But doesn't the graph referenced in your link https://spaceweather.com/repeat_images/crinfo2.png indicate that the greatest strength from cosmic rays was 2009-2010, when trans polar conditions were at their best, Bill?
I'd defer to K9LA's comments in a heartbeat, but isn't the one (the primary?) reason for greater penetration of cosmic rays the weakening geomagnetic activity that occurs during solar minimum, and that's related to the intensity and speed of the solar wind, driven by coronal mass ejections and such like. According to https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/solar-cycle-progression, we are only now approaching the low levels of geomagnetic activity (Ap progression chart) seen in 2009 / 2010. Of course we may never reach those levels. We have to wait and see. best wishes, Nick VE7DXR On Sat, Dec 14, 2019 at 6:24 PM Bill Tippett <btipp...@alum.mit.edu> wrote: > This could account for relatively poor conditions on 160 despite the low SF > and K indices: > > *COSMIC RAY UPDATE:* Something ironic is happening in Earth’s atmosphere. > Solar activity is low–very low. Yet atmospheric radiation is heading in the > opposite direction. Cosmic rays percolating through the air around us are > at a 5 year high and only percentage points away from a Space Age record. > Find out what's happening on today's edition of Spaceweather.com > < > https://spaceweather.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d&id=84e9b2ac89&e=b06d5db3f7 > > > . > > 73, Bill W4ZV > _________________ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector