So the A index is 27 and the K is 7. That's pretty bad right? See below. Lots of red. Well maybe not so bad in the tropics. This morning I could hear EA5JZ working a VK on 20 meter SSB. And yesterday morning I worked a very strong VK3XXY, also on 20 meter SSB. I note that the Space Weather Center warns (above) of "HF communication degradation at higher latitudes." So maybe my location at 18 degrees north explains the openings.
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Taking a quick look at the Aurora Forecast (https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental) shows Au tonight (30 Sept) for the northern latitudes. For example, my relatives in Potsdam, NY (44.7° N) should be in for Northern Lights tonight with crystal clear skies (39F!). So, yes Bill, I think you are seeing the benefit of 18° N. Here at 40° N, it's poor propagation and probably no light show tonight.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Jimmie Buffet had it right with "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes"?--73!
Ionospheric physics person here. The tropics where N2CQR is now are low enough in magnetic latitude (18N is about 33 degrees N magnetic) that you have to drive the system super hard - like Kp = 9 - to get serious geomagnetic storm induced disturbances in the local area. The equator does get chopped up with irregularities due to mechanisms like the equatorial fountain enhancement and spread F (no space here for explanations of those), so if you have transequatorial paths say from the DR to Argentina or something you might see trouble. But I would not have expected much to happen in the tropics on other kinds of paths. FYI, the HF comm degradation at high latitudes is most likely dayside enhancements in the D region from precipitation of energetic particles - D region is highly absorptive, which is why e.g. AM radio propagation is so different day vs. night under any condition (absorption!). However, that precipitation is not going to be a factor at low to mid-latitudes unless we get an extremely strong storm - nothing like Kp=7.
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