[CQ-Contest] Propagation update...

[Tomas (NW7US)]

Currently, it is about 0750Z, 25 Oct 2003 UTC.  I have been taking snapshots 
every few hours, starting at about 0400 UTC.  Kp is currently 3 at most 
reporting stations.  Aurora index is 5 to 6 at most.  IPS reports low- and mid-
latitude conditions as 'normal', high-latitude conditions as 'fair'.  This is 
following my thoughts on how the geomagnetic conditions will progress.  

The last six hour flare activity peak is an M1-class flare.  The last 24 hour 
peak is also an M1-class.  So, it is possible that the idea of a "fair to good" 
Saturday DX day might still play out.  I sure hope so.

Earlier, while mobile with 100 watts and an outbacker antenna, I talked with an 
Alaskan station on 20 meters who was working some DX in the CQ WW SSB contest.  
She had a modest station.  Under most geomagnetic storms, I cannot normally work 
Alaska.  Nor can Alaska work most anywhere, being under the Aurora zone.  Yet, 
she and I talked - and her report was a fair amount of DX (mostly North/South at 
that hour).  I heard, and worked some, many DX - from JA to South America.  I 
heard Carribean stations working N/S and E/W stations, including RU stations.

So, it does look like things are moving along fairly well, even when many 
thought that the worst storm for many moons was upon us.  Let's see how the rest 
of the day progresses...

Cross our fingers!  Maybe the contest will not be a bust.

73 de Tomas, NW7US (AAR0JA/AAM0EWA)
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