modes before and after the contest. 33
frequency at www.ukssdc.ac.uk/wdcc1/ 0400hrs and again from around sunrise for Don’t forget to let me know what you
wdc_menu.html, although you do have a further hour. After sunrise, the QRM from manage to work on 40m in November.
to register. European stations to the east of us is greatly

November 2008 ♦ RadCom

 TECHNICAL FEATURE STEVE NICHOLS
20 HOLLY BLUE ROAD, WYMONDHAM G0KYA
NORWICH NR18 6XU
RSGB PROPAGATION STUDIES COMMITTEE

E-MAIL [email protected]

Understanding propagation
Band of the month, December 2008 - Top band (160m).

THEORY. We are now heading towards the absorption becomes the main concern. regardless of the direction of the signals.
winter solstice (21 December), when the During the day, expect to be able to make The furthest you can work under true
sun reaches the most southerly point of its ground wave contacts out to around 50 greyline conditions is halfway around the
travel and is overhead at the Tropic of miles or so. Sky wave signals will be world when you and the other station are
Capricorn. In the Northern Hemisphere we attenuated by the D layer, so don’t expect to both experiencing a concurrent sunrise and
have long nights and short days – on 21 work DX, especially if you have a less than sunset. For example, the UK at sunrise to
December the sun actually rises at 08:04hrs perfect antenna system. It is possible to work Auckland or Tokyo on December 21. These
and sets at 15:54hrs, giving more than 16 further afield on Top Band during the day as openings might only be possible for a few
hours of darkness. Jeff Briggs, K1ZM/VY2ZM showed in minutes, if they occur at all, making them
The ionosphere is now cooler and December 2006. He managed to receive very hard paths indeed. PA3CQR’s ‘Grayline’
denser and the actual ion density is higher signals from the GB3SSS 1.8MHz beacon in program, which is a free download from the
than it is in summer. At least that’s what the Poldhu, Cornwall at his holiday home on internet, can help to predict these.
classical theory says. More modern research Prince Edward Island at 1031, 1615, 1659 In fact, Top Band is probably the most
has shown that the chemical/molecular and 1745Z – with much of the path in difficult band to do propagation predictions
make-up of the upper layers also changes daylight. He put his success down to it being for. Yes, a dark path is needed, but beyond
in the winter, making ionisation more likely mid-winter at the bottom of the sunspot that, many attempts at trying to correlate the
and recombination slower. So we actually cycle with solar activity, and therefore solar flux and/or A/K indices with good
have higher daytime MUFs (Maximum D region absorption, at a minimum. conditions have failed miserably.
Usable Frequencies) in the winter than we Paths that go through the auroral ovals
do in summer. (100km above the Arctic and Antarctic
But it is what is happening down in the circles) can be very difficult on Top Band,
D region of the ionosphere that is more especially when the A and K indices are high
important for the band I have in mind. The – showing that charged particles are pouring
D region is predominantly an absorption band into the polar regions and likely to trigger
at the lower frequencies such as 1.8MHz – aurora - Polar Cap Absorption (PCA) events.
7MHz. In fact, the absorption goes as the My analysis of 160m contacts between
inverse square of the frequency so the lower the 3Y0X DXpedition to Peter the First Island
the frequency the more absorption we get. and the UK showed that the few contacts
But with such short days and small sun that were made were fairly random and
‘grazing angles’ the D region is nowhere near impossible to predict.
as ionised as it is in summer and its Top Band is also close to the ‘gyro-
absorption effects quickly disappear as frequency’ of the electrons that surround the
sunset approaches, giving great conditions earth’s magnetic field lines, which, put
for the lower bands. So, hopefully, you can But for true DXing on Top Band, you need simply, means that the electrons may absorb
see why I have chosen Top Band (1.8MHz a dark (night-time) path between you and a lot of your radiated energy – a bit like
or 160m) as my band of choice this month. the other station. To make this easier to driving your car through thick mud!
Many newcomers avoid Top Band as they visualise you can use a computer program, Logic would suggest that a low solar
assume that they need massively long such as Sunclock, or perhaps one of the flux/low or no sunspots and a settled
antennas. An end-fed quarter wave is 132ft propagation programs like W6ELProp, ionosphere with low A and K indices would
long on Top Band but in an inverted L ACE-HF or VOAProp. There are various be best, but beyond that it is pretty much
configuration it can be fitted in to many internet sites that will also show you the suck it and see.
smaller gardens. same information – just search Google If you are truly interested in finding out
Verticals are the way to go to get the low for ‘sunclock’. more about Top Band and how to work it, I
angles needed for reliable DXing on 160m, Most propagation programs don’t cover can thoroughly recommend ON4UN’s book
although you may get the odd surprise with 160m, but as a very rough guide see what Low Band DXing and also Jeff Briggs’ DXing
horizontal antennas, especially at sunrise they predict for 80m. on the Edge – the Thrill of 160m.
and sunset when ionospheric tilting and Top Band is also famous for the greyline You should be warned that Morse or CW
ducting can occasionally bring DX signals in propagation into the dark (night) zone that is the preferred mode on Top Band and
at higher angles. can occur at your sunrise and sunset. While DXing is not going to be as easy as 20m.
greyline is technically the propagation of But, if you can put up a decent vertical 59
IN PRACTICE. So what is propagation like signals along the terminator between day antenna and like late nights, it can be
on Top Band in December? The MUF on any and night, the term is often used to describe both a compelling and frustrating band in
path is always higher than 1.8MHz, so any sunrise or sunset enhancements, equal measures.

December 2008 ♦ RadCom

 TECHNICAL FEATURE STEVE NICHOLS, G0KYA ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] JANUARY 2009 ♦ RADCOM

Understanding Propagation
Try out 80m during January and see what you can work.

