Return of F2 layer propagation to the 28 MHz band - Aug 2025

For the last few weeks, I have been hearing nothing but European signals on the 28 MHz (10m) band. This is pretty normal as we're in the Summer Sporadic-E season in the northern hemisphere.

The 18th of August 2025 was a typical day with yet another Sporadic-E opening with signals in the range of 1000-2000 kms being heard at my location.

On the 19th of August, I noticed the distinct signal from the 5B4CY beacon on Cyprus on 28.219 MHz. This was a sure sign of F2 layer propagation with a much longer distance of about 3700kms.

I also noticed that I had heard F2 signals from Turkey and Russia on the 18th.

Date Time / (UTC) / DX call / Grid / Frequency / Distance in kms / Country

2025-08-18 / 08:04 TA4/G8SCU / KM56vo / 28.126044 / 3561 / Turkey
2025-08-18 / 09:42 / R7BF / KN96 / 28.126091 / 3430 / Russia
2025-08-18 / 10:00 / YM2XBL / KN41 / 28.126105 / 3033 / Turkey

There can often be confusion between what is a single hop signal coming off the F2 layer of the ionosphere and what is multi-hop Sporadic-E. With experience, you can make a call on which is which.

Hearing F2 layer signals like a beacon in Cyprus isn't anything exceptional but it is a sign that East-West F2 layer propagation is returning to the 28 MHz band.

Over the next few week, these long distance F2 signals will become more common. There should be plenty of openings from North America to Europe and North-South paths will much easier.

The above image from SolarHam shows the current trend in the 11-year sunspot cycle. We're dropping off the peak but conditions should still be good on 28 MHz once we get to October.

The maximum usable frequency may not reach as high as 50 MHz but there should be loads of activity on the lower frequencies like 28 MHz.