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OT: Poor band conditions

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Ken G Kopp

OT: Poor band conditions

For those wondering if your receivers are functioning OK ...

I suggest you learn about and check the hourly propagation forecasts on
WWV. Learn about the A and K index numbers, too. They'll give you a pretty
good idea of what to expect.

HF band conditions are directly related to sunspot and solar flare
activity, both of which fluctuate at an eleven year rate.

Compromise antennas don't help, either.

Your browser is your friend ....

73

Ken - K0PP
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Barry K3NDM

Re: OT: Poor band conditions

I suggest something like this:

http://www.hamqsl.com/solar3.html. It tells you A and K values SFI and
solar wind values. Additionally, there is a plug in for a number of
browsers from N0HR that shows you SFI, A and K values in a corner of
your browser.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Ken G Kopp" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
Sent: 8/11/2017 1:01:01 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions

>For those wondering if your receivers are functioning OK ...
>
>I suggest you learn about and check the hourly propagation forecasts on
>WWV. Learn about the A and K index numbers, too. They'll give you a
>pretty
>good idea of what to expect.
>
>HF band conditions are directly related to sunspot and solar flare
>activity, both of which fluctuate at an eleven year rate.
>
>Compromise antennas don't help, either.
>
>Your browser is your friend ....
>
>73
>
>Ken - K0PP
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>Message delivered to [hidden email]

DL4ZBG

Re: OT: Poor band conditions

Gesendet mit der Telekom Mail App
<http://www.t-online.de/service/redir/emailmobilapp_ios_smartphone_footerlink.htm>

-----Original-Nachricht-----
Von: Barry <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >
Betreff: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions
Datum: 11.08.2017, 19:16 Uhr
An: Ken G Kopp <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >, Elecraft
<[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >

I suggest something like this:

http://www.hamqsl.com/solar3.html. It tells you A and K values SFI and
solar wind values. Additionally, there is a plug in for a number of
browsers from N0HR that shows you SFI, A and K values in a corner of
your browser.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Ken G Kopp" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
Sent: 8/11/2017 1:01:01 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions

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Deni F5VJC

Re: OT: Poor band conditions

In reply to this post by Barry K3NDM

There are so many useful propagation tools available today, use them!

http://www.bandconditions.com/

73, F5VJC

On 11 August 2017 at 19:31, <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
>
>
>
> Gesendet mit der Telekom Mail App
> <http://www.t-online.de/service/redir/emailmobilapp_
> ios_smartphone_footerlink.htm>
>
> -----Original-Nachricht-----
> Von: Barry <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >
> Betreff: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions
> Datum: 11.08.2017, 19:16 Uhr
> An: Ken G Kopp <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >, Elecraft
> <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >
>
> I suggest something like this:
>
> http://www.hamqsl.com/solar3.html. It tells you A and K values SFI and
> solar wind values. Additionally, there is a plug in for a number of
> browsers from N0HR that shows you SFI, A and K values in a corner of
> your browser.
>
>
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Ken G Kopp" <[hidden email]>
> To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: 8/11/2017 1:01:01 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions
>
> >For those wondering if your receivers are functioning OK ...
> >
> >I suggest you learn about and check the hourly propagation forecasts on
> >WWV. Learn about the A and K index numbers, too. They'll give you a
> >pretty
> >good idea of what to expect.
> >
> >HF band conditions are directly related to sunspot and solar flare
> >activity, both of which fluctuate at an eleven year rate.
> >
> >Compromise antennas don't help, either.
> >
> >Your browser is your friend ....
> >
> >73
> >
> >Ken - K0PP
> >______________________________________________________________
> >Elecraft mailing list
> >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

DL4ZBG

Re: OT: Poor band conditions

And hopefully so many other forums/ reflectors for OT

73

DL4ZBG

Gesendet mit der Telekom Mail App
<http://www.t-online.de/service/redir/emailmobilapp_ios_smartphone_footerlink.htm>

-----Original-Nachricht-----
Von: F5vjc <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >
Betreff: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions
Datum: 11.08.2017, 20:00 Uhr
An: [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
CC: Barry LaZar <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >, Ken G Kopp
<[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >, Elecraft Reflector <
[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >

There are so many useful propagation tools available today, use them!

http://www.bandconditions.com/ <http://www.bandconditions.com/>

73, F5VJC

On 11 August 2017 at 19:31, <[hidden email]
<mailto:[hidden email]> > wrote:

Gesendet mit der Telekom Mail App
<http://www.t-online.de/service/redir/emailmobilapp_
ios_smartphone_footerlink.htm
<http://www.t-online.de/service/redir/emailmobilapp_ios_smartphone_footerlink.htm>
>

-----Original-Nachricht-----
Von: Barry <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> <mailto:
[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> > >
Betreff: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions
Datum: 11.08.2017, 19:16 Uhr
An: Ken G Kopp <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> <mailto:
[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> > >, Elecraft
<[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> <mailto:
[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> > >

I suggest something like this:

http://www.hamqsl.com/solar3.html <http://www.hamqsl.com/solar3.html> .
It tells you A and K values SFI and
solar wind values. Additionally, there is a plug in for a number of
browsers from N0HR that shows you SFI, A and K values in a corner of
your browser.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Ken G Kopp" <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >
To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]
<mailto:[hidden email]> >
Sent: 8/11/2017 1:01:01 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions

>For those wondering if your receivers are functioning OK ...
>
>I suggest you learn about and check the hourly propagation forecasts on
>WWV. Learn about the A and K index numbers, too. They'll give you a
>pretty
>good idea of what to expect.
>
>HF band conditions are directly related to sunspot and solar flare
>activity, both of which fluctuate at an eleven year rate.
>
>Compromise antennas don't help, either.
>
>Your browser is your friend ....
>
>73
>
>Ken - K0PP
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
<http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
>Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net>
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
<http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
>Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

______________________________________________________________
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<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net>
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
<http://www.qsl.net/donate.html>
Message delivered to [hidden email]
<mailto:[hidden email]>
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
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<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

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Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

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WB3AAL

Re: OT: Poor band conditions

In reply to this post by Ken G Kopp

Hello,

I am making contacts every day with either my K2 or K1 at 5 watts. Worked
9A1JSB two days ago.

