Recent Sunspot activity

[Tedzed1]

Looks like sunspot activity is finally on the increase, might now pave the way for some decent DX conditions.

Apparently, peak activity in the 11 year cycle should be at it's maximum by 2013.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/313940

[Skywave]

Quote, Tedzed 1: "might now pave the way for some decent DX conditions".

I'm not so sure about that. Since sudden solar flares are akin to S.I.D.s (sudden ionospheric disturbances) and similarly produce disruptive ionisation in the F1 and F2 layers, we might find that almost everything above about 7 MHz (say) is as dead as a dodo for a few days. OTOH, there may be a few outbursts of sporadic E on 21 & 28 MHz during late afternoons. Whatever, it'll certainly be worthwhile keeping a bit more of a watchful ear (that doesn't sound right! :s) on the SW bands.

Incidentally, there is some evidence that the so-called "11-year" sunspot cycle is actually about half that length, and as we all know, the most aggressive 'hot spots' on the sun face the earth every 27 days, on account of the rotation of the sun.

Fascinating stuff, propagation: you never quite know what to expect. But that's half the fun of SWL-ing.

Al.