‰  NOW 18 WPM transition file follows‰

W1AW is requesting signal reports from amateur radio operators/SWLs
who listen to any of the stations scheduled transmissions.  Please
note QTH, time of reception, mode, signal strength and quality.  Use
of the standard RST system is acceptable.  Email reports to, w1aw at
arrl.org .  The complete W1AW Operating Schedule appears in February
2020 QST, on page 94, or on the web at, //www.arrl.org/w1aw . Look
for the W1AW Operating Schedule link.  We saw a nice run of Solar
Cycle 24 and Solar Cycle 25 sunspots from January 24 through
February 1. Daily sunspot number reached a short term peak of 18 on
January  26.  Average daily sunspot numbers declined from 11.1
reported in last weeks propagation forecast bulletin ARLP005 to 4.7
over the current reporting week, January 30 through February 5.
Predicted solar flux for the next 45 days is 71 on February 7 to 14,
72 on February 15 to 20, 73 on February 21 and 22, 74 on February 23
to 29, 72 on March 1 to 3, 71 on March 4 to 11, 72 on March 12 to
18, 73 on March 19 and 20, and 74 on March 21 and 22.  Predicted
planetary A index is 8 on February 7, 5 on February 8 to 24, 10 on
February 25 and 26, 5 on February 27 to 29, 8 on March 1 to 3, and 5
on March 4 to 22.  Scientists have unlocked one of the mysteries of
how particles from flares on the Sun accumulate at early stages in
the energization of hazardous radiation that is harmful to
astronauts, satellites and electronic equipment. Using data from
NASAs Parker Solar Probe, they observed one of the largest events
that shows how plasma is released after a solar flare can accelerate
and pile up energetic particles generating dangerous radiation
conditions.  This story can be found online at,
//www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200203162844.htm .  The CQ
World Wide 160 Meter CW contest on January 25 and 26 featured the
best conditions I have ever experienced in a top band test. I worked
34 outside of NA DX QSOs on the first night and 90 Europeans the
second night running 100W to my half sloper.  From 0030 to 0330Z
signals were incredibly strong from Europe. I was able to call CQ
and get many EU answers from all over the continent and was called
by P33W in Cyprus and 4X2M in Israel. A total of 26 Germans were
logged in the contest. The highlight of the first night was being
called by CX6VM in Uruguay for my best DX of the weekend.  The solar
flux continues to inch higher, but openings on 17M to Europe are
generally poor and just an occasional Mediterranean opening occurs
on 15M around 1500Z.  The latest forecast from Dr. Tamitha Skov,
WX6SWW, is also available.  If you would like to make a comment or
have a tip for our readers, email the author at, k7ra at arrl.net.
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 website.  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 for January 30 through February 5, 2020 were
11, 11, 11, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a mean of 4.7. 10.7 cm flux was
74.1, 73.9, 72.5, 72.2, 72.1, 70.3, and 70.6, with a mean of 72.2.
Estimated planetary A indices were 12, 8, 6, 6, 5, 5, and 5, with a
mean of 6.7. Middle latitude A index was 9, 6, 4, 4, 3, 5, and 4,
with a mean of 5.

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