Part One: Traditional E Layer Propagation
What Is the E Layer?
The E layer is a region of the ionosphere located roughly 90
to 150 km (56 to 93 miles) above the Earth's surface. It sits below the F layer
and above the D layer, forming one of several ionized layers that make radio
propagation possible. The "E" designation comes from the original
naming convention used by physicist Edward Appleton, who studied the layers
using "electric" wave reflections — E for the electric field
component he was investigating.
How It Forms
The E layer is created primarily by soft X-ray and extreme
ultraviolet (EUV) radiation from the sun, which ionizes the relatively dense
atmosphere at this altitude, primarily free oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Because
this ionization depends directly on sunlight, the E layer behaves in a fairly
predictable, almost clockwork manner:
·
It strengthens during the day as solar
radiation ionizes the layer.
·
It weakens dramatically at night as the
ionization recombines without sunlight to sustain it.
·
It follows the solar cycle, becoming more
pronounced during periods of higher solar activity.
·
It varies with season and latitude,
generally being strongest near local noon and during summer months.
Propagation Characteristics
The traditional E layer is primarily useful for HF (high
frequency) communication, supporting:
-
Daytime regional contacts on the lower HF
bands (160m, 80m, 40m), where the E layer can refract signals back to Earth
over distances of roughly 1,000 to 2,000 km in a single hop.
-
Absorption effects, since the E layer
(along with the D layer) can also absorb lower-frequency signals passing
through it on their way to the F layer, which is why daytime HF propagation on
bands like 80m tends to be more regional and lossy compared to nighttime DX.
-
Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) for the E
layer is typically limited to around 3-4 MHz under normal conditions, though
this varies with solar activity.
In short, the traditional E layer is a quiet, predictable,
sunlight-driven phenomenon — useful mainly for daytime HF propagation and
largely irrelevant to VHF operators under normal circumstances. It is however a very strong refraction making
“local” contacts to ~2000km very easy and is likely responsible for most EU
contacts.
This is where things get interesting.
What Makes Sporadic E Different
Sporadic E, often abbreviated Es, is an entirely
different beast from the regular E layer described above. While it occurs at
similar altitudes (90-120 km), Sporadic E is characterized by intense,
small-scale, patchy clouds of ionization that can support reflection of
frequencies far higher than the regular E layer ever could — including the VHF
bands (6m, 4m, 2m, and occasionally even higher).
The key word is "patchy." Unlike the smooth,
predictable, sun-driven regular E layer, Sporadic E forms as localized, dense
clouds or clumps of ionization, often just a few kilometres to tens of
kilometres across, drifting through the E-region.
What Causes Sporadic E?
The exact mechanism is still an active area of research, but
the leading theory is the wind shear theory:
-
At E-layer altitudes, strong horizontal wind
shears (rapid changes in wind speed or direction with altitude) interact with
the Earth's magnetic field.
-
This interaction pushes long-lived metallic ions
— deposited in the upper atmosphere by meteors burning up (think iron,
magnesium, and sodium ions) — into thin, compressed, highly concentrated
layers.
-
These compressed layers of ions become dense
enough to reflect VHF radio waves, something the diffuse regular E layer cannot
do.
Other contributing factors include:
-
Seasonal patterns: Es is strongest in the
Northern Hemisphere summer (roughly late May through August), with a smaller
secondary peak around the winter solstice.
-
Geomagnetic and meteor activity:
Increased meteor activity can contribute additional metallic ion content,
though this is a secondary factor compared to wind shear.
-
Diurnal patterns: Sporadic E tends to
peak in the late morning and again in the early evening, though it can occur at
almost any time of day.
Why It Matters for VHF Operators
This is the part that gets amateur radio operators excited —
and it's directly relevant to several bands available to UK licence holders.
Because Sporadic E clouds are dense enough to reflect frequencies in the tens
of MHz, they can open up propagation paths on bands normally limited to
line-of-sight or local repeater use:
-
6 metres (50-52 MHz): The classic
"magic band" for Sporadic E, and one well worth having a rig and
antenna ready for if you're a CARC member with an interest in VHF DX.
Single-hop Es openings typically span 800-2,300 km, which from Crawley can mean
workable paths into Scandinavia, the Iberian Peninsula, the Baltic states, and
across much of continental Europe.
