Skip to main content

17,387 contacts in August — what an amateur radio award log shows

· 11 min read
UR3PKI
UR3PKI
Software Engineer

Throughout August 2026 the award “35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence” was on the air. Over 31 days the activators made 17,387 contacts with 8,226 different stations in 99 countries. Every line of the log carries a time, a frequency, a band, a mode, the other station's callsign, its locator and a report. Together they make a fairly rare thing: a month of continuous observation of the short waves, made not by an instrument but by people.

What follows is what can be seen in it. Not “the award was a success” but concrete numbers: when the bands opened, why Saturdays weigh more than the Sun, how far FT8 reaches compared with SSB, and why amateur radio remains a hobby of wealthy countries.

At a glance​

17 387contacts in the award log
99countries worldwide
96,8 %of contacts carry a locator — those are the ones on the map
19,8 %Ukraine’s share
82,7 %share of digital modes (FT8 63,4 % + FT4 17,6 %)
75,9 %of contacts from countries with a GDP per capita above $40,000

The map: the locator puts down a point, the callsign colours a country​

There are two different layers on the map, and they should not be confused. The squares are locators from the log, that is, the physical place a station worked from. The country colour comes from the callsign, that is, from where the operator was licensed. A German on holiday in Croatia puts a square in JN and colours Germany all the same — that is not an error, they are two different questions.

16,823 contacts (96.8 %) have a locator and appear on the map; 564 (3.2 %) do not, and those points are missing.

