All the stations I listened to this afternoon and evening sounded normal if not
better than.

That may be because I get the signals from around the earth and, during flares,
HF transmission, if it doesn't totally die, is one way -- eastbound, a plus for
me. I'm westerly of the SW stations I usually listen to..

North-south signals bounce off the auroras. Effective east-west two-way can be
had by bouncing the signals off the auroras.

Bill, K5BY
SE Texas