Users feedback

Following the end of free access to the previous platform (frill), feedbacks had to be migrated to a new platform. Let's hope that Canny's free offer stays so. You can always submit your ideas for new features, and vote for existing proposals. [17/06/2023]

About sources
Application releases

This website aggregates various resources that will help radio amateurs to operate their stations in search of long distance contacts (DX).

We would like to thank these contributors. Dear visitors, please visit the following links.

3000 km MUF and critical frequencies maps :

provided by KC2G - Visit and learn more about MUF prop.kc2g.com

Aurora (30 min forecast) layer data :

provided by NOAA - Visit NOAA website swpc.noaa.gov

SFI, A and K indexes :

provided by NOAA - Visit NOAA raw text bulletin.

CTY DXCC prefixes Country up-to-date database :

provided by Jim AD1C - Visit Amateur Radio Country Files website

About propagation, you will learn a lot with this article written by Ian G3YWX published in an ARRL QST magazine. Enjoy your reading.

An article to help you understand everything about HamDXMap

If you're wondering what the maps represent, what the numbers on them are, or if you want to make sure you don't miss out on any of HamDXMap's features, then I invite you to read this full article.

© 2023 f5uii.net All Rights Reserved. @f5uii

Here HamDXMap features over time

I can't imagine a better way to produce useful code for the amateur radio community. HamDXMap will continue to evolve again, because I have a lot of fabulous ideas and you even propose a lot of them. I work hard to provide improvements and new features. Below you will find all the main advancements.

Christian F5UII • 2023-04-17

Release Timeline

Historic of the HamDXMap application's features with help and support links.

19 Jun 2023

Release #4 - 3 features, 5 improvements

The Log of the World users and eQSL users are identified on the popup (when keying the callsign).

F5UII on HamDXMap

A new page giving the quality of HF propagation, with a recent history of the SFI, A and K indices.

F5UII on HamDXMap

Connectivity with Win-Test logging software is now operational for Windows users : The wtSock gateway (local executable addon) pushes data (Live keying, logged callsigns, DX Cluster spots and also chat - gab messages) in realtime to HamDXMap. Full information on the specific documentation.

The DX Cluster spots and also the logged callsigns are plotted on the map and stored localy by the browser can be filtered by band or source (DXCluster, QSO).
The DX Cluster (when working with Win-Test) can sound an alert bell for all new spots (taking account of the filter configured). A mute/unmute button is available.
When you fly over the circles (the white borders are the cluster spots, and the red borders are the logged contacts), a popup is displayed to display the detailed information
When a user send a gab message over Win-Test network, this chat message will be displayed also at top right hand in HamDXMap.

DXCluster on HamDXMap

Improved application behaviour on window resizing. The page is no longer reloaded entirely.
The SP & LP curves are improved (particularly for very low frequencies).– Thanks to Larry F6FVY for help
Tooltips over Direction in stations panel added.
All modal windows can now be closed by pressing Esc key or clicking outside the open window.
Following the end of free access to the previous platform (frill), feedbacks had to be migrated to a Canny new platform.

28 April 2023

Release #3 - 6 features, 4 improvements

The Long path (LP) is now added and connects the two markers opposite the shortest path (SP). It is designed in dotted lines on the map – Thanks to all voter on the feedback platform.
The TX and RX markers antipode (red and blue) points are placed on the map. This allows the user to see without looking at the kilometers of the bottom panel if he is far from making a very distant contact approaching 20,000 kilometers (the blue marker is then close to the small red dot, opposite the red TX marker).– Thanks to Pieter N4IP for suggestion
Just as the SP curve tab was, with the LP line, the MUF and foF2 curves take place now under a new tab. The curves are improve with nice gradient colors.
New synthesis indicators are displayed in the SP and LP frequency curve tabs. ✔️ path is workable, ⭕️ indicated a poor path, not suitable. the number that follows the check mark is the number of megahertz of possible range to make contact between the two markers. This allows the user, without having to click on the tab to see the curve, to get an idea at a glance whether a contact seems possible in SP or LP.
New tab in the panel that presents a summary table of frequency bands whose activities may be appropriate for establishing radio contact between the two markers.
Wave bounce zones have been added to the map. – Thanks to David F4HJA for suggestion
The distance between the bounces is determined by the departure angle and the altimetry of the ionospheric reflection layer. These two parameters are adjustable by the user in the side menu. The diameter of the circle allows the user to consider the beam width, depending on the horizontal directivity of the antenna.

