[Elecraft] Re: Who stole the ionosphere?

[Kevin Rock]

I have been having a daily sked on 20 meters since early January.  Only once have I been shut out.  At 1600 Z the band is a little weak into Oklahoma from 
northwestern Oregon but by the end of our chat an hour or so later the band is strong.  I have found I need the AFIL on at the beginning but it is not required by the 
end of our contact.  We thought the bands would shut us down but so far it has been easy to make contact on 20 meters during the day.  CW is great for solid copy.  
I don't know if voice is open but I haven't used voice this year except to try the Elecraft net.  Been skunked so far on that net except for my CW contacts.  Too bad 
there isn't a CW Elecraft net.
   Kevin.  KD5ONS



6/4/2003 1:54:53 PM, "Stuart Rohre" <rohre@arlut.utexas.edu> wrote:

>The recent solar activity has caused such instability of the bands that many
>hams turn on the radio, find the bands dead or weak and give up.
>
>Then, when the band comes back somewhat, no on is there to call CQ or
>initiate activity.
>
>Remember, we are on the downside of the 11 year cycle, and things will be
>erratic for awhile.  However, I have also heard that the sun has been extra
>active in ways unfavorable to propagation.  Two solar storms in a day is not
>as common.
>
>In about a month, things should calm down.  One can monitor the automatic DX
>beacons on 20 and other bands to assess their hourly state, or check the WWV
>forecasts of propagation each hour.
>
>73,
>Stuart K5KVH