[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Propagation Advice for 2023 Field Day

[don.ki4d at gmail.com]

This note follows up on the weekly net.  Joe, KO4QQX, net control for
tonight's weekly net asked a question about Field Day 2023 propagation.  In
response, I read from the propagation advice by Ward Silver, N0AX, which was
contributed to by Frank Donovan, W3LPL.  See link below.  Ward is the author
of Ham Radio for Dummies, other ham radio books, and scores of ham radio
technical articles, many published in QST. On this topic, it is difficult to
find more authoritative sources.

Hope you find the advice helpful, and most importantly, good luck.

73

Don, KI4D

 

"Advice for Field Day

Here is a list of suggestions for Field Day (June 24-25 this year) that can
serve as a propagation "template" for your summer months, especially for
portable operating of POTA or SOTA. You can also use the information for the
worldwide IARU HF Championship that follows two weeks later.

Morning:

* Short skip will be likely on the higher HF bands and 6 meters by
mid-morning to late morning

* NVIS will be useful on 40 meters but weaker on 80 meters due to absorption

Afternoon:

* Start looking for 40 meters to open to the east and stronger 20 meter
signals

* Before sunset the higher HF bands may open and 20/40 meters will be strong
after sunset

Evening:

* 20 meters and even 15 meters may continue to be open for some time to the
west

* 40 meters will be open across the continent for quite a few hours

* 80 and 160 meters will come alive a few hours after sunset

Nighttime:

* Depending on solar flux levels, 40 meters may be an excellent band all
night

* Your night crew should make the most of 80 and 160 meter activity in your
region

Sunrise:

* Look for 20 to 10 meters to open quickly to the east as UV ionizes the F2
region

* The higher bands will degrade as blanketing and absorption build up from
the F1 and E regions

* Short skip will develop on the higher HF bands

* NVIS will be useful on 40 and 80 meters, but 80 meters will fade due to
absorption"

 

https://www.onallbands.com/hf-summertime-propagationwith-propagation-advice-
for-field-day/