-
4 metres (70-70.5 MHz): A UK-specific
allocation that also benefits from Es openings, particularly useful for members
who run both 6m and 4m kit.
-
2 metres (144 MHz): Less common,
requiring particularly intense ionization, but Es openings do occur, especially
during peak summer conditions — worth keeping an ear on the band during a
strong opening lower down.
-
Double-hop and chained Es: On rare
occasions, signals can reflect off multiple Es clouds in sequence (or combine
with other propagation modes), extending range to 3,500 km or more,
occasionally reaching into the Middle East or North Africa from the UK.
Recognizing an Es Opening
Operators watching for Sporadic E typically look for:
-
Sudden, strong signals from stations several
hundred to a couple thousand kilometres away on bands that are normally
"dead" for such distances.
-
Signal characteristics that are often strong and
clear, sometimes with a slight flutter, distinct from the weaker, more gradual
signals associated with tropospheric ducting.
-
Real-time spotting networks and propagation
beacons, which many VHF operators monitor closely during Es season to catch
openings as they develop.
Predictability (or Lack Thereof)
Unlike the regular E layer, Sporadic E is notoriously
difficult to forecast with precision. While seasonal and time-of-day tendencies
are well documented, the exact location, intensity, and duration of a given Es
cloud remains largely unpredictable on short notice. This unpredictability is
part of the appeal — it rewards operators who keep a band open and monitor
conditions regularly, since a strong Es opening can appear with little warning
and close just as quickly.
Practical Tips for CARC Members
-
Get on 6m for the summer Es season,
roughly late May through August, with secondary activity around the winter
solstice. If you've got a multi-band rig that covers 50 MHz, it's worth leaving
it monitoring a calling frequency or beacon segment during the day.
-
Use DX cluster and spotting tools such as
DXMaps, or PSKReporter to catch Es openings as they develop — they can close
again within the hour, so a live spot is far more useful than a forecast.
-
Keep antennas simple but resonant: even a
basic dipole or vertical for 6m, well-sited, can work surprising distances
during a good Es opening — you don't need a big beam to make contacts.
-
Combine HF and VHF activity in the same
session: a quiet 80m or 40m band during a strong daytime E layer absorption
period can sometimes coincide with a good Es opening upstairs on 6m, so it's
worth a quick band check before assuming conditions are simply
"dead."
Log Analysis: A Real CARC Es Opening, June 2026
To bring the theory to life, it's worth picking apart a real
spot log — in this case a run of 6m and 2m FT8 spots logged from a Crawley-area
station between 10 and 29 June 2026. This stretch sits right in the heart of
the summer Es season described above, and the log shows the season's character
beautifully: long quiet stretches punctuated by sudden, intense openings.
|
G8HZQ |
2026-06-29 16:02:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
W |
14 |
|
GM0VGI |
2026-06-29 16:01:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SCOTLAND |
W |
14 |
|
GM4SUF |
2026-06-29 15:56:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SCOTLAND |
C |
14 |
|
2E0WMP |
2026-06-29 15:42:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
W |
14 |
|
G0JEI |
2026-06-29 15:35:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
W |
14 |
|
M7GOA |
2026-06-29 15:33:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
W |
14 |
|
4U1A |
2026-06-29 08:11:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
AUSTRIA |
W |
15 |
|
EY8MM |
2026-06-29 08:08:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
TAJIKISTAN |
W |
17 |
|
EX0DX |
2026-06-29 07:57:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
KYRGYZSTAN |
W |
17 |
|
UA4HBW |
2026-06-29 07:55:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
EUROPEAN RUSSIA |
W |
16 |
|
DK5WL |
2026-06-29 07:44:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
W |
14 |
|
BD8DOK |
2026-06-29 07:42:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CHINA |
C |
24 |
|
UN3G |
2026-06-29 07:39:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
KAZAKHSTAN |
C |
17 |
|
UN7JID |
2026-06-29 07:37:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
KAZAKHSTAN |
W |
17 |
|
BG7NF |
2026-06-29 07:35:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CHINA |
W |
24 |
|
UN2E |
2026-06-29 07:30:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
KAZAKHSTAN |
C |
17 |
|
UN7MBH |
2026-06-28 18:40:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
KAZAKHSTAN |
W |
17 |
|
EX7CQ |
2026-06-28 18:38:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
