Basics of HF propagation

[ka3jjz]

For years, the AE4RV website has been simply stellar in its very simple approach to introducing a newcomer to HF propagation. Sadly, his site uses the Flash player; as support is beginning to die out, we need another reference that is similar in its approach

Folks just starting out would need just a simple description - there are places that describe the A, K indexes and solar flux in great detail, but new hobbyists don't need to be floored by all that detail (as they sometimes are). Yes I fully agree that it's important, but being simple about describing such things goes a long way to prevent the glassy eye look (and teachers know that look all too well).

Any candidate websites that fit the bill? Mike

 

[n5rv]

Agreed, I've tried many times to gain a layman's view to figuring out how the band are preforming with just a few parameters. But the folks who really understand it, understand it is more than just a few parameters, and explaining them is when I go glossy-eyed. I do use the K and A values, but they are really so broad in definition that I have a hard time seeing any "band good" or "band bad" determination. More like, it could be good if you were some place else who knows where and on band who knows which and a time of who knows when...

 

[ab3a]

I am not an expert. But I have spent some time reading about Short Wave and Medium Wave propagation. And @n5rv is correct. There are many parameters to consider. The path your radio wave takes can have some affect, the angle of radiation from your antenna has some effect, the stability of the earth's geomagnetic field has some effect, the presence/strength of the Aurora has an effect...

Here are some resources you may want to look at:
HFWIN32 for Windows-95 & NT systems (source code for VOACAP)

Radio Communications Dashboard | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

www.swpc.noaa.gov

Real Time Solar Wind | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

www.swpc.noaa.gov

And if you just like pretty pictures of the sun, see

SDO | Solar Dynamics Observatory

SDO is designed to help us understand the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously.

sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov

These will correlate with what you hear on the air. Keep in mind, when there are eruptions on the sun (or on Jupiter) you will hear the effects of the X-rays first, and then later the effects of the Ionosphere from particle storms will have other effects.

 

[ka3jjz]

There was a link for HF propagation off that SWPC site, and yet another for a PDF - getting there but still somewhat technical....

https://www.qrparci.org/resource/FDIM81.pdf

Mike

 

[Jim41]

For years, the AE4RV website has been simply stellar in its very simple approach to introducing a newcomer to HF propagation. Sadly, his site uses the Flash player; as support is beginning to die out, we need another reference that is similar in its approach

Folks just starting out would need just a simple description - there are places that describe the A, K indexes and solar flux in great detail, but new hobbyists don't need to be floored by all that detail (as they sometimes are). Yes I fully agree that it's important, but being simple about describing such things goes a long way to prevent the glassy eye look (and teachers know that look all too well).

Any candidate websites that fit the bill? Mike

Mike,

Take a look at this website:

HF Propagation and Solar-Terrestrial Data Website

Free solar-terrestrial data displayed on your web page or site, updated every 3-hours. Also contains solar and radio propagation information applicable to ham radio including solar conditions, space conditions, online propagation tool, online SN to SFI/SFI to SN conversion tool, online...

www.hamqsl.com

Jim41

 

[ka3jjz]

Looks about as technical as the PDF -it really looks good, to be sure, but for a newcomer....?

Think KISS folks. Simple stuff first. Walk before you run....Mike

 

[n5rv]

Something new to me to investigate

Space Weather by SolarHam

www.solarham.net

 

[w2xq]

Perhaps this W2XQ.com : Propagation, Solar & Space Weather compilation may help.

 

[ka3jjz]

I will add to the mix here

HFUnderground.com Propagation Data and Tools

Tom, some of those websites you have go into definitions, which is real important. The same with the above

I like the presentation on solarham net, but how much of that would be understood by a newcomer?

And there is spaceweather.com, too...