Just because the sun has no spots does not mean it is inactive. Lately there
have been some coronal mass ejections which have fed the Heaviside layer with
much needed ions. Aurora have come as far south from the magnetic north pole
as Washington. Twenty meters has been open at odd times too. Seasonal E
openings are still popping up but they are less common now as we get into high
summer in the northern latitudes.
But, if propagation is poor, that does not mean you have to give up on amateur
radio. Keep practing sending code using the handy 'TEST' feature. Or you
could rework your antennas, build another kit, study for that upgrade, lay out
radials for your vertical antenna, or even study more theory simply for the
sake of knowing how your radio works ;)
One day the sun will have more spots on it. All of the skills you have
developed during the low spot of the cycle will allow you to have even more fun
as propagation gets better. There are many ways to enjoy amateur radio; there
is no half full!
73,
Kevin. KD5ONS
-----Original Message-----
>From: Ron D'Eau Claire <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Sent: Jul 17, 2008 10:21 AM
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: [Elecraft] (K1, KX1, K2, K3): Is the Sun Broken?
>
>This applies to all HF rigs ;-)
>
>While you're sitting around waiting for the next big solar cycle, you might
>enjoy checking out this story from NASA about old Sol. This was passed onto
>me by my buddy Mychael, AA3WF (the "toroidguy"):
>
>http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/11jul_solarcycleupdate.htm?list96374
>8
>
>I look at that spike back in the late 50's fondly. That was my first solar
>cycle as a Ham.
>
>At least there's no sign we're going to experience another 70-year long
>spotless "Maunder Minimum"
>
>Ron AC7AC
>
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