THE THEORY. Last month we looked at Top you may find that it is hard to work close-in funnelled towards to the earth’s magnetic
Band (160m or 1.8MHz). As it is still mid UK stations, but signals from Europe are still poles, resulting in increased absorption
winter, a lot of what I said then can be applied loud. This is due to the lower skip angles that and fluttery signals that have to cross the
equally to this month’s band 80m (3.5MHz), the signals are taking to reach the UK polar regions.
although we should be careful not to suggest from Europe. For the same reason you
that propagation on both bands is identical. may find that you can work stations in MORE THEORY. While we are on the subject,
Eighty metres (3.5MHz) is almost twice Scotland or Cornwall from the Midlands, but people often get confused between the A and
the frequency of Top Band, so it is well away nothing closer. K indices. In fact, they are pretty much a
from the electron gyro frequency (as talked If the F0F2 (critical frequency) is higher measure of the same thing – both measure
about last month) that can cause absorption than 3.8MHz you will no doubt get good 80m the impact of fast-moving charged particles
on 1.8MHz. coverage around the UK at all distances. As I from the sun on the earth’s magnetic field. The
During the daylight hours, the sun’s UV am writing this, the latest ionogram at Chilton difference is that the K index is logarithmic. It
and soft X-ray radiation ionises the lowest D is showing F0F2 as 5.054MHz and UK is a whole number in the range 0 – 9 and
region of our ionosphere, measures the disturbance over the
but as absorption is related last three hours. The A index is
to the inverse square of the linear and is an average of the
frequency, it is only roughly disturbance over the last 24 hours.
a quarter as bad on 80m The logarithmic nature of the K
as it is on Top Band. This index can be deceiving as a jump
solar radiation also from a K index of 1 to 5 is roughly
illuminates the E and F equivalent to a jump in the A index
layers too and, during the from about 3 to 48. So if you are
early morning and late looking for a near real-time
afternoon in winter, the low measure of the disturbance, the K
sun grazing angles means index is more accurate. The A
that 80m may support DX index tells you how conditions
even in daylight. Putting have been over the past day.
these two factors together As long as the K and A indices
means that you stand more remain low, night-time DX
chance of working DX on conditions on 80m can be good, so
80m than Top Band. keep an eye on these figures, either
via www.solarcycle24.com or one
IN PRACTICE. Staying of the other propagation sites such
The illustration shows VOAProp predicting 80m propagation to the USA at
with the daylight theme, as http://dx.qsl.net/propagation/.
sunrise in January.
you will find 80m an For the best DX on 80m, you
excellent band for inter-G need a dark (night-time) path
contacts. Expect to be able to make ground signals on 80m are romping in at 59+. In all between you and the other station. To make
wave contacts out to around 50 miles or so cases you may find that signals are weaker this easier to visualise you can use a
and sky-wave contacts too, as long as the around local noon when D layer absorption is computer program, such as Sunclock, or
critical frequency stays high enough. The at its highest. perhaps one of the propagation programs
critical frequency is that which will just return Start to look for DX on 80m to the east like W6ELProp, ACE-HF or VOAProp. There
signals back to earth if they are directed during the late afternoon and to the west up are various internet sites that will also show
straight up. Many contacts around the UK are to and past sunrise. The best place to look you the same information – just search
the result of NVIS or near vertical incidence for SSB DX on 80m is in the top 5 – 10kHz of Google for ‘sunclock’.
sky-wave signals. the band where there are often nets in Look out for sunrise enhancements too –
If there is sufficient ionisation, the critical progress. Many amateurs have worked their start to look around 60 minutes before the
frequency will stay above 3.8MHz and the first US and Canadian stations on the band sun shows its face and keep going until
signals will return. If there isn’t, the signals in this way. around 60 minutes after sunrise.
will continue to go on into outer space. You 80m really starts to shine as a DX band In general, the best conditions will occur in
can check the real-time critical frequency at after sunset. At this point D layer absorption is the early hours of the morning with DX being
www.ukssdc.ac.uk/ionosondes/view_latest.ht declining rapidly, while the F layer(s) will still workable as far afield as the mid-western
ml, but you have to register first. These support long-distance DX. USA, the Middle East and Asia, depending
graphs show you the F0F2 (F2 layer) and F0E We have a double whammy at the upon the quality of your antenna. On the
(E layer) frequencies as measured by an moment as not only is it winter, with long whole paths to the southern hemisphere will
Ionosonde at Chilton. The “F0” denotes a hours of darkness, but it is also sunspot be very difficult as it is mid summer down
signal going up vertically. minimum with few solar disturbances. The there and absorption will prevent good
If the critical frequency falls below lack of solar flares and coronal mass ejections openings. As always, a good propagation
3.8MHz in early morning and late afternoon means that fewer charges particles get program will show this.
44
 TECHNICAL FEATURE STEVE NICHOLS, G0KYA ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] FEBRUARY 2009 ♦ RADCOM

Understanding Propagation
In February, try using the 30m band
as it can be a great band for DXing.

30M: BAND OF THE MONTH – FEBRUARY So put the two together and we are left By 10am, D layer absorption in the
2009. So far in this series we have looked with a small range of frequencies, a channel southern hemisphere (where it is summer)
at 160m, 80m, 40m and 20m. The keenest if you like, that we need to work in to make is so high that the path is closed. But now
of you will have realised that we have missed our contact. we have propagation to North America and
a band. But I aim to put that right this month Now we begin to see how 10MHz fits the northern climes of Asia.
by focusing on 30m (10MHz). in with the adjoining bands. At times 20m This continues through the morning
Thirty metres was given to radio amateurs and 30m will both be open to the same parts and early afternoon, and by 4pm the band
in 1979 as part of the WARC (World of the world. At others, the MUF will have is now open to Western Australia, Asia and
Administrative Radio Conference). It is dropped so that 20m is closed and 30m and north-west Canada. As the afternoon
often forgotten about, but is actually a great 40m able to propagate signals. progress to evening we can now work the
band for DXing, as long as you like digital Conversely, there will be times when whole of Africa again.
modes and CW (there is no SSB segment 20m is closed, but the MUF is high enough This is what makes 30m such a
on the band plans). for both 40m and 30m to be open at once. fascinating band – it is open to somewhere
But during daylight hours the LUF might be virtually 24 hours a day, whereas 20m is
THEORY. I have often read that 10MHz higher than 40m, so closing the band to DX, often closed during the night and 40m won’t
shares the characteristics of get far during the day thanks to
both 40m and 20m, but at D layer absorption.
first sight this sounds The other good news is that, on
ridiculous. Twenty metres the whole, you won’t be fighting
(14MHz) is predominantly a stations with massive Yagis and a
daylight band, closing after half-wave dipole is actually quite
dark in the winter as the short, at only 15m in length.
MUF (Maximum Useable I have worked many DX stations
Frequency) drops. Forty on 30m, often with very few
metres (7MHz) on the other pileups. In fact, it is my first
hand is not much of a DX band of choice whenever a new
band during the day, but DXpedition starts up. I have
comes alive after dark. managed to snag Mauritania
The purists will realise (5T5DC), Syria (YK9G), San
that this isn’t strictly true Marino (T77C), Libya (5A7A),
as 40m can be open 24 St Branson (3B7C) and Oman
hours a day in mid winter (A45XR) on 30m, all on CW and
and 20m can be open late often with about 25W.
into the evening in the This may seem like small fry
summer, but bear with me. Propagation on 30m at 1700hrs in February according to VOAProp. to many DXers, but they were all
So how can 30m have the The band is open to a large part of the World. caught using either an inverted V
characteristics of both bands? half wave dipole on a fishing pole,
To answer that question we need to go back but leaving it open on 30m. an MFJ 1786 magnetic loop in the attic or an
to first principles. We must think of the band in terms 85ft end-fed wire (W3EDP), which was
Propagation on any DX path is of the current lowest and maximum useable catapulted over the roof of the house and is
fundamentally subject to two factors – the frequencies in order to make any sense of it. almost invisible.
Maximum Useable Frequency (MUF) and the This is where a propagation prediction No wonder 30m is such a well-kept
Lowest Useable Frequency (LUF). The MUF program like the paid-for Ace-HF, or secret! If you are not a fan of dits and dahs,
is determined by the sunspot number, the W6ELProp and VOAProp (both free) come turn to 10.140MHz and join in the fun with
time of year and the time of day, and generally into their own. PSK31. There is lots of activity.
is higher during periods of heightened solar In fact, you can try working some 30m
activity. The MUF is the highest frequency IN PRACTICE. So what can you expect to DX yourself in February, thanks to the
that the F layer(s) can refract over a given hear on 30m? Well at midnight in February Desecheo Island DXpedition running from
path, if working DX. Go higher than this we find that 30m is likely to open to the 12 to 26 February.
and your signals escape into space. south, taking in Northern, Central and Desecheo is a small, mountainous
At the same time we have the lowest Southern Africa. As the night moves on the island in the Mona Channel, approximately
useable frequency, which is the lowest that propagation will shift to the south-west, 14 miles west of Punta Higüero, Puerto Rico.
can be propagated along the same path heading towards the Falklands and South From the UK, the 30m band should open
without being totally attenuated by the America by about 0000-0400hrs. to KP5 from around 0930 – 1230hrs, and
D layer. Go lower than the LUF and your Propagation then shifts towards the east as then again from 1730-2200hrs, with another
signals are absorbed before they get to the MUF on that path rises as the sun comes opening in the early hours of the morning.
their destination. up over Africa and Russia.
44
 RADCOM ♦ MARCH 2009 STEVE NICHOLS, G0KYA ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] TECHNICAL FEATURE

Understanding Propagation
Although just seven discrete frequencies, the 5MHz band (60m)
has been allocated as a trial to experiment with propagation.

