Continues minor solar X-ray flares today probably caused the poor propagation today at leas in the lower latitudes.  No signal was detected from AB4AM at W4DEX (216 miles) or KW4DE (230 miles).   However, KP2AE was able to copy his SSB S1at about 160 miles.  KP2AE was weak at both W4DEX and KW4DE and at times faded into the noise.  That's over a short 51 and 60 mile distance.

The east-west more northern latitude 443 mile path was between KGØVL and WW8II initially supported a good CW and SSB contact.  A later attempt wasn't successful.

CW from WW8II was so weak at W4DEX it is questionable if the signal was actually heard. No signal was heard both ways between KGØVL and W4DEX. 

A C class solar X-ray flare occurred earlier in the day.  This may have been the reason propagation was even worse today than the previous few days.  AB4AM on SSB was weak but Q5 S1 at W4DEX (216 miles) but much stronger at KP2AE (145 miles) hitting S5.  AB4AM could detect SSB from W4DEX but no signal was detected from KP2AE likely due to KP2AE running 100 watts vs 750 watts at W4DEX.

CW from WW8II was detectable at W4DEX but not copyable.  No signal was detected between KGØVL, WW8II and W4DEX.

WA4PGI was S3 on SSB at W4DEX (175 miles).  WB4EZ at 202 miles from W4DEX was heard but the signal was not useable.

Just as we thought propagation couldn't get any worse it did.  Although last year we did have a few days that conditions were worse than today.

Initially WW8II on CW was not detectable at W4DEX but a bit later a very weak signal was heard.  Even the shortest path of 51 miles was weaker than yesterday.  KP2AE was only S2 but very little QSB was noticed.  WA4PGI at 175 miles was Q5 about half the time with QSB swings.  WB4EZ at 202 miles was barely heard at W4DEX which has happen very few times over the past 15 months.  K4TEG initially was barely detectable at 139 miles but later was S1 at W4DEX.  K4KPT at 150 miles checked in last with a S2 signal at W4DEX.

No signal was detected both ways between KGØVL and W4DEX, 808 miles, with both running CW at about 700 watts.  Very different from the propagation on the same path from the middle of January through the first week in February when propagation supported solid SSB QSO's between the two stations.

Propagation today was very poor compared to what we have recently had.  The earth's geomagnetic field was quiet today but there was several small burst of solar x-ray flux hitting the ionosphere.   But we  have seen much greater x-ray flux days that did not seem to affect propagation.  

WW8II on CW today was initially barely detectable at W4DEX but later was heard at 419.  Still very much down from normal.   After several CW transmission by WW8II his signal was received by KGØVL weak but copyable. 

WW8II detected CW from W4DEX but there was no signal detected at KGØVL.

AB4AM on SSB was weak be Q5 copy at W4DEX (216 miles) and KP2AE but no QSO was made.  WB4EZ at 202 miles from W4DEX was barely detectable on SSB.  Even the shortest paths between KP2AE (51 miles) and W4NUS (24 miles) received at W4DEX was just a few S units above the noise.  On an average day both stations are near S9.

With the K-index of 5 earlier in the day we found distant signals weak as expected. WW8II on CW was detectable during several transmissions at W4DEX but not copyable. Typically that 510 mile path with WW8II's big signal is much stronger.

The most distant contact we're aware of was 216 miles between AB4AM and W4DEX. The path wasn't that strong and the contact could not have been made without AB4AM's new BOG receive antenna. AB4AM also worked WA4LDU.

WB4EZ at 202 miles was a bit better than recently peaking S3 which is still way below the S6 signal we have seen on that path several times. WB4EZ could hear activity to his north but not good enough to copy an ID.

New on the log was K4KPT in Kingsport, TN. His 28 watt signal was good S2 copy at W4DEX. Also active today was K4DBK, N3EIO and KD4RLD. 

Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05

Serial Number: 1261
Issue Time: 2019 Mar 17 0248 UTC
ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5
Threshold Reached: 2019 Mar 17 0245 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0000-0300 UTC

We noticed very fast deep QSB fades today on the shortest distance between two stations of 16 miles as well as the most distance at 246 miles.  The solar wind speed was back up to around 450 km/sec.  So far not enough observations have been made to associate the solar wind speed with the variables in propagation we have experienced.  

Present today was AB4AM, KW4DE, WA4LDU, KP2AE, KD4RLD and W4DEX.  AB4AM on SSB was heard by everyone except during deep QSB fades.  WA4LDU and W4DEX was able to override AB4AM receive noise for a quick QSO.  At least one other station was heard but not good enough to identify the call.

The 160 meter daytime propagation test seems to have gained more interest lately.  Unfortunately though propagation wasn't very good today.  Stations that participated today were AB4AM, WW8II, WA4LDU, KGØVL, KP2AE, KD4LDD and AG5SP.  Two QSO were completed, AB4AM with WA4LDU and after several tries WW8II with KGØVL.   KD9LDD reported hearing CW which probably was from from WW8II at 243 miles or KGØVL at 215 miles. AG5SP in Texas is over 1000 miles from our closest regular participant.  Daytime 160M contacts have been reported at that distance but are rare.  We need more activity between those long paths to keep the interest up.  It takes a rare breed to be interested in attempting to catch one of those long distance daytime 160 meter openings.   

