DX Path Planner
Combine station coordinates with distance, beam heading and UTC sunrise/sunset for practical DX path planning.
This combines great-circle distance and bearing with a simple sunrise/sunset comparison. It is a planning aid, not an ionospheric propagation prediction.
Turn distance into an operating plan
Great-circle geometry tells you how far the stations are apart and which initial bearing to use. It does not predict ionospheric propagation by itself, so path geometry should be treated as the foundation of a DX plan rather than a band forecast.
Compare the calculated path with local sunrise and sunset and then consult current propagation information. A path that is geometrically short can still be difficult if the ionosphere does not support the selected band.
For directional antennas, use the bearing as the initial pointing angle and allow for the antenna pattern, local magnetic-reference method and installation alignment when setting the final heading.
Using a DX path estimate
A DX path calculation gives you the great-circle distance and initial bearing between two locations, which is useful when planning a beam heading, estimating path length or comparing two possible contacts. The bearing is measured from the first location toward the second; the reciprocal heading is useful at the far end of the path. Distance alone does not predict whether a contact will succeed. HF propagation can follow ionospheric paths that vary with frequency, time of day, season, solar activity and geomagnetic conditions. A beam can also have multiple useful lobes, and real terrain or antenna mounting can alter the expected direction. Use the calculated bearing as a starting point, then check current propagation information and, when possible, reverse beacon or spotting reports. For contest and portable operation, a six-character Maidenhead locator often gives enough geographic precision for planning without implying survey-level accuracy.