SUNSPOTS. So far in this series, we have This is where 5MHz comes into play. The result is that a passing radio wave
looked at all the HF bands between 160m In theory, it can offer reliable inter-G contacts is split into two components; the ordinary
and 17m. I have deliberately left the 21, 24 at times when both 80m and 40m are and extraordinary waves. Research has
and 28MHz bands until a) we have more unsuitable, which is why the 5MHz shown that the critical frequency of both
sunspots or b) we have Sporadic-E conditions experiment was set up. these waves is slightly different and we
(mid May onwards). So how can we predict propagation need to look at both f0F2 (ordinary) and
The astute among you will have realised on 60m? As always, our good friend the fXF2 (extraordinary) – the critical frequency
that I have, so far, missed out 5MHz (60m), Chilton Digisonde has the answer – see of the ordinary and extraordinary waves
so let’s put that right. www.ukssdc.ac.uk/ionosondes/ – if we are to actually predict whether we
The 60m ‘band’ isn't a band as such, but view_latest.html. can use 5MHz for NVIS communications.
seven discrete USB frequencies – 5258.5, You have to register to download the data, Generally, the ionosonde parameter fXI
5278.5, 5288.5, 5366.5, 5371.5, 5398.5 but it is very easy. The Digisonde data are can be used as a measure of fXF2.
and 5403.5MHz. These have been allocated updated on a regular basis and, in theory, all Over the UK, the extraordinary wave
to UK radio amateurs as a trial and to enable you have to do is look for the f0F2 figure. If critical frequency fXF2 is higher than that of
us to experiment with propagation on a band this is above about 5.4MHz then you should the ordinary wave by about 0.7MHz.There
that sits mid way between 3.5MHz (80m) have been many occasions when f0F2
and 7MHz (40m). As such, it occupies has been lower than 5MHz, but the
a unique part of the RF spectrum that is band has still been open.
very suitable for high-angle or NVIS
(Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) EXPERIMENTAL WORK. To help
communications. you get a better feeling for the band
Before I go any further, to operate there are three beacons, GB3RAL,
on 5MHz you must be a holder of a full GB3WES and GB3ORK, operating on
amateur radio licence and also obtain 5MHz that will give you a real-time
a NoV (Notice of Variation). Ofcom indication of conditions. More information
has agreed with the MOD to permit on these beacons is available at
experimental operation until 30 June http://www.rsgb-spectrumforum.org.uk/
2010 and you can find out more at 5mhz%20beacons.htm.
www.rsgb.org/spectrumforum/hf/ But what about propagation from
5mhz.php. further afield? There are many countries
where the 5MHz is in use, including
THE THEORY. Now, let's take a look at Canada, USA, St Lucia, Greenland,
propagation on 60m. You may recall from This Chilton Digisonde image clearly shows the critical Finland, Denmark, Eire and Iceland.
our discussion on 80m in January that frequency of the extraordinary wave (green) is higher than A good propagation program like
contacts around the UK rely on high-angle the ordinary wave (red) by about 0.7MHz. 5MHz was VOAProp will be able to predict openings
signals being transmitted towards the probably open to stations around the UK at this time. to these countries, although as a rule,
ionosphere. This needs the critical the frequency is so low that you really
frequency to be higher than the frequency be able to use the band for close-in inter-G require a dark (night) path between you and
we are using – the critical frequency being contacts. If it is just below 5MHz you may the other station. This means that DXing on
that where a wave sent vertically from our find that you can talk to stations at the other 5MHz is really a night-time pursuit, although
station is just reflected back to earth. end of the country, but not closer as the angle mid-winter (especially at sunspot minimum)
We denote the critical frequency of the of incidence is more shallow the further we can throw up some real surprises.
F2 layer as being f0F2, where f0 denotes a wish to communicate. At the moment, the band is an oddment in
signal sent up with zero degree deviation Unfortunately life isn't quite that simple, as the HF spectrum. We only have a few spot
from the vertical. fellow RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee frequencies, you need a notice of variation to
If f0F2 is higher than 3.5 – 3.8MHz we member Marcus Walden, G0IJZ showed in his your licence to use it and it should really only
can generally use 80m for inter-UK contacts. article in the March 2008 issue of RadCom. be used for experimental purposes. Working
At times of high solar flux, we often find that The charged particles in the ionosphere DX on the band goes against the original idea
f0F2 is higher than 7MHz and 40m can be lead to refraction or bending back to Earth of allocating it to UK amateurs, although
used for inter-G contacts too. But then the of the radio waves. Additionally, the Earth’s many people do.
increased solar activity can cause greater magnetic field leads them to have a second Working overseas stations on 60m is
D layer absorption so 80m contacts around refractive characteristic. This means the certainly harder than, say, 20m, but there is
the UK become more difficult. ionosphere has two different refractive definitely a club-like feel to the band. And, if
There can come a point where the critical indices – we say that it is birefringent you do experiment on 5MHz, you could be
frequency is not quite 7MHz, but absorption (double refracting). Some crystals are paving the way for the UK to have a wider
is too high on 80m for reliable contacts. optically birefringent giving a double image allocation in the future.
So what do you do? when objects are viewed through them.
29
 RADCOM ♦ APRIL 2009 STEVE NICHOLS, G0KYA ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] TECHNICAL FEATURE

Understanding Propagation
On our monthly journey through the HF bands
we now only have three left – 15 metres (21MHz),
12m (24MHz) and 10m (28MHz).

A LOT TO OFFER. This month we are going not so prevalent as they will be near the April – even Antarctica is possible in late
to look at 15 metres, leaving the other two solar maximum. afternoon.
for when Sporadic-E conditions bring the Once the cycle really gets under way in With a high solar flux and a decent
bands alive over the next couple of months. a couple of years time, we can expect more antenna, such as a Yagi at 30 – 40ft or
Fifteen metres is a band that can offer disturbances, which is generally not good more, long-path openings to the Pacific
a lot – antennas are smaller than those used news for HF propagation overall. may be possible after sunrise and again in
on 20m and you have a full 450kHz to play the late afternoon.
with. D layer absorption, which you may WHAT WILL YOU HEAR? With a You will definitely find that a good antenna
recall is related to the inverse square of the guesstimated sunspot number of 22 for will help – long wires, G5RVs and 80m
frequency, is also less than the lower bands. April, we find that 15m is slow to open in Windoms (OCF dipoles) are not at their best
Noise levels tend to be lower too, which the morning, with weak propagation first on 15m and will likely be beaten by even a
means you can work stations even if they appearing to North Africa and Central Europe half-wave dipole at 25 – 35ft.
are only S1 or S2 – try doing that on 80m! I around 8am. By noon, although still quite You may wonder why I haven't mentioned
can recall working stations solidly on the weak, much of Central and West Africa is propagation on 15m to the USA. This is
higher bands when the signals didn't even now possible. because the equinox months (late
move the meter. March/early April and late
So far, so good – so what's the September/early October) tend to
catch? The problem with 15m favour north/south paths, where
metres at the moment is that it really ionisation north and south of the
needs a fairly high solar flux to come equator tends to be similar. If you
alive and, at the time of writing, we want to work ‘across the pond’ in April,
are still waiting for solar Cycle 24 to 20m (14MHz) is a much better bet.
really get into its stride. That isn't to Working the USA on 15m is more
say that there aren't good openings reliable in late October/November or
on 15m with low solar flux levels, December/January when the sun is in
but they may often be fleeting, weak, the southern hemisphere. Again, a
short or non-existent. good propagation program will help
So what can we expect on 15m in illustrate this.
April? If you don't have a propagation Now that you begin to understand
prediction program use the HF propagation on the band, it starts to
charts in RadCom, prepared by make sense. The MUF (maximum
Gwyn, G4FKH. ACE-HF shows that the path to April’s C91FC DXpedition to usable frequency) on a given path from
Using a VOACAP-based Mozambique is predicted to be quite weak on 15m with a the UK may hover around the 21MHz
propagation prediction program like maximum probability of about 35% (100W SSB dipole to dipole). mark. For much of the time you may
VOAProp or Ace-HF and a sunspot For CW it is about 75 – 80%. hear nothing, but then signals may pop
number of 22, we see that there is out of the noise, only to disappear
virtually zero probability of 15m being open Propagation builds during the day towards again a few minutes later.
at night from the UK. Once the sun has set, Southern Africa too, swinging towards South A cursory glance at the band might lead
the level of ionisation in the F1/F2 layers America before sunset. Again, at sunset you to believe that it was totally dead, but
drops quite quickly and cannot support expect 15m to begin to close quite rapidly. you might be wrong. A tip is to check
propagation on the higher bands. Because of the low levels of ionisation, propagation on 17m (18MHz too). A DX
There are always exceptions to the rule, you may also find another apparent anomaly. opening there might suggest that one is
especially if there are solar disturbances. If the The F layer(s) may not be able to return on its way on 15m too. Also check the
A and K indices go up dramatically and the relatively high angle signals on 15m. This International Beacon Project chain on
Bz goes south (see www.solarcycle24.com), means that you may be able to hear DX 21.150MHz.
showing that the interplanetary magnetic signals (which typically arrive at your These are the only beacons operating
field is coupling with the earth's magnetic antenna at angles less than 10 degrees), on 15m, which is a shame really. If your
field, you can get Auroral E enhancements but can't hear mainland Europe, such as CW is rusty or non-existent, both VOAProp
at night that can give relatively short distance Germany or Italy. and ACE-HF can be configured to show
contacts into Europe, but these are relatively As Solar Cycle 24 progresses and the you which beacon is currently transmitting,
rare. At this point in the solar cycle, sunspot number/solar flux increases, we can just make sure that your computer clock
geomagnetic disturbances due to solar flares expect to see 15m become far more reliable. is accurate to the nearest second. For
or coronal mass ejections, which both pump Predictions using a sunspot number of 50 more details of the IBP project
out massive clouds of hot, ionised gases, are show reliable propagation to most of Africa in http://www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html.
81
 RADCOM ♦ MAY 2009 STEVE NICHOLS, G0KYA ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] TECHNICAL FEATURE