null FJ — 1 QSO🇨🇦 Canada — 77 QSO🇺🇸 United States — 841 QSO🇰🇿 Kazakhstan — 42 QSO🇺🇿 Uzbekistan — 9 QSO🇮🇩 Indonesia — 76 QSO🇦🇷 Argentina — 25 QSO🇨🇱 Chile — 10 QSO🇰🇪 Kenya — 11 QSO🇹🇩 Chad — 1 QSO🇩🇴 Dominican Republic — 9 QSO🇳🇴 Norway — 92 QSO🇿🇦 South Africa — 7 QSO🇲🇽 Mexico — 1 QSO🇺🇾 Uruguay — 12 QSO🇧🇷 Brazil — 68 QSO🇵🇪 Peru — 6 QSO🇨🇴 Colombia — 8 QSO🇨🇷 Costa Rica — 3 QSO🇧🇿 Belize — 2 QSO🇻🇪 Venezuela — 3 QSO🇫🇷 France — 799 QSO🇪🇨 Ecuador — 1 QSO🇨🇺 Cuba — 2 QSO🇳🇬 Nigeria — 2 QSO🇨🇫 Central African Republic — 1 QSO🇨🇬 Congo — 2 QSO🇿🇲 Zambia — 2 QSO🇦🇴 Angola — 3 QSO🇮🇱 Israel — 65 QSO🇹🇳 Tunisia — 2 QSO🇯🇴 Jordan — 1 QSO🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates — 2 QSO🇰🇼 Kuwait — 3 QSO🇴🇲 Oman — 4 QSO🇹🇭 Thailand — 3 QSO🇱🇦 Laos — 1 QSO🇻🇳 Vietnam — 1 QSO🇰🇷 South Korea — 27 QSO🇲🇳 Mongolia — 2 QSO🇮🇳 India — 28 QSO🇹🇯 Tajikistan — 5 QSO🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan — 6 QSO🇦🇲 Armenia — 1 QSO🇸🇪 Sweden — 219 QSO🇧🇾 Belarus — 8 QSO🇺🇦 Ukraine — 3 443 QSO🇵🇱 Poland — 1 061 QSO🇦🇹 Austria — 228 QSO🇭🇺 Hungary — 232 QSO🇲🇩 Moldova — 64 QSO🇷🇴 Romania — 300 QSO🇱🇹 Lithuania — 142 QSO🇱🇻 Latvia — 116 QSO🇪🇪 Estonia — 44 QSO🇩🇪 Germany — 2 346 QSO🇧🇬 Bulgaria — 91 QSO🇬🇷 Greece — 414 QSO🇹🇷 Türkiye — 90 QSO🇭🇷 Croatia — 157 QSO🇨🇭 Switzerland — 128 QSO🇧🇪 Belgium — 335 QSO🇳🇱 Netherlands — 703 QSO🇵🇹 Portugal — 115 QSO🇪🇸 Spain — 761 QSO🇮🇪 Ireland — 37 QSO🇳🇿 New Zealand — 9 QSO🇦🇺 Australia — 19 QSO🇨🇳 China — 178 QSO🇹🇼 Taiwan — 1 QSO🇮🇹 Italy — 1 012 QSO🇩🇰 Denmark — 116 QSO🇬🇧 United Kingdom — 915 QSO🇮🇸 Iceland — 8 QSO🇦🇿 Azerbaijan — 1 QSO🇬🇪 Georgia — 6 QSO🇲🇾 Malaysia — 2 QSO🇸🇮 Slovenia — 118 QSO🇫🇮 Finland — 261 QSO🇸🇰 Slovakia — 91 QSO🇨🇿 Czechia — 288 QSO🇯🇵 Japan — 827 QSO🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia — 12 QSO🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina — 49 QSO🇲🇰 North Macedonia — 9 QSO🇷🇸 Serbia — 74 QSO🇲🇪 Montenegro — 9 QSO🇱🇧 Lebanon — 17 QSO🇱🇺 Luxembourg — 16 QSO🇨🇾 Cyprus — 9 QSO🇲🇹 Malta — 7 QSO🇭🇰 Hong Kong — 6 QSO🇲🇨 Monaco — 5 QSO🇧🇭 Bahrain — 4 QSO🇶🇦 Qatar — 4 QSO🇦🇩 Andorra — 3 QSO🇲🇺 Mauritius — 2 QSO🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago — 2 QSOnull SM — 1 QSOKN77 — 768 QSOKN59 — 592 QSOKO30 — 562 QSOJO21 — 308 QSOJO22 — 275 QSOKO50 — 263 QSOJO31 — 233 QSOKN19 — 194 QSOKM19 — 189 QSOJO30 — 186 QSOJO32 — 179 QSOPM95 — 178 QSOJO90 — 170 QSOJN45 — 167 QSOKN29 — 152 QSOJN59 — 146 QSOJO40 — 141 QSOJN49 — 137 QSOJO62 — 135 QSOIO91 — 127 QSOJO61 — 125 QSOJN11 — 111 QSOJO41 — 109 QSOKO02 — 105 QSOPM74 — 105 QSOIO93 — 104 QSOJO42 — 103 QSOJN76 — 101 QSOJN65 — 101 QSOKN39 — 98 QSOJN58 — 96 QSOJO20 — 95 QSOIO92 — 91 QSOIM99 — 90 QSOJN39 — 90 QSOJO94 — 89 QSOJO71 — 88 QSOJO01 — 85 QSOJN97 — 85 QSOJN88 — 83 QSOJO52 — 83 QSOJN16 — 82 QSOKM18 — 81 QSOJO50 — 81 QSOJN47 — 80 QSOJN48 — 80 QSOJN01 — 79 QSOJO10 — 77 QSOJN64 — 76 QSOJN68 — 76 QSOJN55 — 76 QSOJN54 — 74 QSOJO83 — 74 QSOJO33 — 73 QSOJO11 — 71 QSOJN57 — 71 QSOJO53 — 71 QSOJN86 — 68 QSOKP20 — 68 QSOIO81 — 67 QSOJO82 — 67 QSOKO24 — 67 QSOJN69 — 65 QSOJO70 — 63 QSOKN57 — 63 QSOJN53 — 63 QSOJN63 — 62 QSOJO80 — 61 QSOPM85 — 61 QSOIO83 — 59 QSOJN37 — 58 QSOIN80 — 58 QSOJN89 — 57 QSOIM98 — 55 QSOJN99 — 55 QSOJN87 — 55 QSOKN34 — 54 QSOPM97 — 54 QSOIO94 — 54 QSOKO01 — 54 QSOJO43 — 53 QSOJO51 — 53 QSOKO06 — 53 QSOKN28 — 53 QSOJN78 — 52 QSOKN89 — 51 QSOJN79 — 51 QSOKN05 — 50 QSOJN61 — 50 QSOJO93 — 50 QSOJN75 — 49 QSOKN45 — 49 QSOKN10 — 46 QSOKN04 — 46 QSOJN36 — 46 QSOJO60 — 46 QSOPM96 — 46 QSOKM72 — 45 QSOJO91 — 45 QSOKP21 — 45 QSOIO90 — 43 QSOPM64 — 42 QSOKN37 — 41 QSOIM67 — 41 QSOIO82 — 40 QSOPM86 — 40 QSOJO72 — 40 QSOJO81 — 39 QSOKN56 — 39 QSOJN38 — 38 QSOIN96 — 37 QSOJO65 — 37 QSOJO92 — 37 QSOKN09 — 36 QSOJN70 — 36 QSOKN07 — 34 QSOKO70 — 34 QSOPM53 — 34 QSOFN20 — 34 QSOJO67 — 33 QSOJN25 — 33 QSOJO73 — 33 QSOJN19 — 33 QSOKO51 — 33 QSOJO02 — 32 QSOJN44 — 31 QSOJN23 — 31 QSOJN18 — 31 QSOJO23 — 31 QSOKO27 — 31 QSOJN29 — 31 QSOJN62 — 31 QSOJN00 — 30 QSOPM63 — 30 QSOKO14 — 30 QSOKN78 — 29 QSOIN83 — 29 QSOJO54 — 29 QSOJN71 — 29 QSOJM77 — 28 QSOKO00 — 28 QSOKN47 — 28 QSOKN35 — 28 QSOJN77 — 27 QSOJN66 — 27 QSOJN05 — 27 QSOKN25 — 27 QSOFN31 — 27 QSOIN95 — 26 QSOJN09 — 26 QSOJO44 — 26 QSOKM17 — 26 QSOJN96 — 26 QSOIN52 — 26 QSOJO64 — 25 QSOJN06 — 25 QSOKO21 — 25 QSOIN73 — 24 QSOQM07 — 24 QSOKN22 — 24 QSOJN46 — 24 QSOKO29 — 24 QSOFM18 — 24 QSOJO89 — 24 QSOJN85 — 23 QSOIO74 — 23 QSOPM01 — 23 QSOIM58 — 23 QSOJN93 — 23 QSOKO03 — 23 QSOIO80 — 23 QSOJO00 — 23 QSOJN35 — 23 QSOQM05 — 23 QSOKN26 — 23 QSOJN67 — 23 QSOIO86 — 22 QSOJN95 — 22 QSOIO63 — 22 QSOJO55 — 22 QSOIM77 — 22 QSOQM08 — 22 QSOJO59 — 22 QSOKO16 — 21 QSOQM09 — 21 QSOKM71 — 21 QSOQM06 — 21 QSOKO05 — 21 QSOFN41 — 21 QSOPM84 — 21 QSOJN26 — 20 QSOJN56 — 20 QSOKN58 — 20 QSOIN94 — 19 QSOKN16 — 19 QSOIM97 — 19 QSOIN70 — 19 QSOJP82 — 19 QSOJO46 — 19 QSOKP10 — 19 QSOKN41 — 19 QSOFN42 — 19 QSOKN18 — 18 QSOIM76 — 18 QSOKN43 — 18 QSOIN87 — 18 QSOKN23 — 18 QSOJN07 — 18 QSOIM59 — 18 QSOJN83 — 18 QSOEM79 — 18 QSOIO70 — 18 QSOKN49 — 18 QSOGG66 — 18 QSOOI33 — 17 QSOJN27 — 17 QSOJM88 — 17 QSOJN72 — 17 QSOIN62 — 17 QSOFM05 — 17 QSOKN13 — 16 QSOFM19 — 16 QSOIO85 — 16 QSOJN84 — 16 QSOKN68 — 16 QSOEN80 — 16 QSOJN33 — 16 QSOKP32 — 16 QSOJN28 — 16 QSOPM94 — 16 QSOIM86 — 16 QSOIO75 — 16 QSOKP11 — 16 QSOJN81 — 16 QSOFN03 — 16 QSOEN61 — 16 QSOKN12 — 15 QSOJO84 — 15 QSOKN44 — 15 QSOKO61 — 15 QSOJO66 — 15 QSOKM39 — 15 QSOEL98 — 15 QSOKO26 — 14 QSOEN82 — 14 QSOIN98 — 13 QSOJN08 — 13 QSOIN93 — 13 QSOJN17 — 13 QSOKM25 — 13 QSOJN98 — 13 QSOKM57 — 13 QSOJO76 — 13 QSOKN67 — 13 QSOKN06 — 13 QSOKN08 — 13 QSOKP30 — 13 QSOJN80 — 13 QSOIM66 — 13 QSOJO49 — 13 QSOIN72 — 13 QSOJP50 — 13 QSOJM78 — 13 QSOFN30 — 13 QSOQN03 — 13 QSOEL87 — 13 QSOFM17 — 12 QSOKM07 — 12 QSOJO63 — 12 QSOJO57 — 12 QSOKO40 — 12 QSOIN97 — 12 QSOJO75 — 12 QSOON80 — 12 QSOOM89 — 12 QSOIN88 — 11 QSOKI88 — 11 QSOKN33 — 11 QSOKO15 — 11 QSOKO13 — 11 QSOKP12 — 11 QSOPM00 — 11 QSOJO45 — 11 QSOEN35 — 11 QSOEN71 — 11 QSOJN12 — 11 QSOJN52 — 11 QSOIL18 — 11 QSOEN52 — 11 QSOIO84 — 11 QSOIO64 — 11 QSOFN32 — 11 QSOOI37 — 10 QSOKN15 — 10 QSOKM73 — 10 QSOKN88 — 10 QSOOI43 — 10 QSOKN36 — 10 QSOFN13 — 10 QSOFN00 — 10 QSOJO78 — 10 QSOFK68 — 10 QSOFM29 — 10 QSOKO10 — 10 QSOEM95 — 10 QSOJN34 — 10 QSOJN03 — 10 QSOJO97 — 9 QSOOL72 — 9 QSOPN26 — 9 QSOIN89 — 9 QSOIN92 — 9 QSOJN94 — 9 QSOGF05 — 9 QSOKP42 — 9 QSOEL95 — 9 QSOKM69 — 9 QSOMN60 — 9 QSOKO25 — 9 QSOPM02 — 9 QSOKN24 — 9 QSOCN85 — 9 QSOIM13 — 9 QSOIO73 — 9 QSOKN69 — 9 QSOEN91 — 9 QSOPM75 — 9 QSOEL96 — 8 QSOJO74 — 8 QSOEN93 — 8 QSOJN92 — 8 QSOJN90 — 8 QSOLL56 — 8 QSOKM08 — 8 QSOKN32 — 8 QSOJO48 — 8 QSOJO77 — 8 QSOJM67 — 8 QSOPM37 — 8 QSOEM85 — 8 QSOEM73 — 8 QSOKO12 — 8 QSOJN41 — 8 QSOKN14 — 8 QSOIM87 — 8 QSOJM19 — 8 QSOFN53 — 8 QSOIN99 — 7 QSOPM36 — 7 QSOJN14 — 7 QSOOM86 — 7 QSOJO99 — 7 QSOKP05 — 7 QSOKM38 — 7 QSOJM75 — 7 QSOJN13 — 7 QSOOI42 — 7 QSOKP01 — 7 QSOKM74 — 7 QSOIN51 — 7 QSOQN23 — 7 QSOKM59 — 7 QSOOL36 — 7 QSOFN21 — 7 QSOEN74 — 7 QSOKM64 — 7 QSOFM08 — 7 QSOEM12 — 7 QSOFN25 — 7 QSOKP22 — 7 QSOFN43 — 7 QSOPM54 — 7 QSOOM21 — 7 QSOJN24 — 6 QSOMN47 — 6 QSOKO20 — 6 QSOPM65 — 6 QSOJP20 — 6 QSOJM68 — 6 QSOJM49 — 6 QSOOL63 — 6 QSOJO47 — 6 QSOKO11 — 6 QSOKP23 — 6 QSOFN46 — 6 QSONO00 — 6 QSOHM77 — 6 QSOKO18 — 6 QSOKM46 — 6 QSOCN88 — 6 QSOJM89 — 6 QSOPM43 — 6 QSOEM74 — 6 