Topband: 160 last night (Monday)

[Frank W3LPL]

Hi Ron,

You reported "With A of 30 hardly expected band to be open."
The A-index for 2100Z Sunday through 2100Z Monday was 14, not 30.

You inadvertently reported the prior day A-index of 30 for 2100Z
Saturday through 2100Z Sunday.  It was very stale by last night!

The A-index is calculated as the average of eight, three-hour magnetic
observatory scaled K-indices observed during the 24 hour UT day.
It provides a single, average value to indicate the activity level
for the prior 24 hour period ending at 2100Z each day.

The trend of k-index values is better correlated to current propagation
conditions than the prior day A-index. Preliminary k-index values are
received minute-by-minute from a global network of magnetic observatories
and reported at the end of each 3-hour reporting period.  For example, the
0300Z k-index is computed from near-real-time magnetic observatory
preliminary k-index reports received from 0000-0300Z.

Last night's k-index reports clearly illustrate how the k-index was
better correlated to observed propagation than the prior day A-index.
You can clearly see how the k-indices of 2, 3, 4 and 5 during 16-Jan
resulted in a somewhat elevated A-index of 14 at 2100Z 16-Jan

This is today's A and k-index reporting from 0000Z to 1500Z 17-Jan.
The A-index that will be reported at 2100Z today will probably be a
single digit if today's K-indices remain low through 2100Z.

   Date     Hour  SFI   A   K        
 
17-Jan-2023 15    228   14  1
17-Jan-2023 12    228   14  1
17-Jan-2023 09    228   14  2
17-Jan-2023 06    228   14  2
17-Jan-2023 03    228   14  1
17-Jan-2023 00    228   14  1

Scaled average k-index reports of about 3 for the 24 hours prior to 2100Z 16-Jan
produced an A-index of 14 at 2100Z 16-Jan:

16-Jan-2023 21    228   14  2
16-Jan-2023 18    234   30  3
16-Jan-2023 15    234   30  3
16-Jan-2023 12    234   30  3
16-Jan-2023 09    234   30  3
16-Jan-2023 06    234   30  2
16-Jan-2023 03    234   30  4
16-Jan-2023 00    234   30  5

Scaled average k-index reports of about 4 for the 24 hours prior to 2100Z 15-Jan
produced an A-index of 25 at 2100Z 15-Jan, later revised to 30 at 0000Z 16-Jan.

15-Jan-2023 21    234   25  4
15-Jan-2023 18    228   11  3
15-Jan-2023 15    228   11  4
15-Jan-2023 12    228   11  4
15-Jan-2023 09    228   11  4
15-Jan-2023 06    228   11  4
15-Jan-2023 03    228   11  5
15-Jan-2023 00    228   11  3

Scaled average k-index reports of about 2 for the 24 hours prior to 2100Z 14-Jan
produced an A-index of 15 at 2100Z 14-Jan, later revised to 11 at 0000Z 16-Jan.

14-Jan-2023 21    228   15  2
14-Jan-2023 18    209   12  1
14-Jan-2023 15    209   12  1
14-Jan-2023 12    209   12  1
14-Jan-2023 09    209   12  2
14-Jan-2023 06    209   12  4
14-Jan-2023 03    209   12  4
14-Jan-2023 00    209   12  4

73
Frank
W3LPL




----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Spencer via Topband" <topband at contesting.com>
To: "Topband at Contesting. Com" <topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 2:54:05 PM
Subject: Topband: 160 last night (Monday)

Was an interesting evening (1/16 local). With A of 30 hardly expected band to be open. But, it was and very well. 



First Q was Andy, DL8LAS at 22:28. Last was at 23:27 (took some time off for dinner), Karel, OK1CF. All had very good signals. Perhaps the best of the year. Worked DL, ON, G (several), MD0, RA3, OK. Nothing really remarkable except, all were worked with 100W. Not sure I've ever worked that many stations with 100W on 160. Too bad we didn't have these conditions for Stew Perry contest  



Did hear, around 2309, TN8K as loud as I've ever heard them. Peaking 10 to 15dB above my noise. Very much appreciate all the effort that team has put into working 80 and 160.  


This morning (1/17) band seemed busted but then heard Dennis, ZL1AZ, work AA1K with a Q5 signal. Unfortunately Dennis then seemed to fade. But, JH1HDT and JA5DQH (with a very strong signal) were both worked (with a kw this time!). So, overall, a fun evening and morning


Ron

N4XD
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