Understanding Propagation
With only two bands left, this month we look at 12m (24MHz).

likely to be closed Sporadic- E, including charged ‘sprites’

at night, other leaping up from the tops of thunderstorms.
than ground wave But equally, there are many instances of
propagation to Sporadic-E where there is no lightning
local hams out to activity. It is also linked with meteor showers,
around 15 – 20 solar and geomagnetic activity. Local TV
miles. After weatherman and radio amateur Jim Bacon,
sunrise, the band G3YLA and I had a long chat at a local
will be slow to Norfolk Amateur Radio Club event last year.
open as F layer Jim favours the wind shear theory.
ionisation builds Try to imagine waves propagating through
up. By about 9 – the atmosphere, caused by fast-moving winds
10am, you might being diverted as they cross mountain tops.
see one-hop This shearing effect of the wind can cause
signals starting to ionisation and Jim says there is strong
appear from correlation at times with winds moving high
North Africa and above the mountain ranges of Europe and
Richard, G3RWL worked 351 stations on 12m in a single session while on by early afternoon Scandinavia and incidences of Sporadic-E.
Mayotte. these may by The ionisation is thought to occur with
joined by two and metallic ions, such as iron and magnesium,
WARC. The 12m band was given to radio three-hop signals from the southern part of with many people suggesting that these
amateurs in 1979 at the World Administrative Africa, such as 9Q (Congo) or 5H (Tanzania). come from meteor material. There are several
Radio Conference. Covering 24.890– If the band opens at all it will be optimum meteor storms in June/July/August that
24.990MHz, it offers some great qualities. by about 6pm UTC with potential coverage correspond with the Sporadic-E ‘season’ in
First, it is quite high in frequency so noise to much of Africa and the mid Atlantic. But, the Northern hemisphere, but often the
is not as big a problem as the lower bands. In by dusk, the band will shut down again for season starts before the showers arrive, so as
fact, at my quite noisy suburban QTH, the the night. a finite theory it falls down. How ions become
average noise level on 12m is about S2, concentrated into thin layers at mid latitudes
compared with about S9 on 80m and S8 on SPORADIC-E. Twelve metres really is a band is also still under debate. I think the truth is
40m. This makes it much easier to hear weak that will benefit from higher sunspot that Sporadic-E can be multi-factorial.
signals. At the same time, the band is low numbers, but in the meantime it has another
enough to benefit from F2 layer openings with trick up its sleeve this month – Sporadic-E, WORKING WITH SPORADIC-E. But what
relatively low levels of solar flux, often at which will begin to show itself later in May can you work with Sporadic-E on 12m? Much
times when 10m (28MHz) is closed. and continue throughout the summer. of what I have said here will apply equally to
Indeed, as I write this, I have just worked While the factors behind Sporadic-E are 10m, which I am covering next month.
FH/G3SWH in Mayotte on 12m CW using not well understood, we do know what it is In general, under Sporadic-E conditions,
just 20W to a loft-mounted antenna – and and what its effects are on radio signals. you should be able to work stations at a
that wasn’t even resonant on 12m. For those In summer (in the UK), clouds of distance of around 1200 – 1400 miles.
of you who don’t know where Mayotte is ionisation can form in the lower E region of The signal strengths will be high, with S9+
(I certainly didn’t), it is a small island off the ionosphere (90 – 100km). These are signals commonplace. There will be rapid
Madagascar. Richard, G3RWL and Phil, difficult to predict and are fast moving, often QSB (fading) though and you may be able
G3SWH worked nearly 500 stations on 12m measured at up to 160km/h or more. They to see the effects of the fast moving Es clouds
during their time on Mayotte. are, however, very intense and capable of as signals from one area are replaced by
reflecting/refracting radio waves of those from another in just a few minutes.
OPENINGS. At the time I made the contact, frequencies of up to 144MHz. Records even If you are very lucky, and especially if
the solar flux was only 69 so DX openings are show that at times this has reached 250MHz. you have a beam, you could benefit from
quite possible on 12m, even at sunspot I have certainly heard the effects, when a multi-hop Sporadic-E, whereby your signals
minimum. Having said that, these are likely Spanish FM station completely overpowered are reflected off one cloud, bounce of the
to be sparse, fleeting and unreliable at the Radio 2 as I drove through Lincolnshire in ground and then reflect back off a further
moment, at least until Solar Cycle 24 gets May last year. This only lasted a few minutes cloud to their ultimate destination. This can
going properly. but was quite startling. result in trans-Atlantic contacts, especially
A good starting point to check for openings Sporadic-E can occur at any time, day on 12m, 10m and 6m.
is the NCDXF beacon chain on 24.930MHz. or night, although there can be peaks of Next month, we will look at F2 layer
In three minutes you can soon find out if there activity in the morning and often at 2000 propagation and what we can hope for
is any propagation to many parts of the world. – 2200hrs UTC. on 10m and 12m when the sun finally
Looking at propagation in May, the band is There are many theories as to what causes wakes up.

19
 TECHNICAL FEATURE STEVE NICHOLS, G0KYA ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] JUNE 2009 ♦ RADCOM

Understanding 10m openings at solar minimum, but they

tend to be fleeting, hard to predict and
generally in a single direction.

Propagation But fast forward to the day when the SFI is

200+and 10m will open reliably to all parts
of the world. And you don't even need a flux
that high to see results. My own experience
This month we look at 10m shows that a flux of 100 or more will bring
reliable 10m F layer openings to the USA,
– or 28MHz – and I have saved typically starting in late September and
October. Ten metres is also unique as an HF
the best for the last. band as it has lots of beacons. They are a
great indicator of conditions with many
running less than 10W. But that is still
enough for propagation over long distances.
For a full list of beacons see
Aurora is just one www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/28.htm.
of the mechanisms Then we have the FM repeaters in the
that can enhance range 29.610 – 29.700MHz. These are
10m propagation. situated all over the world, but the European
Photo: Joshua ones such as HB9HD on 29.660MHz come
Strang, USAF. alive during the Sporadic-E season and others
in the USA are a good indicator of F layer
propagation. Throughout the last solar cycle,
I could virtually guarantee hearing W1OJ in
Boston on 29.620MHz, booming in at S9
plus every day from about noon. For a full
list of 28MHz FM repeaters see
www.thiecom.de/10mlist.htm.

