‰  NOW 18 WPM transition file follows‰

Another week passed with no sunspots, and as of February 14 it has
been over two weeks since any sunspots were observed, the last on
January 30. February 7 through 13 saw average daily solar flux
decline from 71.1 to 70.4, compared to the previous seven days.
Geomagnetic indices were lower, with average daily planetary A index
declining from 11.6 to 8.1, and average mid latitude A index going
from 8 to 6.1. Lower geomagnetic activity is generally good for HF
propagation.  Predicted solar flux over the next 45 days is 70 on
February 15 to 21, 72 on February 22 to 25, 71 on February 26
through March 9, 70 and 71 on March 10 and 11, 72 on March 12 to 24,
and 71 on March 25 to 31.  Predicted planetary A index is 12 and 8
on February 14 and 15, 5 on February 16 to 18, then 12, 20, 12 and 8
on February 19 to 22, 5 on February 23 to 26, then 12, 15, 15 and 10
on February 27 through March 2, 5 on March 3 and 4, then 8, 5, 8,
10, 8 and 5 on March 5 to 10, 8 on March 11 and 12, 5 on March 13 to
17, then 12, 20, 12 and 8 on March 18 to 21, 5 on March 22 to 25, 12
on March 26, 15 on March 27 and 28, 10 and 5 on March 29 and 30.
The prediction of solar flux always at 70 or above over the next 45
days is a positive sign for HF propagation, and also the spring
equinox returns on March 20, indicating gradually improving HF
propagation.  A set of rare off season 6 meter sporadic E openings
appeared on the evening of February 7, and again the morning of
February 8.  February 7 sporadic E appeared suddenly on 6 meters
starting around 2300z from W2, W3 to W4, and W4 to W0.  The next
morning February 8, there was strong sporadic E on 50 MHz across the
eastern United States and Canada. N0LL, in EM09, worked short Es
with a high MUF to W4HLR in EM56 at 1450z. The opening finished
around 1845z with K9MU in EN44 working VE1JF in FN74.  The only
months with less sporadic E than February in North America are,
March, September and October.  The latest video from Dr. Tamitha
Skov, WX6SWW, can be found at, //youtu.be/H2jDNtUvZkI .  For more
information concerning radio propagation, see the ARRL Technical
Information Service web page.  A detailed explanation of numbers
used in this bulletin is also available on this site.  An archive of
past propagation bulletins is also available.  Monthly propagation
charts between four USA regions and twelve overseas locations can be
found on the ARRL/Propagation web page.  Find better information and
tutorials on propagation on the K9LA web site.  Sunspot numbers were
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a mean of 0. 10.7 cm flux was 70.2,
71.8, 70.3, 70, 69.9, 70.2, and 70.4, with a mean of 70.4. Estimated
planetary A indices were 4, 9, 10, 6, 9, 6, and 13, with a mean of
8.1.  Estimated mid latitude A indices were 3, 7, 6, 4, 7, 5, and
11, with a mean of 6.1.  Effective immediately, send all Ninth
District Incoming QSL Bureau correspondence to NIDXA, PO Box 125,
Naperville, IL 60566. Their website is, //www.nidxa.org/ .

‰  END OF 18 WPM transition file ƒ