Propagation Characteristics of Ham Radio Bands (2200m-2m) Mid-Europe
Ham radio operators in mid-European countries (Belgium, France, Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg) experience varying propagation characteristics depending on frequency, time of day, and season. This guide provides insights into the types of radiation, takeoff angles, polarization, seasonal variations, and the most suitable receiving antennas for each band from 2200 meters to 2 meters.
Understanding Propagation and Radiation Types
- Ground-wave propagation: Typically dominates on lower bands (2200m-80m), particularly useful for local communications.
- Skywave (NVIS - Near Vertical Incidence Skywave): Effective for short-range communication in the 160m-40m bands.
- Low-angle DX propagation: Best for long-distance communication on HF bands when conditions are favorable.
- Tropospheric propagation: Affects VHF (6m, 2m) for extended range via ducting and refraction.
Propagation
Radio wave propagation across amateur radio bands from 2200 meters (136 kHz) to 2 meters (144-148 MHz) is heavily influenced by the Earth’s ionosphere, which consists of different layers that change dynamically based on solar activity and time of day. Low-frequency bands like 2200m and 630m (472 kHz) rely mainly on ground wave propagation, allowing signals to travel long distances by hugging the Earth’s surface, though nighttime enhancements can occur due to reduced absorption in the D-layer. Moving up to 160m and 80m, nighttime skywave propagation dominates as the D-layer dissipates, allowing signals to reflect off the E and F layers for longer-range contacts. The 40m, 30m, and 20m bands benefit from daytime ionospheric reflection, with 20m often providing worldwide propagation during peak solar activity. At higher HF bands (17m to 10m), the F-layer is the key reflector, with 10m performing best during high sunspot cycles, supporting multi-hop DX. Transitioning to VHF bands (6m, 2m), propagation shifts from ionospheric to tropospheric influences, with sporadic-E (Es) allowing occasional long-distance contacts on 6m, while 2m mostly depends on line-of-sight, tropospheric ducting, and meteor scatter for extended propagation. Each band exhibits unique characteristics, making propagation studies crucial for effective communication across the spectrum.
Table of Ham Radio Bands (2200m - 2m)
The following table summarizes propagation characteristics for mid-European stations:
| Band | Frequency | Radiation Type | Takeoff Angle | Polarization | Day/Night Behavior | Seasonal Effects | Optimal RX Antenna |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2200m | 136 kHz | Ground-wave, Skywave (Limited) | Very High | Vertical | Nighttime improved | Winter best, summer noise | OctaLoop SubWave |
| 600m | 472-479 kHz | Ground-wave, Skywave (Limited) | High | Vertical | Nighttime DX possible | Best in winter | OctaLoop SubWave |
| 160m | 1.8-2.0 MHz | Ground-wave, Skywave | Low (DX), High (NVIS) | Vertical (ground-wave), Horizontal (DX) | Strong nighttime propagation, weak daytime | Best in winter, poor in summer | SkyScraper / VerticalVortex / EchoTracer / OctaLoop |
| 80m | 3.5-3.8 MHz | Ground-wave, Skywave | Low (DX), High (NVIS) | Vertical (ground-wave), Horizontal (DX) | Excellent at night, weak during the day | Best in winter, noisy in summer | SkyScraper / VerticalVortex / EchoTracer / OctaLoop |
| 60m | 5.3 MHz | NVIS, Skywave | High (NVIS), Medium | Horizontal | Daytime reliable NVIS, night longer DX | Consistent year-round | SkyScraper / EchoTracer / OctaLoop |
| 40m | 7.0-7.2 MHz | NVIS, Skywave, Low-angle DX | Medium | Horizontal | Good night DX, some daytime NVIS | Winter best for DX, summer higher D-layer absorption | SkyScraper / EchoTracer / OctaLoop |