GOOD PROPAGATION. So why is

propagation on 10m so good? Much of
what I said about 12m last month applies to
28MHz too. Noise levels are very low on 10m
and antennas tend to be very short – a dipole
is only 5m/17ft long. D layer absorption is
also very low too. As it is related to the inverse
JUST YOU WAIT! Ten metres may not seem interplanetary magnetic field (Bz) is pointing square of the frequency, absorption is four
like much of dynamo at the moment, but just south and the solar wind speed has increased times less than it is on 14MHz and 16 times
wait until sunspot cycle 24 really gets going – see the gauge at www.solarcycle24.com. less than 7MHz.
in a year or so. The band is wide and has A south pointing Bz shows that the IMF is When the band really starts hopping at
plenty of room for CW, data, beacons, SSB, coupling with the earth's magnetic field and the peak of the next cycle, you also see other
satellite and even FM and repeater operation. the hot ions are flowing towards Earth and effects too. At high SFI levels you often get
Many books will also tell you that 10m is being funnelled towards the poles. ionospheric backscatter too. This is when
subject to tropospheric enhancements. But, signals from the UK are not only reflected
if you are expecting the kind of long-range F LAYER PROPAGATION. But while E layer back towards their ultimate destination,
openings you get on 2m, I think you may propagation is better than no propagation at such as the USA, but a small proportion of
be disappointed. I have never heard a really all, it is still relatively short distance (unless the signal is also reflected back. Backscatter
long-range tropo opening on 10m and, while you get multi-hops). For truly long-distance has a very characteristic hollow sound to it.
I wouldn't say they don't exist, they are not the propagation we need the higher F layer to I have also noted a lot of evidence for skip
best mode for good 10m propagation. provide us with the longer skip distances. focusing on signals from the East. This occurs
In May to July, you will hear the odd But for F layer propagation on 10m we as the sun sets between you and the DX
fleeting opening from one end of the country need high levels of ionisation. This is caused station and signals from many different take-
to the other, but this is usually short-skip by the ultra-violet and soft X-ray output from off angles are brought together to provide one
caused by Sporadic-E, which I covered last the sun and linked (not surprisingly) with the stronger signal. I have noticed this effect on
month. You can sometimes get other E layer number of sunspots on its surface. To recap, signals from India and Pakistan, but be
enhancements caused by high energy there is strong correlation between the amount warned – skip focusing enhancements are
particles impacting the ionosphere after a of noise received from the sun at 2800MHz usually a sign that the path is about the close,
coronal mass ejection (CME) or solar flare. and the amount of ionising radiation. We call so work them quickly.
If you hear European stations on 10m and this 2800MHz measurement the ‘solar flux This month you are likely to see relatively
it is not the Sporadic-E season, then a high index’ (SFI), although let me reiterate, short-skip openings via Sporadic-E to Europe
A or K index is a good indication that this is radiation at 2800MHz does not cause the with better-equipped stations seeing a few
what is happening. These type of events are ionisation – it is just a convenient way of multi-hop openings, perhaps to the USA.
often followed by more characteristic Auroral measuring the solar output. But, hopefully, as the cycle progresses 10m
openings with their characteristic ‘whispery’ For 10m to open up to DX reliably we will become your favourite band with easy
sounding voices. need an SFI higher than we have had at solar DX using only a few watts and a simple
Another check for this is to see if the minimum. That isn't to say that there are not antenna.
50
 RADCOM ♦ JULY 2009 STEVE NICHOLS, G0KYA ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] TECHNICAL FEATURE

Understanding Propagation
Using beacons to monitor HF propagation

transmission There are a small handful of other

from around non-NCDXF beacons listed on 14MHz,
the globe take 18MHz, 21MHz and 24MHz as well, but
a listen – you’ll when I listened none were audible. This
be amazed. was probably due to the K Index being four
You can usually at the time of writing and the Interplanetary
hear the OH2B Magnetic Field (IMF) Bz pointing south,
beacon in showing that the IMF and the earth’s
Finland down magnetic fields had coupled with lots of
to 0.1W on charged solar particles streaming into the
14MHz quite ionosphere, wrecking HF propagation. You
easily. The can monitor this at www.solarcycle24.com.
beacons mean Step up to 28MHz though and the world
that you can is your oyster. There are literally hundreds
get a good of 10m beacons in existence between
idea of 28.110 – 28.322MHz and tracking them all
propagation can become a full-time hobby. Again, many of
conditions them are very low powered, typically between
from around 5 and 10W. When the solar flux heads up
the globe in towards the 200 mark it is relatively easy to
THE BEACON NETWORK. We have now just three minutes per band. hear some of the US beacons. For example,
finished looking at what powers ionospheric You can either listen for the beacons with I have a QSL card from NS9RC in Winnetka,
propagation on all of the HF bands. But if an accurate clock (I have a cheap radio- Illinois, which I received after e-mailing the
no one is calling CQ, how do you know if controlled one) or use a piece of PC software, North Shore Radio Club a reception report
a band is open? such as BeaconClock, which can be at the height of the last cycle. Their beacon
The answer to that question lies with HF downloaded from http://huntting.com/ on 28.297MHz consists of a Kenwood
beacons – small, usually low-powered and beaconclock/index.html, or VOAProp at TS-140S connected to a homebrew
unmanned transmitters that announce their www.g4ilo.com/voaprop.html. These will tell controller, MFJ-971 antenna tuner and
presence on the bands 24 hours a day using you which beacon is transmitting and when. running 8W to a Solarcon A-99 vertical
Morse code. And if that last phrase frightens You can find out more about the beacons, antenna at 70 feet.
you, don’t worry – the Morse is usually quite including how to conduct unattended But you don’t have to wait for the next
slow and you can also use a look-up table propagation research using a program called solar cycle to kick off to hear some 10m
or beacon list to find out which one is Faros, at www.ncdxf.org/beacons.html. beacons. Sporadic-E is bringing in lots of
transmitting. Once you step away from the NCDXF them from all over Europe. Just the other
I’ll start by looking at the most famous beacon chain, coverage can be a little more day I logged IW3FZQ/B on 28.226MHz
beacon chain – the NCDXF/IARU International patchy. Take a look at G3USF's Worldwide and IZ3LCJ on 28.207MHz in Italy. These
Beacon Project (IBP). This is a worldwide List of HF Beacons at www.keele.ac.uk/depts/ were quickly followed by DK0TEN on
group that operates on 14.100, 18.110, por/28.htm and you’ll see what I mean. 28.258MHz and DL0IGI on 28.205MHz
21.150, 24.930 and 28.200MHz. IARU Region 1 discourages beacon in Germany and OE3XAC on 28.188MHz
The beacons are in USA (New York, operation on 1.8 – 10MHz, but even so in Austria. You can track the Sporadic-E
California and Hawaii), Canada, New there are quite a few on these bands that clouds as they move and some beacons
Zealand, Australia, Japan, Russia, Hong are active. These can be quite interesting to vanish to be replaced by others.
Kong, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kenya, Israel, track down as their power output ranges from Much of what I have said applies
Finland, Madeira, Argentina, Peru and 0.1 – 100W. For example, I have regularly equally to 50MHz (six metres), where
Venezuela, although the Sri Lankan and heard SK6RUD on 10.133MHz in Oxaback, there are beacons all around the world.
Venezuelan beacons are off the air at the southern Sweden, even though it only runs See www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm
time of writing. Each beacon transmits in 0.5W to a quarter wave vertical antenna. for details.
turn – a 10-second sequence every three The beacon sends the message “VVV QRPP If you do get really interested in 28MHz
minutes. Once they have sent their sequence BEACON DE SK6RUD, QTH JO67KI, PSE and 50MHz and beacon reception you
on, say, 14MHz, the beacon moves up to RPRT TO WWW.RADIORUD.SE” and five or can even contribute your findings to the
18MHz and repeats it and another beacon six people a day visit the beacon owner’s Six and Ten Reporting Club – see
takes up their slot. website to log a reception report. SK6RUD http://g7kse.co.uk/6and10/.
As well as the beacon’s callsign, it also has 500kHz and 3.5424MHz beacons, Beacon hunting can become addictive,
transmits a constant tone that begins at but it is the 30m one that you most likely but don’t forget to call CQ as well. The
100W before stepping down to 10W, 1W to hear during the day from the UK. It beacons tell you that there is propagation
and finally 0.1W in one-second steps. And sometimes has its 24.912MHz beacon to a particular part of the world, but it is
if you don’t think you can hear a 0.1W CW running too. up to you to make the band active.
77
 RADCOM ♦ AUGUST 2009 STEVE NICHOLS, G0KYA ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] TECHNICAL FEATURE

