Who needs sunspots?

[zz0468]

For the first time in several years, I am currently able to hear both WWV and WWVH on all frequencies, 2.5 to 15 MHz, and WWV on 20 MHz. There is no 20 MHz on WWVH, of course.

[mpcarlino]

I've noticed this as well. I wasn't sure if it was entirely due to me now listening with an R75 instead of an R20 (I'm sure it has something to do with it), but conditions seem to have improved at least slightly.

I've noticed that NAT has been coming in a little clearer over the past few days as well. Shanwick, which used to be nearly inaudible, was booming last night.

And I'm using a crappy throw-together indoor wire antenna.

[CLynch7]

A week or so ago, I picked up WWVH and Radio Australia on 15 and 15120, at midnight EDT. Using a 90 foot outdoor longwire and a GE 7-2990a (basically a tweaked and rebadged Panasonic RF-2600)

[zz0468]

Yep... there's a lot more to HF propagation than just sunspots. I don't think things would seem nearly so dismal if more people got on the air and made some noise.

[ridgescan]

+1 and to me as it is now it's a cool thing. Its a neat way to wind up the day falling asleep to a distant broadcast and stuff like that!

[a29zuk]

Yes, as you can see in the "shortwave log" thread 19 meters is really hopping well after dark. I've heard Radio New Zealand as late as 0450z on 15720!

[kb2vxa]

The noise floor is a lot lower during a sunspot minimum so the lower frequency bands, MW in particular gives excellent results, particularly in winter when there are no lightning crashes to contend with. Being the upswing of Cycle 24 has begun you'll notice a steady improvement on the higher frequencies and when it peaks watch out, occasionally the MUF may rise as high as 60MHz allowing long haul intercontinental F layer propagation on VHF Lo Band and 6M ham.

[a29zuk]

Originally Posted by kb2vxa

The noise floor is a lot lower during a sunspot minimum so the lower frequency bands, MW in particular gives excellent results, particularly in winter when there are no lightning crashes to contend with. Being the upswing of Cycle 24 has begun you'll notice a steady improvement on the higher frequencies and when it peaks watch out, occasionally the MUF may rise as high as 60MHz allowing long haul intercontinental F layer propagation on VHF Lo Band and 6M ham.

Yes, I remember a few sunspot peaks ago, we only used our police scanners to listen the VHF-Lo band for skips. A lot of fire departments and utilities would come in from the southwest here in SE Michigan. Most from Missouri and Texas. On other days northern Michigan would come in as the state police were on the LO-band. Also on TV Ch. 2 KTWO from Casper, Wyoming would come in about 3 days a week!

[KI6ABZ]

I think the bands are officially open... even on my cruddy home-made antenna I just made contact on PSK31 on 20 meters... with a little island named New Caldonia off the coast of Australia. That's by far my longest contact to date!