There were many more two way contacts today but overall propagation seems to have been a bit down from yesterday.  WW8II worked W4DEX on CW at 510 miles, WA8DHQ on SSB at 109 miles and W1BKZ at 128.5 miles.  AB4AM on SSB worked WA4LDU, W4DEX and KP2AE.  

KGØLV was detectable on CW at W4DEX but to weak for a QSO.  KGØVL reported the same on a transmission from W4DEX.

Propagation was better today for a change.  Just before 1630 UT WW8II heard a CW test transmission by W4DEX.  WW8II initiated a QSO and a solid 559 510 mile contact was made.  Audio file of WW8II as heard at W4DEX:

WW8II CW at W4DEX

Conditions between KGØVL and WW8II was also good.  Initially a 443 mile CW QSO was made.  Reports between the two were so good a mode change to SSB also netted a solid QSO.

Short range propagation was also better in the GA, NC, SC and VA area.  AB4AM on SSB was solid S3 at W4DEX and a QSO was made.  AB4AM also completed a SSB QSO with WA4LDU.  WA4PGI and WA4LDU was S5 at W4DEX.  WB4EZ at 202 miles was just slightly better at W4DEX today averaging S2, peaking S3.  The shortest path between KP2AE and W4DEX with is usually S7 peaked well over S9 on several transmissions.  

Solar X-ray flux was very log and the geomagnetic field was quite.   

The band conditions were much more stable today on the less than 200 mile paths.  Good signals averaging about S3 with very little QSB was observed between KW4DE, KP2AE, WA4LDU, WA4PGI and W4DEX.  The  over 200 mile path between WA4LDU and WA4PGI (275 miles) was poor.  

WW8II on CW was copied at about 529 most of the time by W4DEX and KW4DE but deep fades into the noise were noticed. 

The best conditions were between WW8II and KGØVL, 443 miles.  Initially a solid CW contact was made between them and later a Q5 SSB contact was made.  Click on link below to hear WW8II's CW as received by KGØVL.  Sounds just like a local signal!

WW8II at KGØVL

 

Again local propagation out to a few hundred miles was good with the usual very noticeable QSB.  Reports between WA1AC, WA4LDU, KP2AE, W4NUS and W4DEX ranged from S5 to S9 during QSB cycles.  AB4AM at over 200 miles was good SSB copy at the above locations but local noise at his location prevented a two way QSO for all but WA4LDU.  WB4EZ at 202 miles from W4DEX was better than yesterday but still below what has been normal.

WW8II on CW at 510 miles initially was 419 at W4DEX but later barely detectable.  KGØVL copied WW8II on CW at over 400 miles but no two way QSO was made.  KGØVL did not detect CW from W4DEX today at 808 miles.  

At the close of the daily session K4TEG in TN checked in with a good S3 signal.  The distance to W4DEX is about 139 miles.  

So far most days that NOAA has issued a Space Weather Alert we have found propagation about the same as it was today. 

Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
Serial Number: 2922
Issue Time: 2019 Mar 11 1220 UTC
CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 2921
Begin Time: 2019 Feb 28 1710 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 2091 pfu

In the GA/NC/VA area propagation was poor today.  AB4AM was barely detectable at W4DEX.  WA4PGI was S4 at best, AD4HG S3, WB4EZ S2 at W4DEX.  All dropped into the noise at times.  WA4PGI noticed another almost instant quick peak while W4DEX was transmitting.  Such peaks have been noticed on multiple paths over the last 14 months of daytime test.

WW8II on CW was 419 copy most of the time at W4DEX.  However KGØVL completed a 559 QSO with WW8II.  Click on the link below for a sample of  KGØVL's reception of WW8II:

WW8II received by KGØVL

KGØVL was barely able to detect a CW transmission by W4DEX.

Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
Serial Number: 2921
Issue Time: 2019 Mar 10 1358 UTC
CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 2920
Begin Time: 2019 Feb 28 1710 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 2559 pfu

Today there was another small solar X-ray flare and the solar wind speed was up.  On today for the test was WA4LDU, WA4FTY both in SC, WW8II in Michigan and KGØVL in Iowa.  The distance between WA4LDU and WA4FTY is only 5.6 miles so propagation at that distance is most likely groundwave.  WA4LDU reported some detection of CW from WW8II a distance of 583 miles.  KGØVL reported partial copy of WW8II's CW transmission at 443 miles. 

Propagation today was different today possibly due to a C class flare that occurred earlier in the day.  Signals on the less than 200 mile paths between WA4LDU, KP2AE, WA4PGI, KW4DE and W4DEX had slow very deep QSB fades.  WW8II on CW was 519 copy at W4DEX. 

A solid CW QSO was made on the 443 mile path between KGØVL and WW8II:

17:32 WW8II-BRUCE: Good solid contact Jeff 559 

17:33 WW8II-BRUCE: was the best I have heard signals in the last week..

