Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
I've made two LP QSOs with VK6. First was on 23 Feb 2007 at 2210Z with VK6HD the second was on 14 Feb 2010 at 2208Z with VK6GX. I thought there were more but I probably was thinking of 80m. 73, Roger N1RJ On 12/8/2017 9:45 AM, John Kaufmann wrote: I have also observed enhanced, and sometimes extraordinary, propagation at the onset of disturbed conditions. A recent notable example was the LP QSO with VK6VZ that I reported last month: http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/topband/2017-November/052869.html. At the time of the QSO, the K index was 6. However, disturbed conditions do not always bring enhanced propagation. There is not a 1:1 correlation in my experience but it's worth checking the band when severe geomagnetic conditions are imminent 73, John W1FV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of George Taft via Topband Sent: Friday, December 8, 2017 9:29 AM To: Bob Lawson N6RW; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes Hi Bob Do agree with your observations relative to prop enhancement on the upside (beginning) of solar disturbances. Especially for we northern types close to the northern auroral zone. I've made some extraordinary contacts in my 35years on topband during these situations. Now if we could just have one fall on the days that stns like XW4ZW and the BD/BG stns are active, hi/ 73 George W8UVZ On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 6:09 PM, Bob Lawson N6RW wrote: Is it just my imagination or have others noticed big 160 meter openings - hours before big K index spikes? It seems that several times, we have had big openings into Europe and Asia from out here in Arizona and my hopes of having a great opening the next night was ruined by a big geomagnetic storm. Last Saturday morning, the JAs were quite weak here. Sunday morning, several Asians had good signals. BD4WN was the loudest I'd ever heard him and JA3YBK was 10 over 9 at sunrise until 15 minutes past sunrise. He was still solid 45 minutes after sunrise. Sunday night, I heard the first EU Russian since getting on TB almost three years ago. I was looking forward to a great post-contest Monday night and bang - the K index jumped up to 4 - just like a few weeks before. I heard no Asian signals this morning and so far no EU on 160 tonight (Monday night). 73 all de Bob N6RW Prescott AZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband | | Virus-free. www.avg.com | _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
Hi Mark, Earlier this year on this list, K9LA posted the following: With respect to Wolf DF2PY's comment about very good propagation on polar routes when the A index and the solar wind speed are elevated, our understanding of what makes 160m tick is lacking. In other words, "stuff happens". Having said that, there have been similar reports of good propagation on 160m at high latitudes when the K index spikes up. A process that could explain this is tied to changes in the E region and lower F region at elevated K indices. When geomagnetic field activity increases, the atmosphere's electric field (measured in terms of mV/meter) increases. When this happens, the electron density valley above the E region peak can become better developed (deeper and more vertical extent - which would eliminate transits through the absorbing region and eliminate ground reflections). This process comes from a 1984 paper in the Journal of Geophysical Research. It is only a model - I'm not aware of any measurements to confirm that this happens. So "buyer beware". All I can say is - it makes sense. Carl K9LA In addition, it strikes me that there was a recent academic paper that said something about ionospheric layers increasing in height at the onset of a geomagnetic storm, but darned if I can find a copy of that right now. Does anyone else recall this? 73 Nick VE7DXR At 19:37 2017-12-09, Mark Connelly via Topband wrote: The "boost before bust" phenomenon has also been noticed by DX listeners of the AM broadcast band. Here on the US East Coast, some of the more reliable northern European signals are the UK stations on 693, 882, 909, 1089, and 1215 kHz. We used to have the Norway "flamethrower" on 1314 as a great propagation beacon but that station, like many others in northern Europe, has gone dark. When solar flares occur, radiation travels outward at the speed of light, making the trip in a bit over 8 minutes. Charged particles are also ejected: these may take a day or so to reach Earth's ionosphere. The effect of that initial arrival of radiation seems to be enhanced higher latitude northern hemisphere propagation. As the charged particles start coming in and the A/K indices rise, high latitude routes are attenuated. In the early evening here in Massachusetts, for instance on 750 kHz, you would go from good reception of a station in Newfoundland (CBGY, Bonavista Bay) over to a channel dominated by a station in Caracas, Venezuela (YVKS). Northern European signals go away. If anything is coming across the Atlantic at that point it would be African signals such as Mauritania on 783, Canary Islands on 621 etc. Mostly a lot would be heard from Latin America. Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Puerto Rico are quite prominent since many of the more-northerly interferers (US, Canada et al.) are blocked out. Mark Connelly, WA1ION South Yarmouth, MA, USA << Yes Lee I guess we have all seen as in my case enhancement from here to VK under those conditions including places like KH0, JD1 etc. locals for you guys. However the very best of conditions I have seen is when the K index stays very low at 0 or max 1 for several days. Then the big US openings can happen and I can end up working all states in a week contest. If it times correctly with a contest. Bring it on. 73 Clive GM3POI -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Lee STRAHAN Sent: 08 December 2017 17:38 To: topBand List Subject: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes I have also seen big openings here in Oregon just prior to a big solar event. If I recall correctly it was when I worked the A4 which is huge from the Pacific Northwest. Lee K7TJR _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband >> _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband Nick Hall-Patch Victoria, BC Canada --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
