OT: best source of latest propagation news?
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OT: best source of latest propagation news?
 
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To help decide where to direct signals from my shiny new K3, can anyone
suggest a good web source for propagation news and forecasts? 73, Bob, WO3E This e-mail message is intended only for individual(s) to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, proprietary, or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you believe you have received this message in error, please advise the sender by return e-mail and delete it from your mailbox. Thank you. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: OT: best source of latest propagation news?
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You're in the USA, so I assume you're an ARRL member. You can subscribe to weekly propagation bulletins and DX bulletins on your ARRL members page. VOAProp (http://www.g4ilo.com/voaprop.html) will also show you the average expected propagation and help you understand how propagation changes by the hour, throughout the year and with the solar cycle.
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html |
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So I was recently reading about the IC756ProIII and noticed that it said its
tuner was rated for 3:1? Does that really mean that you have to have a 3:1 or better SWR or it can't tune it? I'm assuming that my antenna which is resonant for 40,20,15, and 10 would not be able to be tuned up on 80 with a IC-756ProIII? My Kenwood seems to have no problem and heck my K1 will tune it up on 30. I'm hoping that the K3 is speced to be able to go to a much worse match than 3:1 right? I'm sure people have tried and tested this heavily... Someone please confirm. I'd be interested to hear confirmation on the IC-756ProIII too... Is it really only for fine tuning already resonant antennas? _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: OT: best source of latest propagation news?
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In reply to this post by Converse, Robert
Hi Bob,
If you use Firefox, the neatest plugin can be found here: http://www.n0hr.com/Propfire.htm I've been using it for a long while and find it quite useful. You can always go to spaceweather as well. 73, Julius n2wn
Julius Fazekas
N2WN Tennessee Contest Group http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html Tennessee QSO Party http://www.tnqp.org/ Elecraft K2 #4455 Elecraft K3/100 #366 Elecraft K3/100 |
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In reply to this post by Brett Howard
Yes it's true, and it's the same for Icom and Kenwood radios too. I believe that the Ten-Tec tuners are LDG's, and have more comparable capability to the Elecraft tuners. It's not necessarily a benefit to be able to tune greater mismatches, because as illustrated here http://www.g4ilo.com/mismatch_losses.html you can lose a lot of your power warming up the co-ax with a high SWR. Also you can't assume the losses in the tuner itself are as low with a big mismatch as they are with a good match. My K2 and K3 will both find an acceptable match for my small attic loop on 80m and 160m, but I have never worked anyone on either of those bands and have never heard anything on 160m. But if like me you have a very short feeder then the advantages of being able to tune an load of worse than 3:1 SWR exceed the disadvantages.
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html |
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In reply to this post by Converse, Robert
I like IonoProbe and DXAtlas. IonoProbe sits in the system tray and keeps track of recent solar data. IonoProbe can also "talk" to DXAtlas and plot MUF information on a rotating 3D globe.
Tom, AK2B
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On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:07:23 -0800 (PST), you wrote:
> >I like IonoProbe and DXAtlas. IonoProbe sits in the system tray and keeps >track of recent solar data. IonoProbe can also "talk" to DXAtlas and plot >MUF information on a rotating 3D globe. > >Tom, AK2B > > [snip] It's the best I've found yet. I've been using it for years. Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like. http://www.n5ge.com http://www.eQSL.cc/Member.cfm?N5GE _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
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Re: OT: best source of latest propagation news?
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Greetings, all.
So, which of the recently mentioned propagation forecasters take in the Solar Flux, A, and K indices and outputs both the maximum *and* minimum useable frequencies? I have read before that few programs seem to provide the minimum value. -- Cheers! Kevin. http://www.ve3syb.ca/ |"What are we going to do today, Borg?" Owner of Elecraft K2 #2172 |"Same thing we always do, Pinkutus: | Try to assimilate the world!" #include <disclaimer/favourite> | -Pinkutus & the Borg _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Julian, G4ILO
I too like VOAProp ~ very very easy to use and shows propagation hour-by-hour on any of the hf bands....I keep watching 10 mtrs for some spark of life!!
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Re: OT: best source of latest propagation news?