Understanding own 80m WSPR signal from across the

Atlantic and showed clearly that there was a
high-angle component to it just after sunrise.

Propagation This corresponds with my own work on

greyline propagation, which is backed up
by work with VOACAP that shows that the
numbers of possible paths (or modes) for
Using WSPR to gauge propagation radio waves to take can change quite rapidly
around sunrise, leading to stronger signals
on relatively low 80m dipole antennas. As
these favour high angle signals you can work
some interesting DX around sunrise that
conventional propagation models would
suggest is impossible.
showing the paths So what else can you do with WSPR? It is
between the transmitting also good for detecting Sporadic-E openings
and receiving stations. If on 10m, showing you not only who is being
you visit wsprnet.org you received, but importantly, who is active but
can select which band you NOT being received. You don’t HAVE to
want to monitor and also transmit either. SWL reports of signals heard
what part of the world. Or are equally important.
you can look at the raw So is WSPR the answer to your real-time
received data. propagation dreams? Well, not quite. The
WSPR stations use low problem really is that there are not enough
power transmissions – users on all the bands. The majority of
typically just a few watts. operators are on 30m (10MHz), which is
If you do use the WSPR no doubt linked to the work 30m enthusiasts
Picture of WSPRnet.org screen grab showing 10m activity in mid June. software you will need to are doing with low power MEPT. On a typical
key in your Maidenhead day you might find two or three people using
GAUGING PROPAGATION. So far we have locator square and also your power output in WSPR on 80m and perhaps one or two on
looked at HF propagation theory and the use dBm. Both of these have obviously confused 15m. This isn’t really enough to do much
of computerised HF prediction programs like some people as you often see stations serious research. Nevertheless, interest in
ACE-HF, VOAProp and W6ELProp. Last month purporting to be in the middle of the South WSPR is growing. There are typically around
we also looked at beacons. But there is another Pacific or Italy when they should be in the 150 WSPR users logging information to
method of gauging propagation conditions USA – or running power levels that are WSPRnet.org each day. A year ago there
using WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation obviously wrong. were fewer than 50.
Reporter) and it is gaining in popularity. Running WSPR is rather like using Also, if you are going to use WSPR for
WSPR uses software designed by Joe datamode software for RTTY or PSK31. To research, you need to arrange with the
Taylor, K1JT, a Nobel Prize-winning Princeton receive WSPR you need to connect your radio’s participants that a) they will be on and
physicist and originator of the WSJT weak audio output to the Mic or Line In socket. If b) that they won’t change their power outputs
signal software. First released in April 2008, you want to transmit as well you will need to or antenna arrangements. If they do, your
WSPR uses a transmission mode called connect the speaker output to the radio and data will be useless.
MEPT-JT - the MEPT standing for Manned also arrange for it to be keyed. If you have an If you are interested in finding out more
Experimental Propagation Transmitter. interface for data modes you are almost there. about WSPR I suggest you read the excellent
The end result is quite fascinating as it article by Julian, G4ILO at www.g4ilo.com/
WARBLING TONES. The principle is quite gives you an at-a-glance view of real-time wspr.html. This gives you a good run through
simple, although the technology behind it propagation. what WSPR is about and how to set it up.
certainly isn’t. Stations running WSPR While you are there, download Julian’s
automatically send out a beacon signal on a ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES. The possibilities VOAProp propagation prediction software too.
given frequency. Each transmission lasts for for research using WSPR are endless. You can You can download the WSPR software
just under two minutes and to make sure this actually test your own antennas using WSPR. and quick start guide at
all works you must ensure that your computer Put up a beacon signal and then see how far www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/.
clock is set correctly or you will clash. The you can get. WSPRnet will not only tell you
digital signal sounds like a single tone with who heard you (and usually within a minute
WSPR FREQUENCIES
a barely discernable warble to it and carries or two), but also the received signal to noise
your callsign, your locator and your power ratio, the distance and bearing between your Band Dial freq (USB MHz)
output. It actually uses Frequency Shift two stations. Let the system go through a 160m 1.8366MHz
Keying with a very small shift, occupying a couple of cycles and then switch antennas 80m 3.5926MHz
60m 5.2872MHz
bandwidth of about 6Hz. This means that and you should be able to see if your signal is 40m 7.0386MHz
many stations can be fitted into the 200Hz stronger or weaker. 30m 10.1387MHz
WSPR window. 20m 14.0956MHz
When your system is not transmitting it PROPAGATION RESEARCH. You can also 17m 18.1046MHz
is actually listening for these WSPR beacon conduct other propagation research. I have 15m 21.0946MHz
signals. If it hears one, it logs it and sends the corresponded with Patrick, F6IRF (http:// 12m 24.9246MHz
10m 28.1246MHz
details via the internet to http://wsprnet.org/. f6irf.blogspot.com/) over his use of WSPR for 6m 50.293MHz
WSPRnet then logs your information and greyline studies. Using two different antennas, 2m 144.4885MHz
even displays it on a map, with a line Patrick managed to receive Joe Taylor, K1JT’s
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 TECHNICAL FEATURE ALAN MELIA, G3NYK ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2009 ♦ RADCOM