QSOEN72 — 6 QSOFM16 — 6 QSOIN91 — 6 QSOKP00 — 6 QSOMN72 — 6 QSOQN12 — 6 QSOFN14 — 6 QSOFN10 — 6 QSODM79 — 6 QSOIO65 — 6 QSOOI52 — 6 QSOKP13 — 6 QSOIL28 — 6 QSOCN87 — 6 QSOOM65 — 6 QSOML88 — 5 QSOEM78 — 5 QSOJP70 — 5 QSOIN63 — 5 QSOKP25 — 5 QSOMO13 — 5 QSOIN78 — 5 QSOHI06 — 5 QSOKN01 — 5 QSOKM09 — 5 QSOKM47 — 5 QSOJN02 — 5 QSOJO68 — 5 QSOEL97 — 5 QSOJP53 — 5 QSOPM51 — 5 QSOEN90 — 5 QSOEM63 — 5 QSOFN34 — 5 QSOIN53 — 5 QSOJP80 — 5 QSOLN21 — 5 QSOIO87 — 5 QSOIN50 — 5 QSOKO60 — 5 QSOJN40 — 5 QSOEM76 — 5 QSOEN81 — 5 QSOCM87 — 5 QSOGG54 — 5 QSOKM27 — 5 QSOKN40 — 5 QSOKP24 — 5 QSOKO34 — 5 QSOIN82 — 5 QSOQN13 — 5 QSOJP54 — 5 QSOOM64 — 5 QSOAA00 — 5 QSOKO38 — 5 QSOIP62 — 4 QSOIM57 — 4 QSOMN69 — 4 QSOJO79 — 4 QSOKP04 — 4 QSOKN21 — 4 QSOOJ00 — 4 QSOKN03 — 4 QSOEL09 — 4 QSOPM45 — 4 QSOCM98 — 4 QSONL59 — 4 QSOIL27 — 4 QSOEM56 — 4 QSOEN62 — 4 QSOLL55 — 4 QSOEM25 — 4 QSOGH80 — 4 QSOIO72 — 4 QSOKN31 — 4 QSOHM68 — 4 QSOEM64 — 4 QSOEM26 — 4 QSOEM89 — 4 QSOEN73 — 4 QSOFN65 — 4 QSOFH17 — 4 QSODM33 — 4 QSOFM04 — 4 QSOEN42 — 4 QSOMM48 — 4 QSOJO38 — 4 QSOEN70 — 4 QSOFN02 — 4 QSOPM35 — 4 QSOIO71 — 4 QSOMN83 — 4 QSOIO51 — 4 QSOKN17 — 4 QSOFK49 — 4 QSOJN15 — 4 QSOEN60 — 4 QSOKP06 — 4 QSOJN74 — 4 QSOKN27 — 4 QSOFM14 — 4 QSOEM28 — 4 QSOFN54 — 4 QSOLL93 — 3 QSOQN02 — 3 QSOKO17 — 3 QSOIM89 — 3 QSOKN48 — 3 QSOGF25 — 3 QSOFF81 — 3 QSOJO28 — 3 QSOFK58 — 3 QSOGI84 — 3 QSOEN53 — 3 QSOFJ24 — 3 QSOJJ00 — 3 QSOQN04 — 3 QSOFN23 — 3 QSOEM13 — 3 QSOFN04 — 3 QSOCM96 — 3 QSOIO53 — 3 QSOIO95 — 3 QSOEL99 — 3 QSOFF97 — 3 QSOFJ26 — 3 QSOQE38 — 3 QSONK03 — 3 QSOIM78 — 3 QSOFM02 — 3 QSOQF22 — 3 QSOKN79 — 3 QSOOM90 — 3 QSOEM90 — 3 QSOFN35 — 3 QSOEM99 — 3 QSOEL88 — 3 QSOEM20 — 3 QSOEN83 — 3 QSODM04 — 3 QSOEM84 — 3 QSOJP81 — 3 QSOKO37 — 3 QSOFF47 — 3 QSOQN00 — 3 QSOPL09 — 3 QSOKN11 — 3 QSOIO52 — 3 QSOHP94 — 3 QSOEM94 — 3 QSOEM83 — 3 QSOJO87 — 3 QSOLL07 — 3 QSOPM52 — 3 QSOFM15 — 3 QSOMO43 — 3 QSOKP33 — 3 QSOFN73 — 3 QSOGF15 — 3 QSOLL15 — 3 QSOMO52 — 3 QSOIM69 — 3 QSOJO03 — 3 QSOEM57 — 3 QSODM42 — 3 QSOKO07 — 3 QSOFN33 — 3 QSOKN91 — 3 QSOKO28 — 3 QSOGF18 — 3 QSOPN11 — 3 QSOOL68 — 3 QSOEN45 — 3 QSOHP93 — 2 QSOKH44 — 2 QSOJM99 — 2 QSOOM10 — 2 QSOGF16 — 2 QSOMK65 — 2 QSOGH49 — 2 QSOEK57 — 2 QSOEM80 — 2 QSOJO86 — 2 QSOOJ04 — 2 QSOEM70 — 2 QSOJP72 — 2 QSOKN00 — 2 QSOPM98 — 2 QSOJM53 — 2 QSOJO56 — 2 QSOLL49 — 2 QSOOI61 — 2 QSOOL66 — 2 QSOJN04 — 2 QSOKN02 — 2 QSOEN43 — 2 QSOEK70 — 2 QSOKM65 — 2 QSOEM88 — 2 QSOOI71 — 2 QSOIN81 — 2 QSOIN90 — 2 QSOFK48 — 2 QSODN32 — 2 QSOHP85 — 2 QSOEN92 — 2 QSOEL94 — 2 QSOEM66 — 2 QSOGG97 — 2 QSOHM58 — 2 QSOKN38 — 2 QSOMO60 — 2 QSOGG52 — 2 QSOFF46 — 2 QSOQG62 — 2 QSORE43 — 2 QSOQF21 — 2 QSOFK60 — 2 QSOKP26 — 2 QSOKG44 — 2 QSOJO29 — 2 QSONN33 — 2 QSOGG77 — 2 QSOGN28 — 2 QSOEM98 — 2 QSOEN10 — 2 QSOEN12 — 2 QSOFM09 — 2 QSOEM23 — 2 QSOEM24 — 2 QSOEM58 — 2 QSODM41 — 2 QSOEL29 — 2 QSOFM06 — 2 QSOEN31 — 2 QSODN70 — 2 QSOJO88 — 2 QSOOM74 — 2 QSODN31 — 2 QSOOI62 — 2 QSOOL79 — 2 QSOFN12 — 2 QSOEL89 — 2 QSOCN82 — 2 QSONL25 — 2 QSOEM86 — 2 QSOKN50 — 2 QSOEM48 — 2 QSOIO62 — 2 QSOEM69 — 2 QSODO33 — 2 QSOGG87 — 2 QSOKO31 — 2 QSOOM91 — 2 QSOJI61 — 2 QSOKN30 — 2 QSOFF98 — 2 QSOFN24 — 2 QSOEM97 — 2 QSOEM72 — 2 QSOOI86 — 2 QSOPM38 — 2 QSOOM96 — 2 QSOEN63 — 2 QSOPM05 — 2 QSOJJ16 — 2 QSOFH41 — 2 QSOGG67 — 2 QSOEN41 — 2 QSOEM75 — 2 QSOOM44 — 2 QSOOL29 — 2 QSOFK90 — 2 QSOOI67 — 2 QSOML62 — 2 QSOOI95 — 2 QSONJ75 — 2 QSOEN11 — 2 QSOEN34 — 2 QSOEM15 — 2 QSOKG50 — 2 QSOIM88 — 2 QSOJI75 — 2 QSOCM97 — 2 QSODM09 — 2 QSODM13 — 2 QSODM14 — 2 QSOCN89 — 2 QSOEN57 — 2 QSOEM09 — 2 QSOHM49 — 2 QSOON37 — 2 QSOEM47 — 2 QSOOM56 — 2 QSOIN71 — 2 QSOEP77 — 1 QSOOM16 — 1 QSOJP98 — 1 QSOFE77 — 1 QSOLM56 — 1 QSOJP90 — 1 QSOIL48 — 1 QSOIM64 — 1 QSOOI49 — 1 QSOCO70 — 1 QSOKO52 — 1 QSOPM73 — 1 QSOJM76 — 1 QSOKO04 — 1 QSODN26 — 1 QSOIO54 — 1 QSOIN77 — 1 QSOJM08 — 1 QSOGF12 — 1 QSOGG02 — 1 QSOGG78 — 1 QSOJR92 — 1 QSOKO35 — 1 QSOKP45 — 1 QSOFN22 — 1 QSOKO80 — 1 QSORF73 — 1 QSORE54 — 1 QSODM57 — 1 QSOMK82 — 1 QSOKP43 — 1 QSOKM78 — 1 QSOKN66 — 1 QSOOL39 — 1 QSOGI77 — 1 QSOPM34 — 1 QSOMJ89 — 1 QSOEM60 — 1 QSOEM59 — 1 QSOEM10 — 1 QSOEM40 — 1 QSOEM91 — 1 QSOCO54 — 1 QSOEM92 — 1 QSOKP36 — 1 QSOJM29 — 1 QSOOK33 — 1 QSOEL93 — 1 QSOGH70 — 1 QSOGH53 — 1 QSOGG57 — 1 QSOJH18 — 1 QSOGH42 — 1 QSOGF14 — 1 QSOFF76 — 1 QSOFE48 — 1 QSOEJ79 — 1 QSOKN90 — 1 QSOMH10 — 1 QSOKN46 — 1 QSOOJ01 — 1 QSOFN74 — 1 QSOJP99 — 1 QSOFJ92 — 1 QSOFH99 — 1 QSOEL42 — 1 QSOFK40 — 1 QSOEM93 — 1 QSOFJ25 — 1 QSOFN59 — 1 QSOFG75 — 1 QSOKM36 — 1 QSOGG36 — 1 QSODN17 — 1 QSOFN01 — 1 QSOFN84 — 1 QSOEN32 — 1 QSOEM37 — 1 QSODN13 — 1 QSODM62 — 1 QSOEL28 — 1 QSODM12 — 1 QSODM03 — 1 QSODM32 — 1 QSOEM29 — 1 QSODN19 — 1 QSODM08 — 1 QSOPF15 — 1 QSOIM79 — 1 QSOLL85 — 1 QSOMK69 — 1 QSOKP31 — 1 QSOJK72 — 1 QSOFI07 — 1 QSOOL62 — 1 QSONN34 — 1 QSOMR14 — 1 QSOBP51 — 1 QSOOM81 — 1 QSOJP51 — 1 QSODM78 — 1 QSOEM96 — 1 QSOFN75 — 1 QSOCN97 — 1 QSOEM67 — 1 QSODM06 — 1 QSOBP64 — 1 QSOKP03 — 1 QSOOM99 — 1 QSOJO69 — 1 QSOOL14 — 1 QSOMJ88 — 1 QSOOK04 — 1 QSOIO68 — 1 QSOIK90 — 1 QSOKO43 — 1 QSOIL49 — 1 QSOKP53 — 1 QSOQF01 — 1 QSOPM48 — 1 QSOLN20 — 1 QSOMG00 — 1 QSOKP34 — 1 QSOJP93 — 1 QSOIL17 — 1 QSOKO36 — 1 QSOCN72 — 1 QSOGH61 — 1 QSOGH64 — 1 QSOEM62 — 1 QSOKP07 — 1 QSOJP57 — 1 QSOKP41 — 1 QSOPL04 — 1 QSOHI21 — 1 QSORF72 — 1 QSOQG63 — 1 QSOPM08 — 1 QSOLM09 — 1 QSOFM28 — 1 QSOOF77 — 1 QSOQH30 — 1 QSOKO19 — 1 QSOKN20 — 1 QSOKN81 — 1 QSOJI64 — 1 QSOMK71 — 1 QSOGF38 — 1 QSOOK18 — 1 QSOGG89 — 1 QSOQF59 — 1 QSOEM22 — 1 QSOFD46 — 1 QSOGG30 — 1 QSOKN98 — 1 QSOEL86 — 1 QSOQF31 — 1 QSOAO63 — 1 QSOJP77 — 1 QSOMK75 — 1 QSOKM66 — 1 QSOGG42 — 1 QSOOB41 — 1 QSONH40 — 1 QSOEN08 — 1 QSOKL91 — 1 QSOEM68 — 1 QSOIM68 — 1 QSOFF33 — 1 QSOJP63 — 1 QSOIN86 — 1 QSOJA31 — 1 QSOLO61 — 1 QSORE79 — 1 QSOKB20 — 1 QSOJP33 — 1 QSOEN95 — 1 QSOEN65 — 1 QSOQF56 — 1 QSOEM81 — 1 QSORE78 — 1 QSOKM56 — 1 QSOKQ01 — 1 QSOOI81 — 1 QSOOJ20 — 1 QSOFF57 — 1 QSOJJ94 — 1 QSOFD38 — 1 QSOEM77 — 1 QSOJQ90 — 1 QSOKO45 — 1 QSODN99 — 1 QSOOM20 — 1 QSOOM63 — 1 QSOOL52 — 1 QSOON40 — 1 QSOOM70 — 1 QSOOM62 — 1 QSOKF16 — 1 QSOAG64 — 1 QSOEN13 — 1 QSODM25 — 1 QSODN40 — 1 QSODM64 — 1 QSOEM71 — 1 QSOKG46 — 1 QSOEK09 — 1 QSOFO62 — 1 QSOFN11 — 1 QSOEM17 — 1 QSOEL15 — 1 QSOEM42 — 1 QSOEM55 — 1 QSOEM41 — 1 QSOOM97 — 1 QSOOK15 — 1 QSOQN14 — 1 QSOJP78 — 1 QSOOM80 — 1 QSOOI25 — 1 QSOMO82 — 1 QSOFN67 — 1 QSOEM32 — 1 QSOEM00 — 1 QSOJO58 — 1 QSOKL94 — 1 QSOKO39 — 1 QSOGF49 — 1 QSOHI20 — 1 QSOOK09 — 1 QSOBJ18 — 1 QSOOL15 — 1 QSOEN76 — 1 QSONN01 — 1 QSOOK02 — 1 QSOEN22 — 1 QSOJF96 — 1 QSOGG68 — 1 QSOEN51 — 1 QSOEN56 — 1 QSODM45 — 1 QSODM26 — 1 QSOGG65 — 1 QSOEN21 — 1 QSODN41 — 1 QSODN81 — 1 QSODM16 — 1 QSOCG12 — 1 QSOCN84 — 1 QSOGN39 — 1 QSODO00 — 1 QSODN18 — 1 QSOEL49 — 1 QSOLL39 — 1 QSOQN22 — 1 QSODM81 — 1 QSOEM54 — 1 QSOEN20 — 1 QSOON93 — 1 QSOKN87 — 1 QSONJ93 — 1 QSOBD99 — 1 QSOQK34 — 1 QSOEN54 — 1 QSOEN40 — 1 QSOQG60 — 1 QSOJP76 — 1 QSOOE97 — 1 QSOFJ34 — 1 QSORE68 — 1 QSOMN43 — 1 QSONL49 — 1 QSOBL96 — 1 QSOLL75 — 1 QSOJP73 — 1 QSONN73 — 1 QSORE66 — 1 QSOQF23 — 1 QSOLN22 — 1 QSOIO22 — 1 QSOAH69 — 1 QSORH82 — 1 QSOLQ22 — 1 QSOJP40 — 1 QSOGG58 — 1 QSOLG89 — 1 QSOOI32 — 1 QSOOI24 — 1 QSOOL42 — 1 QSOMN40 — 1 QSOEG50 — 1 QSOGF27 — 1 QSODN07 — 1 QSOFN05 — 1 QSOKP16 — 1 QSOIO77 — 1 QSO77841429762592716879922834439019178282712
locator squarecountry by callsign:1–23–910–4950–249250 +not in the log

