[Elecraft] Recent band conditions

[Don Wilhelm]

Folks,

With the sunspot cycle on the way down, let's not forget that 30 meters is
likely to be hot (if we use it).  It will be THE band for DX in the next few
years.

Guess we need to get our fists honed up and set up for PSK31 - no
microphones on 30 meters.

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message -----

| Well, I am no expert by any means, but since we are in Summer that means
we are slightly closer to the sun.  Summer seems to always have ups and
downs.  Summer is a good time for the VHF guys because a lot of their type
of propagation occures.  This is all due to the amount of emission we get
from the sun as North America is point that way.
|
| Also, this is my 4-th sun spot cycle, and it will get worse.  20 meters
will shut down very early.  The MUF will go very low.  40 meter will be
good, but you will hear a lot of BC stations too.  As the sun quiets, the
low bands get pretty good.  They will get very quiet.  160 and 80 will be
very long by around 4 pm in the afternoon.  The absorption layer will be
very thin.  Fifteen and 10 meters will be like VHF.  A lot of people leave
the hobby at the low end of the cycle, but I find that 160-80-40 are very
exciting.  160 can be amazing too.  PSK31 might be a great mode to be used
because of poort propagation.