Many are free, such as the hamcap software from alex shovkoplyas ve3nea. And its one of the most useful doityourself tools for amateur radio. The sun, being the largest engine in our solar system, has a great effect on propagation as its exhaust interacts with our earths magnetic field. It would seem that software and ham radio can get along very well and there is an abundance of software out there to choose from. The propagation is very similar to that of the 440 70cm band, in fact some people think it is better depending on where you operate, due to different absorption and paths the signal takes. Please note the rsgb is not responsible for the content of external websites. In a nutshell its all about learning, because as ham radio operators we are swept up in a constant river of flowing information. It is called a software defined radio or sdr for short. Ham radio on lf, mw, hf, vhf, and higher hf radio worldwide. Propview propview uses the included ioncap propagation prediction engine to forecast the minimum and maximum useable frequencies between two locations over a specified 24 hour period. Its ideal for the ham radio operator, shortwave listener, or other radio enthusiast, and. Ham radio operators and other shortwave radio enthusiasts will be able to monitor propagation conditions.
Ham radio digital modes software list and descriptions. Although ground wave propagation is used for the medium and long wave broadcast bands, it is not particularly widely used for ham radio communications. Acehf pro is the most advanced and the most accurate high frequency ionospheric radio signal propagation modeling and forecasting software for amateur radio ham radio and shortwave radio listening swling operators, in the world. This is a radio frequency propagation calculator for the transmission path between an rf transmitter and a receiver. Review of propagation prediction programs voacapbased.
The band is widely used experimentation, there is even atv amateur television or ham tv as it is sometimes called on here as well as on 70cm and 1. Most even integrate with computer control of radios. World radio broadcasting stations explore various bc transmitting sites on. Geographic and azimuthal projection, ham prefix and qth lookup, cq and itu zones. In a typical application integrated with ham cap, the user will rightclick on a callsign, and ham cap will pop up and display the pointtopoint propagation chart. Dx toolbox shortwave ham radio hf radio propagation tool. Heres a great resource for amateur radio operators.
The online prediction service voacap online is easy. Animated communications effectiveness for high frequency software. This software by roger coude ve2dbe predicts the performance of vhf and uhf radio systems. High frequency hf propagation models 230 mhz irregular terrain model itm longleyrice 20 mhz 20 ghz if77 wave propagation model gierhartjohnson airground millimeterwave propagation.
Dxcc and province prefixes, cq and itu zones in the rectangular and azimuthal projections, continuous zoom and scrolling, gray line, city and island index, hierarchical prefix database. Operating on the highfrequency hf ham radio bands can be very exciting as conditions change around the world. Curation of software for amateur radio applications. Unfortunately, it only runs on pcs, but since the fortran source code is also free, perhaps i can figure out a way to adapt it to the mac. Acehf professional propagation software for hf radio operators. Some of the main forms of propagation are detailed below. Describe your experience with the hf propagation prediction software and tell us why you give it the rating you did required. Commander a free application that controls up to 3 icom, tentec, kenwood, yaesu, elecraft or flexradio transceivers, switching between them manually or automatically based on frequency, and displaying frequencydependent settings for devices like tuners and amplifiers.
When paired with free sdr software running on a pc, it can serve as a beginners ham radio receiver or as a. To help you be in the right place at the right time, propagation prediction programs are available. Getting started with 900mhz 33cm ham band w6aer pacifica, ca. Hamcap hf propagation prediction tool for amateur radio. The rest of information is useless and it doesnt interest anybody.
Ham cap provides a comole automation interface that 3rd party programs can use to start ham cap, set prediction parameters, and run predictions. The small sdr hardware pictured above is an entrylevel unit. Ham radio propagation software free download ham radio. Voacap is a free professional hf prediction program from ntiaits.
