Ten metres (28MHz) beacon list updated

I've just spent two days updating the RSGB's 28MHz beacon list. I used the reverse beacon network and logged/updated the beacon list accordingly. This takes a lot of time as many of the "spots" are misread and have to be checked individually.

Beacons heard over the last three years are highlighted in red. I'm now happy that it is pretty up-to-date. The RBN has a beacon listing, but it is way out of date - GB3RAL is still listed and that hasn't been on for years.

I think this is the best way as it reflects beacons that are actually transmitting and not just listed. The full beacon list can be found on the propagation section of the RSGB website here: http://rsgb.org/main/files/2023/03/G3USFs-Worldwide-List-of-HF-Beacons.pdf

The actual changes are:

Change of freq/details:

28270.5 PY4MAB  Pocos de CaldasGG68      2W    

28193.1 LU2DT   Mar del Plata  GF12      5W 

28208   WD5GLO  Minco OK       EM15ah    3W 

28281   AG8Y    Middletown OH  EM79TL  7.5W   

28273.8 WI4L    Dalton GA      EM74MS                    

28243   AA1SU   VT             FN34KL    5W   

28209.5 N2UHC   St Paul KS     EM27JM    4W

28203.3 WB9OTX                 EN55      5W             

28280.4 KE4IFI  Lexington SC   EM9JV     7W 

Additions:

28297.9 K4JDR   Raleigh, NC    FM05     10W 

28255.8 WB4NCT  Athens, AL     EM64      5W  

28241.3 WW2BSA  Warren, NJ     FN20OU    7W   

28260.8 IQ8BB   Salerno        JN70JQ      

28178   IQ0GV   Sora           JN61TR    5W    

28236.3 F1ZTS   Rochefort      in97QI   10W     

28266.1 VK4RST  St George QLD  QG41HW   10W

28285.9 AJ4YN   Chesapeake, VA FM16UO    ? ?   

28215   GB3MCB  Cornwall, UK   IO70OJ    ? 

28252.6 WD8INF  Lebanon OH     EM79VK   10W

28258.8 AC5JM   Bartlesville OKEM16FT    ?

28209   N5TIT   Westminster, COEM12PX   10W 

28206.5 N4SO    Grand Bay, AL  EM50tk    6W   

28296.2 VE3IIM  Hanover, ON    EN94LD    4W 

28321.4 IZ1KXQ  La Spezia      JN44WC  0.1W

28230.8 NG7I    Ritzville WA   DN07TC    5W  

28202   WB7EUX  Joseph, OR     DN15JI   10W 

28233.5 K7RA    Seattle, WA    CN87UQ   11W  

28260   KC4QLP  Little Falls NYFN23OB   10W  

28245.3 K0WKT   Black Dia. WA  EN36WT    5W 

28226   K6KWS   Redwood City CA CM87VL  10W 

28240.1 W8EDU   Cleveland, OH  EN91EM   10W

28206.9 N4XRO   Burbank CA     DM04UE    5W 

28276   XE1JAL  Xalapa         EK19MM    5W

28230.3 W2MQO   Grand Island FLEL98dv   10W

73 de Steve G0KYA
Chairman, RSGB Propagation Studies Committee

Autumn 2022 HF popagation charts updated

 

I have just updated my propagation charts for October, November and December 2022 with new sunspot numbers. 

I will update the Spring 2023 charts when we get a little closer as they are likely to change as we head towards the maximum of solar cycle 25. 

Anyway, it is nice to see some good predictions of DX on 10 metres and if the past two weeks are anything to go by they are pretty spot on with very loud signals from the USA. 

ARRL's W1AW's CW practice files were romping in the other day on 28.0675MHz Nice to see 10 metres doing what it does best! 

Click here for the charts or use the link on the right-hand side.

Repairing a MFJ-1786 magnetic loop

I just wired up my MFJ-1786 magnetic loop, which hasn't been used for years. Unfortunately, it looked like the loop controller had gone U/S. 

