[CQ-Contest] Work Plan for CQ WW DX

[Rick Kiessig]

REC533, upon which Zoneprop is apparently built, is intended to be used to
estimate long-term averages, not to make short-term predictions.  Using
short-term Kp and running frequent updates doesn't change the nature of the
underlying model.  

http://www.voacap.com/itshfbc-help/rec533-general.html 

Also, there are several different flavors of "sunspot numbers," which
shouldn't be confused with "smoothed sunspot numbers," which the models
require.  Current SSNs are:

NGDC: 6 (only one valid for VOACAP)
IPS: 8
SPWC: 9

Some (average) FOT charts for different areas of the world that are based on
VOACAP models are available at:

http://hfradio.org/latest_chart.html 

73, Rick ZL2HAM


-----Original Message-----
From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of VE5ZX
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 3:55 AM
To: Tim Holmes
Cc: CQ Contest
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Work Plan for CQ WW DX

Zoneprop is designed to give a more accurate propagation prediction based on

the ~current~ K index. The FOT matrix is updated once an hour using the 
current K index. It is not designed to be used for future propagation 
predictions.

CU in the contests

... Sylvan

Sylvan Katz, VE5ZX
Saskatoon, SK
http://www.radiosport.ca/zoneprop/