Ain't this solar maximum great?

Solar Cycle 25 is now much, much stronger than anyone anticipated,

and its slowly growing stronger through at least this weekend.

Today's estimated international sunspot number is 281.

Its increasingly likely that we'll have widespread coast-to-coast and

worldwide 6 meter F2 propagation during about half of the days

between late October and at least early February. Widespread F2

openings are likely to bring 6 meter CW and SSB to life like we haven't

experienced in more than 20 years.

The first sign of enhanced 6 meter F2 will be increasingly frequent TEP

from Europe and North America to South America and the South Atlantic

islands. TEP may begin very sporadically by late August and become

increasingly frequent later in September and especially during October.

Coast-to-coast F2 propagation and propagation crossing the Atlantic

to Europe and Africa may begin sporadically during September and

October and become frequent and long lasting by early November.

Effective 6 meter antennas can be very small. 3 element Yagis are small,

lightweight and very effective. 20 foot antrnna haright is adequate

but sloping terrain or higher antennas perform much better. Heights

higher that 50 feet are un necessary and in many cases perform poorly.

Are you ready for this once in a lifetime experience?

Frank

W3LPL

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