The leading locator fields confirm the geography without any statistics at all: Ukrainians sit in fields KN and KO, Germans in JO and JN, Poles in JO, Italians in JN, Britons in IO, Japanese in PM.

The small defects in the data are worth naming out loud as well: five callsigns — 489LGE, D01JAR/P, Y03FLP, Z50AF, Z62NS — match nothing in the prefix table and are assigned to no country. They are either mistypings made on the air or special callsigns absent from the reference.

Propagation: the bands day by day​

The award ran for 31 days (all times UTC) and gathered 17,387 contacts, of which 262 went through a geostationary satellite. Those are set aside in a section of their own and take no part in the propagation figures: the path to a geostationary satellite is the same by day and by night, in a storm and in quiet, so it says nothing about the ionosphere.

All correlations below are Spearman rank correlations.

Volume is governed by the calendar, not by the Sun​

The correlation between the daily number of contacts and the SFI (the solar flux at 10.7 cm) is only 0.12, and with the sunspot number it is actually negative. Meanwhile weekends average 615 contacts against 523 on weekdays, and three of the month's four biggest days are a Saturday or a Sunday: the 22nd (941), the 23rd (994) and the 16th (770). Sunday the 9th produced 736 contacts at an SFI of 94 — one of the lowest of the month.

This sounds banal until you notice how often, in amateur conversations about “a bad day”, the Sun is named as the culprit. On the scale of a month the deciding factor is when people have a free evening.

Daily contacts and the SFI

bars — contacts per day (weekend);line — the solar flux index, right axis

0250500750100008-01 — 266 QSO · SFI 14008-02 — 223 QSO · SFI 12708-03 — 420 QSO · SFI 12608-04 — 364 QSO · SFI 11808-05 — 393 QSO · SFI 10808-06 — 408 QSO · SFI 10108-07 — 611 QSO · SFI 9708-08 — 609 QSO · SFI 9408-09 — 736 QSO · SFI 9408-10 — 533 QSO · SFI 9508-11 — 512 QSO · SFI 9608-12 — 396 QSO · SFI 10008-13 — 567 QSO · SFI 10808-14 — 643 QSO · SFI 11408-15 — 481 QSO · SFI 11708-16 — 770 QSO · SFI 12908-17 — 567 QSO · SFI 12408-18 — 514 QSO · SFI 12508-19 — 514 QSO · SFI 12608-20 — 536 QSO · SFI 12508-21 — 658 QSO · SFI 12608-22 — 941 QSO · SFI 12408-23 — 994 QSO · SFI 12808-24 — 831 QSO · SFI 14308-25 — 747 QSO · SFI 13208-26 — 572 QSO · SFI 13108-27 — 359 QSO · SFI 12208-28 — 294 QSO · SFI 11608-29 — 505 QSO · SFI 11108-30 — 616 QSO · SFI 10708-31 — 545 QSO · SFI 10708-01 SFI 14008-02 SFI 12708-03 SFI 12608-04 SFI 11808-05 SFI 10808-06 SFI 10108-07 SFI 9708-08 SFI 9408-09 SFI 9408-10 SFI 9508-11 SFI 9608-12 SFI 10008-13 SFI 10808-14 SFI 11408-15 SFI 11708-16 SFI 12908-17 SFI 12408-18 SFI 12508-19 SFI 12608-20 SFI 12508-21 SFI 12608-22 SFI 12408-23 SFI 12808-24 SFI 14308-25 SFI 13208-26 SFI 13108-27 SFI 12208-28 SFI 11608-29 SFI 11108-30 SFI 10708-31 SFI 1079012015008-0108-0408-0708-1008-1308-1608-1908-2208-2508-2808-31contacts per day · SFI (right axis)

The high bands, though, do obey the Sun​

Move from the overall volume to individual bands and the Sun comes back into the picture. For 10–17 m against SFI, r = 0.35. When the SFI rose in the second half of the month from about 94 to a peak of 143 (on the 24th), 12 m gave more than 50 contacts in a day for the first time (55 on the 17th, 67 on the 25th), and 10 m reached 99 contacts on the 25th.

That said, 59 contacts on 10 m on the 10th at an SFI of 95 are a reminder that in summer 10 m is opened by sporadic E, which has no need of a high flux.

High bands by day

stacked from the bottom up: 17 m15 m12 m10 m

015030045008-01 — 10m 12 · 12m 0 · 15m 140 · 17m 008-01 — 10m 12 · 12m 0 · 15m 140 · 17m 008-01 — 10m 12 · 12m 0 · 15m 140 · 17m 008-01 — 10m 12 · 12m 0 · 15m 140 · 17m 008-02 — 10m 10 · 12m 2 · 15m 36 · 17m 608-02 — 10m 10 · 12m 2 · 15m 36 · 17m 608-02 — 10m 10 · 12m 2 · 15m 36 · 17m 608-02 — 10m 10 · 12m 2 · 15m 36 · 17m 608-03 — 10m 9 · 12m 15 · 15m 68 · 17m 4308-03 — 10m 9 · 12m 15 · 15m 68 · 17m 4308-03 — 10m 9 · 12m 15 · 15m 68 · 17m 4308-03 — 10m 9 · 12m 15 · 15m 68 · 17m 4308-04 — 10m 10 · 12m 15 · 15m 33 · 17m 2708-04 — 10m 10 · 12m 15 · 15m 33 · 17m 2708-04 — 10m 10 · 12m 15 · 15m 33 · 17m 2708-04 — 10m 10 · 12m 15 · 15m 33 · 17m 2708-05 — 10m 3 · 12m 1 · 15m 26 · 17m 008-05 — 10m 3 · 12m 1 · 15m 26 · 17m 008-05 — 10m 3 · 12m 1 · 15m 26 · 17m 008-05 — 10m 3 · 12m 1 · 15m 26 · 17m 008-06 — 10m 16 · 12m 7 · 15m 49 · 17m 8008-06 — 10m 16 · 12m 7 · 15m 49 · 17m 8008-06 — 10m 16 · 12m 7 · 15m 49 · 17m 8008-06 — 10m 16 · 12m 7 · 15m 49 · 17m 8008-07 — 10m 43 · 12m 1 · 15m 125 · 17m 3508-07 — 10m 43 · 12m 1 · 15m 125 · 17m 3508-07 — 10m 43 · 12m 1 · 15m 125 · 17m 3508-07 — 10m 43 · 12m 1 · 15m 125 · 17m 3508-08 — 10m 3 · 12m 8 · 15m 195 · 17m 3108-08 — 10m 3 · 12m 8 · 15m 195 · 17m 3108-08 — 10m 3 · 12m 8 · 15m 195 · 17m 3108-08 — 10m 3 · 12m 8 · 15m 195 · 17m 3108-09 — 10m 31 · 12m 1 · 15m 96 · 17m 2508-09 — 10m 31 · 12m 1 · 15m 96 · 17m 2508-09 — 10m 31 · 12m 1 · 15m 96 · 17m 2508-09 — 10m 31 · 12m 1 · 15m 96 · 17m 2508-10 — 10m 59 · 12m 27 · 15m 58 · 17m 1308-10 — 10m 59 · 12m 27 · 15m 58 · 17m 1308-10 — 10m 59 · 12m 27 · 15m 58 · 17m 1308-10 — 10m 59 · 12m 27 · 15m 58 · 17m 1308-11 — 10m 32 · 12m 25 · 15m 80 · 17m 708-11 — 10m 32 · 12m 25 · 15m 80 · 17m 708-11 — 10m 32 · 12m 25 · 15m 80 · 17m 708-11 — 10m 32 · 12m 25 · 15m 80 · 17m 708-12 — 10m 25 · 12m 10 · 15m 69 · 17m 2808-12 — 10m 25 · 12m 10 · 15m 69 · 17m 2808-12 — 10m 25 · 12m 10 · 15m 69 · 17m 2808-12 — 10m 25 · 12m 10 · 15m 69 · 17m 2808-13 — 10m 31 · 12m 19 · 15m 84 · 17m 1208-13 — 10m 31 · 12m 19 · 15m 84 · 17m 1208-13 — 10m 31 · 12m 19 · 15m 84 · 17m 1208-13 — 10m 31 · 12m 19 · 15m 84 · 17m 1208-14 — 10m 13 · 12m 18 · 15m 56 · 17m 3308-14 — 10m 13 · 12m 18 · 15m 56 · 17m 3308-14 — 10m 13 · 12m 18 · 15m 56 · 17m 3308-14 — 10m 13 · 12m 18 · 15m 56 · 17m 3308-15 — 10m 16 · 12m 13 · 15m 31 · 17m 14508-15 — 10m 16 · 12m 13 · 15m 31 · 17m 14508-15 — 10m 16 · 12m 13 · 15m 31 · 17m 14508-15 — 10m 16 · 12m 13 · 15m 31 · 17m 14508-16 — 10m 21 · 12m 20 · 15m 72 · 17m 22908-16 — 10m 21 · 12m 20 · 15m 72 · 17m 22908-16 — 10m 21 · 12m 20 · 15m 72 · 17m 22908-16 — 10m 21 · 12m 20 · 15m 72 · 17m 22908-17 — 10m 12 · 12m 55 · 15m 107 · 17m 15308-17 — 10m 12 · 12m 55 · 15m 107 · 17m 15308-17 — 10m 12 · 12m 55 · 15m 107 · 17m 15308-17 — 10m 12 · 12m 55 · 15m 107 · 17m 15308-18 — 10m 16 · 12m 19 · 15m 13 · 17m 15708-18 — 10m 16 · 12m 19 · 15m 13 · 17m 15708-18 — 10m 16 · 12m 19 · 15m 13 · 17m 15708-18 — 10m 16 · 12m 19 · 15m 13 · 17m 15708-19 — 10m 26 · 12m 15 · 15m 66 · 17m 10308-19 — 10m 26 · 12m 15 · 15m 66 · 17m 10308-19 — 10m 26 · 12m 15 · 15m 66 · 17m 10308-19 — 10m 26 · 12m 15 · 15m 66 · 17m 10308-20 — 10m 13 · 12m 32 · 15m 149 · 17m 4208-20 — 10m 13 · 12m 32 · 15m 149 · 17m 4208-20 — 10m 13 · 12m 32 · 15m 149 · 17m 4208-20 — 10m 13 · 12m 32 · 15m 149 · 17m 4208-21 — 10m 26 · 12m 30 · 15m 147 · 17m 4208-21 — 10m 26 · 12m 30 · 15m 147 · 17m 4208-21 — 10m 26 · 12m 30 · 15m 147 · 17m 4208-21 — 10m 26 · 12m 30 · 15m 147 · 17m 4208-22 — 10m 56 · 12m 4 · 15m 194 · 17m 13508-22 — 10m 56 · 12m 4 · 15m 194 · 17m 13508-22 — 10m 56 · 12m 4 · 15m 194 · 17m 13508-22 — 10m 56 · 12m 4 · 15m 194 · 17m 13508-23 — 10m 49 · 12m 20 · 15m 197 · 17m 7008-23 — 10m 49 · 12m 20 · 15m 197 · 17m 7008-23 — 10m 49 · 12m 20 · 15m 197 · 17m 7008-23 — 10m 49 · 12m 20 · 15m 197 · 17m 7008-24 — 10m 2 · 12m 4 · 15m 136 · 17m 7508-24 — 10m 2 · 12m 4 · 15m 136 · 17m 7508-24 — 10m 2 · 12m 4 · 15m 136 · 17m 7508-24 — 10m 2 · 12m 4 · 15m 136 · 17m 7508-25 — 10m 99 · 12m 67 · 15m 93 · 17m 15708-25 — 10m 99 · 12m 67 · 15m 93 · 17m 15708-25 — 10m 99 · 12m 67 · 15m 93 · 17m 15708-25 — 10m 99 · 12m 67 · 15m 93 · 17m 15708-26 — 10m 7 · 12m 28 · 15m 250 · 17m 3908-26 — 10m 7 · 12m 28 · 15m 250 · 17m 3908-26 — 10m 7 · 12m 28 · 15m 250 · 17m 3908-26 — 10m 7 · 12m 28 · 15m 250 · 17m 3908-27 — 10m 7 · 12m 0 · 15m 56 · 17m 12608-27 — 10m 7 · 12m 0 · 15m 56 · 17m 12608-27 — 10m 7 · 12m 0 · 15m 56 · 17m 12608-27 — 10m 7 · 12m 0 · 15m 56 · 17m 12608-28 — 10m 3 · 12m 12 · 15m 50 · 17m 1108-28 — 10m 3 · 12m 12 · 15m 50 · 17m 1108-28 — 10m 3 · 12m 12 · 15m 50 · 17m 1108-28 — 10m 3 · 12m 12 · 15m 50 · 17m 1108-29 — 10m 0 · 12m 0 · 15m 19 · 17m 10608-29 — 10m 0 · 12m 0 · 15m 19 · 17m 10608-29 — 10m 0 · 12m 0 · 15m 19 · 17m 10608-29 — 10m 0 · 12m 0 · 15m 19 · 17m 10608-30 — 10m 0 · 12m 6 · 15m 34 · 17m 17608-30 — 10m 0 · 12m 6 · 15m 34 · 17m 17608-30 — 10m 0 · 12m 6 · 15m 34 · 17m 17608-30 — 10m 0 · 12m 6 · 15m 34 · 17m 17608-31 — 10m 19 · 12m 18 · 15m 72 · 17m 15108-31 — 10m 19 · 12m 18 · 15m 72 · 17m 15108-31 — 10m 19 · 12m 18 · 15m 72 · 17m 15108-31 — 10m 19 · 12m 18 · 15m 72 · 17m 15108-0108-0408-0708-1008-1308-1608-1908-2208-2508-2808-31

