‰ Now 18 WPM transition file follows ‰


This week saw an increase in average daily sunspot numbers, rising
over 8 points to 29R3.  Expect to see a lower average for next week,
with perhaps some zero sunspot days.  Perhaps early August will have
sunspot numbers back in the twenties at least.  Currently sunspot
963 is disappearing from view.  Right now there is a solar wind
stream headed toward our planet.  This should only be a minor upset,
with planetary A index around 15 for today and tomorrow, July 20 and
21.  Currently the IMF, interplanetary magnetic field, points south,
which makes us vulnerable.  Geophysical Institute Prague predicts
unsettled to active conditions for July 20, unsettled July 21, quiet
to unsettled July 22, quiet for July 23 to 25, and unsettled July
26.  Check out the July 2007 issue of Sky and Telescope, for an
article titled Solar Forecast, Storm Ahead.  Thanks to K9LA, EI4HQ,
and AI4VV for the tip, and to N7SO for mailing a copy.  The article
discusses predictions for the next solar cycle, different methods
for predicting it, and the hazards for space travel and
communications from solar events.  Scott Avery, WA6LIE of Salinas,
California, CM96, reports fantastic conditions on six and two meters
last weekend.  On July 14 from 1600 to 2100z six meters sounded like
20 meters on a good day, and he could work all over the East Coast,
Maryland, Carolinas, Florida and everything between.  At one point
he heard a Colorado station declare that E skip was coming in on 2
meters, so he swung his 13 element Yagi toward the east.  He heard
K0GU, N0VSB and KC0COU with signals above S9.  He also worked out of
state when he switched from 45 watts and the Yagi to 5 watts and a
vertical.  Several other stations in CM96 with low power and simple
2 meter antennas also had good results.  Steve Miller, N0SM of
Ottumwa, Iowa, EN30, has a response to the recent comments from
K0MHP about six meters, magic band or invisible band.  He writes,
There have been openings if one can catch them but part of it is
living in the proverbial Black Hole of the Midwest.  We occasionally
get stations from the Caribbean and on rare occasions some European
stations.  The really successful Midwest ops on 6 have to study
propagation patterns very carefully and even then a big dose of good
luck goes with it.  An excellent radio and antenna system are also
vital.  But in general, many of us share his frustrations.  Sunspot
numbers were 25, 38, 41, 41, 30, 17 and 13 with a mean of 29R3. 10R7
cm flux was 76R9, 78, 75R7, 74R7, 72R9, 72R3, and 69R6, with a mean
of 74R3. Estimated planetary A indices were 8, 4, 23, 13, 6, 5 and 3
with a mean of 8R9. Estimated mid latitude A indices were 6, 5, 12,
11, 4, 2 and 3, with a mean of 6R1‚

‰ End of 18 WPM transition file ‰