KYRGYZSTAN |
W |
17 |
|
EX/KZ1R |
2026-06-28 18:33:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
KYRGYZSTAN |
W |
17 |
|
HV0A |
2026-06-28 17:05:30 |
2M Data (FT8) |
VATICAN CITY |
W |
15 |
|
E78Y |
2026-06-28 16:34:00 |
2M Data (FT8) |
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA |
W |
15 |
|
SP9EMF |
2026-06-28 16:17:30 |
2M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
W |
15 |
|
OK1UGA |
2026-06-28 16:15:30 |
2M Data (FT8) |
CZECH REPUBLIC |
C |
15 |
|
SV2HNH |
2026-06-28 15:40:45 |
2M Data (FT8) |
GREECE |
C |
20 |
|
SV2/OK2ZAW |
2026-06-28 15:38:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
GREECE |
W |
20 |
|
HA1FV |
2026-06-28 15:31:30 |
2M Data (FT8) |
HUNGARY |
W |
15 |
|
Z33PB |
2026-06-28 15:25:00 |
2M Data (FT8) |
NORTH MACEDONIA |
C |
15 |
|
SV4BHA |
2026-06-28 15:18:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
GREECE |
W |
20 |
|
SV2DCD |
2026-06-28 15:10:30 |
2M Data (FT8) |
GREECE |
C |
20 |
|
Z33TI |
2026-06-28 15:04:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
NORTH MACEDONIA |
W |
15 |
|
IU8MHG |
2026-06-28 13:11:30 |
2M Data (FT8) |
ITALY |
W |
15 |
|
7X5CY |
2026-06-28 11:32:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ALGERIA |
W |
33 |
|
EA5XA |
2026-06-28 11:08:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SPAIN |
C |
14 |
|
EA6SA |
2026-06-28 11:07:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
BALEARIC ISLANDS |
W |
14 |
|
GJ0KYZ |
2026-06-28 11:04:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
JERSEY |
C |
14 |
|
BG0DLA |
2026-06-28 10:52:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CHINA |
C |
23 |
|
OD5KU |
2026-06-27 14:40:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LEBANON |
C |
20 |
|
SQ6WA |
2026-06-27 13:00:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
W |
15 |
|
SQ1EIC |
2026-06-27 12:47:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
C |
15 |
|
SM0SCB |
2026-06-27 12:44:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
W |
14 |
|
EW2RA |
2026-06-27 12:41:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
BELARUS |
C |
16 |
|
EW8R |
2026-06-27 12:32:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
BELARUS |
C |
16 |
|
RK4FF |
2026-06-27 12:07:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
EUROPEAN RUSSIA |
C |
16 |
|
LY3VD |
2026-06-27 12:06:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LITHUANIA |
W |
15 |
|
VK8TEP |
2026-06-27 12:04:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
AUSTRALIA |
C |
29 |
|
9H2TM |
2026-06-27 11:37:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
MALTA |
C |
15 |
|
LY1CT |
2026-06-27 11:25:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LITHUANIA |
W |
15 |
|
OH6NIO |
2026-06-27 11:22:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FINLAND |
C |
15 |
|
UT9NA |
2026-06-27 11:21:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
C |
16 |
|
5B4AAB |
2026-06-27 11:20:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CYPRUS |
C |
20 |
|
TF4M |
2026-06-27 10:58:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ICELAND |
C |
40 |
|
SM5KNV |
2026-06-27 10:56:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
W |
14 |
|
YL2FD |
2026-06-27 10:21:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LATVIA |
C |
15 |
|
SM2LIY |
2026-06-27 10:20:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
C |
14 |
|
LZ7VV |
2026-06-27 10:19:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
BULGARIA |
W |
20 |
|
YL2NX |
2026-06-27 10:14:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LATVIA |
W |
15 |
|
RA9J |
2026-06-27 10:13:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ASIATIC RUSSIA |
W |
17 |
|
UN7CL |
2026-06-27 10:10:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
KAZAKHSTAN |
C |
17 |
|
YO2LEA |
2026-06-27 10:07:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ROMANIA |
W |
20 |
|
GB198LW |
2026-06-26 18:53:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
C |
14 |
|
G0UDE |
2026-06-26 18:51:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
W |
14 |
|
SP4MSY |
2026-06-26 18:50:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
W |
15 |
|
DK7ZT |
2026-06-26 18:49:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
W |
14 |
|
R4GM |
2026-06-26 18:47:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
EUROPEAN RUSSIA |
W |
16 |
|
SM5EPO |
2026-06-26 18:45:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
C |
14 |
|
OM1AN |
2026-06-26 18:41:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SLOVAK REPUBLIC |
C |
15 |
|
RA3S |
2026-06-26 18:40:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
EUROPEAN RUSSIA |
C |
16 |
|
OL66HY |
2026-06-26 18:39:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CZECH REPUBLIC |
