The solar flux index declined further this week to the mid-80s. A quick
look at an image of the Sun from the Solar Dynamics Observatory on solarham.net
shows why. On Thursday two sunspot groups were rotating out of sight on the
Sun’s limb, leaving a pretty blank disk. As a result NOAA predicts the solar
flux index will diminish to 75-80 for the whole of next week.
This week has been quieter
geomagnetically, with a maximum K-index of three and a low of one. As we
mentioned in the last report, this week may start off very unsettled with a
K-index up to five this weekend due to a geo-effective recurring coronal hole on
the Sun’s surface. After a respite mid-week, next weekend may also become
unsettled.
The highlight this week
has been prolonged sporadic-E openings on the upper HF bands. These have brought
lengthy short-skip openings on 20m and up and hopefully may continue. Rare, but
relatively local, DX has included both Monaco and San Marino on 10 metres.
If you are fairly new to the hobby look
around 28.500MHz for signals around mid-morning, mid to late afternoon and early
evening. Also look for FM signals around 29.600MHz. Beacon hunters should look
between 28.125 and 28.325MHz.
VHF and up propagation:
The weather pattern is fairly slow
moving and although we start with high pressure, this will get displaced to the
east. This could still provide some tropo from northern Britain across to
southern Scandinavia. Low pressure approaching from the Atlantic will introduce
some showery weather with warmer and more humid southerly winds. If these
showers are heavy and thundery they could produce good rain scatter on the
Gigahertz bands.
As we said earlier, we’ve had a good
start to this year for sporadic-E with many days of European sporadic-E on 50MHz
upwards to 144MHz. Teatime on the 30th produced strong 144MHz signals from YU1EV
and others, copied from East Anglia right over to west Wales and the Isle of
Man.
Disturbed weather patterns with strong
jet streams are what is required for sporadic-E, but the next week is looking
quieter as the jet stream migrates to the northern parts of Europe. This could
mean paths to Scandinavia more often than southern Europe as in recent weeks. If
you do one thing, check the VHF bands for sporadic-E around teatime, before
eating, and you’ll catch most of what develops.
With high declination, the Moon is
favourably placed for EME, with low losses early in the week.
(RSGB)