Magnetic storms pressed on the low bands​

2–3 August (A = 15 and 17, Kp up to 5.7) produced the month's minima — 223 and 420 contacts — and the correlation of 40/80 m with the A index is r = −0.20.

Signal quality in the digital modes, however, the storms barely touched: the median FT8/FT4 SNR stayed all month in a corridor of −12…−6 dB and is only weakly related to the SFI (r = 0.12). The best day by the share of strong signals (≥ −7 dB) was the 25th (55.7 %): a high SFI of 132 and a quiet magnetic background. The worst were the 27th and 29th (27.0 and 28.2 %), when the flux was already falling.

Signal quality and magnetic storms

median SNR, dB (left axis);A index (right axis);storm (A ≥ 13)

−14−12−10−8−6−408-01 A = 5 · Kp 1,308-02 A = 15 · Kp 5,708-03 A = 17 · Kp 4,308-04 A = 11 · Kp 4,008-05 A = 3 · Kp 1,308-06 A = 5 · Kp 1,308-07 A = 5 · Kp 1,708-08 A = 13 · Kp 5,708-09 A = 9 · Kp 2,708-10 A = 5 · Kp 2,008-11 A = 6 · Kp 3,308-12 A = 8 · Kp 2,708-13 A = 8 · Kp 3,008-14 A = 12 · Kp 2,708-15 A = 6 · Kp 2,708-17 A = 19 · Kp 3,708-18 A = 20 · Kp 5,308-19 A = 15 · Kp 5,008-20 A = 11 · Kp 3,308-21 A = 9 · Kp 3,308-22 A = 5 · Kp 1,308-23 A = 6 · Kp 2,008-24 A = 8 · Kp 3,008-25 A = 6 · Kp 1,708-26 A = 4 · Kp 1,008-27 A = 4 · Kp 1,308-28 A = 14 · Kp 4,308-29 A = 15 · Kp 4,308-30 A = 13 · Kp 3,708-31 A = 13 · Kp 3,308-01 SNR −11 dB08-02 SNR −11 dB08-03 SNR −8 dB08-04 SNR −11 dB08-05 SNR −8 dB08-06 SNR −10 dB08-07 SNR −10 dB08-08 SNR −11 dB08-09 SNR −11 dB08-10 SNR −10 dB08-11 SNR −9 dB08-12 SNR −11 dB08-13 SNR −11 dB08-14 SNR −11 dB08-15 SNR −10 dB08-16 SNR −9 dB08-17 SNR −10 dB08-18 SNR −11 dB08-19 SNR −10 dB08-20 SNR −11 dB08-21 SNR −11 dB08-22 SNR −9 dB08-23 SNR −10 dB08-24 SNR −10 dB08-25 SNR −6 dB08-26 SNR −11 dB08-27 SNR −12 dB08-28 SNR −11 dB08-29 SNR −12 dB08-30 SNR −11 dB08-31 SNR −10 dB0102008-0108-0408-0708-1008-1308-1608-1908-2208-2508-2808-31SNR, dB (left) · A (right)

Distance runs against the Sun — and it is not an artefact​

The daily median activator-to-hunter distance correlates negatively with the SFI: r = −0.55.

A simple and wrong explanation suggests itself: when the SFI is high the upper bands open, and what changes is not the physics but the composition of the log. Checking rules that out. The same correlation computed within a single band does not fall apart: on 20 m r = −0.59, on 30 m −0.49, on 17 m −0.40.

So the effect is real within a band as well. A higher flux raises the MUF, a shorter hop opens on the same band, and nearby Europeans come into the log who at a low SFI simply would not have been there. The long paths do not go anywhere — they merely stop being visible behind the near ones.

Band × day

contacts per band per day; the darkest cell is 401 (20m · 08-09)