Understanding LF Propagation
Having dealt with the HF side we move lower
in frequency to look at propagation there.
LONG DISTANCE AT LF. Most LF (below of the ground wave, and the two waves may returning sky wave at extreme range
300kHz) propagation information is aimed at either add, to reinforce the signal, or cancel approaches the ground at grazing incidence
commercial users. In contrast to commercial to reduce it. Complete cancellation only or tangentially, it does not bounce at high
radio users, the radio amateur, often working occurs if the ground and sky-wave are the angles like a tennis ball as shown on many
at the threshold of possibility, is willing to wait same strength as well as 180° out of phase. sketches. Thus the wave does not need to be
for – and use – whatever short-term effects Most of the published data suggests that the ‘reflected’ from the ground to go upwards for
are available to achieve his ambition of long sky-waves become approximately equal in a second hop, it merely slides past, barely
distance communication. This means that strength to the ground-waves at around touching the ground.
the priorities of the radio amateur are very 700km from the transmitter. Beyond this Low frequency radio paths can comprise
different to those of commercial operator. distance the sky wave is stronger. A case several such ‘hops’. The regular signal heard
The signal from a transmitter may reach of ‘dead zone’ can appear when of very low from VO1NA during 2003 and 2004 at
a receiving site in two ways. First by way of power signals are transmitted. In this situation 3600km was probably a two-hop path, whilst
waves that follow the curvature of the Earth the ground wave, is weaked by the nature of the record QSO between Quartz Hill in New
to some extent, known as ground waves; its outwards spread, to levels below the Zealand and Vladivostok in Asiatic Russia at
secondly by the return of skyward travelling detection level of the receiver, before the over 10,000km was probably around 5 hops.
waves by the ionosphere, referred to angle of the sky-wave becomes low enough to One-way signals from Quartz Hill were detected
colloquially as sky waves or, more correctly, cause them to return, This is often experienced and identified in western Russia at 16,000km.
ionospheric waves. by US FCC Part 15 stations, who are limited These exceptional distances were achieved
at night with the path in full
GROUND WAVES. The so-called D darkness. The daytime path lengths
ground waves follow the curvature of a are usually restricted to around
r = Radius of Earth = 6328km
the Earth because the speed of the h = Height of reflection
2000km, due mainly to the higher
wave is slowed slightly by the h s signal absorption (attenuation) levels
s Typical layer heights
dielectric constant of the ground. D-layer h = 50 - 90km in daytime and the loss at each ‘hop’.
This has the effect of tilting the d
C
d
E-layer h = 90 - 150km Nevertheless, under exceptional
wavefront downwards and allows circumstances VO1NA has been
the signals to be detected far beyond A
B copied in the UK at 1200Z, but this
the normal visible horizon. Unlike Simple Equations is a rare event. Even the powerful
higher frequencies the strength of the r d = r . a (a in radians) (20kW ERP) Naval station, callsign
ground wave signal is not reduced r CFH, at Halifax, Nova Scotia, is not
cos(a) =
significantly by absorption. As a r
r+h often heard in daytime. Fading still
result there is no ‘dead zone’ on low s = r . tan(a) occurs on these path although the
frequencies (LF), except for very low ground wave signal is now below
a
power transmissions and ground Calculation of Extreme
audibility. In this case the fading is
wave signals can be detected at over E Single-hop Range. due to interaction between signals
2000km from the transmitter. from the 1-hop and 2-hop paths.
In practice, the situation is a
SKY WAVES. Because most amateur sized to 1 watt input power and a maximum 50 foot little more complicated. The ‘reflection’ of the
aerials are small compared to the wavelength, long antenna. waves is not without loss. At lower altitudes
considerable amounts of the radiated power A simple geometric construction shown in the daytime ionisation of the D-layer produces
are launched at higher angles and rapidly Figure 1 allows us to calculate the maximum a belt of ionisation below the ‘reflection height’
leave any influence of the ground. These distance covered by a single ionospheric that absorbs power from the radio waves. At
waves travel upwards until they reach the ‘bounce’ provided we know the height at the lower HF frequencies (160, 80 and 40m)
ionosphere at around 50 to 100km altitude. which the signal is bent back towards Earth. this shows as a severe restriction in day-time
Vertical incidence signals will penetrate For simplicity we can consider a mirror like range, because the sky waves are completely
deeply into the ionised regions but will suffer reflection from an altitude we will call the absorbed by the D-layer. After sunset this
a great deal of attenuation, but at lower angles ‘apparent reflection height’, and we will ionisation in the D-layer quickly decays and
the waves will be gently ‘bent’ (refracted is assume that the signal leaves the transmitting the lower HF waves can pass through to be
the correct technical term) back towards the site tangentially to the ground. Experience reflected from the F layer and so called ‘skip’
ground. Sky wave returns have been detected suggests that the daytime ‘reflection level’ is signals appear. In the LF frequency range the
at as little as 300km from the transmitting around the lower levels of the D-layer at about daytime absorption is not so complete and
station and result is a slow shallow fading in 50km altitude whilst at night the reflection it is possible to receive daytime sky-wave
the strength of the signal. level is in the upper D-layer near the bottom signals at distances of about 2000km, which
The change in strength of the signal is of the E-layer at around 100km altitude. probably requires two hops. For a given path
due to the change in the distance that the Our calculations then show that in daytime these signals are never as strong as those
sky-wave travels as the altitude of the a single hop will be of around 1000km, whilst received after dark.
‘bending’ region alters. The sky-wave arrives at nighttime a single hop will be around In the next part we will consider the effects
at the receiver with a different phase to that 2000km. It is important to realise that the of solar activity on LF propagation.
32
 TECHNICAL FEATURE ALAN MELIA, G3NYK ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] OCTOBER 2009 ♦ RADCOM

Understanding LF precipitation) into the ionosphere, after a

geomagnetic storm, lead to severe reductions
in distant MF and LF radio signal strengths.

Propagation (Part 2) The effect did not build up until a day or so

after the storm and could often persist for up
to 28 days. It is not physically possible for
electrons, even very energetic ones, to exist
Looking at the effect of the Sun in the relatively high atmospheric pressure
at the D layer for very long. So the signal
on LF propagation attenuation should decay with the passing
of the storm. It has recently become clear
that the Ring Current acts as a reservoir of
electrons that are bled into the ionosphere at
The magnetosphere is the daylight edge, where the magnetosphere
a distorted doughnut is distorted by the pressure of the Solar wind.
shaped ‘cage’ formed by Thus the after-effects of a Geomagnetic storm
the lines of magnetic force on LF radio transmissions will be felt until the
generated in the Earth’s Ring Current is depleted of its trapped electrons.
core (Figure 1). The Fortunately, the charged particle
magnetosphere protects us population of the Ring Current can be
from most of what the Sun measured by the field it generates. It is
can throw at us. Without not an easy task because the field due to
it, the majority of life on the Ring Current is about one thousandth
FIGURE 1: Earth could not exist. of the Earth’s field (50 to 400nT against
The magnetosphere. If the magnetic field 50,000nT for the static geomagnetic field
of the plasma is in one at the Earth’s surface).
direction, the cloud Daily estimates of an index, which
DISTURBANCES. Propagation conditions are bounces off fairly harmlessly, like similar effectively measures the Ring Current, are
further affected by solar disturbances. At the poles of small bar magnets. In the opposite published by several institutes. The most
height of the sun spot cycle, the sun emits field direction the field lines of the plasma are useful for LF radio propagation prediction are
bursts of intense X-rays and ultra-violet light said to ‘connect’ with the geomagnetic field, the (hourly) real-time estimates from Colorado
called solar flares. Because the output of a like the bar magnet opposite poles. This University and Kyoto University, which are
solar flare is an electromagnetic emission (like situation opens up ‘cracks’ in the Earths both available on the Internet. The Index is
a radio wave) its effect is almost instantaneous ‘defences’ and charged particles flood into the referred to as ‘Disturbance Storm Time’ and
and will only affect the side of the Earth that atmosphere. The most notable visible effects carries the mnemonic Dst.
is currently illuminated. Intense flares cause of this phenomenon are the aurora seen mainly Plasma clouds (referred to on Solar
radio blackouts at HF, because they produce in high latitudes after a magnetic storm. website as Coronal Mass Ejections or CMEs)
extra ionisation in the D-layer that strongly The event also causes the Earth’s field to are also produced by disturbances in the solar
absorbs most HF radio frequencies. Surprisingly, vary wildly for a short period, an event that can atmosphere known as coronal holes. Whilst
at LF, the effect is usually the exact opposite. be observed on magnetometers and hence the flare associated events are more prevalent in
The intense radiation converts most of the term ‘Geomagnetic Storm’. This was thought years of high sunspot activity, coronal hole
normally absorbing level ionisation to a state to be the main source of injected particles events occur throughout the solar cycle
where it easily ‘reflects’ LF waves. The result but, since then, the use of satellites and the including periods when the visible face of
is that LF signals show a strong peak in discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts has the Sun is totally devoid of spots.
strength that is a similar shape in time to refined ideas of the process. It has been realised The most familiar effects of these
that of the X-ray flux (as can be seen on the recently that the majority of the particles are disturbances are intense aurora. A rarer, but
NOAA website). Then as the flare decays, swept past Earth and are sucked into the long more serious, problem is that these events
the absorption returns. tail of the magnetosphere on the side of Earth can induce massive currents in long northern
This flare enhancement can cause an opposite to the Sun. The Geomagnetic field power distribution systems. Canada suffered
increase of up to 10dB in the strength of a then draws them back into the Van Allen a power black-out for several hours some
signal being received in daytime. This can belts, forming a series of circulating rings. years ago due to one such event. Submarine
be useful, but the enhancement is much less Electrons travel one way and ions, because cables and satellite communications systems
than is normally achieved on night-time paths of their opposite charge, the other. More than can also be disabled. The arrival of a CME
and it difficult to catch so is not much used for this, the electrons being much lighter follow can herald the onset of a period of poor HF
communication. paths that spiral round the Earths magnetic communications and absorption, due to the
The solar magnetic disturbances that lines of force from one hemisphere to the enhanced ionisation of the D-layer by the
produce flares also throw off huge clouds of other. They are ‘turned round’ by the ‘cramping’ trapped electrons, causes all the bands to go
ionised gas or plasma known as a Coronal of the lines of force near the poles. Together ‘flat’. Again the effect at LF is different. The
Mass Ejection (CME). The plasma travels these rings of circulating charges, which are daytime signals up to about 2000km can be
much more slowly and takes between 36 known as the Equatorial Ring Current, generate significantly enhanced by up to 10 or 12dB
and 56 hours to reach the vicinity of Earth a magnetic field of their own, which can be above normal levels. The effect on night-time
– a journey of 96 million miles. When these detected and measured by magnetometers paths is more dramatic with absorption at
clouds reach the earth they buffet the at the Equator. The Rings exchange charged LF increasing significantly above normal and
atmosphere. Because these clouds are particles, mainly electrons, with the ionosphere signal levels on long paths dropping as much
composed of fast moving charged particles, It had been noted by many researchers as 20dB below normal levels.
the cloud carries with it a magnetic field, and prior to the advent of satellite measurement, Next month we’ll look at whether we can
this interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field. that the injection of electrons (called electron predict good conditions.
22
 TECHNICAL FEATURE ALAN MELIA, G3NYK ♦ E-MAIL: [email protected] NOVEMBER 2009 ♦ RADCOM

