[AK-VHF] Fwd: [PNWVHFS] Observations 28 April

[Edward R Cole]

Forwarded from the Pacific NW VHF Society e-mail reflector (Dave, N7DB):

This year may show final 6m peak in this solar cycle.

KL7UW


>We are getting close to the start of the summer E season here in the 
>PNW.  As a number of you know, I do monitor 10M for signs of E cloud 
>formation.  Usually I start to hear the E distance beacons around 
>the middle of April.  So far, nothing.
>
>On the other hand, I have seen some big E openings showing up in 
>Europe the past few days.  This is similar to years past.
>
>I thought I heard a signal in the noise from the direction of FK8 on 
>the evening of 15 April.  CE has been reported frequently this month 
>from the PNW.
>
>The highest SF this year was in the first part of January.  So far, 
>most values have been >100 with a few dips into the 90's.  There is 
>hope by some for a second peak of solar activity this 
>year.  Considering where we are in this Cycle, all I can say is that 
>it is possible.  Historically, we are working F2 type DX with solar 
>activity much lower that what was needed in past decades.  The rule 
>of thumb back then was that we needed SF>175 for an extended time to 
>see F2 on 6.  I recall one April working SA with SF values around 
>160, but it needed a very active geomagnetic field to pull it off 
>(E-TE link.)  This month, the SF value peaked at 148 on the 10th and 
>the field has been active, nothing big AU-wise.
>
>The long haul propagation patterns are radically different than the 
>past (e.g. 29 June 2012.)  Europe has emerged, JA is virtually gone 
>from CN85 during the summer.  The saving grace in this dynamic 
>situation is that posting of QSO/beacons give the operators an 
>indication of propagation pathes.  Lines on the propagation maps really help.
>
>We tend to start the E season with the onset of warm weather.  Later 
>in the week it is supposed to get near 80 here in CN85, so I am 
>expecting the first summer type 6M E opening this week.  Beyond 
>that, who knows?  8-)
>
>Blow the spiders and dust out of the rigs and get ready for another E season.
>
>         GL to all, es CUL de Dave
>
>Dave Bernhardt, N7DB
>Boring, OR CN85uj
>
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