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In reply to this post by Converse, Robert
W6ELProp is *fantastic* for computing MUF, signal levels and
probability of an opening to a given location. Right before a contest is a great time to print out W6ELProp forecasts for each area (Europe, JA, VK/ZL, etc.) so you can have a good idea when and where to be. http://www.qsl.net/w6elprop/ One of my favorites - but I also like VOAProp like everyone else as well. -Jeff N6GQ On Jan 30, 2008 5:42 PM, Converse, Robert <[hidden email]> wrote: > To help decide where to direct signals from my shiny new K3, can anyone > suggest a good web source for propagation news and forecasts? > > 73, > Bob, WO3E > > > > > This e-mail message is intended only for individual(s) to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, proprietary, or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you believe you have received this message in error, please advise the sender by return e-mail and delete it from your mailbox. Thank you. > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Kevin Cozens-2
DX Toolbox from Black Cat systems
On 31/1/08 21:20, "Kevin Cozens" <[hidden email]> sent: > Greetings, all. > > So, which of the recently mentioned propagation forecasters take in the Solar > Flux, A, and K indices and outputs both the maximum *and* minimum useable > frequencies? I have read before that few programs seem to provide the minimum > value. -- A good cook is like a sorceress who dispenses happiness. -Elsa Schiaparelli, fashion designer (1890-1973) _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Converse, Robert
Most of the replies on here have talked about various logging software etc not where these actually get the information from.... For a quick look at current solar indices I use the excellent DK0WCY magnetometer page at http://www.dk0wcy.de/magneto/magnet.htm - though this may not be as useful for those outside Europe. Nobody has mentioned the HFPropagation site - http://www.hfradio.org/propagation.html which has a wealth of information. In recent months there have been server problems and it is not as good as it used to be (new server being planned apparently). I used to subscribe to their RSS feed of solar indices but these have long stalled and only supply the data for last June.... I failed to find any other RSS source of the data. Having got the indices it is up to you to learn what to do with them and how it relates to the dx you hear (or at the moment don't hear) on the bands. 73 Dave G3YMC |
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In reply to this post by Julian, G4ILO
On Thu, 2008-01-31 at 07:27, G4ILO wrote:
> > Brett Howard wrote: > > > > So I was recently reading about the IC756ProIII and noticed that it said > > its tuner was rated for 3:1? Does that really mean that you have to > > have a 3:1 or better SWR or it can't tune it? > > > Yes it's true, and it's the same for Icom and Kenwood radios too. If a tuner is specified to match 3:1 at all phase angles, it probably does much better than that at some phase angles. For example, the Drake MN2700 tuner is specified at 5:1. While it barely meets that spec for low impedances (around 10 ohms resistive) it does much better than that for high impedances. That is, it matches much more than 500 ohms on most bands. Very useful for matching end-fed wires. > Also you > can't assume the losses in the tuner itself are as low with a big mismatch > as they are with a good match. That's very true. The L-network used in the Elecraft tuners has the advantage of wide tuning range but, as with most most tuners, the loss depends on the antenna impedance - generally it gets worse the higher the SWR. That's why you won't see an insertion loss specification for most tuners. The PI-L network in the Drake tuners has the advantage that the insertion loss is independent of the antenna impedance (specified at 0.5 dB max in the MN2700). It also gives reasonably good filtering of out-of band signals (on both transmit and receive) which is not generally true with an L-network. Al N1AL (designer of the MN-2700 in a previous life) _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: OT: best source of latest propagation news?
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In reply to this post by g3ymc
I think the best advice regarding all these propagation programs is not to place too much reliance on them. There is no substitute for turning the radio on and seeing what you can hear. I have often had to say to people who use VOAProp or HFProp that they do not predict propagation. All these programs will do is help you to see how propagation changes with the time of day, season of the year and solar cycle, and help you gain an understanding that would otherwise take years of experience to achieve. But they only show average conditions, not actual predictions. Real propagation changes a great deal that is not reflected in a smoothed sunspot number or a solar flux reading at one point on the globe. A couple of days ago on the afternoon west coast Stateside stations were loud and clear here in Europe. Yet there was nothing remarkable in the WWV bulletin to lead anyone to expect that. If I hadn't turned on the K3, I wouldn't have known.
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html |
Re: OT: best source of latest propagation news?
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as far as I'm concerned, I agree with julien here. if I can hear it,
chances are I can talk to it. it's not a rule of thumb by any means. there has been the odd occasion where I could hear them but they couldn't hear me, but that's the way of things. I don't hold much stock in any kind of propogation prediction software. shaun On 1/02/2008 8:53 PM, the old scribe known as G4ILO was able to impart this pearl of wisdom: > > G3YMC wrote: >> Having got the indices it is up to you to learn what to do with them and >> how it relates to the dx you hear (or at the moment don't hear) on the >> bands. >> > I think the best advice regarding all these propagation programs is not to > place too much reliance on them. There is no substitute for turning the > radio on and seeing what you can hear. I have often had to say to people who > use VOAProp or HFProp that they do not predict propagation. All these > programs will do is help you to see how propagation changes with the time of > day, season of the year and solar cycle, and help you gain an understanding > that would otherwise take years of experience to achieve. But they only show > average conditions, not actual predictions. Real propagation changes a great > deal that is not reflected in a smoothed sunspot number or a solar flux > reading at one point on the globe. > > A couple of days ago on the afternoon west coast Stateside stations were > loud and clear here in Europe. Yet there was nothing remarkable in the WWV > bulletin to lead anyone to expect that. If I hadn't turned on the K3, I > wouldn't have known. > > ----- > Julian, G4ILO K3 s/n: 222 K2 s/n: 392 > G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com > Zerobeat Ham Forums: www.zerobeat.net/smf Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: OT: best source of latest propagation news?
