Propagation for Dummies
 

I'm looking for a guide to "what bands are open when, and how far". I'd like
to set up a schedule with a couple friends but I don't have a good feel for
'what band / what time'. Does anyone know of a good 'rule of thumb'
reference that doesn't get deep in propagation theory?

--
Bob D. ND9B

Propagation for Dummies
 

"Bob D." wrote in message
m...
I'm looking for a guide to "what bands are open when, and how far". I'd
like to set up a schedule with a couple friends but I don't have a good
feel for 'what band / what time'. Does anyone know of a good 'rule of
thumb' reference that doesn't get deep in propagation theory?

--
Bob D. ND9B

Most of the newer ARRL Handbooks have a section it them that give the
differant bands and how far they are good for during the day and night.

For example:

3.5-4.0 MHz (80 m)

The lowest HF band is similar to 160 m in many

respects. Daytime absorption is significant, but not quite

as extreme as at 1.8 MHz. High-angle signals may

penetrate to the E and F layers. Daytime communication

range is typically limited to 400 km (250 mi) by groundwave

and skywave propagation. At night, signals are

often propagated halfway around the world. As at

1.8 MHz, atmospheric noise is a nuisance, making winter

the most attractive season for the 80-m DXer.

Propagation for Dummies
 

"Bob D." wrote in message
m...
I'm looking for a guide to "what bands are open when, and how far". I'd
like to set up a schedule with a couple friends but I don't have a good
feel for 'what band / what time'. Does anyone know of a good 'rule of
thumb' reference that doesn't get deep in propagation theory?

--
Bob D. ND9B
This a simple straight forward primer on propagation By AE4RV
http://www.ae4rv.com/tn/propflash.htm

The Shadow Knows

Propagation for Dummies
 

On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:16:30 -0400, "Bob D."
wrote:

Does anyone know of a good 'rule of thumb'
reference that doesn't get deep in propagation theory?

Hi Bob,

Listen for 5 minutes every hour on each band you typically have an
opportunity to work a QSO.

Keep an activity log over a week to 10 days. Repeat this daily cycle
every 6-8 weeks over a year. Repeat this bi-monthly cycle every
couple of years for slightly more than a decade. You will have your
own rule of thumb.

Start now and you won't need theory or anyone else's book. If you
make a chart across time, you may see periodicities and become an
expert. They will conform in general to what may be found in the
books too - but your charts will be tailored for you (the hardest part
of theories, and the most useful bit of knowledge not found in books).

Even 10 days work will tell you more than a book or theory.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Propagation for Dummies
 

Bob D. Schrieffer:
I'm looking for a guide to "what bands are open when, and how far". I'd like
to set up a schedule with a couple friends but I don't have a good feel for
'what band / what time'. Does anyone know of a good 'rule of thumb'
reference that doesn't get deep in propagation theory?


It's very complex to make a good prediction.
Seek for propagation software, like AREPS, ITS HF, etc. that's would a
little help.

Regards,

Ralf, DL2MRB

Propagation for Dummies
 

A good, easy to use, easy to understand, and free propagation program is
available from http://www.qsl.net/w6elprop/. A google search on w6elprop
produces links to a couple of tutorials on using it.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL
(not to be confused with Shel Shallon, W6EL who has generously made his
W6ELProp program available at no cost)

Propagation for Dummies
 

Here are some useful notes on W6EL's program:
http://www.mdxa.org/w6elprop.html

It is contended that the W6EL program only uses the MUFs at the end points
of the path. For paths of something like 7 Mm or more this can introduce
large errors. Even the old, old graphical techniques used ionospheric
properties along the path.

Ionospheric propagation is such an interesting subject that I am not able to
understand why ND9B would not wish to "get deep in(to) propagation theory."
The ARRL's Antenna book has a useful and easy-to-read section on HF
propagation.

73, Mac N8TT

--
J. Mc Laughlin; Michigan U.S.A.
Home:
"Roy Lewallen" wrote in message
...
A good, easy to use, easy to understand, and free propagation program is
available from http://www.qsl.net/w6elprop/. A google search on w6elprop
produces links to a couple of tutorials on using it.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL
(not to be confused with Shel Shallon, W6EL who has generously made his
W6ELProp program available at no cost)

Propagation for Dummies
 

"Richard Clark" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:16:30 -0400, "Bob D."
wrote:


Even 10 days work will tell you more than a book or theory.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Amen! I used to think anything above about 10 MHz went away soon after
sunset. It was some erroneous "theory" that I had absorbed. In fact, some
of my favorite 20m contacts have happened hours after sunset ... and toward
places to the East, to boot!

Propagation for Dummies
 

On Sep 18, 5:51 am, Roy Lewallen wrote:
A good, easy to use, easy to understand, and free propagation program is
available fromhttp://www.qsl.net/w6elprop/. A google search on w6elprop
produces links to a couple of tutorials on using it.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL
(not to be confused with Shel Shallon, W6EL who has generously made his
W6ELProp program available at no cost)

I used to use "PROPHET" for weather fax and rtty. I think it was just
a look-up table.