[Elecraft] Recent band conditions

[Julian, G4ILO]

I'm glad I'm not the only one suffering from this.

To try to get an idea of what is going on, I wrote a program, HFProp, which 
shows at a glance what propagation might be expected at any time and date, 
from any location, under specified conditions. I've just uploaded version 
1.3, which now has an improved map display using an image showing city 
lights to show the night-time side of the globe. The prediction algorithms 
have been tweaked a bit more to try to improve prediction accuracy. HFProp 
includes a real-time IARU beacon monitor so you can see at a glance which 
beacons are transmitting on 20 metres and up (if your computer clock is 
accurately set.) This has often illustrated that propagation frequently 
exists even when you can't hear any signals...

If there is nothing at all to work then you can download my program 
MorseTest and take part in a virtual contest. A number of people have 
become addicted to this program, and I have already received one entry for 
the MorseTest Championship (181 contacts in an hour.) No prizes as such, 
but everyone's a winner because they get to improve their CW skills. In the 
latest version the maximum speed has been increased to 60wpm. (This change 
certainly wasn't for *my* benefit, hi!) Why not give it a try? Don't forget 
to mail your best logs to me so that I can start a table and get some 
competition going.

Both these programs are free, and exclusively announced on this reflector. 
Links to all of my software can be found on my site, see below for url.
--
Julian, G4ILO. (RSGB, ARRL, G-QRP)
G4ILO's Shack: http://www.qsl.net/g4ilo