Specific relationships between Sun emissions and the ionosphere

[CAvoyager1960]

I've been into radio for many years. I've also followed Sun activity for years (ever since I saw my first aurora over 25 years ago) Mostly interested (for now) with 10 and 11 meter propogation... "shooting skip". I understand all the basic relationships between Sun activity and the ionosphere but want to did deeper into this. I check 3 things everyday: 1. space weather news (SO) videos 2. CQ DX propogation maps 3. monitoring the radio for activity. What I want to know is (specifically) how do different kinds of emissions from the Sun (CMEs from sunspots, coronal holes, filament releases, ect) affect the ionosphere (and specifically each layer D, E, F1 and F2) We should have had more activity the last couple days but it's dead? By the way, I also understand that not everything happening on the Sun is directed toward Earth (and it can take a couple days to reach us) and different things are emitted (protons, ionized "particles", UV and X ray, ect) Anyone want to follow me down this "rabbit hole"?

 

[CAvoyager1960]

I forgot to mention time of day... I try to monitor in the afternoon. Also, same questions but relating to "radio blackout". Too much of a good thing can ruin propagation. All of this can get complicated (and frustrating) but it's so exciting when conditions are good! I just got back into this and still hopefully still have time to enjoy this solar cycle. The Earth's magnetic field is changing so the affects of the Sun could have greater effects (I had to look that up... affect is a verb, effect is a noun) BTW, I studying for my Technician class test (want to use 10 meter) but for now having fun on 11 meter (CB)

 

[marvinsuggs]

I forgot to mention time of day... I try to monitor in the afternoon. Also, same questions but relating to "radio blackout". Too much of a good thing can ruin propagation. All of this can get complicated (and frustrating) but it's so exciting when conditions are good! I just got back into this and still hopefully still have time to enjoy this solar cycle. The Earth's magnetic field is changing so the affects of the Sun could have greater effects (I had to look that up... affect is a verb, effect is a noun) BTW, I studying for my Technician class test (want to use 10 meter) but for now having fun on 11 meter (CB)

20 meters was really popping Saturday and Sunday morning.

 

[CAvoyager1960]

20 meters was really popping Saturday and Sunday morning.

I'm glad to hear other bands (like 20 meter) have activity... 10 meter is still dead.

 

[CAvoyager1960]

I found the answers to most of my questions (should have known ARRL would have a very informative explanation of this):
The Sun, the Earth, the Ionosphere:

 

[CAvoyager1960]

Wow... don't know what to say. This is even more than I expected... haven't even finished watching it (over my head but that's what I wanted):

 

[EAFrizzle]

I use the Space Weather Live App for current conditions and alerts. Lots of information there about the different measurements and sensors. Great place to get Enlil spirals and current magnetometer readings.

I've been following Solar activity since the 80s when you had to sign up for the weekly solar weather bulletin from the government for current info.

 

[CAvoyager1960]

Finally got some activity yesterday afternoon (11 meter) I could hear Hawaii loud and clear from here in CA (channel 28 AM) I'm making my own antenna but for now I just have a mag mount antenna on a metal tool shed... unfortunately, the metal roof on the house blocks everything from the North. This is not good for transmitting but works fine for receiving. I have another thread about the antenna I want to make (same as I made 35 years ago... a rotatable horizontal dipole) but the metal roof is a curse and I can't mount it high enough (like 20 ft above the roof) so hoping a simple 1/4 wave vertical mounted to the side of the roof peak will be OK (copper pipe for the vertical element and wires for a "ground plane") When I get my license, I can trim the vertical to match 10 meter band. Laugh if you must, but even with the mag mount antenna I have made contact with South East US (a few weeks ago) Hoping for more activity later today... going to work SSB this time. If I have time this week-end, I'll monitor 10 meter (even though I can't transmit)

 

[CAvoyager1960]

When people talk about "skip" (sky wave prop) they say signals reflect in the ionosphere (actually they refract... bend) back down somewhere else. But what about "multiple skip" where the signals "bounce" back up from the ground again... can anyone explain how this works? I'm asking (specifically) how the ground reflects radio waves (how and why) I know I'm getting a bit obsessed with all of this...

 

[MUTNAV]

When people talk about "skip" (sky wave prop) they say signals reflect in the ionosphere (actually they refract... bend) back down somewhere else. But what about "multiple skip" where the signals "bounce" back up from the ground again... can anyone explain how this works? I'm asking (specifically) how the ground reflects radio waves (how and why) I know I'm getting a bit obsessed with all of this...

Single or multiple hops, it's still considered skip... The ocean is a great reflector, land works ok, but saltwater is great.

Thanks
Joel

 

[D31245]

Sporadic E propagation is pretty interesting.

I’m a visual learner so pictures, diagrams, images always help me to understand better.

Sporadic E propagation - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

What is Sporadic E Propagation? - Johnson's Techworld

What is Sporadic E Propagation? Sporadic E, known in short as Es, is an unusual form of radio propagation at VHF range using the E layer of the ionosphere. Normally only F layer of the ionosphere refracts radio waves, usually those in the HF range, allowing long distance radio communication...

johnsonfrancis.org

Somewhat related, also see:

Tropospheric propagation - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[D31245]

And to make things more confusing (or not):

Q4. What is the ionosphere and where does it lie in the atmosphere?
Ans. The ionosphere is a layer of charged particles (ions) that stretches from 48 km above the surface to around 965 km. It stretches over the mesosphere, most of the thermosphere, and some parts of the stratosphere. It is important for radio communications and is responsible for auroras. Its size varies with daytime and nighttime.

Layers of the Earth's Atmosphere - Facts with Diagram

What are the different layers of Earth's atmosphere, how many are there, their order, temperature, picture. Learn which layer we live in, and where weather occurs

www.sciencefacts.net

 

[CAvoyager1960]

The ocean is a great reflector, land works ok, but saltwater is great.

I love this guy's videos... his nickname is "salty Walt"

COASTAL WAVES & WIRES

 

[CAvoyager1960]

I'm still learning more... right now about MUF (maximum usable frequency) and also D layer absorption. If 10 meter is dead on any specific day, I want to know why (is my radio signal going off into space or being blocked before it reaches the F layers)

 

[EAFrizzle]

Interesting couple of days in propagation here. Wednesday night, RNZI was booming in on 17.675 with very low noise. Yesterday, the geomagnetic storm began and RNZI was buried in noise. The odd effects carried into VHF with a harsh buzz in the audio, in both analog and digital modes. It seems to have settled down overnight.

As expected, my antenna selection is the only thing bringing in any usable SWBC signals. My ground loop and vertical are just noise magnets in these conditions; the MLA-30+ is the only one listenable this morning.

I wish we could have some well behaved sunspots that would bring X-ray flux into the mid-M levels with low CME activity. I don't mind the occasional HF blackouts from flaring, but I'm really tired of the noise swarms.

 

[CAvoyager1960]

It's been very quiet on 11 meter (CB) until yesterday... lots of activity in the late afternoon! I expected this because a large Earth facing coronal hole was boosting the solar wind a few days ago (takes a few days to reach Earth) I didn't make any contacts (don't have an amp) but had so much fun just listening. Today should be good too... going to also check 10 meter (don't have my license yet so just monitoring) including SSB. I'm not much into horoscopes but mine did say this "You should find it easier than ever to make real connections with people. They are craving contact, and your natural warmth means you can reach out to them without exhausting yourself." Fingers crossed.
Yesterday, it started slow (many people trying but barely getting through) then when activity peaked, everyone was "stepping all over" each other. It was very exciting