[K6BW] Current Solar/Radio Conditions

[Bill Smith]

Lifted from the QRP-L reflector on Thursday, January 20:

Gang,
The sun whomped out another major flare earlier today, a long duration
X7 beginning at 0636 UTC.  This came from the same region, number 720,
that most all of the flare activity the past few days has come from.
However, region 720 is now approaching the west limb of the sun, and
will rotate out of view in the next day or two.  Because this flare is
near the limb of the sun, and not near the center, the shockwave and
coronal mass ejection (CME) was blown out into space away from the
earth.  At best, we'll get a glancing blow that will not cause much
problem. 

This was an energetic flare that continues to spew electrons at Earth
right now.  These electrons are ionizing the D, E and F layers.  This
means the MUF will be elevated over North America for the rest of the
day.  On the other hand, D layer absorption is elevated for higher
than normal absorption on the lower frequencies.  However, this will
boil off during the day, and come to a fairly abrupt end at sundown,
when the earth rotates away from the sun. 

Right now, the MUF is flirting around 28 MHz along the southern US
states, and 20 MHz along the US/VE border, for 15M across the entire
country and possible 10M openings along the southern states.  20M will
remain open later into the evening tonight than normal. 

Another thing to consider is operating 15 and 20M around sundown for
some interesting grayline propagation.  The contour lines of the MUF
will be running more or less north-south around sundown, as will the
earths shadow.  This means around sundown, there could be a chance
of some very good north-south and over the pole propagation at
sundown, known as "gray line propagation."  Perhaps even 6M. 

I monitored several HF frequencies Sunday, and when the first shock
wave hit, noise levels rose from S3-4 to S9 almost immediately.
Quite impressive.  The "buzzing sound" heard in the noise levels are
the electrons flying along the earths magnetic fields lines creating
huge currents, and noise, above your head.  Did you hear that? 

72, Paul NA5N