Here are some general guidelines concerning correlation of propagation
indices to actual expected 160 meter propagation conditions.
1.) Dropping indices numbers are better.
2.) For medium frequencies a solar flux under 150, under 100 better, 70 is
best for E layer multi hop.
2a.) For high frequencies a solar flux of 100 is okay, 150 better, above 200
best for F layer multi hop.
3.) Solar flux of at least 100 for E valley-F layer ducting mechanism.
4.) Previous 24 hour Ap index under 10, under 7 for several days
consecutively is best.
5.) Previous 3 hour Kp index under 3 for mid latitude paths, under 2 for
high latitude paths, 0-1 for several days consecutively is best.
6.) Energetic protons no greater then 10 MeV (10+0) for 160/120 meters and
no greater then (10-1) on MF broadcast band.
*7.) Background x-ray flux levels less than C1 for several days
consecutively for 160/120 meters and less then B9 for MF broadcast band.
8.) No current STRATWARM alert.
9.) IMF Bz with a negative sign, indicates a better chance of high latitude
path auroral absorption/unpredictable refraction or scattering of MF RF
signals, when the Kp is above 3.
* The reason for poor propagation conditions on 160 especially on high
latitude paths the past 5 days is due to background x-ray flux levels C1 or
higher.
12/14- C1.1
12/15- C1.1
12/16- C1.4
12/17- C1.3
12/18- C1.1
The answers to seemingly puzzling propagation conditions on 160 are answered
on my website at KN4LF HF/MF
Radio Propagation Theory notes at: http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf5.htm .
.
73,
Thomas Giella
KN4LF/NNN0HUS
Plant City, FL, USA
KN4LF Daily Solar Space Weather Geomagnetic Data Plus MF Propagation
Outlook:
http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf5.htm
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