The "boost before bust" phenomenon has also been noticed by DX listeners of the AM broadcast band. Here on the US East Coast, some of the more reliable northern European signals are the UK stations on 693, 882, 909, 1089, and 1215 kHz. We used to have the Norway "flamethrower" on 1314 as a great propagation beacon but that station, like many others in northern Europe, has gone dark. When solar flares occur, radiation travels outward at the speed of light, making the trip in a bit over 8 minutes. Charged particles are also ejected: these may take a day or so to reach Earth's ionosphere. The effect of that initial arrival of radiation seems to be enhanced higher latitude northern hemisphere propagation. As the charged particles start coming in and the A/K indices rise, high latitude routes are attenuated. In the early evening here in Massachusetts, for instance on 750 kHz, you would go from good reception of a station in Newfoundland (CBGY, Bonavista Bay) over to a channel dominated by a station in Caracas, Venezuela (YVKS). Northern European signals go away. If anything is coming across the Atlantic at that point it would be African signals such as Mauritania on 783, Canary Islands on 621 etc. Mostly a lot would be heard from Latin America. Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Puerto Rico are quite prominent since many of the more-northerly interferers (US, Canada et al.) are blocked out. Mark Connelly, WA1ION South Yarmouth, MA, USA << Yes Lee I guess we have all seen as in my case enhancement from here to VK under those conditions including places like KH0, JD1 etc. locals for you guys. However the very best of conditions I have seen is when the K index stays very low at 0 or max 1 for several days. Then the big US openings can happen and I can end up working all states in a week contest. If it times correctly with a contest. Bring it on. 73 Clive GM3POI -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Lee STRAHAN Sent: 08 December 2017 17:38 To: topBand List Subject: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes I have also seen big openings here in Oregon just prior to a big solar event. If I recall correctly it was when I worked the A4 which is huge from the Pacific Northwest. Lee K7TJR _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband >> _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
I also have experienced the same as Tim, with all bands, and particularly the higher bands opening just as the geomagnetic storm builds. Then it is rubbish for a few or several days after. On the evening of the 4th, I could barely hear Ken XW4ZW. The next evening 6th, he was S9 and I worked him with one call. I also worked a few other Asian stations with big signals - not that unusual here, but a nice change from poor signals lately. BD4WN was also booming in, but was not workable. He was working locals and a few NA stations. Thankfully I have China confirmed with a QSO about a year ago with Dale BA4TB. I haven't been on air since that evening, as I came home from a visit to Melbourne the next day ill with the flu. Feeling better today. This morning will be running the remaining five wires for my Beverage constellation, and will have a listen on air tonight. 73, Luke VK3HJ -Original Message- From: Tim Shoppa Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2017 2:19 AM To: Bob Lawson N6RW Cc: topBand List Subject: Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes I don't think it's just topband. I've observed exceptionally good conditions right before a solar disturbance hits earth, on any and all bands. Tim N3QE _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
I always check 160 on my GMT Christmas Eve - In 2013 I worked 8 EU in about 30 min - from here on city lot in Phoenix, AZ . Just an 80M inv vee at 39 feet !!! So far no repeat. Guess Santa Sleigh not in right place again Hank K7HP - Original Message - > I have also seen big openings here in Oregon just prior to a big solar > event. > If I recall correctly it was when I worked the A4 which is huge from > the Pacific Northwest. > Lee K7TJR > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
Yes Lee I guess we have all seen as in my case enhancement from here to VK under those conditions including places like KH0, JD1 etc. locals for you guys. However the very best of conditions I have seen is when the K index stays very low at 0 or max 1 for several days. Then the big US openings can happen and I can end up working all states in a week contest. If it times correctly with a contest. Bring it on. 73 Clive GM3POI -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Lee STRAHAN Sent: 08 December 2017 17:38 To: topBand List Subject: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes I have also seen big openings here in Oregon just prior to a big solar event. If I recall correctly it was when I worked the A4 which is huge from the Pacific Northwest. Lee K7TJR _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
I have also seen big openings here in Oregon just prior to a big solar event. If I recall correctly it was when I worked the A4 which is huge from the Pacific Northwest. Lee K7TJR _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
