Throughout the years, certain patterns have emerged which can help us, at least in a general way, predict what kind of DX to expect at any given time of the year. Here's a month by month look at the main forms of propagation affecting FM DX: E-skip (Es), tropospheric bending/ducting (Tr) and meteor scatter (Ms).

January:

Es- Usually experienced only in the south and southwest, with openings into Mexico likely.

Tr- Rather unusual, tho watch for warming conditions and fog as an indicator.

Ms- Check out the Quantrids meteor shower January 1-5.

February:

Es- Pretty unusual, watch for high solar activity or unexpected thunderstorms to trigger it.

Tr- Mainly confined to the Gulf of Mexico.

Ms- Forget it.

March:

Es- Usually it's only aurorally induced this month.

Tr- The Gulf flourishes again, but if a warm air mass pushes north from the Gulf, hit the dials!

Ms- Forget it, again.

April:

Es- Let the games begin! You should have at least one good opening before the month is over. Watch for it in the late afternoon.

Tr- The band starts to really open up down south this month, with Mexico to Florida openings abounding. Northern DXers start to get in on the fun by the middle of the month.

Ms- Finally! Check out the Lyrids meteor shower the 19th through the 24th.

May:

Es- All day openings are likely by the end of the month, many intense.

Tr- Tropo slacks off a bit, but watch for ducts.

Ms- The Aquarids shower is the 1st thru the 8th.

June:

Es- The first third of the month, look for some pretty intense openings. During the middle third you should have a goodly amount of Es, but by the end of the month, watch out! Openings are usually great this time of year, with multiple clouds.

Tr- Long haul openings are not at all unusual this month, occasionally reaching up to 1,000 miles. Watch out for openings that can last several days, too.

Ms- June is home to the two biggest daytime showers of the year. The Arietids, which averages 60 bursts per hour,
runs May 22nd through July 2nd, and peaks June 6th & 7th, while the Zeta Perseids averages 40 per hour and
runs May 20th through July 5th, peaking June 13th & 14th.

July:

Es- Openings often build slow and fade slow....and they can be incredible. Watch for some big ones around the 4th of July.

Tr- FM DXers in the upper Midwest and East should have a field day, especially when a cool air mass drops in from the north.

Ms- Sorry, Charlie, not much doing this month.

August:

Es- The season's just about over, folks, but don't write it off entirely. The first half of the month can produce some pretty good openings.

Tr- Watch for tropo in the early morning and early evening. It's not unusual to get some long haul openings this month.

Ms- Finally, meteor scatter takes center stage with the Perseids shower the 9th thru the 14th. This one will usually make your local news, it's so big. It peaks August 12th. When it's great, it's incredible, but it can be a dud, too.

September:

Es- If you're really into E-skip, go watch football this month.

Tr- Be on the lookout for a high pressure area stalling out in the Midwest, or a wet, cool air mass in the same general area. Openings that last for several days are not uncommon.

Ms- Hope you got your fill in August, cause this month is a washout.

October:

Es- What Es there is will usually favor the south and southwest, but occasionally there will be a great opening up north.

Tr- Usually pretty good the first part of the month, then dying out as we get deeper into fall. Watch for unusual weather, such as a tropical storm going north or a sudden cold snap moving south.

Ms- The Orionids shower the 19th through the 24th is often quite good.

November:

Es- Don't write it off! November has produced some excellent openings. Keep watching the lower TV channels for signs of life.

Tr- Watch out if the weather is warmer than usual, followed by cool weather.

Ms- The Leonids meteor shower on the 17th was spectacular last year, and should be at least pretty good this year. Even if you don't get into Ms DXing, head outside and see the sights.....meteor trails going every which way across the nighttime sky!

December:

Es- Watch for a minor peak during the latter half of the month. It's not unusual to top off your Christmas with a great skip opening.

Tr- Nah, ain't gonna happen.....usually.

Ms- Perhaps the 2nd best meteor scatter opening of the year is the 10th thru the 14th with the Geminids shower. The Ursids shower on the 23rd can also lead to a few good catches.

That's it! Tho we can have a pretty good idea of what will happen, the phrase that pays in FM DXing is "expect the unexpected!" Enjoy!