Propagation News – 16 November 2014

The sun has remained active this week, with the solar flux index remaining in the range 132 to 142. There have been continued M-class solar flares from sunspot group 2205. Becoming more Earth-facing this week are regions 2207 and 2208. Region 2208 has increased in area and complexity and shows a risk of solar flares, which could cause fade-outs on the lower HF bands at times.

Old region 2192, which gave a number of X-class flares last month, is due to return. This was the largest visible sunspot in more than 20 years. According to data from the STEREO A satellite, which is able to see around the edge of the sun, 2192 is still active. It could generate further flares and coronal mass ejections, which could disturb the HF bands.

For the current solar conditions and indices see solarham.net.

Ten metres, or 28MHz, continues to be open every day, with good afternoon propagation to the eastern seaboard of the USA. The KQ2H repeater in New York State on 29.620MHz has been peaking S9 + 20dB in the UK. It is perfectly possible to hear 5W beacons from the US on 10m as well.

VHF and up propagation news

Meteorologist Jim Bacon, G3YLA says we are set for another unsettled week in Britain, with a predominantly low pressure pattern over the UK. This will mean wet and windy weather at times with little or no chance of any significant ducting potential for VHF and UHF DXing. This may be a testing time for antenna installations towards the end of the week, when some strong winds are possible.

On the upside, we are still at a time of the year when sea temperatures around the coasts are high enough to generate large cumulonimbus shower clouds, giving rain-scatter opportunities on the upper GHz bands.

For lower VHF band operators, we see the return of the Leonids, the largest meteor shower of the year. The shower has a Zenithal Hourly Rate of up to 300 and started on the 15th. It should reach its peak on the 16th and 17th, so watch out for DX opportunities on 50, 70 and 144MHz all this coming week. Even stations with small beams and modest power can make QSOs with the Leonids, especially if JT digital modes are used.

Category: GB2RS Propagation News