RSGB’s Propagation Studies Committee (PSC) has released a new HF beacon list, with the 10m listings completely revamped. The old list, which was started by Martin Harrison G3USF (SK), had been added to over the years, but was getting out of date. The only way to make it more accurate was to start again. Use was made of the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN), which wasn’t available when the list was originally created, plus listeners’ contributions from around the world.  I started by removing around 60 beacons that had not been heard for some time. Delving deeper it seems that a lot had been ta ..read more

I need your help!  But first some background. The Index Laboratories' QRP+ is a 1990's 5W all-band QRP transceiver from the USA. I bought mine at a club sale and it was supposed to be working fine. But it wasn't! Never mind, we all love a challenge, don't we? It seems that the SBL-1 mixer is a common failure point so a replacement was ordered. The rig comprises four boards, which are stacked and have interconnecting leads. It is relatively easy to pull apart, and the mixer is on the top board. After a big desoldering struggle I fitted the new SBL-1 (U5), which brought the receiv ..read more

I'll freely admit that my UK propagation charts had been a bit neglected over the past year. But not any more! I've now updated them until the end of 2024 with new predicted smoothed sunspot numbers. I've also fixed a problem with the Kp graphs. They now appear, along with solar X-ray and proton flux graphs. This was because the US Space Weather Prediction Center had stopped the production of the previous Kp chart. I still recommend both Proppy and VOACAP.com if you want detailed HF forecasts, or if you want to do long-path predictions. But for casual use my charts are fine, and produced usi ..read more

Attached below is a PDF (14Mb) of the presentation I gave on 15th April 2023 after the RSGB AGM. It looks at how we prepare the weekly propagation report for the RSGB's GB2RS news report. It contains a lot of useful URLs to sources, data and programs that people might find useful. Steve G0KYA Download GB2RS_Propagation.pdf ..read more

  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 f ..read more

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. Con ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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=TBO0IYXF79g Steve G0KYA ..read more

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 ..read more