Solar Cycle 24

[pauly383]

NEWS FROM SIDC - RWC BELGIUM Fri Jan 4 2008, 1300 UT
Several observatories have reported the presence of a high latitude sunspot group (Catania: http://web.ct.astro.it/sun/draw.jpg, Kanzelhohe: http://cesar.kso.ac.at/sunspot....2.jpg). MDI images show a bipolar structure. This bipole is the first of the new solar cycle which actually develops into a visible sunspot group.

Solar cycle 24 has arrived!

What this means for you CB guys is the "skip" will gradually keep getting better before peaking in 5 and half years............then gradually tapering off again until its crappy again . Our 11 year Solar Cycle .

10 meters will get good again for Hams soon , and 20 meters will be awesome after sundown again real soon

 

[cbbr]

Sounds like it might be a good time to get into Ham radio.

 

[88Silverado]

Low bands have been good lately at the bottom of the cycle.
Ive logged VK9WWI, YL2KO, PJ2/K8ND, PZ5X, 3X5A, CT1FJK, EA6BF & OC1I on 160M in the last month. Worked DXCC there, just need 3 more cards to submit for award!!

15 was open a little during the RTTY contest last weekend. Will be nice to see 12 & 10 open again in the future.

 

[pauly383]

160 would be nice , but I am lacking the transceiver to the low bands , and I don't think Michelle wants me to run that much wire .

I have the room , but it would have to go from back fence to front fence

 

[88Silverado]

Do what my firend does....He has a small Helium weather balloon and floats a 125" wire

I just force-feed my 40' tower with the amp

Noise is the biggest problem with the low-bands. I just dumped over 1000 QSL cards in the buro. If all goes well, hopefully I can apply for my 9 band DXCC later this year.

Im looking forward to this cycle, its suppose to be a good one. Working world-wide communications on 1 watt and a wet shoe-string when 10M is open is great.