Sometimes the only reason i open my mouth is to change feet but here goes.
What measurement is indicitive of good propagation.
Solar Flux level or Solar storm activity ( i think it's called)
May sunspots which might be solar flux. Heck i'm confused. I guess what
i'm looking for is a simple answer to what is to me a complex thing. Years
ago when i first go my license propagation wasn't a question because it was
always good. Now i need to know when it's good and i'm unsure what i should
me looking for.
Robert
VE3 something or other.

"bunnydawg" wrote in message
. ..
Sometimes the only reason i open my mouth is to change feet but here goes.
What measurement is indicitive of good propagation.
Solar Flux level or Solar storm activity ( i think it's called)
May sunspots which might be solar flux. Heck i'm confused. I guess what
i'm looking for is a simple answer to what is to me a complex thing.
Years
ago when i first go my license propagation wasn't a question because it
was
always good. Now i need to know when it's good and i'm unsure what i
should
me looking for.
Robert
VE3 something or other.

Each measurement contributes or detracts in its own way.

The "simple" answer
High solar flux = good
Solar flares = bad
Sunspots generate high solar flux (good) but also generate periodic solar
flares (bad). So you alternate between outstanding propagation and
blackouts.
Geomagnetic storms = bad

However it is indeed more complex than that. The different bands are
effected to different degrees by the different types of activity.

If the solar flux gets over 120, things will be quite good except for when
solar flares and geomagnetic storms cause temporary perturbations. If the
solar flux climbs as high as 200 (which it has occasionally) even VHF can
open up for ionospheric propagation. If the flux drops below 100, the
higher HF bands such as 10, 12, 15, and 17 meters are weak, sometimes not
supporting long distance propagation at all.

Hope this helped.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE