ZoneProp

Overview

ZoneProp uses a widely accepted propagation engine to determine the band on which a contestant in one CQ DX zone is likely to be able to contact a contestant in another CQ DX zone taking into account the current geomagnetic activity.

ZoneProp produces a 40 zone by 40 zone matrix that is updated hourly at approximately 20 minutes past the hour. The intersection between a row and column gives the band on which a constestant in the zone represented by the row is mostly likely able to contact an contestant in the zone represented by the column. The zone numbers in the left hand column are clickable. Once clicked the information for that zone is displayed in isolation above a map of CQ DX zones. The pages are refreshed every 10 minutes inorder to capture hourly updates of the matrix

Technical details

At the heart of the ZoneProp program is REC533, an NTIA/ITS rendering of the ITU-R P.533 package. It was chosen following many years of NCDXF Beacon Chain monitoring results from various sources, and comparisons with actual ionosonde data. As with any propagation predictions program the input parameters require careful consideration and calibration. The results from the above mentioned studies contributed to the monthly publication of various predictions tables, in the RSGB’s - RadCom and the Italian - Radio Rivista magazines to name but two. This continuing experience has been applied to the production of ZoneProp.

The web output of the model first queries the WWW for the relevant SSN and an up-to-date K-index figure. These are used to build an input file that is then passed to the prediction program for the required results, FOT (Frequence Optimum de Travail), or Optimum Working Frequency. Unlike the vast majority of predictions programs the K-index is utilized to adjust the FOT as it rises and falls. The International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) and actual ionosonde outputs were used to determine the variations in FOT.

The other input variances are the co-ordinates for the zones, which are the CQ-WW zones. The zone co-ordinates were chosen to be either in the center of the zone or at the highest population density that is nearest to the center. The correct method of reading the matrix is to use the left hand list of zones as the starting point and then to take the destination zone from along the top. This will show the correct FOT for the time of day, propagation is not always reciprocal. An example of this is on an East/West path when one end of the path is in darkness and the other in daylight. During the morning between W1 and W6, is a good example.

Credits

ZoneProp is designed, constructed and maintained by Gwyn Williams, G4FKH, and Sylvan Katz, VE5ZX. Gwyn is a member of the RSGB Propagation Studies Committee. He uses a similar model to generate monthly propagation information for RADCOM and his web site. Sylvan wrote and maintains the code that drives the models and prepares the final outputs.

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