[SEDXC] Best Time for YK9G in Marietta

[Don Nesbitt]

Clark, et.al. Now is a good time to get familiar with
W6EL Prop.  It's free and found at:

http://www.qsl.net/w6elprop/

Plug in your info and the Solar Flux and K index and
look at the graphs.  Keep in mind that they are only
predictions and anything can happen at any time! YMMV!

I've found it pretty accurate over the years right
down to the predicted "peaks."  Of course, watching
the cluster is a great way to see who is reporting
working and hearing the station in question. 
Unfortunately, with my wire and noise, I frequently
see the spots from many of our locals and don't hear a
peep!

Of course, the DX station has actually be operating on
the predicted band at the time - dah!

So - for an SFI of 69 and a K index of 0 (current
indices's as I write this) here are some predictions
from the graphs with all times in Z and short path
prop unless otherwise noted:

80 - excellent peak from about 0100 to 0300
40 - nice peak from about 2300 to 0400
30 - good peak from about 2230 to 0500
20 - possibly usable short path from 1230 to 1430 with
a long path peak around 1400 and a few days possible
from 2000 to as late as 0500
17 - fair signal to noise ratios from about 1400 to
1700 most days to as late as 2200 on some days.
15 - some days 1300 to 1700 possible both short and
long path
12 - a few days long path from about 1400 to 1700
10 - a couple of day 1600 to 1700 long path

Hope my fumble fingers didn't put the wrong time in
the wrong place!

Just looking at the graphs, I like the looks of 30
meters as there is a power limit (hummm - wonder if
anyone in the US actually abides by it) and it's
usually less crowded.  40 and 17 also look like good
bets but again - anything can happen at anytime!

Now, I know this is more than you probably wanted to
know - but - with propagation as bad as it is right
now, every little bit of info helps - particularly
when you are a "wire" guy.  Big antennas up high have
much larger "windows" - I usually have to look at the
absolute peak to sneak in a Q with the rare ones!

Give W6EL a try - I think you will like it.  73 es
have fun -- Don N4HH


--- Clark Macaulay <clarkmacaulay at yahoo.com> wrote:

> What is the best time for a Little Toot like me to
> snag this one?  It seems like every time I see them
> spotted and try to find 'em I can't her a thing.
>    
>   73 de Clark ke4rq
> _______________________________________________
> SEDXC mailing list
> SEDXC at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/sedxc
> 




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