The meter lit up, but pressing the loop buttons had virtually no effect. The amber lights flicked slightly, but they were not so bright as I remember them, and the motor didn't turn. I got hold of a schematic, but it is way more complex than I thought it would be. I first changed the only electrolytic capacitor in the unit as it was getting quite old, but it made no difference. 

I then stripped the antenna and made sure it was all OK. Connecting a 9V battery made the motor turn, so I sprayed the motor with grease and put it all back together. Turning to the controller again I first changed Q1, but that made no difference. Then I changed Q5, but nope! So I moved on to the U5 78L12 voltage regulator, which is fiddly job as it is an 8pin SMD. 

And low and behold it works! I just need to fix the power meter, which displays reflected power, but not forward, but that can wait until another day. Then finally I can mount it outside for final testing. I've attached the MFJ-1786 schematic as this was quite hard to track down - might come in handy for someone in the future.  Click on the image above to see a larger version.

Update

Well, it wasn't a diode that was stopping the meter from working, just a poor connection. 

So I now have some spare diodes for the future! I've uploaded a higher resolution version of the schematic too.

Steve G0KYA

HF propagation charts updated for 2021

I've now updated my propagation prediction charts for 2021 with the predicted smoothed sunspot numbers from NOAA/NASA.

So that's a chart for every hour, for every band and for every month, or more than 2,300 charts in total! The process is fairly automated, but it still fairly tedious and takes about a day to do.

The charts are useful as a quick guide to what parts of the world may be workable and which aren't. If you want more accurate charts then the ITURHFPROP-based predtest.uk or the VOACAP-based voacap.com websites are better.

I may need to update them as the year progresses as we get a better idea of how Solar Cycle 25 pans out. At the moment it isn't looking too good. December 2020 saw a sprinkling of SS25 sunspots with a corresponding rise in HF activity. But since January is has been pretty dire really with long periods of no spots 

Anyway, to avoid confusion, I have updated form February onwards. This means that January is actually for 2022. 

The charts are produced using Hamcap which is a VOACAP-based application and they are for short-path only.

VHF propagation video released on YouTube

As a result of the success of our HF Propagation video on YouTube, which has had 2,000 views in two months, the Propagation Studies Committee has now launched a 20-minute VHF propagation video as well.

The video was originally produced for club presentations, but with Covid-19 and the lockdown, it wasn't getting much use.

So if you have never heard what an auroral contact sounds like, for example, now's your chance!

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yo4IFn6AAY&t=8s

Steve G0KYA
Chairman, RSGB Propagation Studies Committee

Understanding HF Propagation video released

I've just published a 40-minute video entitled "Understanding HF Propagation" on YouTube.

This presentation was originally produced for use with clubs around the UK and has been used by more than 100.

With the current Covid-19 restrictions in the UK, it looks like club meetings aren't going to be taking place any time soon, so I've released it on YouTube.

I may do some further videos over the next few months - it depends on how long the restrictions last!

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIAgzpdB67A&t=42s

Steve G0KYA

Range of HF propagation tools launched

There is now a range of online propagation tools available from the RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee, including Proppy for RadCom, VOACAP for RadCom, Predtest and Propquest. All very popular according to the feedback.

We highlighted these at the recent Newark Hamfest.

RSGB has now set up quicklinks to each of the tools, which will make it easier in the GB2RS audio bulletin. These are: 

Propquest
Shows real-time critical frequency and MUFs over various path lengths. Excellent tool for HF users.
See www.rsgb.org/propquest

Predtest
Designed by Gwyn G4FKH, calculates the probability of propagation over different paths and for different modes. Includes point-to-point and animated displays.
See www.rsgb.org/predtest

VOACap for RadCom
Shows the probability of propagation to 28 different locations around the world – the same locations used in the RadCom predictions. Can be tweaked for your particular station including mode, gain and power.
See www.rsgb.org/voacap

Proppy for RadCom
Uses the latest ITURHFPPROP tool to calculate the probability of propagation to the same 28 locations used in RadCom.
See www.rsgb.org/proppy