[PPRAANet] 2-meter e layer propagation

[K3ILC]

As many of you realize, we are entering the height of the summer Es 
short-skip season.  6 meters has been open almost daily.
Sometimes the Es become so intense that 2 meters opens up for short 
skip.  These events are very sporadic, and if you miss them (typical 
openings may last an hour if you're lucky) you have to wait until next 
summer.  When I first got back into ham radio out here (2012? 2014?), I 
caught some good openings -- I worked into Tennessee, Mississippi, and 
Kentucky on 2 meter Es (SSB) during the late afternoon, all with strong 
(but rapidly fading) signals.

So how do you know if 2-meters is open, or going to open to Es, without 
constantly monitoring 144.174 MHz (the 2-meter FT8 frequency)?

There is a web site entitled "VHF Propagation Map".  "This map shows 
real-time radio propagation from stations operated near 144 MHz. It uses 
data gathered by Automatic Packet Reporting System-Internet Service 
(APRS-IS) from packet stations in the amateur radio service. The map 
shows activity from the past hour. Paths are smoothed to create a 
color-coded footprint indicating the distance VHF signals are likely to 
be traveling."  You don't have to donate to use the map.

Information about the map is accessible at 
http://aprs.mennolink.org/map/legend_about
The map is accessible at http://aprs.mennolink.org/

According to the legend, sporadic E openings are shown in a blue-purple 
color.

Credit to NØJK (the editor of "The World Above 50 MHz" -- a monthly 
column in QST) for sending me this information.

73
Jim
K3ILC