Current News

Sporadic E

Basically what all this means is we may have some unpredictable propagation throughout the summer, and the summer starts here.

Sporadic E is an unpredictable natural phenomenon the occurs in the E region of the ionosphere.  This phenomenon is best known to hobbyists by the resultant radio wave propagation that occurs.

While sporadic E is unpredictable, numerous correlations and observations have been made, by amateurs and scientists alike.  For example, sporadic E is known to have a diurnal pattern, peak near the solstices, and occur more frequently in latitudes closer to the equator.  Other facts are well documented as well, such as ionization densities, types of ions responsible, altitude of the ionized "clouds", etc.

In trying to understand the causes of sporadic-E, scientists and amateurs have tried to draw numerous correlations and build supporting thoeries.  These have ranged from weather related catalyst theories, to ionospheric windshear (still a leading theory), to other astronomical impacts (meteors, comets, the moon's gravity, etc).  None of the directly measureable theories have held up even close to 100% of the time under test, and just when we think we're starting to understand sporadic-E, it will surprise us with unanticpated behavior.

Thousands of observations and studies have been documented in scientific journals and amateur radio periodicals.  In fact, in the 1970's several sessions were held among the univeristy community (Seminar on the Cause and Structure of Sproadic E).  Some of these studies are highly scientific, and some less so.  Some of the theories proposed seem highly improbable.  This page is meant to be a reference to those online resources surrounding the study and occurrence of Sporadic E.

Source: http://www.amfmdx.net

Cluster

Foxtrot Bravo International Freebanding DX group has now started a cluster section of the site. You can add both worked and SWL spots from any band, frequency or mode. This cluster is currently open to all who want to use it. Foxtrot Bravo website administrators will monitor the cluster pages to ensure no abuse takes place. Any abusive comments will be removed and this may results in password access only. But for now please feel free to read and add spots to the cluster pages.