When will the Solar Eclipse occur?  

April 8, 2024; 1400-2400 UTC; is the official 2024 SEQP event period.

Why is this event historic? The 2024 Solar Eclipse will be passing over North America and will result in a full eclipse (umbra) over certain parts of the United States and Canada. As a result, researchers are most interested in having North American Ham Radio Operators on the air. Since HF signals travel globally, Ham Radio Operators worldwide are also encouraged to participate in SEQP.

Why is a Solar Eclipse QSO Party being held?

The Solar Eclipse QSO Party is an opportunity for amateur radio operators to get on HF before, during and after the eclipse passes over North America. Click here for SEQP contest rules.

Getting on HF during SEQP will contribute to scientific studies that focus on the ionosphere’s reaction to the eclipse. 

These studies will lead to a better understanding of the interactions between the Sun, the ionosphere and radio wave propagation. That research will benefit hams, professional broadcasters, satellite operators and many other users of radio spectrum. 

What else do I need to know?

SEQP begins a few hours before the eclipse and continues as it transits across the US mainland. That way, prior to the eclipse, baseline data can be gathered on how the ionosphere is reflecting and refracting HF signals.  

Data gathering continues during the eclipse to study how HF propagation is affected during the eclipse. Past data suggests that ionospheric changes will be found in the data.

Data gathering concludes a few hours after the eclipse passes beyond the US mainland. By making contacts after the eclipse passes the mainland, data on the after effects to the ionosphere are also gathered for study.

You do not have to operate the full SEQP time period. If your time is limited, try to schedule your operating time when the path of the eclipse path is closest to your QTH. In this way, your signals will be most affected by the eclipse. 

Click here for information about the path of the eclipse.

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What kind of equipment is required?

Almost any ham station can participate. Got an HF radio and an antenna usable on one or more of the 160 through 6 meter bands? Then you are ready to participate.

While propagating your signal is most important, If at all possible, have contest logging software available to record your QSO data. That data will be submitted after SEQP.  Scientists will use that data from you and other participants, to aid in their research.

What can I expect when I operate during SEQP?

While SEQP is an event that mirrors the definition of a contest, SEQP encourages operating CW, SSB and all digital modes with the idea is to have as many hams as possible make as many QSOs as possible. Scientists want to collect QSO data and carefully study it for trends that indicate the distance, strength and propagation of HF signals in contrast to the actual path of the eclipse.

Each QSOs is short, and is set up to only provide your callsign, signal report and station location. Like any contest, the first few minutes can be a bit overwhelming, but listen in, get into the rhythm and join the craziness!

What if I am only a WSPR or FST4W enthusiast?

SEQP is also for those interested in transmitting and receiving WSPR and FST4W signals. WSPR and FST4W transmitters will be on the air for the entire SEQP logging transmissions worldwide which, in turn will enable researchers to collect data on the propagation effects of the solar eclipse as it moves across the planet.

For more information visit: https://hamsci.org/gssc-rules

Is there a ‘fun factor’ to the SEQP?

Yes!  Operating events are supposed to be fun. One way to increase the fun factor of any contest is to calculate a fun score for all your participants based on the number of contacts made, their geographic reach, and how many receiving stations heard the signals.

How is the data processed?

The HamSCI Team will gather all of the entries submitted on the SEQP website, visit propagation databases such as WSPRNET.org and PSKReporter.info and assemble millions of data points into a research database. 

From that database the HamSCI Team will be able to assign everyone a score, which will then be published some months after the SEQP.

Need more information? Email HamSCI about SEQP at: hamsci@hamsci.org