HF Propagation Calculator Overview and References

HF Propagation Calculator Overview

High Frequency (HF) propagation calculators are tools for estimating and forecasting radio wave propagation. Amateur radio operators, military communications, and organizations that rely on long-distance radio communication can all benefit from such calculators.

1. Frequency Range: HF radio waves typically cover the frequency range from 3 MHz to 30 MHz. This range is known for its ability to travel long distances via skywave propagation, where the radio waves are refracted by the Earth's ionosphere and return to the Earth's surface at a distant location.
2. Ionospheric Variability: The behavior of the ionosphere varies with time of day, solar activity, and geographical location. These variations have a significant impact on the signal quality of HF radio waves. HF propagation calculators use these factors to predict whether radio signals will effectively propagate between two stations.
3. Predicting Signal Clarity: HF propagation calculators estimate the signal strength and clarity of communication between two HF radio stations based on various input parameters, including the frequency of transmission, transmitter power, receiver sensitivity, and distance between the stations.
4. Path Prediction: Users can enter their station's location coordinates as well as the coordinates of the station with which they wish to communicate. The calculator then predicts the optimal communication times and frequencies based on current ionospheric conditions.
5. Maximizing Reliability: These tools help operators maximize the reliability of their HF communications. By selecting the appropriate frequency and time of day, operators can enhance the chances of successful long-distance communication.
6. Emergency Communication: HF propagation calculators are especially useful in emergency situations where other communication channels may be unavailable. They allow operators to establish communication links over long distances as needed.
7. Amateur Radio: Amateur radio operators often use HF propagation calculators to determine optimal frequencies for contacting other hams around the world. It's an essential tool for ham radio enthusiasts interested in DX (long-distance) contacts.
8. Military and Aviation: The military and aviation sectors also rely on HF propagation forecasts for reliable long-range communication, especially in remote or hostile environments.

In conclusion, HF propagation calculators are essential tools for anyone who relies on long-distance radio communication in the HF frequency range. They assist in predicting and optimizing communication paths to ensure reliable and effective transmissions between two stations, particularly in situations where other communication methods may be limited or unavailable.

Forecasting Tools

1. Point-to-Point HF Propagation Planner ^{Andrew D Rodland, KC2G
   This is an HF propagation planning—forecasting tool, similar to Proppy's Radcom Predictions.
   While prediction tools rely on "monthly average" ionospheric conditions, this planner makes a short-term forecast using real-time data.}
2. An Open-Source IRI-based Nowcasting Tool for Ionospheric Electron Density and HF Propagation ^{Andrew D Rodland (2022 Harvard Abstracts)}
   An overview of the software and the models behind prop.kc2g.com, a website using the IRI-2016 model, conditioned on near-real-time ionosonde data, to provide global maps of MUF(3000) and foF2. While primarily designed for radio amateur use, this system is useful for nowcasting of F region ionospheric density and mesoscale low elevation HF propagation characteristics.
3. S/N HF propagation forecast calculator on 8 bands for the current month ^DL0NOT
4. The Advanced Stand Alone Prediction System (ASAPS) ^ASWFC
   Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre offer three software products to predict HF propagation:
   1. GWPS - designed for HF operators working in defence and emergency services
   2. ASAPS Kernel - The Advanced Stand Alone Prediction System designed for government, defence and emergency services
   3. Consultancies - designed for industry, defence and emergency services

Prediction Software

Radcom
5. Proppy HF Circuit Prediction: Radcom Predictions ^{James Watson, (M0DNS)}
   Radcom Predictions is based on ITU-R P.533-14.
   Further details of the predictions and a sample input file may be found in the online manual for Proppy and HZ1JW Software.

