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Re: Spectacular X-class Solar Flare & WCGA 1100 Test

Les Rayburn
 

Bruce,

Aurora conditions typically take time to develop, and I think the flare is occurring too close to the start of the test to have much hope of significant Au conditions to develop. But any degradation of the WTAM signal would be welcome. It might also help those in Europe. 

I’m expecting poor to below-average conditions but would love to be surprised. Conditions the past few nights have been pretty good. Last night had really solid signals coming from the SW and West here. 


73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf

NRC & IRCA Courtesy Program Committee Chairman
Member WTFDA, MWC

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On Apr 30, 2022, at 2:19 PM, Bruce Conti <contiba@...> wrote:

On Sat, Apr 30, 2022 at 5:56 PM Les Rayburn <les@...> wrote:
A powerful X-Class flare occurred on the Sun this morning, causing a radio blackout on shortwave briefly. 20 Meters was nearly unusable for an hour or so. 
It’s unclear how that will impact medium wave conditions later today when the WCGA test begins at Midnight EDT (0400 UTC). But generally, X-Class flares result in higher levels of D-layer ionization, which means that it dissipates more slowly at sunset. Long-distance reception on MW is less likely in these conditions.

"Long-distance reception on MW is less likely in these conditions."  Not entirely true.  This could actually enhance long distance reception to the south.  Often a geomagnetic disturbance will subdue northern signals which in this case could reduce co-channel interference from 50 kW WTAM for DX'ers in the eastern U.S.

--
Bruce Conti
B.A.Conti Photography www.baconti.com
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