↑ Compare forecasting tools for HF radio propagation

This page is part of the project "Understanding HF Propagation"
by Doron Tal, 4X4XM

The MUF300 map is a user-friendly forecasting tool for predicting real-time HF radio propagation.

MUF3000 map *** KC2G server does not respond ***
MUF 3000 km Propagation Map, by Andrew, KC2G
However, because it does not account for geomagnetic storms and blackouts caused by elevated X-ray flares and/or proton ejections, the estimation's accuracy is insufficient for commercial radio service purposes. Other reasons for low ionospheric parameter accuracy include insufficient measurement coverage of the Earth and errors in estimating ionosphere parameters from vertical sounding data.

There are several hundred ionosondes that can take measurements. The vast majority of these are concentrated in a few areas of the world, with large areas remaining unmonitored. As a result, that map is an interpolation. While the guessing process is fairly accurate in areas close to ionosondes, the uncertainty in areas far from any measurements is much higher. Only the numbers within the colored dots scattered across that map represent actual measured data.

The idea to predict HF propagation based on Ionospheric Monitoring and Prediction System has been described years ago. See for example this PDF.

The following applications can predict HF radio propagation (a few days in advance):

  1. VOACAP (Voice of America Coverage Analysis Program): This is a popular program for forecasting HF radio propagation for both point-to-point and area coverage. VOACAP uses historical solar and ionospheric data to predict the radio propagation over a specific path.
  2. ITU-R-HF-Prop: This is an ITU-R recommendation that provides a method to predict the performance of HF radio systems in a wide range of propagation conditions. The ITURHFProp software, written by G4FKH and HZ1JB, is based on the ITU-R P.533 method and uses a probabilistic approach to estimate radio coverage.
  3. SWPC - The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center offers a variety of space weather services, including HF radio propagation forecast. The SWPC uses data from various sources, including ground-based and space-based observations, to predict the ionospheric conditions and their impact on HF radio propagation.
  4. SWS Forecasting Center - The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology's Space Weather Services provides real-time and near-real-time information on the state of the ionosphere as well as predictions of ionospheric conditions. This service measures and monitors ionospheric parameters like electron density, electron temperature, and ionospheric irregularities using a combination of ground-based and satellite-based sensors. All of these can be used to predict HF radio propagation.

Each of these tools/services has advantages and disadvantages, and the tool selected will be based on the user's specific needs and requirements. It should be noted that none of these services can provide perfect predictions because radio propagation is affected by a number of variables that are difficult to predict completely.

Read about forecasting tools for HF radio propagation, and see an index of terms for HF Radio Propagarion.


The project "Understanding HF Propagation" provides a detailed overview and tutorials on HF propagation.

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