HAM-AI: RBN Propagation Analysis

HAM-AI RBN Propagation Analysis is a web-based platform that visualizes HF radio propagation patterns using historical data from the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN). It helps radio amateurs analyze propagation conditions during CW contests or custom time periods, showing which bands and directions worked best at specific times.

This tool is designed for contest operators, DXers, and radio amateurs interested in understanding HF propagation patterns to improve their operating strategies and antenna planning.

The platform analyzes CW spots from the Reverse Beacon Network - a worldwide network of automated receiving stations (skimmers) that monitor CW activity on HF bands. Currently, the database contains over 625 million spots from 2023-2025.

The default reference point is set to 51°N, 15°E (grid square JO61AA) - a geographic center of Central Europe, located between Prague and Dresden. This defines the center of the EU-CENTRAL zone (600 km radius).

However, you can now select any propagation zone as your reference point using the "Propagation from" selector in the form. This allows you to analyze propagation from any location worldwide to all other zones.

The EU-CENTRAL zone is a 600 km radius circle centered on the default reference point (51°N, 15°E). This zone typically covers Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary, and surrounding Central European countries. You can use EU-CENTRAL or any other zone as your reference point for propagation analysis.

The platform uses 14 worldwide propagation zones: EU-CENTRAL (Central Europe), EU-WEST (Western Europe), EU-EAST (Eastern Europe), EU-NORTH (Scandinavia), EU-SOUTH (Mediterranean), UA-EAST (Eastern Russia), AS-NEAR (Middle East), NA-EAST (North America East), NA-WEST (North America West), SA (South America), AF (Africa), AS-FAR (Far East Asia), OC (Oceania), and AN (Antarctica). You can select any zone as your reference point and see propagation to all other zones.

Contests mode: Analyze 9 major CW contests across multiple years (2023-2025):
• CQ WW DX CW (November)
• CQ WW WPX CW (May)
• ARRL International DX CW (February)
• IARU HF World Championship (July, mixed CW+SSB)
• WAE DX CW (August)
• CQ WW 160m CW (January)
• All Asian DX CW (June)
• Russian DX CW (March)
• OK-OM DX CW (November)

Custom Periods mode: Analyze any arbitrary 48-hour time window (up to 5 periods simultaneously) to study propagation outside contest periods

Contest mode: 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m (standard contest bands)

Custom Periods mode: All HF including WARC bands + VHF (160m, 80m, 60m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, 6m, 4m)

Each heatmap shows a 48-hour (horizontal axis) view of propagation from the selected reference zone to different zones (vertical axis). Colors indicate which band worked best at that time (based on highest median SNR). Hover over any cell to see detailed statistics: best band, spot count, median SNR, and distance.

Historical data: Daily automated imports from RBN CSV archives (runs at 02:00 UTC)
Current implementation: Historical data only (2023-2025)
Coming soon: Real-time data integration and live propagation view

The historical database contains over 625 million spots (11 GB) covering the period from January 2023 to November 2025. We're continuously importing new data as it becomes available from RBN.

Currently, the platform shows only historical contest data. Real-time data integration and AI-based preprocessing are in development and will be added in a future update.

RBN Live is a real-time monitoring page showing CW spots from the last 3 minutes. It auto-updates every 2 seconds and displays callsigns, frequencies, SNR, and geographic information with an interactive map. Access it at /live.

Yes! Use the "Propagation from" selector in the form to choose any of the 14 propagation zones as your reference point. The heatmap will then show propagation from your selected zone to all other zones worldwide. The default reference is EU-CENTRAL (Central Europe), but you can analyze from North America, Asia, Africa, or any other zone.

Yes! We're working on AI preprocessing to identify propagation patterns, predict optimal operating times, and provide intelligent recommendations based on historical trends.

Data export functionality (CSV, JSON API) is planned for a future release.

Database: DuckDB (embedded analytical database)
Backend: Python 3.10+
Visualization: Plotly.js (interactive heatmaps)
Geolocation: Country Files (CTY), ClubLog exceptions
Data source: Reverse Beacon Network

The platform uses a separate databases architecture with direct read-only connections and aggressive caching (memory + disk), achieving 40x performance improvement - typical heatmap generation takes only ~0.5 seconds.

Callsign-to-location mapping uses the CTY (country) database combined with ClubLog exceptions for special cases. DX station locations are estimated from callsign prefixes, so precision varies (typically country/region level).

This platform would not be possible without the excellent work of:

Reverse Beacon Network - For providing the worldwide network of CW skimmers and making spot data freely available

Jim Reisert, A1DC (country-files.com) - For creating and maintaining the CTY country/prefix database used for callsign geolocation

Michael Wells, G7VJR (ClubLog) - For the comprehensive ClubLog exceptions database that handles special callsigns and geographic exceptions

We are deeply grateful for their dedication to maintaining these essential resources for the amateur radio community.

Platform developed by Zdenek OK2PKU with assistance from Claude Code (Anthropic). Open source tools: DuckDB, Python, Plotly.js

Please use the Feedback button (bottom-right corner) to report issues or share your ideas. Your feedback helps us improve the platform!

The data comes from the Reverse Beacon Network. This platform is for educational and research purposes. Please respect RBN's terms of use.