THOMAS F. GIELLA NZ4O
THE FACE BEHIND THE PROPAGATION FORECASTS

In my personal opinion understanding and taking advantage of LF/MF/HF/VHF radio propagation conditions is an integral part of successful DX operation, whether it be as an amateur radio operator or SWL and can really fatten up your DX totals!  Unfortunately the new Technician, General and Extra Class exam's together only ask a total of nine questions about radio wave propagation. To offset that disparity I have created this website conglomeration.

This propagation website is one of the oldest in existence on the WWW dating back to 1997. Here you will also find links to my Daily LF/MF/HF/6M Frequency Radiowave Propagation Forecast, 160 Meter Radio Propagation Theory Notes and LF/MF/HF/VHF/UHF Frequency Radiowave Propagation Email Reflector. You will also find daily solar, space weather and geomagnetic data archived back to 2001.

I am the only amateur radio operator (or professional for that matter) on the planet that produces a daily LF/MF/HF/6M frequency radiowave propagation forecast. I am also the only amateur radio operator on the planet that has produced a forecast for new solar cycle 24, published on March 30, 2009 a smoothed sunspot number (SSN) of 100 in July 2013. My previous prediction published on February 1, 2008 was for a solar cycle 24 peak at a smoothed sunspot number (SSN) of 105 in October 2012.

This website does not have the best looking eye candy on the WWW, as I write the html code from memory instead of using software such as Microsoft Front Page. However it's probably unique in that it covers all aspects of the science. I hope that you find this site both useful and educational.

Radio wave propagation study is one of the few areas that amateur radio operators (antennas also) can still contribute to the art of radio. Commercial interests no longer conduct any research nor does academia. Uncle Sam still does but their research findings will not be available to the public for many years to come.

My website conglomeration of solar, space weather, geomagnetic data, as well as my 160 Meter (LF, MF, HF, VHF) Radio Propagation Theory Notes and Daily LF/MF/HF/6M Frequency Radiowave Propagation Forecast currently consists of 173 web pages and is growing weekly. This adds up to many megs of data and allot of $$$ for leased space on a commercial web server. If you find the information contained within useful and would like to donate some $$$ to assist in keeping all of the data online click on the button below.

Contact Info:
Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O
Lakeland, FL, USA

nz4o at arrl dot net



Your comments on this website would be much appreciated

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NZ4O SOLAR SPACE WEATHER & GEOMAGNETIC RAW FORECAST DATA LINKS

NZ4O 160 METER (MEDIUM FREQ) RADIOWAVE PROPAGATION THEORY NOTES
HARMFUL MAN INDUCED CLIMATE CHANGE (GLOBAL WARMING) REFUTED

GENERAL GUIDELINES CONCERNING CORRELATION OF PROPAGATION INDICES TO ACTUAL MF/HF PROPAGATION CONDITIONS

NOTE!!! The propagation indices "interpretations" are my personal intellectual property. Therefore the propagation indices interpretations contained herein is copyrighted © 1988-2009 by Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O, all rights reserved. Reproduction of information herein is allowed without permission in advance as long as proper credit is given.

1.) Dropping geomagnetic indices numbers are better.

2.) A solar flux of 150 or higher, 200+ best, for medium frequencies under 100, under 70 best.

3.) A solar flux in the mid 100's for routine stable formation of the E Valley/F Layer ducting mechanism.

4.) Previous 24 hour Ap index under 10, under 7 for several days consecutively is best.

5.) Previous 3 hour Kp index under 3 for mid latitude paths, under 2 for high latitude paths, 0-1 for several days consecutively is best.

6.) Energetic protons no greater then 10 MeV (10+0).

7.) Background X-Ray flux levels less than A1 for several days consecutively.

8.) No current STRATWARM alert.

9.) Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) Bz with a (positive number) sign, indicates a lesser chance of high latitude path Auroral absorption/unpredictable refraction or scattering of MF RF signals, when the Kp is above 3.

10.) A -20 or better towards a positive number Dst index during the recovery time after a Geomagnetic Storm, as related to the Equatorial Ring Current. A positive number best.

11.) Rising Positive T Index number. The T Index tracks with the F2 layer critical frequency (foF2) and sunspot number (SSN) and indicates the capability of the F2 layer to refract RF signals.

G4ILO has written a piece of propagation prediction software called VOAProp. It is actually an interface for the very accurate but otherwise difficult to use VOACAP software written by the Voice Of America and honed to near perfection over many decades. After you download VOAProp you then download VOACAP and the two pieces of software work together in a seamless fashion. When you unzip the VOACAP file called itshfbc allow it to install on your C:\ drive directly, not into the "Programs Files" folder. The software covers 1.8-30 mc and the 120-11 meter shortwave bands. BTW both pieces of software are free. The software produces a pretty accurate propagation forecast and I always have the software running while operating the MF/HF bands.

CLICK HERE FOR SOLAR SPACE WEATHER AND
GEOMAGNETIC DATA IN GRAPHIC AND IMAGE FORMAT