HF Solar Cycle 25 Band Scan – Telecommunications, Navigation & Electronics

Introduction

In previous posts (Ref.1/Ref.2) I looked at using WWV and the NCDXF beacons as a quick guide to assessing the existing propagation conditions. Yesterday it suddenly warmed up, so I had to get out on my newly rebuilt balcony and do a quick HF propagation test. I scanned for WWV and the NCDXF beacons using SDR# and the RTL-SDR with 125MHz upconverter.

HF Reception Results

Station	Frequency	Relative Rx Power
WWV	2.5MHz	-85dBFS noise level
WWV	5.0MHz	-85dBFS noise level
WWV	10.0MHz	-70dBFS
WWV	15.0MHz	-35dBFS
WWV	20.0MHz	-55dBFS
4U1UN	14.100MHz	-45dBFS
		Date=Oct18th_2023 Time=1600EDT=2000UTC QTH=Toronto

Fig.1 HF Quick Band Scan

Fig4. Rx Spectrum WWV 20MHz & 4U1UN 14.1MHz

Fig.5 VOACAP Propagation from WWV to QTH

Fig.6 VOACAP Propagation from 4UN1UN Beacon to QTH

Figure 1 shows a table of reception results. WWV came through very well on 15MHz and 20MHz, weakly on 10MHz and not at all on 2.5 & 5MHz. The only NCDXF beacon I was able to receive was NewYork 4U1UN at 14.1MHz which came in very well. Figures 2/3/4 show the received spectrum and Figures 5/6 the VOACAP propagation wheel for my location to WWV and NewYork.

Fig.7 4U1UN Rx 14.1MHz

Fig.8 YouTube Video HF Cycle 25 Band Scan

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References

#1. – “RTL-SDR for HF WWV Propagation”
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-hf-wwv-propagation/

#2. – “RTL-SDR for HF Beacons Propagation Predictions”
https://jeremyclark.ca/wp/telecom/rtl-sdr-for-hf-beacons-propagation-prediction/

#3. – “Major Solar Cycle 25 Geomagnetic Storm”, June 2023 ARRL QST Magazine

#4. – “Experience the Wonders of Solar Cycle 25’s Solar Maximum”, May 2023 ARRL QST Magazine

Introduction

HF Reception Results

References

By Jeremy Clark