[NZ4O Spaceweather] DISCUSSION OF SOLAR SPACE & GEOMAGNETIC WX CONDX

[Thomas F Giella NZ4O]

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

For the 16th day in a row the daily sunspot number has languished below 100, 
at 57. Yesterday the daily solar flux index (SFI) peaked at 134.1 which is 
the highest since September 8, 2012. Unfortunately though the SFI does not 
tell us the actual amount of ionization in the F2 layer via ultraviolet 
photons.

There are no significant impediments to good radio wave propagation on the 
HF bands, other than the daily sunspot number needs to be higher than the 
present 57, as the higher the sunspot number (100 & >, 150 > best) 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 exists 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 B range so there is some additional 
absorption of RF signals in the D layer.

Yesterday a C1.7 solar flare associated with a large filament eruption and 
CME behind the east limb of the sun occurred. A small increase in energetic 
protons was also associated with the event and has created minor RF signal 
absorption via the D layer mostly at high latitudes.

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

NZ4O Amateur & SWL Radio Autobiography: http://www.nz4o.com
NZ4O "Daily" HF/6M Radio Wave Propagation Forecast: 
http://www.solarcycle24.org
NZ4O Daily 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