Understanding lower E layer. In effect, the E-layer may be

becoming slightly transparent to 136kHz
signals and some is ‘leaking away’. It is

LF Propagation noticeable that there can be a dramatic

recovery to good levels following immediately
after a small geomagnetic disturbance that
only measures at a Kp of 4. During a long
Can we predict good LF conditions? quiet spell in January 2003, a minor
geomagnetic storm raising Kp to only 4,
produced record levels on transatlantic paths.

in night-time signal ALL YEAR ROUND. There is a mythology that

levels that can last LF propagation only exists in the winter months,
for 21 to 28 days between the autumn and spring equinoxes.
and the Kp index This is not true; daytime levels are better in
is no indicator of summer because the sun is stronger at mid-
the return of good day and the ionisation for daytime sky wave is
conditions. This higher. The darkness period is shorter in summer
is where the Dst, and some paths may not have a period of total
which acts as a darkness for a month around the summer solstice.
measure of the What normally limits operation in summer is
quantity of the level of ‘static’, interference from lightning
FIGURE. 1: Plot of Dst from Colorado University. electrons still crashes. This makes listening very uncomfortable
trapped from the and tiring, but data modes and QRSS can be
CME, is useful. operated successfully through this period on
PREDICTIONS. It might seem that with the A correlation between this index and signal nights when the ‘static’ is not continuous.
knowledge built up it should be possible to levels of well known commercial stations The best information about the state of
predict good LF conditions. This can be done suggests that the Dst index mirrors the return propagation is derived from listening to reliable
to some extent, but it is much easier to predict of good radio propagation. The index has a commercial stations and logging their strength.
bad conditions, particularly for night-time range from small positive values (-20 to +40) Propagation is very frequency dependent and
paths. There will be severe reduction in signal for quiet conditions and up to -100 to -400 it is only really useful to listen to stations in
levels at LF about 24 hours after a major for intense storm condition. The units are the same frequency area. Unfortunately there
geomagnetic storm. Flares cannot easily be nanotesla (nT) because this is a magnetic are no LF broadcast stations in North America.
predicted and the best that NOAA will say is field. Unlike the Kp index it will show the The Canadian Naval Station CFH at Halifax
that there is a likelihood of a flare of particular effect of small events following a major Nova Scotia on 137.00kHz is ideal, at a
strength in the next three days. However, by storm that tend to extend the recovery distance of about 4500km from the UK, but it
carefully watching the background levels via time to good radio conditions, because does have long periods of inactivity. The Greek
the NOAA SEC internet site, it is possible to of the ‘reservoir’ being topped up. Naval Station SXV located near Athens on
see the solar X-ray flux, measured by the 135.75 is one choice at a path length of
GEOS satellites, increasing. This gives a good SOLAR CYCLES. Radio amateurs have had 2200km from the UK, but it is difficult to
indication that a predicted flare is imminent. access to LF for almost a whole solar cycle understand the strength variations. This
Flares are more likely around the sunspot now and we can say what the effect of the may be due to the long reach up the Adriatic
maximum and their likelihood is directly 11 year solar cycle on LF conditions might be. followed by a passage over the Alps, but it is
related to the sunspot number, which is a The cycle is usually defined in terms of sunspot also suspected that the transmitter power is
measure of solar activity. numbers, and solar flares will be directly related reduced at times. Under generally good
Coronal Mass Ejections are detected as to the sunspot number. Geomagnetic events conditions, the received level from SXV can
they form and their impact on Earth can be seem to peak a year or two past the sunspot swing violently up and down, probably due to
predicted about two days ahead of their arrival, maximum. Geomagnetic storms still occur multi-hop fading. Because fading is a function
which is denoted by a large increase in the during the quiet years but the period between of the path distance, it can be very dependent
geomagnetic index Kp, known as a geomagnetic them becomes longer allowing more time for upon the location of the receiving station. Two
‘storm’. One problem is that a CME will sweep propagation conditions to recover. Perversely stations just 50 miles apart may experience
past Earth, the Kp will indicate the storm and it would seem that the best results are not what seems like totally different conditions,
return to a ‘quiet’ state in a matter of hours. achieved in dead quiet solar conditions and a if one is ideally situated to benefit from
The effect of the storm is not felt for about two small amount of geomagnetic activity can be constructive (additive) ‘interference’ between
days, at mid latitudes, despite aurora occurring an advantage. paths with numbers of different hops. Since
on the night of the impact. This may be due We can now see that the higher level of 2007, a utility station near Budapest (HGA22)
to the time taken for electrons trapped in the daylight solar flux during the years around the transmitting a long spacing signal, at constant
ionosphere to diffuse down and spread out at maximum produce stronger daylight sky-wave power, on 135.430kHz makes a slightly
lower latitudes. It may also be due to the fact signals. On average, the daylight path of in better LF propagation beacon.
that the charged particles are collected in the excess of 1000km, can be 10dB lower at the
REFERENCES
magnetosphere ‘tail’ as the plasma cloud solar minimum. There is a further effect, which
I.A.Daglis, R.M.Thorne, W.Baumjohann, S.Orsini. The
sweeps past the Earth and these must travel cannot yet be quantified, that shows that
Terrestrial Ring Current: Origin, Formation, and Decay,
back, under the influence of the magnetic night-time signals seem to decline below Review of GeoPhysics, 37, Nov. 1999, pp 407-438.
field, into the Ring Current. Then ‘precipitation’ expectation levels in a long geomagnetically NOAA Space Environment Centre (SEC): www.sec.noaa.gov.
from the Ring Current takes place mainly at quiet period in the solar minimum. This may Colorado Univ. real-time Dst estimates are available at
the ‘dawn edge’. be due to the lack a sufficient radiation to http://lasp.Colorado.edu/space_weather/dsttemeric/dsttem
An intense storm will produce a depression retain the necessary level of ionisation in the eric.html.

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