17:34 KG0VL-JEFF: Same here Bruce, I didn't even have time to get the headphones on. Heard you off the inverted L 

W4DEX was able to copy most of the above contact. A few minutes later a solid CW QSO was made between KGØVL and W4DEX

Region		Start	Maximum	End
2734	C1.3	03:06	03:18	03:58

Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
Serial Number: 2919
Issue Time: 2019 Mar 08 1426 UTC
CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 2918
Begin Time: 2019 Feb 28 1710 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 4472 pfu

AB4AM was copied Q5 by WA4LDU, WA1AC, KP2AE and W4DEX*  WA4LDU's signal did rise above AB4AM's noise long enough to complete a QSO.  WA1AC reported good copy of WA4LDU but commented signals were weaker than yesterday.  WA4LDU at W4DEX* was S5 most of the time but had slow fades down close to the noise level.  No significant fades were noticed on KP2AE and WA1AC at W4DEX*  WW8II on CW was heard 519 at W4DEX*   WB4EZ was heard S2 at W4DEX*  Also heard at W4DEX* was someone calling another station.  Can anyone make out the calls on this recording:

N2*** de K2***

KGØVL detected CW from WW8II but no QSO was made. 

W4DEX* indicates report from recording.

Today there was a change in propagation but not in the positive direction.  Signals between WA4LDU, KP2AE and W4DEX were fair but down from normal with some fast deep QSB.  WB4EZ was a bit better copy today at W4DEX and KP2AE but still way below what has been normal.

AB4AM was Q5 SSB copy at WA4LDU, KP2AE and W4DEX but no QSO due to noise at his location. 

WW8II on CW peaked at 529 at W4DEX but was only 519 on other transmissions.  There was no CW QSO between WW8II and KGØVL today although on one transmission KGØVL reported WW8II's signal was strong on a peak.

Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3
Serial Number: 2917
Issue Time: 2019 Mar 06 0900 UTC
CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 2916
Begin Time: 2019 Feb 28 1710 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 14711 pfu  

The band conditions today between WA4LDU, KP2AE, KW4DE and W4DEX were fair to good.  Just an occasional fast QSB fade observed.  WB4EZ was again weak but readable at W4DEX but much better copy at KW4DE at nearly the same distance.  WW8II on CW was 529 at W4DEX but not heard by the others in Carolinas.  KGØVL and WW8II again were able to complete at solid QSO at 443 miles.  


                                     

Today was almost another repeat of propagation we experienced the past several days. Close range signals were fair with fast deep QSB fades. AMBAM on SSB was S3 at W4DEX, 216 miles. KP2AE and WA1AC was S7 most of the time with fast fades. WW8II on CW was S3 initially fading down to S1 at W4DEX.

KGØVL and WW8II completed a CW contact at 443 miles. KGØVL was able to detect CW from W4DEX at 808 miles.

Space Weather Message Code: ALTEF3

Serial Number: 2915
Issue Time: 2019 Mar 04 0859 UTC
CONTINUED ALERT: Electron 2MeV Integral Flux exceeded 1000pfu
Continuation of Serial Number: 2914
Begin Time: 2019 Feb 28 1710 UTC
Yesterday Maximum 2MeV Flux: 45516 pfu

Propagation today was just a repeat of yesterday.  WA4PGI was Q5 but only averaging about S3 with deep QSB fades at W4DEX.  About the same for the WA4LDU to W4DEX path.  There was no copy between WA4PGI and WA4LDU

AB4AM on SSB was heard prior to 1730 UT by WA4LDU.  AB4AM had to QRT just after 1730 UT due to close lightning.

WW8II on CW was heard 529 by W4DEX at 510 miles.  A long CW transmission by W4DEX was not heard by either WW8II or KGØVL.  

A complete 443 mile CW QSO was made between WW8II and KGØVL

The geomagnetic activity was back down to a Kp index of 2 but propagation today was about the same as the several previous days.   Signals at less than 100 miles were fair with slightly less noticeable QSB than yesterday.  This was noticed by KW4DE, WA1AC, KM4GBM and W4DEX.  WB4EZ was still very weak at W4DEX, 202 miles.  WA4PGI at 175 miles was Q5 but somewhat weaker than normal.

WW8II on CW was heard 529 by KW4DE and W4DEX.  Both WW8II and KGØVL reported detecting SSB at times but it never was determined who they may have been hearing.  WW8II and KGØVL was able to complete a QSO at 443 miles.   

Propagation today was very unsettled just like the geomagnetic field.  Out to 100 miles signals were much weaker than normal with quick deep QSB reported by WA4LDU, KP2AE, W4NUS and W4DEX.  Initial contact between WA4PGI and W4DEX was fairly good at about S5 at 175 miles.  Within less than a minute there was no detectable signal then rebounding to S5. 

The most distant QSO made was between K1RZ and WW8II at 384 miles.  K1RZ also competed a QSO with WA4PGI.  WW8II was also heard by W4DEX at 510 miles and KGØVL at 443 miles. 

The 1700 kHz carrier from KGBB in Des Moines, Iowa received at W4DEX, remained at noise level from 1700UT until at least 1930UT.  On most days the carrier would cycle above and into the noise peaking about 5 to 10 dB above.