[NZ4O Spaceweather] Daily Discussion Of Solar Space & Geomagnetic Weather Conditions

[Thomas F Giella NZ4O]

Published on Friday October 12, 2012 at 1300 UTC. Valid for the next 24 
hours.


1.) DISCUSSION OF SOLAR, SPACE & GEOMAGNETIC WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT CAN 
IMPACT MF & HF RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION IN A NEGATIVE MANNER-

For the 15th day in the row the daily sunspot number has languished below 
100, currently at 82. However on the bright side the daily SSN has increased 
for 4 days in a row.

The Earth is currently in a weak solar wind stream from two geo effective 
(Earth facing) Coronal Holes (#539 & 540). As the day progresses the Kp may 
reach a 3-4 which is indicative of unsettled to active geomagnetic 
conditions. This may at times reduce the maximum useable frequency (MUF) 
below the 10 meter band on east-west paths at high latitudes.

There are no other significant impediments to good radio wave propagation on 
the HF bands as far as solar, space and geomagnetic weather. However the 
daily sunspot number needs to be higher than the present 82, as the higher 
the sunspot number (150 & >) the more ultraviolet light available to 
increase ionization in the F/F2 layer, for more consistent east-west radio 
wave propagation openings on 12 and 10 meters.

On the medium frequency (MF) bands there is the normal absorption of RF 
signals in the D layer due to incoming cosmic rays and hard x-rays. Also the 
background x-ray flux is running in the C range so there is some additional 
minor absorption of RF signals in the D layer. And last but not least there 
is RF signal absorption via the E layer on high latitude propagation paths.





73 & GUD DX, 
Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O
Lakeland, FL, USA
nz4o at tampabay.rr.com

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