[AMRadio] Proof of demise

[manualman at juno.com]

Actually at a location, you don't have to see the aurora to "work the
aurora". Almost any time there is "geo-magnetic" activity of any
intensity, there is the possibly of using the aurora as a reflector. Here
in NJ, Late winter to early spring days can bring on some aurora activity
but, in reality, it can happen almost any time of year depending on what
the sun burps up.
I daily check NOAA's map for Auroral activity since it's in real time and
gets updated roughly every 10 to 15 minutes:

Besides just pointing your beam North, you can work additional stations
by pointing your beam roughly 10 to 15 degrees East of North and likewise
10 to 15 degrees west of North. This can provide some angle reflection
and expand you station contact capacity. 
Note that RF power and antenna gain are important. A 12 watt AM rig, even
on CW, generally won't provide much action for aurora. Wire antennas
generally have limited capacity on the VHF bands.

I worked 15 stations on 2 meter CW but nothing spectacular or new states.
All the stations worked were actually betwen me and the aurora. No one to
the  South of me.
Since I've done 6 meter aurura many times over the years, I did not fire
up on the band. Plus, the 6 meter 

On Sun, 12 May 2024 14:01:32 +0000 (UTC) CL in NC via AMRadio
<amradio at mailman.qth.net> writes:
> Noted the comment about the aurora buzz.  The fact that I have worked 
> no one on 6 meter CW off the aurora, something I did the last time 
> it reached this far south, indicates to me a lack of interest or 
> knowledge of operating CW off the aurora and listening to those 
> buzzy notes coming back.  The last aurora that was this far south 
> was a couple decades ago, there was a solid overcast here, and there 
> was plenty of activity on 6. The aurora is a reflector, you aim a 6 
> meter beam at it, call CQ, and work signals behind your beam.  From 
> NC, I would work SC, GA, and FLA, plus some stations between me and 
> to the North, but it was always a fun thing to do.  I don't know 
> about digital modes, don't use them, but at one time CW was the only 
> way to communicate when the aurora was active and just cool to do.
> 
> Charlie, W4MEC in NC
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