top of page

ARE THE HF BANDS OPEN TODAY?

  • Writer: skylarkcolo
    skylarkcolo
  • Jan 11, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Dec 8, 2025

If So to Where??

K0UO uses IONCAP, VOACAP and ACE HF Prediction software.
. at the K0UO Ham Radio Station, home the world's largest antenna site and test range, spanning impressive 1,200 acres. Featuring miles of antennas and towering structures—including FCC-registered reaching up to 195 feet—our facility is a dream destination for serious contester and big gun operators. With numerous -foot wooden powerline poles, concrete silos, and portable mobile towers, the K0UO Rhombic Farm stands out for its significant height and capabilities. Registered under Antenna Structure Registration number 1216715, our station is recognized in the FCC public file, credibility and verification that sets us apart from other so-called big gun ham stations. The station and antenna farm uses very complex highly engineered arrays.

k0uo uses Re-entrant Rhombic array
Ace HF Pro  prediction map data overview age

  • K0UO is using Ace HF Pro and IONSUM, which are computer programs using the output of the IONCAP prediction method to determine the most suitable frequency band and required antenna gain under specific averaged conditions. The acronym stands for IONCAP SUMmary. Propagation predictions form an essential tool in the management of a HF wanting to work DX Stations. The data from such predictions are used to specify the types and operating frequency ranges required to work the DX by allowing for changes in the antennas take off angle to achieve maximum signal to the desired direction. Which it is used to contact DX stations utilizing both long path or short path on F layer, or to contact North American stations on daytime with high D Layer absorption (160, 80, 60 & 40 meters). Some reflection can be obtained from the D region, but the strength of radio waves is reduced; this is the cause of the marked reduction in the range of radio transmissions in daytime on the lower bands.

  • K0UO uses real time ionosonde (vertical HF RADAR ionospheric height-finder) data and ACE-HF Network, by Long Wave Inc which allows K0UO to analyze the entire HF spectrum using a single fixed transmitter location and multiple receive locations.  The 64 Bit application has enhanced features and uses Google Earth and Google Maps to provide detailed HF Area Coverage Maps. K0UO uses, and has been part of real time GPS observables network to measure properties of the electron density such as the total electron content (TEC). The TEC is a measure of the total number of electrons that would be contained in a cylinder that extends up vertically above a given point on the earth all the way through the ionosphere K0UO uses, and is part of a real time GPS network to measure properties of the electron density such as the total electron content (TEC). The TEC is a measure of the total number of electrons that would be contained in a cylinder that extends up vertically above a given point on the earth all the way through the ionosphere.

  • The ACE HF Pro, by Long Wave Inc allows K0UO to analyze the entire HF spectrum using a single fixed transmitter location and multiple receive locations. The station uses ionosonde (vertical HF RADAR ionospheric height-finder) data.

  • HF Propagation modeling for stationary TX with positional RX sites

  • Has the ability to create a circuit probability area coverage map

  • Uses VOACAP and IONCAP Ionospheric Model

  • Antenna performance analysis capability for all of K0UO's system with preset antenna models

  • SEE CHARTS BELOW

                  

view of HF software used at k0uo at the 4KS Walz Airport  is part of the worlds largest antenna test range site run by RSI Corp Steve Walz making Kiowa KS known internationally also the largest ham radio DX & contest antennas and station called K0UO
Ace HF Pro and IONSUM, which are computer programs using the output of the IONCAP prediction

Ace HF Pro and IONSUM  prediction map data from K0UO to the west coast of the USA
Ace HF Pro and IONSUM, output of the IONCAP prediction


Ace HF Pro and IONSUM  prediction map data from K0UO to the west coast of the USA,  used at the worlds largest antenna test range site run by RSI Corp Steve Walz making Kiowa KS known internationally also the largest ham radio DX & contest antennas and station called K0UO
Ace HF Pro and IONSUM, data page on HF computer programs using the output of the IONCAP prediction


Ace HF Pro and IONSUM  prediction map data from K0UO to the west coast of the USA
Ace HF Pro and IONSUM prediction map data from K0UO to the west coast of the USA

Ace HF Pro and IONSUM  prediction map data from K0UO ham station to the west coast of the USA using the Rhombic array, USED BY k0uo AT THE WORLDS LARGEST hf ANTENNA FARM
Ace HF Pro  prediction map data from K0UO to the west coast of the USA

Remember,  "The Best antenna is one that is, In the Air and On the Air"!


The K0UO antenna test range site makes use of the 4KS Walz airport and its surrounding area as a practical learning environment for STEM (Scientific, Technical, Engineering, & Mathematics) antenna projects in a real-world outdoor setting. If your group has a university aerospace or antenna research STEM program, please let me know.

The KØUO Rhombic Antenna Farm and Antenna Test Range: Home to the World's Largest amateur radio (ham), High Frequency (HF) Wire Arrays, miles of wire in the air and on the air daily.

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating

K0UO Rhombic Antenna Farm

K0UO Rhombic antenna Farm

17353 SE U.S. Hwy 281
Kiowa, KS 67070

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

©2019 by Steve E Walz. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page