Topband: In defense of Meanook

[Robert Brown]

Friends in Radio Land -

The Meanook K-sums from an auroral magnetmeter are offered to serve as a
guide to high latitude propagation.  The suggestion is that there will be
a recurrence in conditions with the next solar rotation.

The negative reactions I received from VK6HD and ZL3IX were in relation to
low-latitude paths to Eu and NA, hardly within reach of effects from solar
plasma when the K-sums were somewhat in excess of 20.

On Jan 11 and 12, the K-values at Meanook were

			5, 5, 6, 6, 4, 4, 3, 2.

			2, 4, 5, 5, 3, 3, 2, 1.

I imagine similar values were recorded at Antarctic latitudes but the
question is moot as solar illumination blocked radio paths down there. 
But that is not to say that paths going across the equator were not
quite effective, as ZL3IX and VK6HD noted.

I have to admit K-sums are cruder than individual K-values.  Those are
available on the Internet and should be consulted for more detailed
considerations.  But no matter how you look at it, the impact of the solar
wind on the magnetosphere affects Top Band propagation.  Ignore its
effects at your own peril.

73,

Bob, NM7M