Be careful not to misinterpret this representation of circles. Indeed, contacts are possible outside the circles, which are only a way to express the bounce distances and the beam width.

In the settings menu you can choose the opacity of the first circle, whereas the following circles have a reduced opacity depending on the area ratio (in the idea of what the energy distribution could be without losses). You can choose to display the bounces on SP, LP, but also not to display them.
Size of the sun reduced. – Thanks to Pieter N4IP for suggestion, and all voter on the feedback platform.
Sidebar Menu improved : General settings take place, with a vertical scroll when needed.
General settings: You can enter your radio call sign (for future use).
General settings: You can disable the display of popups when you enter a callsign in the bottom panel.
General settings: Soon the Win-Test logging software will be able to communicate with HamDXMap. The development of the websocket server is still in progress. Already the configuration port has been included in the communication parameters. The first outcomes are pleasing. API reference documentation will be available for those who wish to make proper use of the communication channel with HamDXMap.
On mobile device, sidebar can be closed by clicking outside it surface.

17 April 2023

Release #2 - 4 features, 2 improvements

The update of the stations information (first tab, stations panel) is now done continuously & smoothly while dragging the marker – Thanks to Pieter N4IP for suggestion
In the bottom panel, you can now enter callsigns, the application displays the country (thanks to Jim AD1C for the always up to date CTY database) with nice external country illustrations put in background of the popup (Thanks to Pixabay)– Thanks to Florent F4CWN & Tom DJ2TG for suggestion
Improvement of the 🖨PDF (stations with data) including sunrise & sunset, sun day representation.
You can now link to 🌎HamDXMap by initializing the marker positions with two maidenhead grids (6 long) and also the projection map in the URL : https://dxmap.f5uii.net/?txg=gj35pe&rxg=jn37qo. Find a 📑 HTML guide here. The good idea is than to put you personalized link with your locator on QRZ.com 😉 – Thanks to Aurélien F4ANS for suggestion
New design for the TX and RX station markers
This new releases screen

Currently I'm working on driving fabulous Win-Test logging software directly. A preview of the result can be seen here, and also on my Twitter feed.

Win-test directs HamDxMap

When typing in the Win-Test logger installed locally or on the network, HamDXMap instantly shows the station on the map. Many applications are then possible for the future. Still in developpement...

Your ideas can be easily feedback here.

2 April 2023

Release #1 - 3 features

New layers for CQ & ITU zones switched in the menu – Thanks to Alex for suggestion
When clicking on a country, new button to assign the RX marker – Thanks to F6FVY for suggestion
Map printing in PDF

16 March, 20 March 2023

Release #0 - 2 features, 1 improvement, 1 debug

Maidenhead locator direct entry – Thanks to Stefan DF6SU for suggestion
When clicking on a country, the popup displayed additional information on DXCC popup (Continent, zones)
Added the color "relative" legend for the aurora level activity
Short Path over 180 longitude correction

How to contribute ?

A number of you use HamDXMap on a daily practice basis. This is my first pride. I would be very glad to have your support for the hosting costs and your contribution to the coffee needed for the (human) machine to move forward...

Thanks a lot !

© 2023 f5uii.net All Rights Reserved. @f5uii

🌎 HamDXMap – Maximize your range !

HamDXMap

Maximize your range !

foF2

The MUF map shows the Maximum Usable Frequency using colors and contour line. The foF2 map is similar to the MUF map, except that it displays the Critical Frequency (foF2). Switch one to the other. MUF map updated every 15 min

30 minutes aurora predictive map.
The aurora borealis is positioned on the poles of the earth and can affect our radio links. The color indicates the intensity.

The (vertical) position of the sun, image captured now.

No scale is applied to the sun image. On click, the realtime sun image is enlarged in popup.