W |
15 |
|
UT2AA |
2026-06-26 18:38:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
C |
16 |
|
N5DG |
2026-06-26 18:26:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
4 |
|
N5WS |
2026-06-26 18:22:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
4 |
|
VO1CH |
2026-06-26 17:06:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CANADA |
C |
5 |
|
W4AS |
2026-06-26 16:51:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
5 |
|
CO2XN |
2026-06-26 16:49:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CUBA |
C |
8 |
|
HB9CXZ |
2026-06-26 16:12:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWITZERLAND |
W |
14 |
|
CS8ABF |
2026-06-26 15:47:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
AZORES |
C |
14 |
|
UT7UJ |
2026-06-26 15:24:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
W |
16 |
|
ES2TT |
2026-06-26 15:22:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ESTONIA |
W |
15 |
|
ER5GB |
2026-06-26 15:21:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
MOLDOVA |
C |
16 |
|
MM0AMW |
2026-06-26 15:08:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SCOTLAND |
C |
14 |
|
SP9UPH |
2026-06-26 14:58:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
C |
15 |
|
SP7KGO |
2026-06-26 14:57:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
W |
15 |
|
UN9LEI |
2026-06-26 14:55:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
KAZAKHSTAN |
W |
17 |
|
YL3KW |
2026-06-26 14:43:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LATVIA |
C |
15 |
|
SP9MRP |
2026-06-26 14:34:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
W |
15 |
|
UX1VT |
2026-06-26 14:32:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
W |
16 |
|
UT5ULB |
2026-06-26 14:31:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
W |
16 |
|
UW5IM |
2026-06-26 14:29:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
C |
16 |
|
EA1DV |
2026-06-26 14:17:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SPAIN |
C |
14 |
|
G8HZQ |
2026-06-26 14:07:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
W |
14 |
|
EA7AH |
2026-06-26 14:06:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SPAIN |
W |
14 |
|
SM5BOF |
2026-06-26 14:04:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
C |
14 |
|
SM7RHI |
2026-06-26 13:33:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
C |
14 |
|
SM6WET |
2026-06-26 13:29:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
W |
14 |
|
DK3PM |
2026-06-26 13:26:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
C |
14 |
|
SM0EUI |
2026-06-26 13:25:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
W |
14 |
|
SP4NDY |
2026-06-26 13:22:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
C |
15 |
|
LY3W |
2026-06-26 13:20:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LITHUANIA |
C |
15 |
|
SM5MRW |
2026-06-26 13:19:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
W |
14 |
|
LY2NZ |
2026-06-26 13:16:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LITHUANIA |
W |
15 |
|
LY7T |
2026-06-26 13:15:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LITHUANIA |
W |
15 |
|
OZ3MC |
2026-06-26 13:12:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
DENMARK |
W |
14 |
|
YL2EA |
2026-06-26 13:01:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LATVIA |
W |
15 |
|
LY2TS |
2026-06-26 12:59:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LITHUANIA |
W |
15 |
|
EU6MM |
2026-06-26 12:55:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
BELARUS |
C |
16 |
|
OH1TD |
2026-06-26 12:53:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FINLAND |
W |
15 |
|
OZ1PDE |
2026-06-26 12:51:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
DENMARK |
C |
14 |
|
SA7BYQ |
2026-06-26 12:48:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
W |
14 |
|
DL3BQA |
2026-06-26 12:47:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
W |
14 |
|
SM7MBH |
2026-06-26 12:46:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
W |
14 |
|
OZ1KZX |
2026-06-26 12:41:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
DENMARK |
C |
14 |
|
LY4Q |
2026-06-26 12:39:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
LITHUANIA |
W |
15 |
|
DL1HDL |
2026-06-26 12:38:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
C |
14 |
|
BA7NQ |
2026-06-26 12:34:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CHINA |
C |
24 |
|
SP8WW |
2026-06-26 12:02:45 |
2M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
W |
15 |
|
SP6CVB |
2026-06-26 12:00:45 |
2M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
W |
15 |
|
OM6RU |
2026-06-26 11:58:45 |
2M Data (FT8) |
SLOVAK REPUBLIC |
W |
15 |
|
UT4WT |
2026-06-26 11:55:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
C |
16 |
|
UY0PX |
