[SADXA] X7 x-ray solar flare in progress

[Desert Woodworker]

An X6 or X7 strength x-ray solar flare just took out the entire 10-m band,
except for that part of it in darkness, on the E. coast of the USA, where
I've just been in touch with FL and SC.

The Pacific had been coming in this afternoon, and I heard Sonny, KH6CB
from Honolulu well, then the flare began.  I'm watching the flare still rising at:

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/xray_5m.html

or, for the finer time-tick 1-minute version (where I see the flare has already
peaked and is beginning to fall):

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/xray_1m.html

(but you fellows probably already know how to use these resources)

I'll be listening for 10m to recover this evening.  It might be a good afternoon
and evening for the Pacific, once the ionosphere recovers from the shock
of the instant ionization and begins to stratify again.  But the x-ray flux will
remain at gang-busters intensity for many hours, I think.  Watch for more
such big flares this week.


The flare might also take out the low bands, for a longer time than the 10-m band.
But we'll have to see.  Whatever the case, don't miss out on gauging the
effects of this flare for yourself, the largest of Solar Cycle-24 thus far.
There might be some good DX in there for us; or maybe not!

73,

--Joe, W7DXW / Tucson