The globe is divided into 40 numbered CQ zones (CQ or WAZ – Worked All Zones)

The globe is divided into 90 numbered ITU zones (International Telecommunication Union)

General settings

Interactivity

My callsign

Popup disable

on callsign typing

Connectivity

Enable communication

Port

Storage depth

Filtering

Sources: DXc Log 160 80 50 40 30 20 17 15 12 10 6 4 2 70c 23c 13c 9c 6c 3c 12mm 6mm 4mm

Total spots

---

Bounces settings

Altitude F layer (reflector)

km 300

200 500

Starting angle (antenna)

deg 5

0 45

First bounce at

km

Beam width (horizontal)

deg 10

1 45

1st bounce opacity

opacity 50

0 100

The opacity of the following occurrences is reduced by the area ratio between the plotted circles.

Display bounces on map

The drawing of the bounces on the path is characterised by :

- The bounce distance, determined by the adjustable parameters (altitude of the reflecting ionospheric F layer), and the radio angle of departure of the waves at the antenna.
- The diameter of the circles is determined by the horizontal aperture angle of the antenna, which can help you to find out what the directivity angle of your antenna represents in beam width on the map

Be cautious not to misinterpret this 2-dimensional representation : Contacts are still possible outside the represented bounce circles!

SFI means Solar Flux Index
A is the global geomagnetic activity over the globe
K is the magnetic relative activity

Sources & Releases

Stations settings. Move stations by dragging the markers, by entering the locator, or directly the hamradio callsign below.

Stations
MUF & foF2 Short path curves For the short path (shortest path between TX and RX), the curve indicates the theoretical possible frequency range (vertical y axis in MHz) for achieving a long distance contact by bounces of 3000 km (horizontal x axis is the TX to RX path in km).
path is workable & usable frequency bandwidth (MHz)
⭕️ path is poor, not suitable

Curves SP
MUF & foF2 Long path curves For the long path (longest path between TX and RX), the curve indicates the theoretical possible frequency range (vertical y axis in MHz) for achieving a long distance contact by bounces of 3000 km (horizontal x axis is the TX to RX path in km).
path is workable & usable frequency bandwidth (MHz)
⭕️ path is poor, not suitable

Curves LP
Summary table of frequency bands potentially opened for long range communication
✓ the band can be currently used for long distance contact between the two markers
? the band is at the limits but might be tried to make contact between the two markers

Archive
Notifications

-5.9971, -72.6609

FI34qa

call

49.4320, 7.4347

JN39rk

call

Dist.

SP : 9804 km

LP : 30271 km

Dir.

40° (LP 220°)

TX to RX: SP (LP)

259° (LP 79°)

RX to TX: SP (LP)

Sun

10:53 22:55 05:01 18:07

reserved area for a development :

- Iso-frequency surfaces history

Ham operators, push your ideas 💡 on feedback platform !

SFI Propagation

Simplistic rule: when SFI is high, it's good; when K and A are high, it's more harmful for propagation (absorption).

Connectivity

Connect Win-Test to HamDXMap

Here's a suite of features that will be of great value to users of the Win-Test logging software. I spent quite a bit of time developing these as it requires a network interface between Win-Test and HamDXMap. The technical specification is public (API reference) and can be used by other developers to inject information into HamDXMap from other logging software.

Below you will find details of the features as well as a few steps to initiate communication on your Windows computer.

Features

Live Keyboarding : While typing the callsign in the log, HamDXMap will be informed, this partial callsign is copied in the RX callsign zone of HamDXMap. You will be able to locate the caller on the worldmap. You can detect any inconsistencies in the situation by looking at the MUF/foF2 curve in the panel.
Logged Call : When the callsign is logged, the entire callsign is saved in HamDXMap (client brownser side). A circle with red border is drawed on the map. The display of these points is globally authorised/forbidden by the user with the Log source, in the filter section.
DX-Cluster : All the spots coming over wtTelnet (Win-Test DXCluster module) are memorized on your browser in HamDXMap during a giving configured time (Storage depth parameter). User can filter the spot and make a ring be sounded for all new spot displayed. The display of these DXCluster spots is globally authorised/forbidden by the user with the DXc source, in the filter section.

