We seek to understand and document all radio transmissions, legal and otherwise, as part of the radio listening hobby. We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations. Always consult with the appropriate authorities if you have questions concerning what is permissible in your locale.

Author Topic: Solar flare and radio blackout  (Read 1305 times)

Offline ChrisSmolinski

  • Administrator
  • Marconi Class DXer
  • *****
  • Posts: 31106
  • Westminster, MD USA
    • View Profile
    • Black Cat Systems
Solar flare and radio blackout
« on: May 09, 2021, 1134 UTC »
A new sunspot rotating into view produced an M3.9 flare on May 7th around 1900 UTC. It heavily ionized the D layer of the ionosphere, resulting in increased attenuation on the lower HF bands, as well as MW. There isn't as much MWDX in the middle of the day in May as there is in December, but there is some. I record the MW X band 24/7, and you can see the effects on WQFG689, the Hudson County TIS station on 1710 kHz. It nearly completely faded out.

If only we could cause it to permanently fade out, without affecting other stations  ;D



Chris Smolinski
Westminster, MD
eQSLs appreciated! csmolinski@blackcatsystems.com
netSDR / AFE822x / AirSpy HF+ / KiwiSDR / 900 ft Horz skyloop / 500 ft NE beverage / 250 ft V Beam / 58 ft T2FD / 120 ft T2FD / 400 ft south beverage / 43m, 20m, 10m  dipoles / Crossed Parallel Loop / Discone in a tree

 

HFUnderground T-Shirt
HFUnderground Garden Flag
by MitchellTimeDesigns