Last night, when I came home from work, I clicked on the QRZ page. As a matter of course, I looked at the Solar Terrestrial Data widget to check the SFI index and band conditions.
If I recall correctly, SFI was at 68 or 69.
I've always correlated higher SFI with better, open, band conditions.
Thus far,I've kept my eye on band conditions, and, whenever it's above 71, I've assumed 80 and 40 meters, to be good.
Going by last night readings, both 80 and 40 were classified as "Good".
Normally, or, at least since I've been paying attention to this, which, admittedly, hasn't been very long, 80 meters almost always is on the dumps while 40, enjoys a "Good" rating.
So my questions are, what exactly is the relationship between the Solar Flux Index and band conditions?
Does a higher SFI means good or better HF conditions?
Does weather affect this relationship to the extent that, higher SFI is just another factor to consider?
Should I pay more attention to the forecasted band conditions as opposed to the SFI?
If I recall correctly, SFI was at 68 or 69.
I've always correlated higher SFI with better, open, band conditions.
Thus far,I've kept my eye on band conditions, and, whenever it's above 71, I've assumed 80 and 40 meters, to be good.
Going by last night readings, both 80 and 40 were classified as "Good".
Normally, or, at least since I've been paying attention to this, which, admittedly, hasn't been very long, 80 meters almost always is on the dumps while 40, enjoys a "Good" rating.
So my questions are, what exactly is the relationship between the Solar Flux Index and band conditions?
Does a higher SFI means good or better HF conditions?
Does weather affect this relationship to the extent that, higher SFI is just another factor to consider?
Should I pay more attention to the forecasted band conditions as opposed to the SFI?
