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Old January 12th 06, 01:54 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
Amos Keag
 
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Default SF Solar Flux Values: What's A Good Value For General SWL

Bill Turner wrote:
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What's a "good" value for the SF Solar Flux values reported for general
SWL (30 MHz and below) ?

Is it freq. dependent ? How ?

Thanks,
B.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It would take hours to really answer your question fully, but I think I can
help:

For most hams, when the flux gets above 100, things are picking up. Above
125, you'll hear comments about how great the bands are. Above 150, you can
do DXCC in a week running QRP. Above 175, you'll ask the wife to call in
sick for you so you can chase DX. Above 200, you won't have to call in sick
anymore because you quit your job.

How's that? :-)

Bill, W6WRT



Now, Add in the K and A indicators and the issues gets complex. In non
technical terms the K and A averages subtract from the 'goodness' of the
flux. Low K, 1 through 3, indicate good propagation. High K, 5+,
indicate poor propagation good for taking a nap..

A values below 4 are good, 5 to 10 fair, 11+ are take a nap. Now if the
A index hits 20+ take a long nap.

Seriously, Flux above 150 suggests very good propagation when K and A
are low. Flux below 100 and high K and A suggests propagation is poor.