73
Ron Polityka
WB3AAL

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ken G Kopp
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 1:01 PM
To: Elecraft <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions

For those wondering if your receivers are functioning OK ...

I suggest you learn about and check the hourly propagation forecasts on WWV.
Learn about the A and K index numbers, too. They'll give you a pretty good
idea of what to expect.

HF band conditions are directly related to sunspot and solar flare activity,
both of which fluctuate at an eleven year rate.

Compromise antennas don't help, either.

Your browser is your friend ....

73

Ken - K0PP
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
delivered to [hidden email]

______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Keith Hutt

Re: OT: Poor band conditions

In reply to this post by Deni F5VJC

Personally i find the best way to turn on the radio spin the VFO and put out
a few calls.

Far more accurate than the so called "Band Propagation" tools.

Many times the internet has said Band conditions Useless, take up knitting
or something,
when in actual fact the bands are open.

How on earth did we manage before the internet to see what conditions were
like?

So many operators seem to be of the attitude "The internet says bands are
poor" it must be so.

Maybe I'm a dinosaur but no internet in my shack its 60 yds from the house
and you know what i still make contacts every day.
Despite hearing comments of, i could not survive without high speed internet
etc etc in the shack it tells me when bands are open
shows me who I'm working etc etc.

Regards

Keith G0TSH

-----Original Message-----
From: F5vjc
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 6:59 PM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions

There are so many useful propagation tools available today, use them!

http://www.bandconditions.com/

73, F5VJC

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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donovanf

Re: OT: Poor band conditions

Hi Keith,

The internet is a fantastic tool for real time propagation reporting .
By far my favorite site is:

https://pskreporter.info/pskmap.html

From left to right at the top of the page, select:
- the band you're interested in, or all bands
- signals
- sent by
- grid square
- your two character grid field (e.g. FM)
- all modes
- then click GO

Who says propagation is bad from the Pacific Northwest (Grid Field DN)?
There a hundreds of 20 meter propagation reports in just the last minute.
Most of the transmitters are running less than 50 watts to simple antennas.

Enjoy!

73
Frank
W3LPL

----- Original Message -----

From: "Keith Hutt" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 6:54:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions

Personally i find the best way to turn on the radio spin the VFO and put out
a few calls.

Far more accurate than the so called "Band Propagation" tools.

Many times the internet has said Band conditions Useless, take up knitting
or something,
when in actual fact the bands are open.

How on earth did we manage before the internet to see what conditions were
like?

So many operators seem to be of the attitude "The internet says bands are
poor" it must be so.

Maybe I'm a dinosaur but no internet in my shack its 60 yds from the house
and you know what i still make contacts every day.
Despite hearing comments of, i could not survive without high speed internet
etc etc in the shack it tells me when bands are open
shows me who I'm working etc etc.

Regards

Keith G0TSH

-----Original Message-----
From: F5vjc
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 6:59 PM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions

There are so many useful propagation tools available today, use them!

http://www.bandconditions.com/

73, F5VJC

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Tony Estep

Re: OT: Poor band conditions

Whenever the topic of HF propagation comes up I remind everyone of this
site:

http://www.voacap.com/area/index.html

You set your QTH, choose your band, antenna, and power. Then a single click
will show you the probabilities of various-quality propagation to every
spot in the world. You can save the values you've entered so that every
time you bring up the site it is all ready for you.

73,
Tony KT0NY
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Barry K3NDM

Re: OT: Poor band conditions

Tony,
I do not recommend VOACAP to the uninitiated. It does require some
knowledge of what it does and how it does it. Interpretation can be
difficult if you haven't had a course in probability and statistics.
Some of the other sites that have been suggested might be a better
choice as the presentations are already interpreted.

Frank, W3LPL, makes some good points. I'm typing this and looking at
40 meters at the same time. I can assure all that there is a lot of
activity on the band, and I'm running an S6 noise level right now, with
my preamp off. However, I am running a center fed inverted L cut for 80
meters and fed with ladder line. A quiet location would be superb, but I
live in an urban environment. I can operate just about anytime I want
because I am careful about what antennas I put up and how I feed them.
My attitude has been to make an antenna that is ground independent, put
up as high as you can, and if a little wire is good, more would be
better. Shortened and loaded antennas work, but you do pay a penalty for
their convenience.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

------ Original Message ------
From: "Tony Estep" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
Sent: 8/11/2017 3:43:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Poor band conditions

>Whenever the topic of HF propagation comes up I remind everyone of this
>site:
>
>http://www.voacap.com/area/index.html
>
>You set your QTH, choose your band, antenna, and power. Then a single
>click
>will show you the probabilities of various-quality propagation to every
>spot in the world. You can save the values you've entered so that every
>time you bring up the site it is all ready for you.
>
>73,
>Tony KT0NY
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>Message delivered to [hidden email]

Barry

Re: OT: Poor band conditions

In case you haven't noticed, the sun died. It's even going to go dark across the US in about 9 days :-)

Seriously though, I use N0HR's Propfire Firefox add-on. On the bar at the bottom of the browser, I see current SFI, A and K at all times.

Barry W2UP