Proppy
6. Proppy - HF Propagation Prediction ^{James Watson, (M0DNS)}
   The tools provided by this web application enable users to predict available frequencies, signal levels and corresponding reliabilities for High Frequency (HF) circuits. All predictions are performed using the ITU's ITURHFPROP application; a software method for the prediction of the performance of HF circuits in accordance with Recommendation ITU-R P.533-14.
7. Proppy HF Circuit Prediction: NCDXF/IARU Beacons ^{James Watson, (M0DNS)}
   This page displays the NCDXF/IARU International Beacon Project's scheduled transmissions and performs propagation predictions for the current month between each beacon and your location.

DR2W
8. DR2W - Predict Propagation Conditions ^{DK9IP (Winfried), DH3WO (Wolfgang), DJ2BQ (Ewald), ZS1AO/DJ2HD (Mathew)}
   A Long-term forecasting cannot take into account unpredicted ionospheric and magnetic disturbances or anomalies.

VOACAP

9. The Voice of America Coverage Analysis Program, was created to help people receive VOA broadcasts. However, it has been expanded for HF and ham radio planning, including an azimuthal map to assist you in correctly aiming your antenna at the appropriate times and frequencies to make amateur radio contacts.

   Usage Guide: Fill out the TX and RX addresses, and then click "Prop Charts." The tool will then suggest the best time and frequency for making that contact. If you click on Prop Wheel, you'll see a circular chart that can help you visualize the times and frequencies.

   • VOACAP Primer updated 2021 ^{James (Jim) Coleman, KA6A}
   • VOACAP Online Application for Ham Radio ^{Jari Perkiömäki, OH6BG / OG6G}
     VOACAP forecasts monthly average of the expected reliability with diurnal and seasonal variations.
     A Long-term forecasting cannot take into account unpredicted ionospheric and magnetic disturbances or anomalies.
   • VOACAP Quick Guide ^{Jari Perkiömäki, OH6BG / OG6G}
     Voice of America Coverage Analysis Program
     forecats monthly average of the expected reliability with diurnal and seasonal variations,
     but it does not account for unpredicted ionospheric and magnetic disturbances or anomalies,
     i.e. what are the expected variations of A-index, K-index, and energy densities of solar proton / electron flux, etc.
   • VOACAP Shortwave Prediction Software ^{Rob Wagner VK3BVW}
   • How to use VOACAP - Part 1: Overview, Part 2, Part 3 ^{Jari OH6BG & OH7BG Raisa}
   • VOACAP DX Charts ^VOACAP
   • VOACAP Charts for RadCom ^VOACAP
   • RadCom online Propagation Prediction Tools ^RSGB

IOCAP
10. IOCAP Introduction Video (2021) ^SANSA
    The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) created i/o cap Primary Work Surface, an operational HF communication solution.
    It's a modern, user-friendly HF frequency prediction tool that's simple to use and accurate. In a software program, it blends space weather research and practical HF experience.
11. Ionospheric Characterisation Analysis and Prediction tool (IOCAP) (2020) ^SANSA

Ham CAP
12. Ham CAP 1.91 freeware (2020) ^VE3NEA
    The HamCAP software by Alex VE3NEA is a compact freeware interface program to VOACAP, incorporating both graphical Point-to-Point and Area Coverage predictions.

IcePac
13. Evaluation of various models for HF propagation prediction (2016) ^{SANSA Space Science, South Africa}
14. ITU-R P.533 model (2001) This is an ITU table links to Software, Data and Validation examples for ionospheric and tropospheric radio wave propagation and radio noise in a wide range of propagation conditions. The ITUR HF Prop experimental software, was written by G4FKH and HZ1JB, and is based on the ITU-R P.533 method. It uses a probabilistic approach to estimate radio coverage with algorithms that are supposed to be more accurate than other similar programs.

Misc.
15. Real-time TEC - Total Electron Content
16. Refractive Index of Ionosphere Calculator ^{Calculator A to Z}
17. NVIS HF signal propagation in ionosphere using calculus of variations (2018) ^{Umut Sezen, Feza Arikan, Orhan Arikan; Turkey}

Tools and Applications for analysing and forecasting HF propagation.