Here, you will find tips and tricks to help you build and use a station that grows with your needs and helps you operate effectively and confidently. While listening or planning to work a dx station, the radio amateur would like to know what are the current propagation conditions, know if the propagation is open toward a specific location at a specific time, or at what time the band will be open for a specific pointtopoint circuit. From class licence, to equipment basics, to repeaters to safety this app covers it. Voacap voice of america coverage analysis program is free professional highfrequency hf propagation prediction software from ntia its, originally developed for voice of america voa. Dx toolbox shortwave ham radio hf radio propagation dx toolbox screenshots. There seems to be some myths about both the free software and the software for a price. The first geomagnetic storm of 2020 category g1 took forecasters by surprise on april 20th when a cme hit earths magnetic field, sparking bri. Ham radio software collections category is a curation of 17 web resources on, ham 2 os2 and amateur radio, m1fxy colin.
Ham radio deluxe hrd is a suite of windows programs providing cat control for commonly used transceivers and receivers. Any white bubble indicates no suitable frequency or high absorption. Our selection process was unbiased and based on truly finding the best handheld ham radios for those seeking the best radios for the best value. Dxprop is a radiowave propagation forecast freeware for ham radio operators, permits to predict propagation on 12 frequencies.
Radio propagation prediction software an overview, article, tutorial about the basics of radio propagation prediction software for use on the hf bands for predicting broadcast coverage, as well as the possibility of establishing two way radio communications, maritime mobile radio communications, and for many more applications. It is used on 160 metres and 80 metres, but in view of the fact that with increasing frequency signals. Usable hf frequencies page refreshed every 20 minutes use the indicated color red, yellow, green, blue, white, etc. Propfire is a web browser extension that allows users to view hf propagation conditions on their web browser status bar. Uses openstreetmap tiles or public sattelite imagery as background. Note that dx summit cluster refers to this program and displays a prediction chart when you clic on a. Its ideal for the ham radio operator, shortwave listener, or other radio enthusiast, and is available for mac os, mac os x, and windows. Propagation prediction programs and forecasts radio society of. On this site ive preserved much of what comes from group discussions ive participated in and preserved it as quicklinks, articles, videos and photographs. Qradiopredict is an experimental software for vhfuhf propagation prediction and radio coverage analysis. High levels of aurora can also make hf ham radio propagation via polar routes difficult. You need an antenna with energy at high take off angles to hit the hill top repeaters right. Institute for telecommunication sciences resources radio propagation software radio propagation software. The current conditions window displays the real time readings for many factors which can affect hf propagation.
Putting together your first ham radio station can be exciting, confusing, and challenging all at the same time. Dec 16, 2014 home propagation hamcap hf propagation prediction tool for amateur radio hamcap hf propagation prediction tool for amateur radio posted date. The ham radio receiver of the 21st century is mostly software. Propfire hf propagation browser bar ham radio resources. Amateur radio operating for propagation modes electronics notes. Send formated dx spots indicating clearly both locators and the type or propagation. Radio propagation prediction software electronics notes. Animated communications effectiveness for high frequency. In addition to creating a pretty light show mostly in upper latitudes, ham radio signals scatter off of these particles and can greatly enhance propagation on the vhf and uhf ham radio bands. A rudimentary knowledge of sunspots, solar flares and mass ejections will help the amateur take advantage of these effects to enhance his pleasure, or understand his plight. Propfire ham radio propagation in firefox hf propagation info on your web browser status bar for ham radioshortwave.
Created as an extention of goodwill by amateur radio station nw7us. Predicting propagation in ham radio with voacap online. The list below provides links to propagation prediction programs and forecasts. Hf propagation prediction tool for amateur radio freeware. Other useful information would include your experience with similar products, infomation on a product that you would purchase instead of this one, and so on. Currently it works on linux and windows 32 bit vista tested.
Predicting propagation in ham radio with voacap online dummies. Some software is free other are available for a price, i have both here at ve3wdm. Dx toolbox shortwave ham radio hf radio propagation dx toolbox searches the web for you, gathering information on solar and geomagnetic conditions that affect radio propagation. Hrd is designed for windows 2000 or higher xp, vista, also internet explorer 6.
It also features several propagation forecasting tools, allowing you to quickly and easily estimate current hf shortwave propagation conditions between any two locations in the world. Also note that any software listed here is downloaded at the readers own risk, and the rsgb is not responsible for any unwanted effects arising from its use. Focusing on high frequency radio propagation, operation, equipment, as well as amateur ham radio in general. The is your source for news about amateur radio, shortwave, cb radio website.