[K6BW] More Propogation Notes

[Bill Smith]

Comments from QRP-L regarinding (poor) current propogation conditions.

PAUL SHARON SIGNORELLI wrote
> I can just barely hear the 100W dash from 4U1UN in NY on 14.100


See the POES satellite image here: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapN.html

The oval covers New York and almost makes it into Colorado. While conditions
are definitely disturbed, there is a seasonal effect at work
as well.

At this time of year we're transitioning from Spring to Summer conditions.
With the Northern Hemisphere receiving more daylight, E-W
paths will be weaker. In Spring, and the trend is still working, diagonal
paths (eg, US to VK and ZL) are favored. As we move into
Summer, N-S paths will work better. In the Fall, the diagonal paths will
perk up again. When Winter returns to the Northern Hemisphere the E-W
paths will improve. There's a reason the major contests sponsored by
Northern Hemisphere groups are held in the winter months!

Propagation programs like W6ELProp or VOACAP will help you determine optimum
paths through the seasons. If you can find a copy, Bob Brown, NM7M's "Little
Pistol's Guide  to HF Propagation" covers these subjects in easy-to-follow
detail. Unfortunately, Bob is deceased and the book is out of print.

My main ham radio site contains links to several online propagation-related
sites.

Jim, KR1S
http://kr1s.kearman.com/