2026-06-26 11:54:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
W |
16 |
|
SQ9NKX |
2026-06-26 11:49:45 |
2M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
W |
15 |
|
UW2N |
2026-06-26 11:48:45 |
2M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
C |
16 |
|
SP7JS |
2026-06-26 11:46:45 |
2M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
C |
15 |
|
SP6CC |
2026-06-26 11:42:00 |
2M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
C |
15 |
|
SP9MQU |
2026-06-26 11:40:00 |
2M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
C |
15 |
|
UW2N |
2026-06-26 11:37:00 |
2M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
C |
16 |
|
US5WAF |
2026-06-26 11:33:00 |
2M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
W |
16 |
|
SP9XWL |
2026-06-26 11:20:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
C |
15 |
|
UW8SM |
2026-06-26 10:44:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
C |
16 |
|
SM3KJO |
2026-06-26 10:39:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
SWEDEN |
W |
14 |
|
YO8TNB |
2026-06-26 10:34:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
ROMANIA |
C |
20 |
|
YO2NAA/P |
2026-06-26 10:19:45 |
2M Data (FT8) |
ROMANIA |
C |
20 |
|
YO8BFB |
2026-06-26 10:12:45 |
2M Data (FT8) |
ROMANIA |
W |
20 |
|
YO4GJH |
2026-06-26 10:08:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
ROMANIA |
C |
20 |
|
ER1AN |
2026-06-26 10:06:15 |
2M Data (FT8) |
MOLDOVA |
C |
16 |
|
ER5GB |
2026-06-26 10:03:45 |
2M Data (FT8) |
MOLDOVA |
C |
16 |
|
YO5AVN |
2026-06-26 09:57:30 |
2M Data (FT8) |
ROMANIA |
W |
20 |
|
G1ROK |
2026-06-26 08:58:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
C |
14 |
|
BG7XWF |
2026-06-26 08:57:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CHINA |
W |
24 |
|
UK8FF |
2026-06-26 08:48:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UZBEKISTAN |
W |
17 |
|
GI6ATZ |
2026-06-25 13:28:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
NORTHERN IRELAND |
C |
14 |
|
GI6ATZ |
2026-06-25 13:27:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
NORTHERN IRELAND |
C |
14 |
|
G4FKA |
2026-06-25 13:26:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
C |
14 |
|
EB4DMH |
2026-06-25 13:04:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SPAIN |
W |
14 |
|
HA8BE |
2026-06-25 10:59:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
HUNGARY |
W |
15 |
|
9A2MW |
2026-06-25 10:58:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CROATIA |
W |
15 |
|
4Z5TK |
2026-06-25 10:28:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ISRAEL |
W |
20 |
|
TA4SSK |
2026-06-25 10:21:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
TURKEY |
W |
20 |
|
3A2MW |
2026-06-25 10:15:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
MONACO |
C |
14 |
|
4X1UF |
2026-06-25 10:01:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ISRAEL |
C |
20 |
|
YU65AEC |
2026-06-25 09:54:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SERBIA |
W |
15 |
|
E75W |
2026-06-25 09:51:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA |
W |
15 |
|
T77RN |
2026-06-25 09:48:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SAN MARINO |
C |
15 |
|
UR8MH |
2026-06-25 09:15:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
C |
16 |
|
TA2LG |
2026-06-25 09:14:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
TURKEY |
C |
20 |
|
UT4WT |
2026-06-25 09:06:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
C |
16 |
|
SV9TLU |
2026-06-25 09:01:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CRETE |
W |
20 |
|
IS0LYN |
2026-06-25 08:49:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SARDINIA |
C |
15 |
|
4L7T |
2026-06-25 08:37:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
GEORGIA |
W |
21 |
|
EK/RX3DPK |
2026-06-25 08:32:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ARMENIA |
C |
21 |
|
G4DBW |
2026-06-25 07:42:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
W |
14 |
|
DJ0BS |
2026-06-25 07:40:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
C |
14 |
|
M8KKH |
2026-06-25 07:22:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
W |
14 |
|
OE3DXA |
2026-06-25 07:21:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
AUSTRIA |
C |
15 |
|
HA8IH |
2026-06-25 07:19:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
HUNGARY |
W |
15 |
|
SP6OWA |
2026-06-25 07:18:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
W |
15 |
|
CN2DX |
2026-06-25 07:08:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
MOROCCO |
W |
33 |
|
EA4TX |
2026-06-25 07:00:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SPAIN |
C |
14 |
|
ZB2JK |
2026-06-25 06:58:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
GIBRALTAR |
W |
14 |
|
N6IE |
2026-06-22 19:26:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