Requirements

Windows 32 or 64 bits : but only more recent than Windows 7 (With Windows 7 and earlier, wtSock may not work properly)
Win-Test version 4 or higher

Installation

Download the Win-Test gateway wtSock

Extract/Unzip wtSock.zip in a subdirectory that can be placed where you want. The directory contains two files, including the wtSock.exe executable that you are going to run.
Launch/Execute wtSock.exe : a new icon is placed in the systray (near the clock in taskbar).
At the request by the Windows firewall, do authorise the (on private channel, depending your current Connectivity) port on the firewall. It will allow TCP and UDP communications. Without validation, wtSock will not work.

Configuration

Win-Test

In Win-Test, the local network is enabled (Options / Configure interfaces... / Local network).
The UDP port used by Win-Test to communicated on the local network is by default 9871, but can be modified (Options / Configure interfaces... / Local network).
For the DXCluster feature, wtDxTelnet is launched. Check its parameters in Menu Options / Win-Test communication network properties.
For the realtime keyboarding feature, you have to display the partner box (Menu Windows / Partner). Over the partner box, right click and Properties... Check Enable realtime

wtSock gateway

Open the settings, by double click on the wtSock icon (in the systray), or by simple click and Settings in the menu.
Port inbound : Report here the UDP port that is used by Win-Test (Options / Configure interfaces... / Local network). Check that the local network in enabled in Win-Test.
Port outbound : Set the port (websocket server) that will be used by the third-party software (HamDXMap) – 8080 is set by default.
Select features that you wish to activate

Loggedcall : Confirmed input push the logged callsign to HamDXMap
Keyboarding : Each key in the callsign field is communicated to HamDXMap
DXCluster : All spots generated by wtTelnet and communicated on the network are transmitted to HamDXMap.
Gab : All chat messages are communicated to HamDXMap, and will be display at the top of the screen.

HamDXMap

In General Settings / Connectivity, setup the websocket port (by default 8080). The value must correspond to the oubound port configured in wtSock settings.
In General Settings / Connectivity, check Enable communication. The panel is extented and display now complement features (Storage duration, band and source filtering, sound ringing)
Remember that only one connection is available on wtSock.

Developper API

HamDXMap can interact with other software. The technical specifications for HamDXMap interactivity are available in this wtSock API reference page. All developers must take care to maintain the compatibility of their interface, according to the changes that may be made by HamDXMap (See releases on the wtSock API reference page).

PDF printing settings

Printing of :

Format :

Markers

With two markers and paths

With only red marker

Without marker

Best rendering from a desktop computer

Release #4

It has been a while coming, but here it is, the latest release from June 19th ! Here the new features and improvements.

The Log of the World users and eQSL users are identified on the popup (when keying the callsign).

F5UII on HamDXMap

A new page giving the quality of HF propagation, with a recent history of the SFI, A and K indices.

Connectivity with Win-Test logging software is now operational for Windows users : The wtSock gateway (local executable addon) pushes data (Live keying, logged callsigns, DX Cluster spots and also chat - gab messages) in realtime to HamDXMap. Full information on the specific documentation.

The DX Cluster spots and also the logged callsigns are plotted on the map and stored localy by the browser can be filtered by band or source (DXCluster, QSO).
The DX Cluster (when working with Win-Test) can sound an alert bell for all new spots (taking account of the filter configured). A mute/unmute button is available.
When you fly over the circles (the white borders are the cluster spots, and the red borders are the logged contacts), a popup is displayed to display the detailed information
When a user send a gab message over Win-Test network, this chat message will be displayed also at top right hand in HamDXMap.

Improved application behaviour on window resizing. The page is no longer reloaded entirely.

The SP & LP curves are improved (particularly for very low frequencies).– Thanks to Larry F6FVY for help

Tooltips over Direction in stations panel added.

All modal windows can now be closed by pressing Esc key or clicking outside the open window.

Following the end of free access to the previous platform (frill), feedbacks had to be migrated to a Canny new platform.

Don't hesitate to share, to send me your feedback ✍️ (righthand Feedback button) and ☕ coffees are welcome 😉

Ko-fi donations

Pay me a coffee!

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