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Some of the bigger dxpeditions have planned their stations based on
predictions to their (and our) advantage. For the casual operator, listen and send out a few CQs, you never know who else is listening, just waiting for someone (anyone) to send a CQ. David G3UNA _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Alan Bloom
Wyane & Eric:
I noted the following from the Elecraft K3 FAQ page concerning the K3's TX EQ settings: > "The bands are centered at 200, 400, 600, 800, 1200, 1600, 2400, and 3200 > Hz. We can easily change these if something else turns out to make sense. > Also note that TX EQ will be adjustable while in TX mode..." As long as you're open to suggestion, I would strongly recommend using slightly different centered bands of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2400, 3200 Hz The lower limit of 200 Hz will not allow the user to optimize low frequency voice tailoring and adequate notching of the 150-200 Hz spectrum without sacrificing low-end content. As SSB transmit B/W narrows, articulation is significantly improved by narrow subtraction of the 150-200 Hz spectrum while maintaining adequate amplitude of approximately 80-100 Hz (assuming the K3 will pass this degree of low-end spectrum owing to the carrier set point placement through the crystal and DSP filters). The user could then accomplish this effect by adjusting the 100Hz and 200 Hz settings. Also note that unlike the current K3 band centers, when beginning with 50 Hz, each successive band increases in exactly one-octave increments. Thanks for your consideration! Paul, W9AC (K3 on order) _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Hello Paul - the TX EQ steps on my K3 are 50 100 200 400 800 1200 2400 and
3200. I've not looked at the FAQ Page but perhaps that was an early version and has since been changed and the FAQ ought to be changed to reflect current status. '73 es gud dxing -- Don N4HH K3 #83 -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Paul Christensen Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 8:58 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] K3 TX EQ Wyane & Eric: I noted the following from the Elecraft K3 FAQ page concerning the K3's TX EQ settings: > "The bands are centered at 200, 400, 600, 800, 1200, 1600, 2400, and 3200 > Hz. We can easily change these if something else turns out to make sense. > Also note that TX EQ will be adjustable while in TX mode..." As long as you're open to suggestion, I would strongly recommend using slightly different centered bands of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2400, 3200 Hz The lower limit of 200 Hz will not allow the user to optimize low frequency voice tailoring and adequate notching of the 150-200 Hz spectrum without sacrificing low-end content. As SSB transmit B/W narrows, articulation is significantly improved by narrow subtraction of the 150-200 Hz spectrum while maintaining adequate amplitude of approximately 80-100 Hz (assuming the K3 will pass this degree of low-end spectrum owing to the carrier set point placement through the crystal and DSP filters). The user could then accomplish this effect by adjusting the 100Hz and 200 Hz settings. Also note that unlike the current K3 band centers, when beginning with 50 Hz, each successive band increases in exactly one-octave increments. Thanks for your consideration! Paul, W9AC (K3 on order) _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.17/1253 - Release Date: 1/31/2008 9:09 AM _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by P.B. Christensen
In a recent message, Paul Christensen <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>I would strongly recommend using slightly different centered bands of >50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2400, 3200 Hz That is exactly what it is on my #00168 K3, Paul. If yours is different maybe you need to update your firmware. 73 -- David G4DMP Leeds, England, UK ------ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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> That is exactly what it is on my #00168 K3, Paul. If yours is different
> maybe you need to update your firmware Well, mine is on order and was relying only on the K3 FAQ sheet. However, I now recall that I had sent this suggestion Wayne last summer and the guys must have listened. Bravo! So yes, the FAQ page simply needs an update in between the more important role of shipping out our K3s! 73, Paul, W9AC ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Pratt" <[hidden email]> To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]> Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 9:22 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 TX EQ > In a recent message, Paul Christensen <[hidden email]> wrote ... >>I would strongly recommend using slightly different centered bands of 50, >>100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2400, 3200 Hz > > That is exactly what it is on my #00168 K3, Paul. If yours is different > maybe you need to update your firmware. > > 73 > -- > David G4DMP > Leeds, England, UK > ------ > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: > 269.19.18/1254 - Release Date: 1/31/2008 8:30 PM > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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