3 |
|
IZ8IEV |
2026-06-22 19:14:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ITALY |
C |
15 |
|
N4SL |
2026-06-22 19:01:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
4 |
|
W7EW |
2026-06-22 18:53:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
3 |
|
N7BAV |
2026-06-22 18:52:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
W |
3 |
|
W7OSG |
2026-06-22 18:47:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
W |
3 |
|
W7OSG |
2026-06-22 18:47:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
3 |
|
K6EI |
2026-06-22 18:45:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
W |
3 |
|
KG7CW |
2026-06-22 18:40:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
3 |
|
N7NW |
2026-06-22 18:36:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
3 |
|
KJ7TEA |
2026-06-22 18:34:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
3 |
|
N7ZO |
2026-06-22 18:31:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
3 |
|
W7HR |
2026-06-22 18:30:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
3 |
|
LA6NNA |
2026-06-22 18:24:15 |
6M Data (FT8) |
NORWAY |
W |
14 |
|
LZ2RR |
2026-06-22 18:22:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
BULGARIA |
W |
20 |
|
DL1TS |
2026-06-22 17:27:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
C |
14 |
|
9A7V |
2026-06-22 17:26:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CROATIA |
W |
15 |
|
II0KT |
2026-06-22 17:25:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ITALY |
W |
15 |
|
SV8QG |
2026-06-22 17:22:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
GREECE |
C |
20 |
|
IK4TVP |
2026-06-22 17:21:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ITALY |
C |
15 |
|
DK3JW |
2026-06-22 17:20:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
C |
14 |
|
IK0BAL |
2026-06-22 17:19:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ITALY |
W |
15 |
|
YO2LFP |
2026-06-22 17:18:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ROMANIA |
W |
20 |
|
DG3YEV |
2026-06-22 17:16:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
W |
14 |
|
LZ1NB |
2026-06-22 17:14:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
BULGARIA |
W |
20 |
|
4Z4OQ |
2026-06-22 17:13:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ISRAEL |
W |
20 |
|
4X5IG |
2026-06-22 17:11:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ISRAEL |
W |
20 |
|
LZ2SMD |
2026-06-22 17:10:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
BULGARIA |
W |
20 |
|
9A2WA |
2026-06-22 17:07:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
CROATIA |
W |
15 |
|
OM1US |
2026-06-22 17:06:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SLOVAK REPUBLIC |
C |
15 |
|
DJ2QV |
2026-06-22 17:05:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
C |
14 |
|
S57NCP |
2026-06-22 17:03:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
SLOVENIA |
W |
15 |
|
HG3FMZ |
2026-06-22 17:02:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
HUNGARY |
C |
15 |
|
TA4ZES |
2026-06-22 17:00:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
TURKEY |
C |
20 |
|
CT1BOH |
2026-06-22 16:30:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
PORTUGAL |
C |
14 |
|
GB1500M |
2026-06-22 16:28:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
C |
14 |
|
UR5FFC |
2026-06-22 16:20:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UKRAINE |
C |
16 |
|
ES4BW |
2026-06-22 16:19:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ESTONIA |
W |
15 |
|
G4LBJ |
2026-06-22 11:15:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
ENGLAND |
C |
14 |
|
SP9RM |
2026-06-22 11:14:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
POLAND |
C |
15 |
|
DG1VL |
2026-06-22 11:13:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
C |
14 |
|
DJ3AK |
2026-06-22 11:12:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
C |
14 |
|
DF8RU |
2026-06-22 11:10:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
GERMANY |
C |
14 |
|
Z32ZM |
2026-06-20 17:44:45 |
6M Data (FT8) |
NORTH MACEDONIA |
W |
15 |
|
N0JPE |
2026-06-10 18:55:30 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
W |
4 |
|
AB0S |
2026-06-10 18:51:00 |
6M Data (FT8) |
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA |
C |
4 |
The shape of the season
The first two spots in the log, on 10 June, are isolated USA
contacts on 6m — single data points rather than a sustained opening. Then
nothing until 20 June. From 22 June onward, though, the log lights up almost
daily, which matches the late-May-through-August Es peak described earlier in
this article almost exactly. By 29 June the activity has dropped right back to
short-hop, in-country contacts only (all zone 14, all England) A good
illustration of an Es season tailing off after a strong run, at least for a few
days.
