When we see short-skip on 6m into Europe we often associate this with Es. But we are near the top if the solar cycle and we often see short-skip into Europe on lower frequencies like 20m, even in the quiet years.
Now, I am no expert on propagation and wonder what mode of propagation many of these spots are? I presume Es, but maybe I am wrong? 50MHz seems too high for F2.
With 103 stations spotting me yesterday I think we can safely say that the Es season is still with us. 6m was filled with European stations .
The season will end …but not yet!!
Today was very quiet here on 10m WSPR and 6m FT8 with very few Europeans spotting me.
The impression is we are coming to the end of the Es "season". There may still be good days but these will become less often and less widespread. Es is always fun whilst it lasts.
Although I cannot be sure, recent spots on 10m QRP WSPR and 6m QRP FT8 look like Es.
In many ways, this has been as good as at any time this season. The usual pattern is Es diminishes about now with a small peak for some reason in December/January.
I just wonder if Es is somehow related to global warming?
Certainly the very long 6m paths to the Far East from Europe linked to mesospheric clouds are more common.
In the northern hemisphere the Es season is drawing to an end. The main season usually runs until about now.
Although Es may occur at any time, it is most common in early summer. My recommendation is to "stick with it" on 6m and 10m Es to expect the unexpected.
UPDATE 0808z: Still plenty of Es I think.
In the Northern Hemisphere this usually peaks in May, June and July. It often goes on longer, but less often. Bands most affected are 10m and 6m, although less often it can extend to 4m, Band II FM and even 2m.
The sad thing is outside the Es season, these bands may be deserted for hours on end. With modes like FT4 and FT8 it is much more likely that short openings will be caught. Peaks in propagation may be very short.
It is worth reminding people that Es can occur at any time.
A reminder that this is the best time of year in the northern hemisphere for this kind of propagation. It frequently affects 10m and 6m, sometimes 4m and Band II FM and occasionally 2m and even higher on VHF. Signals can be very strong.
It is not unheard of for Es to link with other modes meaning far greater distances are possible. I am also a believer in chordal hop E layer propagation, which I believe is responsible for some, not all. very long paths.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
In the northern hemisphere, we are now in the peak Es season. If you want a quick look at how well Es is doing in Europe look at the Es map.
In the late spring and early summer we get sporadic-E in the northern hemisphere. Bands it most impacts are 10m-4m with occasional openings on Band 2 FM and rarely on 2m.
When Es is good there are widespread, strong openings and, QRM allowing, only really low power is needed. Indeed last year I was spotted across Europe on many occasions on 6m FT8 with less than 10mW ERP.
It usually starts in early May and disappears around early August, with the best months being May and June. Occasionally multi-hop or chordal hop Es can cover astounding distances, which is one reason 6m is called "the magic band". Many years ago I recall working the USA with QRP one summer on 6m CW
Es can occur at any time of year but is best in late spring and early summer.
Don’t ask me why as I don’t know the answer, but there’s a small Es peak in the northern hemisphere around now so it is worth keeping an eye on 6m . I suppose this could link up with F2 propagation further south to result in some spectacular DX on 6m.
It looks like there are openings to Eastern Europe on 10m and 6m from Western Europe. I am hoping there is some activity on 8m and that it spreads further west.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
Today, my QRP 6m FT8 has been widely copied in SE and central Europe. At the last count, 89 stations had spotted me. Now Es can occur at any time of year, but I wonder if these spots are related to F2 propagation?
I am definitely not a propagation expert, so would appreciate your thoughts.
Outside the peak season, Es is less frequent. Take today for example: it looks like there is some Es mainly eastern Europe, but it is mainly on bands like 10m.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ ,
As the year progresses, we will move out of the Es season and, hopefully, see some F2 openings. Last autumn I was spotted in the Caribbean on most days on 8m despite using 2.5W FT8 to a low dipole.
If things progress as we can expect, there will be fewer Es openings. Es does not "drop off a cliff", but openings will become smaller and less frequent. There will still be good days, but these will be less often.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
In the past I have mentioned a phenomenon that could be pure coincidence or some Es mechanism not understood.
Later in the Es season I seem to get more northerly Es openings, particularly towards Scandinavia. There are still plenty of stations from other directions, but stations in Norway, Sweden, Scotland and Finland seem far more noticeable than earlier in the Es season. I have noticed this over several summers.
As I have said, this could be nothing, but I don't think so.
"Theories on a postcard" please as they say!
After very good Es yesterday, things look quite promising today. Even though it is still early, there are quite a few spots even on the VHF bands like 4m.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
MLS, one of the large UK distributors, is selling the DX Patrol Ground Staion for QO-100. I guess you have to add a GPS external reference, ...