I don't think it's just topband. I've observed exceptionally good conditions right before a solar disturbance hits earth, on any and all bands. Tim N3QE On Tue, Dec 5, 2017 at 12:22 AM, Bob Lawson N6RW wrote: > Is it just my imagination or have others noticed big 160 meter openings - > hours before big K index spikes? > > It seems that several times, we have had big openings into Europe and Asia > from out here in Arizona and my hopes of having a great opening the next > night was ruined by a big geomagnetic storm. Last Saturday morning, the JAs > were quite weak here. Sunday morning, several Asians had good signals. > BD4WN was the loudest I'd ever heard him and JA3YBK was 10 over 9 at > sunrise until 15 minutes past sunrise. He was still solid 45 minutes after > sunrise. Sunday night, I heard the first EU Russian since getting on TB > almost three years ago. I was looking forward to a great post-contest > Monday night and bang - the K index jumped up to 4 - just like a few weeks > before. I heard no Asian signals this morning and so far no EU on 160 > tonight (Monday night). > > 73 all de Bob N6RW Prescott AZ > > _ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
I have also observed enhanced, and sometimes extraordinary, propagation at the onset of disturbed conditions. A recent notable example was the LP QSO with VK6VZ that I reported last month: http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/topband/2017-November/052869.html. At the time of the QSO, the K index was 6. However, disturbed conditions do not always bring enhanced propagation. There is not a 1:1 correlation in my experience but it's worth checking the band when severe geomagnetic conditions are imminent 73, John W1FV -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of George Taft via Topband Sent: Friday, December 8, 2017 9:29 AM To: Bob Lawson N6RW; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes Hi Bob Do agree with your observations relative to prop enhancement on the upside (beginning) of solar disturbances. Especially for we northern types close to the northern auroral zone. I've made some extraordinary contacts in my 35years on topband during these situations. Now if we could just have one fall on the days that stns like XW4ZW and the BD/BG stns are active, hi/ 73 George W8UVZ On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 6:09 PM, Bob Lawson N6RW wrote: Is it just my imagination or have others noticed big 160 meter openings - hours before big K index spikes? It seems that several times, we have had big openings into Europe and Asia from out here in Arizona and my hopes of having a great opening the next night was ruined by a big geomagnetic storm. Last Saturday morning, the JAs were quite weak here. Sunday morning, several Asians had good signals. BD4WN was the loudest I'd ever heard him and JA3YBK was 10 over 9 at sunrise until 15 minutes past sunrise. He was still solid 45 minutes after sunrise. Sunday night, I heard the first EU Russian since getting on TB almost three years ago. I was looking forward to a great post-contest Monday night and bang - the K index jumped up to 4 - just like a few weeks before. I heard no Asian signals this morning and so far no EU on 160 tonight (Monday night). 73 all de Bob N6RW Prescott AZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband | | Virus-free. www.avg.com | _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
Hi Bob Do agree with your observations relative to prop enhancement on the upside (beginning) of solar disturbances. Especially for we northern types close to the northern auroral zone. I've made some extraordinary contacts in my 35years on topband during these situations. Now if we could just have one fall on the days that stns like XW4ZW and the BD/BG stns are active, hi/ 73 George W8UVZ On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 6:09 PM, Bob Lawson N6RW wrote: Is it just my imagination or have others noticed big 160 meter openings - hours before big K index spikes? It seems that several times, we have had big openings into Europe and Asia from out here in Arizona and my hopes of having a great opening the next night was ruined by a big geomagnetic storm. Last Saturday morning, the JAs were quite weak here. Sunday morning, several Asians had good signals. BD4WN was the loudest I'd ever heard him and JA3YBK was 10 over 9 at sunrise until 15 minutes past sunrise. He was still solid 45 minutes after sunrise. Sunday night, I heard the first EU Russian since getting on TB almost three years ago. I was looking forward to a great post-contest Monday night and bang - the K index jumped up to 4 - just like a few weeks before. I heard no Asian signals this morning and so far no EU on 160 tonight (Monday night). 73 all de Bob N6RW Prescott AZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband | | Virus-free. www.avg.com | _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes
Is it just my imagination or have others noticed big 160 meter openings - hours before big K index spikes? It seems that several times, we have had big openings into Europe and Asia from out here in Arizona and my hopes of having a great opening the next night was ruined by a big geomagnetic storm. Last Saturday morning, the JAs were quite weak here. Sunday morning, several Asians had good signals. BD4WN was the loudest I'd ever heard him and JA3YBK was 10 over 9 at sunrise until 15 minutes past sunrise. He was still solid 45 minutes after sunrise. Sunday night, I heard the first EU Russian since getting on TB almost three years ago. I was looking forward to a great post-contest Monday night and bang - the K index jumped up to 4 - just like a few weeks before. I heard no Asian signals this morning and so far no EU on 160 tonight (Monday night). 73 all de Bob N6RW Prescott AZ _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