10m · 08-01 — 1212m · 08-01 — 015m · 08-01 — 14017m · 08-01 — 020m · 08-01 — 5030m · 08-01 — 140m · 08-01 — 3580m · 08-01 — 28160m · 08-01 — 06m · 08-01 — 02m · 08-01 — 070cm · 08-01 — 010m · 08-02 — 1012m · 08-02 — 215m · 08-02 — 3617m · 08-02 — 620m · 08-02 — 9330m · 08-02 — 2140m · 08-02 — 1380m · 08-02 — 39160m · 08-02 — 06m · 08-02 — 02m · 08-02 — 370cm · 08-02 — 010m · 08-03 — 912m · 08-03 — 1515m · 08-03 — 6817m · 08-03 — 4320m · 08-03 — 13230m · 08-03 — 4140m · 08-03 — 8280m · 08-03 — 30160m · 08-03 — 06m · 08-03 — 02m · 08-03 — 070cm · 08-03 — 010m · 08-04 — 1012m · 08-04 — 1515m · 08-04 — 3317m · 08-04 — 2720m · 08-04 — 14630m · 08-04 — 1940m · 08-04 — 8680m · 08-04 — 23160m · 08-04 — 06m · 08-04 — 52m · 08-04 — 070cm · 08-04 — 010m · 08-05 — 312m · 08-05 — 115m · 08-05 — 2617m · 08-05 — 020m · 08-05 — 22030m · 08-05 — 2240m · 08-05 — 9880m · 08-05 — 23160m · 08-05 — 06m · 08-05 — 02m · 08-05 — 070cm · 08-05 — 010m · 08-06 — 1612m · 08-06 — 715m · 08-06 — 4917m · 08-06 — 8020m · 08-06 — 16430m · 08-06 — 2340m · 08-06 — 5280m · 08-06 — 4160m · 08-06 — 06m · 08-06 — 132m · 08-06 — 070cm · 08-06 — 010m · 08-07 — 4312m · 08-07 — 115m · 08-07 — 12517m · 08-07 — 3520m · 08-07 — 12430m · 08-07 — 12840m · 08-07 — 8480m · 08-07 — 32160m · 08-07 — 16m · 08-07 — 362m · 08-07 — 270cm · 08-07 — 010m · 08-08 — 312m · 08-08 — 815m · 08-08 — 19517m · 08-08 — 3120m · 08-08 — 18130m · 08-08 — 7240m · 08-08 — 4980m · 08-08 — 65160m · 08-08 — 06m · 08-08 — 02m · 08-08 — 370cm · 08-08 — 210m · 08-09 — 3112m · 08-09 — 115m · 08-09 — 9617m · 08-09 — 2520m · 08-09 — 40130m · 08-09 — 1940m · 08-09 — 12580m · 08-09 — 18160m · 08-09 — 06m · 08-09 — 02m · 08-09 — 1570cm · 08-09 — 510m · 08-10 — 5912m · 08-10 — 2715m · 08-10 — 5817m · 08-10 — 1320m · 08-10 — 23730m · 08-10 — 2740m · 08-10 — 6880m · 08-10 — 21160m · 08-10 — 06m · 08-10 — 52m · 08-10 — 1270cm · 08-10 — 610m · 08-11 — 3212m · 08-11 — 2515m · 08-11 — 8017m · 08-11 — 720m · 08-11 — 24930m · 08-11 — 5840m · 08-11 — 3980m · 08-11 — 15160m · 08-11 — 06m · 08-11 — 02m · 08-11 — 570cm · 08-11 — 210m · 08-12 — 2512m · 08-12 — 1015m · 08-12 — 6917m · 08-12 — 2820m · 08-12 — 11330m · 08-12 — 6340m · 08-12 — 5380m · 08-12 — 30160m · 08-12 — 06m · 08-12 — 02m · 08-12 — 370cm · 08-12 — 210m · 08-13 — 3112m · 08-13 — 1915m · 08-13 — 8417m · 08-13 — 1220m · 08-13 — 33130m · 08-13 — 040m · 08-13 — 2980m · 08-13 — 54160m · 08-13 — 06m · 08-13 — 02m · 08-13 — 470cm · 08-13 — 310m · 08-14 — 1312m · 08-14 — 1815m · 08-14 — 5617m · 08-14 — 3320m · 08-14 — 32230m · 08-14 — 12840m · 08-14 — 1580m · 08-14 — 47160m · 08-14 — 06m · 08-14 — 02m · 08-14 — 870cm · 08-14 — 310m · 08-15 — 1612m · 08-15 — 1315m · 08-15 — 3117m · 08-15 — 14520m · 08-15 — 8630m · 08-15 — 8340m · 08-15 — 3580m · 08-15 — 52160m · 08-15 — 06m · 08-15 — 02m · 08-15 — 1270cm · 08-15 — 810m · 08-16 — 2112m · 08-16 — 2015m · 08-16 — 7217m · 08-16 — 22920m · 08-16 — 13430m · 08-16 — 14040m · 08-16 — 9980m · 08-16 — 25160m · 08-16 — 06m · 08-16 — 172m · 08-16 — 970cm · 08-16 — 410m · 08-17 — 1212m · 08-17 — 5515m · 08-17 — 10717m · 08-17 — 15320m · 08-17 — 9930m · 08-17 — 7140m · 08-17 — 2280m · 08-17 — 40160m · 08-17 — 06m · 08-17 — 02m · 08-17 — 470cm · 08-17 — 410m · 08-18 — 1612m · 08-18 — 1915m · 08-18 — 1317m · 08-18 — 15720m · 08-18 — 12730m · 08-18 — 9540m · 08-18 — 4680m · 08-18 — 33160m · 08-18 — 06m · 08-18 — 02m · 08-18 — 670cm · 08-18 — 210m · 08-19 — 2612m · 08-19 — 1515m · 08-19 — 6617m · 08-19 — 10320m · 08-19 — 10530m · 08-19 — 12140m · 08-19 — 2580m · 08-19 — 44160m · 08-19 — 06m · 08-19 — 02m · 08-19 — 570cm · 08-19 — 410m · 08-20 — 1312m · 08-20 — 3215m · 08-20 — 14917m · 08-20 — 4220m · 08-20 — 13330m · 08-20 — 7240m · 08-20 — 6680m · 08-20 — 23160m · 08-20 — 06m · 08-20 — 02m · 08-20 — 370cm · 08-20 — 310m · 08-21 — 2612m · 08-21 — 3015m · 08-21 — 14717m · 08-21 — 4220m · 08-21 — 24630m · 08-21 — 4940m · 08-21 — 7080m · 08-21 — 38160m · 08-21 — 06m · 08-21 — 52m · 08-21 — 370cm · 08-21 — 210m · 08-22 — 5612m · 08-22 — 415m · 08-22 — 19417m · 08-22 — 13520m · 08-22 — 34630m · 08-22 — 3440m · 08-22 — 7980m · 08-22 — 62160m · 08-22 — 06m · 08-22 — 12m · 08-22 — 2370cm · 08-22 — 710m · 08-23 — 4912m · 08-23 — 2015m · 08-23 — 19717m · 08-23 — 7020m · 08-23 — 33630m · 08-23 — 11640m · 08-23 — 11980m · 08-23 — 52160m · 08-23 — 06m · 08-23 — 82m · 08-23 — 1670cm · 08-23 — 1110m · 08-24 — 212m · 08-24 — 415m · 08-24 — 13617m · 08-24 — 7520m · 08-24 — 26030m · 08-24 — 8340m · 08-24 — 16480m · 08-24 — 85160m · 08-24 — 06m · 08-24 — 02m · 08-24 — 1470cm · 08-24 — 810m · 08-25 — 9912m · 08-25 — 6715m · 08-25 — 9317m · 08-25 — 15720m · 08-25 — 11130m · 08-25 — 4940m · 08-25 — 11880m · 08-25 — 37160m · 08-25 — 06m · 08-25 — 02m · 08-25 — 1170cm · 08-25 — 510m · 08-26 — 712m · 08-26 — 2815m · 08-26 — 25017m · 08-26 — 3920m · 08-26 — 10630m · 08-26 — 5340m · 08-26 — 3180m · 08-26 — 26160m · 08-26 — 06m · 08-26 — 02m · 08-26 — 2070cm · 08-26 — 1210m · 08-27 — 712m · 08-27 — 015m · 08-27 — 5617m · 08-27 — 12620m · 08-27 — 4430m · 08-27 — 3140m · 08-27 — 5580m · 08-27 — 31160m · 08-27 — 06m · 08-27 — 02m · 08-27 — 870cm · 08-27 — 110m · 08-28 — 312m · 08-28 — 1215m · 08-28 — 5017m · 08-28 — 1120m · 08-28 — 12830m · 08-28 — 2740m · 08-28 — 1580m · 08-28 — 36160m · 08-28 — 06m · 08-28 — 02m · 08-28 — 770cm · 08-28 — 510m · 08-29 — 012m · 08-29 — 015m · 08-29 — 1917m · 08-29 — 10620m · 08-29 — 22430m · 08-29 — 4340m · 08-29 — 7280m · 08-29 — 35160m · 08-29 — 06m · 08-29 — 02m · 08-29 — 470cm · 08-29 — 210m · 08-30 — 012m · 08-30 — 615m · 08-30 — 3417m · 08-30 — 17620m · 08-30 — 24130m · 08-30 — 4540m · 08-30 — 6580m · 08-30 — 34160m · 08-30 — 06m · 08-30 — 02m · 08-30 — 1270cm · 08-30 — 310m · 08-31 — 1912m · 08-31 — 1815m · 08-31 — 7217m · 08-31 — 15120m · 08-31 — 12530m · 08-31 — 6840m · 08-31 — 5280m · 08-31 — 23160m · 08-31 — 06m · 08-31 — 02m · 08-31 — 1170cm · 08-31 — 610m12m15m17m20m30m40m80m160m6m2m70cm08-0108-0408-0708-1008-1308-1608-1908-2208-2508-2808-31
DateContactsHuntersLocatorsMedian SNR, dBStrong ≥ −7 dBMedian distance, kmSFISSNAKp max
01.08Sat266230149−1135,2 %1 31514010251,3
02.08Sun223198132−1138,7 %1 506127105155,7
03.08Mon420334183−847,1 %1 343126104174,3
04.08Tue364308168−1129,0 %1 390118100114,0
05.08Wed393329184−847,0 %1 6121088631,3
06.08Thu408344206−1037,9 %1 8601017151,3
07.08Fri611479241−1043,6 %1 660977251,7
08.08Sat609509273−1135,0 %1 9289462135,7
09.08Sun736623264−1130,1 %1 668944192,7
10.08Mon533416223−1036,8 %1 582955552,0
11.08Tue512410246−942,7 %1 958966263,3
12.08Wed396286176−1131,6 %1 7391008282,7
13.08Thu567473252−1138,5 %1 91910810183,0
14.08Fri643492237−1137,1 %1 796114106122,7
15.08Sat481357202−1036,3 %1 95411711162,7
16.08Sun770557256−944,8 %1 31212983—2,0
17.08Mon567389218−1036,4 %1 67412476193,7
18.08Tue514400207−1134,6 %1 72112571205,3
19.08Wed514387216−1037,0 %1 77512678155,0
20.08Thu536392224−1134,8 %1 78012572113,3
21.08Fri658496258−1131,6 %1 7961265993,3
22.08Sat941749300−940,9 %1 5271248751,3
23.08Sun994737291−1042,0 %1 3121287362,0
24.08Mon831652329−1038,3 %1 2931438483,0
25.08Tue747629268−655,7 %1 7741328361,7
26.08Wed572479260−1133,7 %1 3541319941,0
27.08Thu359296182−1227,0 %1 9431227641,3
28.08Fri294237156−1135,1 %1 43211692144,3
29.08Sat505429213−1228,2 %1 91911173154,3
30.08Sun616519237−1133,7 %1 91910774133,7
31.08Mon545429224−1038,4 %1 79610781133,3

The SNR is taken from the report sent to the correspondent: in digital modes a report is a signal-to-noise ratio in decibels, not the usual readability estimate. Distances are between the centres of locator squares (Maidenhead, 4 characters). The indices are NOAA SWPC daily tables; the A index for the 16th is missing from the source, and the table shows a dash there.

Through the satellite: QO-100​

262 QSOs in this log — 1.51 % — went not through the ionosphere but through the geostationary transponder QO-100 (Es'hail-2). In the log they are marked with the band 3cm and frequencies of 10,489,540–10,489,560 kHz — the satellite's narrowband downlink (10489.550–10489.800 MHz according to AMSAT-DL; a discrepancy of a few kilohertz comes from an uncalibrated LNB, an ordinary thing on this band).

Eight of them nearly went missing. Their frequency is recorded a thousand times too high — 10 489 540 000 instead of 10 489 540, the decimal point in the wrong place. That is the commonest hand-logging error, and on 3 cm it is visible: with the point moved, the number lands in the downlink to the nearest kilohertz, and there is nothing else on this band anywhere in the log. So they are counted — discarding them would have meant missing eight genuine contacts through the satellite.

One activator gathered 194 correspondents from 34 countries in 14 days. Half of Europe in the log from a single spot, with no dependence on propagation at all.

CountryContacts
🇩🇪 Germany53
🇮🇹 Italy27
🇪🇸 Spain19
🇬🇧 United Kingdom18
🇵🇱 Poland16
🇧🇪 Belgium16
🇺🇦 Ukraine15
🇧🇷 Brazil13

How far it reaches: distance by mode and band​

The question “how far does a mode reach” only makes sense when the locator is known for the great majority of contacts. Here it is known for 96.8 %, and evenly across the modes — so a difference between modes means a difference between modes, not a difference in who bothered to give a square.

Mode / bandContactsMedian90th pct.MaximumOver 5000 km
FT42 1351 871 km8 099 km15 216 km16,0 %
FT87 0531 782 km7 894 km16 811 km13,9 %
RTTY431 545 km2 340 km8 099 km2,3 %
SSB1 0151 112 km2 097 km15 671 km2,7 %
CW352841 km1 639 km12 815 km1,1 %
FT2173672 km2 143 km8 018 km2,9 %
FM1050 km479 km672 km0,0 %
17m1 9502 063 km8 054 km14 755 km19,1 %
20m3 6581 839 km7 926 km16 661 km13,3 %
15m1 0261 772 km7 926 km13 586 km14,2 %
30m1 6551 639 km7 906 km16 811 km14,1 %
10m3931 426 km2 602 km13 985 km3,3 %
12m3101 396 km6 555 km13 742 km12,6 %
40m1 588866 km2 293 km15 563 km4,3 %
80m156111 km1 021 km1 866 km0,0 %

These are the distances of this log, not a property of the modes as such. People work FT8 when the DX is already audible, and SSB when the other station can still be made out. What is being compared is not physics but habits along with physics. The telling line is FM: median 0 km, maximum 672. That is local operating, and there everything is as it should be.

Radioteletype deserves pulling out separately. 44 QSOs is a quarter of a percent of the log, and in any mode summary it drowns in “other”. But it is the only classic digital mode outside the FT family, and UR3QCC ran it single-handed: 34 correspondents, 14 countries, 10 days on the air, all on 20 m in the 14,087–14,095 kHz segment, above the FT4 slot and clear of it. Median 1545 km, maximum 8099 — further than CW and closer than FT8. For a mode that machines rather than ears receive nowadays, that is exactly in the middle. One RTTY contact went through QO-100: teletype, on 3 cm.

BandPeak, UTCBusiest hours
20m16:0016:00, 15:00, 19:00
15m10:0010:00, 13:00, 09:00
17m12:0012:00, 09:00, 18:00
40m19:0019:00, 20:00, 18:00
30m19:0019:00, 18:00, 20:00
80m18:0018:00, 19:00, 17:00
10m08:0008:00, 09:00, 10:00
12m10:0010:00, 07:00, 11:00

Who turned up: 8,226 callsigns​

Over 31 days, 8,226 different stations worked the award — 2.11 contacts per callsign. But the average says almost nothing here, because the distribution is very uneven:

  • the top 10 % of hunters account for 44.1 % of all contacts;
  • 67.8 % made contact exactly once;
  • 70.5 % were on the air with the award on a single day;
  • and 54 stations came back on ten days or more.

