[CQ-Contest] Propagation and log analysis in preparation for contests

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Seems to me the state-of-the-art approach to contest propagation 
involves two tools, with due understanding of their relative strengths 
and weaknesses:

ViewProp - up to the minute, actual propagation, but results depend on 
the availability of RBN stations and others to provide the data, which 
varies considerably.  Activity patterns may also vary considerably on 
contest weekends - how many of us stay up till 3 AM local time on a 
non-contest night?

VOACAP (online or stand-alone) - predictions are 30-day averages, and 
cannot take into account day-to-day fluctuations and events, but are 
based on many years' study and understanding of HF propagation.  
Coverage maps are a great starting point for planning, and the online 
service makes this the easiest tool to use - thanks, guys!

My personal preference is to do coverage maps as Martin does, and then 
to run ViewProp right up to (or through) the contest weekend to catch 
deviations from the predictions, opportunities for hard mults, etc.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.

On 11/14/2013 12:16 PM, Martin , LU5DX wrote:
> VOACAP on Line es a really great tool.
> I've been validating predictions using RBN raw data and now ViewProp and it
> is really amazing to see how accurate VOACAP on-line is.
>
> This is what I usually put together to have a visible reminder of how HF
> propagation is throughout the contest.
>
> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201738985665631.1073741828.1510516545&type=1&l=5a18dbb463
>
> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202426334408920.1073741830.1510516545&type=1&l=e12173a4ef
>
> HPE CU ALL during CQ WW DX CW.
>
> 73
>
> Martin, LU5DX
> CE3/LU5DX prior and after CQ WW CW
> CE3CT during the weekend.
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 8:46 AM, Jukka Klemola <jpklemola at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I think Rick's tool is very fascinating.
>>
>> I am sure Oh6BG and others developing VOACAP will benefit from this tool
>> that brings the real-life comparison easier to the simulation capabilities,
>> potentially enhancing the simulations.
>>
>> For contesters who want to plan their operating strategy, this tool brings
>> in a bunch of great and completely new features.
>>
>> Mapping it all on a great circle view with grayline is awesome !
>>
>>
>> 73,
>> Jukka OH6LI
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 2013/11/14 Charles Harpole <hs0zcw at gmail.com>
>>
>>> Rick, what an achievement... really!
>>>
>>> However, I usually work whoever I can hear;  amazing technique, eh?
>>>
>>> Charly
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 8:25 AM, Rick Kiessig <kiessig at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> With CQWW CW coming up next week, you might find ViewProp to be a
>> useful
>>>> tool. It's a freeware app I wrote that helps visualize propagation and
>>> past
>>>> activity using live RBN spots, archived RBN data, Cabrillo logs, or
>> just
>>> a
>>>> text file with a list of calls. The information can be shown on a map
>> or
>>> in
>>>> a collection of charts with comprehensive user-definable filters. You
>> can
>>>> also connect to cluster servers and see the information in real-time,
>> as
>>>> spots arrive.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> A number of users have found the charts and maps to be useful for
>>>> pre-contest planning, to see which bands are open at what times from
>> your
>>>> location, or to focus on particular multipliers or beam headings, or to
>>>> help
>>>> decide if it's better to run or S&P. During the contest, the live map
>>> helps
>>>> quickly show which beam headings are likely to be most productive.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> More info available at http://zl2ham.wikispaces.com/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 73, Rick ZL2HAM / ZM1G
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> CQ-Contest mailing list
>>>> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Charly, HS0ZCW
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> CQ-Contest mailing list
>>> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CQ-Contest mailing list
>> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>