Hi all, although there is not a lot of activity at the moment I though there
might be some interest in conditions approaching the time of Laurence's
jaunt to the Pacific.

Geomagnetic activity is low and the Kp index has been "quiet" for several
days now. The Dst index is moving back into positive values which should
suggest low night-time absorption. (maybe good 80m and Top-Band conditions
as well !!). The real-time plot of DCF39 from Steve W3EEE looks rather
unauspicious, but remember that, at this time of the year, there is almost
no darkness on the path, just about an hour of "twilight". If conditions
continue in this way the ionosphere will be in about its most helpfull state
for Laurenece's tests. Of course this needs to be balanced against the much
higher static levels at this time of year (at least in the Northern
Hemisphere)

On daytime propagation the picture may not be so good. The background X-ray
flux has fallen to A-Class and with little geomagnetic activity the daytime
skywave may not be so good. Thus expect poorer signals from distances in
excess of about 600 to 1000kms in daylight.

For those in Europe who want to know where the lightning storms are
concentrated I can recommend
http://129.13.102.67/pics/Rsfloc.gif
Brian and I have consulted this site regularly for a year or so now. It can
also be useful to give an early warning for those with big wires up, to help
protect your receiver front ends!!.

Good journey Laurence, and dont go around tripping over the wild-life !!

Cheers de Alan G3NYK
[email protected]