| 30m | 10.1 MHz | Skywave, Low-angle DX | Low to Medium | Horizontal | Usable day and night, stable | Less seasonal impact | SkyScraper / EchoTracer / OctaLoop Mini |
| 20m | 14.0-14.35 MHz | Skywave DX | Low | Horizontal | Strong daytime DX, weak night | Best in equinox seasons (spring, autumn) | SkyScraper Maxi / EchoTracer / OctaLoop Mini |
| 17m | 18.068-18.168 MHz | Skywave DX | Low | Horizontal | Mostly daytime DX | Best in spring and autumn | SkyScraper Maxi / EchoTracer / OctaLoop Mini |
| 15m | 21.0-21.45 MHz | Skywave DX | Low | Horizontal | Strong daytime propagation | Best in solar peak years, equinoxes | SkyScraper Maxi / EchoTracer / OctaLoop Mini |
| 12m | 24.89-24.99 MHz | Skywave DX | Low | Horizontal | Daytime DX when solar activity is high | Best near solar peaks | SkyScraper Maxi / EchoTracer / OctaLoop Mini |
| 10m | 28.0-29.7 MHz | Skywave DX, Sporadic E | Low | Horizontal | Daytime only, enhanced in summer by Sporadic E | Best at solar maximum | SkyScraper Maxi / EchoTracer / OctaLoop Mini |
| 6m | 50-52 MHz | Sporadic E, Tropospheric | Low | Horizontal | Summer E-skip, occasional winter DX | Strongest in summer | EchoTracer UltraWave |
| 2m | 144-146 MHz | Tropospheric, Scatter, Sporadic E | Low | Vertical (FM), Horizontal (SSB) | Line-of-sight, some tropo enhancement | Best in summer tropo conditions | EchoTracer UltraWave |
Observations and Practical Considerations
- Winter conditions favor low-band (160m, 80m) long-distance propagation due to lower ionospheric absorption and reduced static noise.
- Summer months enhance Sporadic E propagation on higher bands (10m, 6m, 2m), opening short-range DX paths.
- Spring and autumn provide the best long-distance propagation on mid-HF bands (20m, 17m, 15m) due to favorable ionization levels.
- D-layer absorption is highest in summer, reducing daytime low-band propagation effectiveness (40m and below).
- Tropospheric ducting enhances VHF propagation (6m, 2m) in summer, especially in stable high-pressure weather conditions.
Recommended RX Antennas
- OctaLoop SubWave: Designed for the 2200m and 600m bands, providing excellent performance for longwave reception.
- OctaLoop: Optimized for 160m-30m reception, offering a compact and efficient design with deep nulls !
- OctaLoop Mini: Optimized for 30m-10m reception, offering a compact and efficient design with deep nulls !
- SkyScraper: A versatile active dipole supporting NVIS on 160m-40m and DX when positioned optimally also with deep nulls !
- SkyScraper Maxi: Optimized for 40m-10m DX with deep nulls !
- VerticalVortex: A 6m vertical RX antenna designed for low-angle DX on 160m and 80m.
- EchoTracer: An active E-Probe covering a wide frequency range for HF bands, reception depends of height above the ground. High more pronounced for the lower band, low more for the higher bands.
- EchoTracer UltraWave: Optimized for 6m and 2m reception, enhancing VHF signal capture.
Conclusion
For ham radio operators in mid-Europe, understanding propagation characteristics and seasonal changes can significantly enhance operating effectiveness. By selecting the right band, time, and RX antenna, operators can maximize DX contacts and local communication across various conditions.
Written by Joeri Van Dooren, ON6URE – RF, electronics and software engineer, complex platform and antenna designer. Founder of RF.Guru. An expert in active and passive antennas, high-power RF transformers, and custom RF solutions, he has also engineered telecom and broadcast hardware, including set-top boxes, transcoders, and E1/T1 switchboards. His expertise spans high-power RF, embedded systems, digital signal processing, and complex software platforms, driving innovation in both amateur and professional communications industries.