22 June: the standout trans-Atlantic push
The most striking entry in the whole log is the burst of
contacts between 18:24 and 19:26 on 22 June, working a string of Western US
stations (zone 3 — Washington, Oregon, Idaho-area callsigns) plus earlier
Norwegian and Bulgarian contacts the same evening. A direct
UK-to-West-Coast-USA path on 6m is well beyond what a single Es hop can deliver
(Es openings typically top out around 2,300 km, where this path is closer to
8,000 km). Openings like this are usually put down to chained or double-hop
Es, or Es linking with a simultaneously favourable F2 layer — exactly the
"combine with other propagation modes" case mentioned earlier in this
piece. It's a good reminder that the longest hauls on 6m rarely come from Es
working alone.
25 June: a textbook Es chain
The morning of 25 June is a much cleaner example of classic
single- and double-hop Es in action. Working from Gibraltar and Morocco,
through Spain, Hungary, Poland and Germany, down into Sardinia, Crete, Israel,
Turkey, Georgia and Armenia, all within about four hours — this is the pattern
to watch for: a band of ionisation drifting and intensifying across the day,
walking the path progressively further south-east as conditions develop.
26 and 28 June: when Es reaches 2 metres
These two dates are arguably the most interesting from a
"what's possible" standpoint. On 26 June, alongside a very busy 6m
day reaching as far as Kazakhstan and China, there's a cluster of 2m FT8
contacts into Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and Slovakia between roughly 10:00 and
12:00 — paths in the 1,700-2,000 km range on a band that, per the table above,
needs particularly intense ionisation to open at all. The 28th repeats the
trick, with a 2m Es run into the Balkans (North Macedonia, Greece, Hungary,
Bosnia) and even into Vatican City. For anyone on the club net wondering
whether 2m Es is "a real thing" or just a rumour, this log is the
answer — it does happen, it's rare, and late June around the solstice is
exactly the right time to be listening for it.
2m Snapshot on 28th June
The VK8TEP entry: multi-mode propagation
An LoTW confirmed QSO with VK8TEP (Northern Territory,
Australia, zone 29) appears on 27 June. A direct path from southern England to
northern Australia on 6m is exceptionally unusual and sits well outside what
Es, even chained across multiple hops, can support on its own. The most likely
explanation is multi-mode propagation — Es linking with trans-equatorial
propagation (TEP) and/or a favourably enhanced F2 layer along the path, each
mode carrying the signal part of the way rather than any single mechanism
spanning the whole distance. It's a great example of how the most extreme 6m DX
usually isn't down to one clean propagation mode, but several stacking together
at the right moment.
Takeaways for the club
-
The log confirms the textbook pattern: Es
openings cluster tightly around late June, arrive with little warning, and can
close within hours.
-
6m did the heavy lifting, but the 2m openings on
26 and 28 June are the headline result — proof that it's worth leaving 2m FT8
monitoring on during a strong 6m Es day rather than assuming the higher band is
dead.
-
The most exotic DX (Western USA, Australia)
coincided with the busiest 6m days rather than appearing in isolation,
supporting the idea that these long hauls ride on Es combining with other
propagation modes rather than Es alone.
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