[NZ4O Spaceweather] NZ4O Medium Frequency (300-3000 KC) Radiowave Propagation Forecast #2012-20

Thu May 10 12:35:57 PDT 2012

For all of my amateur radio and SWL friends around the world:

“A Radiowave Propagation Forecast For Hams As Well As Shortwave DXers And 
Listeners”

Published on Friday May 11, 2012 at 0000 UTC. Valid 0000 UTC Saturday May 
12, 2012 through 2359 UTC Friday May 18, 2012.

The complete MF/HF/6M forecast can be found at http://www.solarcycle24.org 
and http://www.wcflunatall.com/propagation.htm .

Medium frequency (300-3000 kc) radiowave propagation conditions are impacted 
in a negative manner not by variations in the maximum usable frequency (MUF) 
along a particular propagation path and time but rather due to geomagnetic 
disturbances (Kp-3-4) and geomagnetic storms (Kp-5 & >) that increase signal 
absorption via the E layer (the general altitude of the radio aurora). Also 
increases in the lowest usable frequency (LUF) via D layer signal absorption 
due to elevated background solar flux levels (>A0), proton flux levels at 
energies greater than 10 MeV (10+0) and galactic cosmic rays.

There is also the issue of magneto ionic power coupling. Antenna 
polarization plays a large role in the success of a long haul DX contact. As 
a medium frequency RF signal traverses Earth's magnetic lines of force in a 
perpendicular manner on high and mid latitude paths say between W3 land and 
SM, higher angle horizontally polarized signals are more readily absorbed 
than lower angle vertically polarized signals. On other propagation paths on 
the globe opposite results can be found, i.e., horizontally polarized 
signals suffer less absorption on a propagation path between VK6 and W6 or 
S9 and W4.

For more information on MF radiowave propagation theory check out 
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o5.htm .

GLOBAL MEDIUM FREQUENCY (300-3000 KC) PROPAGATION CONDITIONS EXPECTED WITH 
AN EMPHASIS ON 600 METERS, THE MF AM BROADCAST BAND AND 160 METERS-

Note! This forecast is based upon quiet solar, space and geomagnetic weather 
conditions. Geomagnetic storming Kp-5> and energetic proton storms >10 MeV 
(10+0) can at times render the forecast temporarily inaccurate.

Magnetic Equator-

Low 0-25 degrees

Mid 25-60 degrees

High 60-90 degrees

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE-

-East <-> West To 1100 Mi /1800 km- Fair 
*North <-> South To 1100 Mi /1800 km-Poor To Fair 
+South <-> North To 1100 Mi /1800 km- Poor To Fair

SOUTHERN 
            -East <-> West To 1100 Mi / 1800 km- Fair To Good 
*South <-> North To 1100 Mi /1800 km- Fair To Good 
+North <-> South To 1100 Mi / 1800 km- Fair To Good

Northern Hemisphere (TA) Trans Atlantic, (TI) Trans Indian, (TP) Trans 
Pacific and cross Equatorial propagation conditions in

excess of approximately 3200 mi / 5200 km

High Latitude- Poor To Fair

Mid Latitude- Fair

Low Latitude- Poor To Fair

Southern Hemisphere (TA) Trans Atlantic, (TI) Trans Indian, (TP) Trans 
Pacific and cross Equatorial propagation conditions in

excess of approximately 3200 mi / 5200 km

High Latitude- Fair

Mid Latitude- Fair To Good

Low Latitude- Fair

HF Propagation Forecast Scale-
Excellent S9+1 Or Better
Good S7-S9
Fair S4-S6
Poor S1-S3
None S0

Note! I use error prone RAW public domain data from the NOAA Space 
Environment Center, as well as other U.S. government organizations, to 
produce my propagation forecasts. This data is gathered and made public by 
the U.S. Government using taxpayer $$$. However the propagation forecast 
that I produce from the RAW public domain data is my personal intellectual 
property. Therefore this propagation forecast contained herein is 
copyrighted © 1988-2012 by Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O. Reproduction of and 
distribution of the propagation forecast herein is allowed without advanced 
permission as long as proper credit is given.

Also space weather forecasting is still an inexact science. The forecasts 
are not official but for hobby related purposes only and are subject to 
human error and acts of God, therefore no guarantee or warranty implied.

73 & GUD DX,
Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O
Lakeland, FL, USA
thomasfgiella at tampabay.rr.com

NZ4O MF/HF/6M (600-6 Meters) Radiowave Propagation Forecast: 
http://www.solarcycle24.org
NZ4O Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data Archive: 
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o1.htm
NZ4O Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data Dashboard: 
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o2.htm
NZ4O Solar Cycle 24 Forecast Discussion & Archive: 
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o4.htm
NZ4O 160 Meter (MF) Radio Propagation Theory Notes: 
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o5.htm
NZ4O Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Raw Forecast Data Links: 
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o6.htm

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