[NLRS] Big flare

[jcplatt1@mmm.com]

The NOAA article to the big flare at
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2003/s2108.htm    If it hits, it should
hit around our mid-day Wednesday.   The CME appears to have been directed
straight at us hence the short time between the flare and its possible
effect.

If there is a strong aurora:
1.   When signals are strong on 2m, 222 is usable, but because of the
increased Doppler, CW is a must.   If there is strong aurora, 6m, 2m, and
222 can all be active !      During a strong aurora I have worked a couple
of stations on 432 with 100 watts and a single yagi.
2.   Spread out.   East coast stations move up and down to get away from
strong stations.   During major Au events I've worked stations down around
144.110 to 144.150.    If this event happens, 2m will sound like 20m, so
spread out, tune around, listen and make noise.    144.200 will be a zoo
and largely unusable.
3.   If the aurora is going strong, watch for auroral-E, especially around
the later evening hours of say 9:00 to 11:00pm and again in the morning
hours.   Auroral-E sounds just like summertime sporadic E as the raspy AU
tones will disappear.

73, Jon
W0ZQ.