Solar Flares and Radio Operation

[zz0468]

Thanx...excellent education.

So a radio that operated on the GMRS frequencies is what I should be looking at....

Well, if merely operating an appliance with little to no concern as to how and why it works, that might be a better option. But if you actually have an interest in the art and science of radio, and wish to be able to actually use it to it's full potential, then go get your ham license and enjoy it.

Ham radio can do what you want it to do, and do it quite well. But in order to get that level of performance, it simply can't be something left in a box until SHTF. Expecting it to suddenly just work is not reasonable.

...and yes my fiancé will be getting her technician license as well.

Perfect. If she's willing to actually do that for you, she's a keeper!

 

[DaveNF2G]

In fact there will almost certainly be at least several hours (and likely at least a full day) warning, and you can probably get an app for your smartphone that will tell you about an impending event in plenty of time (though I haven't actually checked).

What you say is true of solar CMEs. I was including man-made EMPs, such as from the detonation of a nuclear device or other EMP generator.

 

[brey1234]

the largest X-class solar flares

The current AR 12192 sunspot has already fired off 10 significant solar flares in the time that it’s been observed by scientists.
So far, scientists observed six of the largest X-class solar flares, and four M-class flares (about one-tenth the strength of X-class flares).
Two of the X-class flares – one on October 19th and one on October 22nd – caused high-frequency radio blackouts. The sunspot has yet to direct any CME (coronal mass ejection) directly toward Earth.

Gigantic Sunspot On Sun Larger Than Carrington Event Solar Flare | Top Secret Writers – Conspiracy Theory, Strange Stories and Truth

 

[Token]

So far, scientists observed six of the largest X-class solar flares, and four M-class flares (about one-tenth the strength of X-class flares).

I always love these kinds of sensational statements. Unless I missed something I don't think any of the recent flares would even make it into the list of the top 30 flares in the past 20 years, let alone of all time. "six of the largest X-Class flares" compared to what, and when?

T!

 

[Ed_Seedhouse]

I always love these kinds of sensational statements. Unless I missed something I don't think any of the recent flares would even make it into the list of the top 30 flares in the past 20 years, let alone of all time. "six of the largest X-Class flares" compared to what, and when?

According to the page at The Most Powerful Solar Flares ever Recorded the top flare since regular measurements started was an X28+ in 2003. None of the flares in the current solar cycle make it into the top 15.

The scale is logarithmic. An X21 flare is 100 times stronger than an X1 flare, not 20 times.

 

[DaveNF2G]

Check out the Suspicious Observers YouTube channel. He puts out a solar update every morning. There are several videos there explaining how the Sun works, how it affects Earth, and various other topics including climate change. Despite the name, this is not a "conspiracy theory" type of operation.

 

[Ed_Seedhouse]

Just for some perspective here is the official word from the NOAA about the effects of the strongest classification of magnetic storms (G5 or "extreme") as posted at NOAA Space Weather Scales.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power systems: : widespread voltage control problems and protective system problems can occur, some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage.

Spacecraft operations: may experience extensive surface charging, problems with orientation, uplink/downlink and tracking satellites.

Other systems: pipeline currents can reach hundreds of amps, HF (high frequency) radio propagation may be impossible in many areas for one to two days, satellite navigation may be degraded for days, low-frequency radio navigation can be out for hours, and aurora has been seen as low as Florida and southern Texas (typically 40° geomagnetic lat.)**.

 

[Token]

I always love these kinds of sensational statements. Unless I missed something I don't think any of the recent flares would even make it into the list of the top 30 flares in the past 20 years, let alone of all time. "six of the largest X-Class flares" compared to what, and when?

T!

According to the page at The Most Powerful Solar Flares ever Recorded the top flare since regular measurements started was an X28+ in 2003. None of the flares in the current solar cycle make it into the top 15.

The scale is logarithmic. An X21 flare is 100 times stronger than an X1 flare, not 20 times.

Errr…if they did not make the list of the top 30 (as I said) then they also would not have made the list of the top 15. I think you have to get down around the 40 to 50 number to start fitting in the biggest flare in the last couple months. That is going from memory, but should be pretty close.

T!

 

[Ed_Seedhouse]

Errr…if they did not make the list of the top 30 (as I said) then they also would not have made the list of the top 15. I think you have to get down around the 40 to 50 number to start fitting in the biggest flare in the last couple months. That is going from memory, but should be pretty close.

Well the document I found on the internet referred to the top 15, so that's what I reported. Actually the url I gave has more than 15 flares as it has duplicates at several flare strengths.