This is the portrait of a mass event with a small core: most participants looked in once, while the backbone of the log is held up by a few dozen who were on the air almost daily. Both halves are worth attention — the first says how many people the award reached, the second how many it held.

CallsignContacts
UR3QQV334
UR3QRP250
UX0KR219
US1MM150
US0QV146
UR5WAI136
UR8MH92
UR4UOY90
SV4FGT86
UR5TOC68

In pictures​

Four charts reduce 17,387 contacts to a picture: who worked whom, on which bands and in which modes.

Top 15 countries by contacts

number of QSOs in the award log

🇺🇦 UkraineUkraine: 3 443 QSO (19,8 %)3 443🇩🇪 GermanyGermany: 2 346 QSO (13,49 %)2 346🇵🇱 PolandPoland: 1 061 QSO (6,1 %)1 061🇮🇹 ItalyItaly: 1 012 QSO (5,82 %)1 012🇬🇧 United KingdomUnited Kingdom: 915 QSO (5,26 %)915🇺🇸 United StatesUnited States: 841 QSO (4,84 %)841🇯🇵 JapanJapan: 827 QSO (4,76 %)827🇫🇷 FranceFrance: 799 QSO (4,6 %)799🇪🇸 SpainSpain: 761 QSO (4,38 %)761🇳🇱 NetherlandsNetherlands: 703 QSO (4,04 %)703🇬🇷 GreeceGreece: 414 QSO (2,38 %)414🇧🇪 BelgiumBelgium: 335 QSO (1,93 %)335🇷🇴 RomaniaRomania: 300 QSO (1,73 %)300🇨🇿 CzechiaCzechia: 288 QSO (1,66 %)288🇫🇮 FinlandFinland: 261 QSO (1,5 %)261

Bands and mode families

stacked from the bottom up: digital ·CW · voice (SSB + FM)

0140428074211561420m: 4275 digital20m: 783 CW20m: 556 voice20m5 61415m: 2433 digital15m: 160 CW15m: 208 voice15m2 80117m: 2088 digital17m: 139 CW17m: 30 voice17m2 25740m: 1483 digital40m: 162 CW40m: 316 voice40m1 96130m: 1706 digital30m: 96 CW30m1 80280m: 929 digital80m: 52 CW80m: 124 voice80m1 10510m: 624 digital10m: 35 CW10m: 10 voice10m66912m: 488 digital12m: 4 CW12m492other: 353 digitalother: 333 voiceother686

Modes

the share of each mode in the log; “other” = FM, FT2, MFSK, RTTY

17 387QSOFT863,4 %11 023FT417,6 %3 062CW8,2 %1 431SSB7,3 %1 276other3,4 %595

Locator coverage

contacts that appear on the map

96,8 %carry a locatorwith locator96,8 %16 823without locator3,2 %564

Amateur radio is a privilege of wealthy countries​

The wealthier the country, the more of its operators appear in the log. Spearman rank correlation between a country's contact count and its development indicator:

Indicatorr
GDP per capita (PPP)0.52
Human Development Index (HDI)0.60
Global Innovation Index (GII)0.64

These three figures are computed over all the countries in the log, and the tail of that series consists of countries with one or two contacts, where rank means almost nothing. So the same correlation was computed twice more: 0.31 among the 50 countries that produced ten contacts or more, and 0.55 with Ukraine excluded.

So the link with wealth is real but noticeably weaker than the full series suggests: to a large degree it is held up by countries that contribute a few lines to the log. Ukraine's home-field effect, on the contrary, was lowering the correlation rather than creating it.

At the same time, the 48 countries with a GDP per capita above $40,000 account for 75.9 % of all contacts, while the 16 countries below $15,000 account for just 0.5 %.

GDP per capita against contacts

each country is a point; both axes are logarithmic; notable countries are labelled

2k5k10k20k50k100k200k13103010030010003000GDP per capita, PPP $ (log) →QSO (log) ↓🇺🇦 Ukraine — 3 443 QSO · GDP 18 636 $🇩🇪 Germany — 2 346 QSO · GDP 73 957 $🇵🇱 Poland — 1 061 QSO · GDP 51 263 $🇮🇹 Italy — 1 012 QSO · GDP 62 293 $🇬🇧 United Kingdom — 915 QSO · GDP 62 839 $🇺🇸 United States — 841 QSO · GDP 86 170 $🇯🇵 Japan — 827 QSO · GDP 54 156 $🇫🇷 France — 799 QSO · GDP 62 525 $🇪🇸 Spain — 761 QSO · GDP 58 064 $🇳🇱 Netherlands — 703 QSO · GDP 85 218 $🇬🇷 Greece — 414 QSO · GDP 44 171 $🇧🇪 Belgium — 335 QSO · GDP 74 225 $🇷🇴 Romania — 300 QSO · GDP 49 077 $🇨🇿 Czechia — 288 QSO · GDP 57 625 $🇫🇮 Finland — 261 QSO · GDP 65 137 $🇭🇺 Hungary — 232 QSO · GDP 48 540 $🇦🇹 Austria — 228 QSO · GDP 75 774 $🇸🇪 Sweden — 219 QSO · GDP 71 222 $🇨🇳 China — 178 QSO · GDP 27 140 $🇭🇷 Croatia — 157 QSO · GDP 49 551 $🇱🇹 Lithuania — 142 QSO · GDP 55 699 $🇨🇭 Switzerland — 128 QSO · GDP 97 468 $🇸🇮 Slovenia — 118 QSO · GDP 57 571 $🇱🇻 Latvia — 116 QSO · GDP 43 873 $🇩🇰 Denmark — 116 QSO · GDP 80 938 $🇵🇹 Portugal — 115 QSO · GDP 52 513 $🇳🇴 Norway — 92 QSO · GDP 105 657 $🇧🇬 Bulgaria — 91 QSO · GDP 41 970 $🇸🇰 Slovakia — 91 QSO · GDP 47 847 $🇹🇷 Türkiye — 90 QSO · GDP 45 123 $🇨🇦 Canada — 77 QSO · GDP 65 483 $🇮🇩 Indonesia — 76 QSO · GDP 16 472 $🇷🇸 Serbia — 74 QSO · GDP 32 832 $🇧🇷 Brazil — 68 QSO · GDP 22 371 $🇮🇱 Israel — 65 QSO · GDP 57 278 $🇲🇩 Moldova — 64 QSO · GDP 18 662 $🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina — 49 QSO · GDP 25 148 $🇪🇪 Estonia — 44 QSO · GDP 50 396 $🇰🇿 Kazakhstan — 42 QSO · GDP 40 950 $🇮🇪 Ireland — 37 QSO · GDP 140 779 $🇮🇳 India — 28 QSO · GDP 10 719 $🇰🇷 South Korea — 27 QSO · GDP 61 051 $🇦🇷 Argentina — 25 QSO · GDP 30 475 $🇦🇺 Australia — 19 QSO · GDP 72 118 $🇱🇧 Lebanon — 17 QSO · GDP 11 917 $🇱🇺 Luxembourg — 16 QSO · GDP 156 079 $🇺🇾 Uruguay — 12 QSO · GDP 36 597 $🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia — 12 QSO · GDP 71 936 $🇰🇪 Kenya — 11 QSO · GDP 6 650 $🇨🇱 Chile — 10 QSO · GDP 36 071 $🇲🇪 Montenegro — 9 QSO · GDP 34 063 $🇺🇿 Uzbekistan — 9 QSO · GDP 12 518 $🇲🇰 North Macedonia — 9 QSO · GDP 26 996 $🇩🇴 Dominican Republic — 9 QSO · GDP 27 582 $🇳🇿 New Zealand — 9 QSO · GDP 55 794 $🇨🇾 Cyprus — 9 QSO · GDP 63 007 $🇮🇸 Iceland — 8 QSO · GDP 83 561 $🇧🇾 Belarus — 8 QSO · GDP 33 166 $🇨🇴 Colombia — 8 QSO · GDP 22 439 $🇲🇹 Malta — 7 QSO · GDP 70 063 $🇿🇦 South Africa — 7 QSO · GDP 15 479 $🇭🇰 Hong Kong — 6 QSO · GDP 75 342 $🇵🇪 Peru — 6 QSO · GDP 17 882 $🇬🇪 Georgia — 6 QSO · GDP 27 487 $🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan — 6 QSO · GDP 8 208 $🇹🇯 Tajikistan — 5 QSO · GDP 5 414 $🇴🇲 Oman — 4 QSO · GDP 41 801 $🇧🇭 Bahrain — 4 QSO · GDP 67 230 $🇶🇦 Qatar — 4 QSO · GDP 126 713 $🇦🇩 Andorra — 3 QSO · GDP 75 395 $🇰🇼 Kuwait — 3 QSO · GDP 53 119 $🇨🇷 Costa Rica — 3 QSO · GDP 31 552 $🇹🇭 Thailand — 3 QSO · GDP 24 909 $🇦🇴 Angola — 3 QSO · GDP 9 964 $🇿🇲 Zambia — 2 QSO · GDP 4 221 $🇧🇿 Belize — 2 QSO · GDP 14 367 $🇲🇾 Malaysia — 2 QSO · GDP 38 836 $🇹🇳 Tunisia — 2 QSO · GDP 14 542 $🇲🇺 Mauritius — 2 QSO · GDP 31 697 $🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates — 2 QSO · GDP 79 344 $🇳🇬 Nigeria — 2 QSO · GDP 9 100 $🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago — 2 QSO · GDP 36 381 $🇨🇬 Congo — 2 QSO · GDP 7 004 $🇲🇳 Mongolia — 2 QSO · GDP 19 173 $🇻🇳 Vietnam — 1 QSO · GDP 16 388 $🇹🇩 Chad — 1 QSO · GDP 2 767 $🇪🇨 Ecuador — 1 QSO · GDP 15 848 $🇦🇲 Armenia — 1 QSO · GDP 22 856 $🇱🇦 Laos — 1 QSO · GDP 9 790 $🇯🇴 Jordan — 1 QSO · GDP 11 916 $🇨🇫 Central African Republic — 1 QSO · GDP 1 265 $🇲🇽 Mexico — 1 QSO · GDP 25 820 $🇦🇿 Azerbaijan — 1 QSO · GDP 25 146 $UkraineGermanyPolandItalyUnited KingdomUnited StatesJapanNetherlandsGreeceChinaIsraelSouth KoreaSaudi ArabiaBahrainQatar

Short waves are an expensive hobby: transceivers, antennas, licences, education, free time. Among the twenty most active countries, most have a GDP per capita above $50,000.

There are counter-examples too. Ukraine accounts for 19.8 % of contacts at a GDP per capita of about $18,600: the award is a home one, and the home-field effect outweighs the economy. Poland holds a place in the top ten and Greece comes right behind it, despite a GDP below northern Europe's. Meanwhile the richest countries in the world are barely present: Luxembourg with 13 contacts at $156,000 per capita, Qatar with 4, Bahrain with 4, the UAE with 1. There are only a handful of radio amateurs there.

Top 20 countries​

#CountryQSO ▼% of logCallsignsGDP per capita, PPP $HDIGII rankLeading locator fields
1🇺🇦 Ukraine3 44319,847918 6360,77960KN×2183KO×959OB×1
2🇩🇪 Germany2 34613,491 32973 9570,9599JO×1623JN×675JR×1
3🇵🇱 Poland1 0616,151051 2630,90640JO×733KO×253KN×32
4🇮🇹 Italy1 0125,8260462 2930,91526JN×899JM×87
5🇬🇧 United Kingdom9155,2656762 8390,9465IO×758JO×129IN×9
6🇺🇸 United States8414,8467486 1700,9383FN×201EM×178EN×170
7🇯🇵 Japan8274,7649554 1560,92513PM×666QM×111QN×42
8🇫🇷 France7994,635862 5250,92012JN×559IN×157JO×56
9🇪🇸 Spain7614,3842458 0640,91828IM×263JN×231IN×229
10🇳🇱 Netherlands7034,0438585 2180,9558JO×695JA×1JP×1
11🇬🇷 Greece4142,388744 1710,90845KM×356KN×55
12🇧🇪 Belgium3351,9317574 2250,95124JO×321JN×5
13🇷🇴 Romania3001,7313149 0770,84548KN×293AA×1EG×1
14🇨🇿 Czechia2881,6614757 6250,91530JN×199JO×77
15🇫🇮 Finland2611,514165 1370,9487KP×251JJ×3JP×1
16🇭🇺 Hungary2321,3312048 5400,87036JN×174KN×45
17🇦🇹 Austria2281,3111575 7740,93017JN×225
18🇸🇪 Sweden2191,2612871 2220,9592JO×156JP×36KP×18
19🇨🇳 China1781,0210927 1400,79711OM×61PM×46OL×31
20🇭🇷 Croatia1570,97749 5510,88943JN×153
The full table — 99 countries
CountryQSO ▼% of logCallsignsGDP per capita, PPP $HDIHDI rankGII rankGII scoreLocator fields
🇺🇦 Ukraine3 44319,847918 6360,779876029,5KN×2183KO×959
🇩🇪 Germany2 34613,491 32973 9570,9595958,1JO×1623JN×675
🇵🇱 Poland1 0616,151051 2630,906354037,0JO×733KO×253
🇮🇹 Italy1 0125,8260462 2930,915292645,3JN×899JM×87
🇬🇧 United Kingdom9155,2656762 8390,94613561,0IO×758JO×129
🇺🇸 United States8414,8467486 1700,93817362,4FN×201EM×178
🇯🇵 Japan8274,7649554 1560,925231354,1PM×666QM×111
🇫🇷 France7994,635862 5250,920261255,4JN×559IN×157
🇪🇸 Spain7614,3842458 0640,918282844,9IM×263JN×231
🇳🇱 Netherlands7034,0438585 2180,9558858,8JO×695JA×1
🇬🇷 Greece4142,388744 1710,908344536,2KM×356KN×55
🇧🇪 Belgium3351,9317574 2250,951102447,7JO×321JN×5
🇷🇴 Romania3001,7313149 0770,845554833,4KN×293AA×1
🇨🇿 Czechia2881,6614757 6250,915293044,0JN×199JO×77
🇫🇮 Finland2611,514165 1370,94812759,4KP×251JJ×3
🇭🇺 Hungary2321,3312048 5400,870463639,6JN×174KN×45
🇦🇹 Austria2281,3111575 7740,930221750,3JN×225
🇸🇪 Sweden2191,2612871 2220,9595264,5JO×156JP×36
🇨🇳 China1781,0210927 1400,797781156,3OM×61PM×46
🇭🇷 Croatia1570,97749 5510,889414336,3JN×153
🇱🇹 Lithuania1420,825855 6990,895393540,1KO×141AA×1
🇨🇭 Switzerland1280,749097 4680,9702167,5JN×122
🇸🇮 Slovenia1180,686557 5710,931213440,2JN×115
🇱🇻 Latvia1160,674043 8730,889414236,4KO×115
🇩🇰 Denmark1160,676880 9380,96241057,1JO×108IP×4
🇵🇹 Portugal1150,665052 5130,890403143,7IM×87HM×14
🇳🇴 Norway920,5361105 6570,97022149,1JO×52JP×37
🇧🇬 Bulgaria910,524941 9700,845553838,5KN×89
🇸🇰 Slovakia910,524947 8470,880444634,3JN×63KN×24
🇹🇷 Türkiye900,524045 1230,853513739,0KM×49KN×37
🇨🇦 Canada770,446065 4830,939161452,9FN×52EN×11
🇮🇩 Indonesia760,444916 4720,7281135430,6OI×67OJ×6
🇷🇸 Serbia740,434532 8320,833625232,3KN×61JN×12
🇧🇷 Brazil680,395522 3710,786845032,7GG×42GH×11
🇮🇱 Israel650,372357 2780,919271552,7KM×65
🇲🇩 Moldova640,371418 6620,785866828,7KN×61
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina490,282725 1480,804748025,5JN×47
🇪🇪 Estonia440,252150 3960,905361652,3KO×44
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan420,242840 9500,837607825,7MN×15MO×14
🇮🇪 Ireland370,2126140 7790,949111950,0IO×35
🇮🇳 India280,161210 7190,6851303938,3ML×7MK×6
🇰🇷 South Korea270,162261 0510,93720660,9PM×27
🇦🇷 Argentina250,142130 4750,865477626,4GF×11FF×10
🇦🇺 Australia190,111772 1180,95872348,1QF×10QG×4
🇱🇧 Lebanon170,1711 9170,7521029421,5KM×17
🇱🇺 Luxembourg160,0911156 0790,922252049,1JN×14JO×1
🇺🇾 Uruguay120,07936 5970,862486229,1GF×12
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia120,07671 9360,900374733,9LL×10KL×2
🇰🇪 Kenya110,0616 6500,6281439621,0KI×11
🇨🇱 Chile100,06736 0710,878455132,6FF×6FD×2
🇲🇪 Montenegro90,05434 0630,862486528,9JN×8
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan90,05212 5180,7401078324,7MN×9
🇲🇰 North Macedonia90,05926 9960,815685829,9KN×9
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic90,05727 5820,776899720,8FK×9
🇳🇿 New Zealand90,05955 7940,938172545,9RE×7RF×2
🇨🇾 Cyprus90,05563 0070,913322745,1KM×9
🇮🇸 Iceland80,05683 5610,97212248,5HP×7
🇧🇾 Belarus80,05733 1660,824658524,2KO×7
🇨🇴 Colombia80,05822 4390,788836129,2FJ×8
🇲🇹 Malta70,04670 0630,924242944,8JM×7
🇿🇦 South Africa70,04515 4790,7411066928,3KG×5KF×1
🇭🇰 Hong Kong60,03275 3420,95581850,1OL×6
🇵🇪 Peru60,03517 8820,794797526,7FH×4
🇬🇪 Georgia60,03527 4870,844575730,4LN×6
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan60,0338 2080,7201179920,4MN×6
🇲🇨 Monaco50,031—————JN×5
🇹🇯 Tajikistan50,0335 4140,69112810718,6MM×4MN×1
🇴🇲 Oman40,02341 8010,858507427,1LL×3
🇧🇭 Bahrain40,02167 2300,899387227,6LL×4
🇶🇦 Qatar40,023126 7130,886434932,9LL×4
🇦🇩 Andorra30,02275 3950,91332——JN×3
🇰🇼 Kuwait30,02253 1190,852527128,1LL×3
🇨🇷 Costa Rica30,02231 5520,833627028,3EK×2EJ×1
🇻🇪 Venezuela30,023—0,709121——FK×3
🇹🇭 Thailand30,02324 9090,798764136,9OK×3
🇦🇴 Angola30,0229 9640,61614813310,2JI×3
🇿🇲 Zambia20,0114 2210,59515411615,7KH×2
🇧🇿 Belize20,01214 3670,721115——EK×2
🇲🇾 Malaysia20,01138 8360,819673340,5OJ×2
🇹🇳 Tunisia20,01114 5420,7461058125,4JM×2
🇨🇺 Cuba20,012—0,76297——EL×1
🇲🇺 Mauritius20,01231 6970,806735530,6MH×1LG×1
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates20,01279 3440,940153242,8LL×2
🇳🇬 Nigeria20,0119 1000,56016411317,1JJ×2
🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago20,01136 3810,8077210818,4FK×2
🇨🇬 Congo20,0117 0040,649138——JI×2
🇲🇳 Mongolia20,01119 1730,7471046728,7ON×2
🇻🇳 Vietnam10,01116 3880,766934436,2OK×1
🇹🇩 Chad10,0112 7670,416190——JK×1
🇪🇨 Ecuador10,01115 8480,7778810519,3FI×1
🇦🇲 Armenia10,01122 8560,811696329,0LN×1
🇹🇼 Taiwan10,011—————PL×1
🇱🇦 Laos10,0119 7900,61714711117,8OK×1
🇯🇴 Jordan10,01111 9160,7541007327,5KM×1
🇨🇫 Central African Republic10,0111 2650,414191——JJ×1
🇲🇽 Mexico10,01125 8200,789815630,4EK×1
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan10,01125 1460,789819521,3—
SM10,011—————JN×1
FJ10,011—————RH×1

“—” means the source has no data (World Bank, UNDP, WIPO).

Method and sources​

  • A contact's country is determined from the callsign: the longest match against the ITU prefix table, from three characters down to one. Callsigns with no match are set aside and assigned to no country.
  • Distances are the haversine between the centres of locator squares (Maidenhead, 4 characters): the activator's locator from their profile, the correspondent's from the log. Contacts without a locator are excluded from the calculation.
  • Daily solar (SFI at 10.7 cm, SSN) and geomagnetic (A, Kp) indices: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, daily tables.
  • GDP per capita, PPP (current international $): World Bank, 2024 (2023 for countries without 2024 data).
  • Human Development Index (HDI) and rank: UNDP, Human Development Report 2025 (2023 values).
  • Global Innovation Index (GII), rank and score: WIPO, GII 2024, 133 economies.
  • MFSK is not shown in the mode breakdown: it is not a mode people operate but the parent name of FT4 in ADIF. All 47 such contacts fall between 2 and 9 August and lie on 14,080–14,085 kHz, that is, in the FT4 segment. They are counted as they stand in the overall totals.
  • Correlations are Spearman rank correlations; countries without data are excluded from the relevant calculation.
  • Log data: 17,387 contacts of the “35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence” award, 1–31 August 2026.

The award's own map and statistics are at uahamaward.com.