AM DX NewsFlash 4-17-97
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AM DX NewsFlash 4-17-97
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WELCOME TO IRCA's AM-DX NEWSFLASH - April 17 1997
Vol 3 No 3
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Deadline for next issue = Thursday, April 24 1997 @ 1930 UTC (1230 PDT)
Send all contributions to Phil Bytheway @ bytheway@xxxxxxx
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CONVENTION - MEETING INFO (corrections/additions welcome)
IRCA '97: Costa Mesa CA on July 25-27, 1997. Hotel - Holiday Inn Bristol
Plaza - $60/night/room (1 queen/sofa OR 2 queen) - reservations
(714) 557-3000 (mention IRCA convention to get rate) (FAX: (714) 957-8185.
Registration $35 (includes banquet), $15 (without banquet). Contact: Mike
Sanburn, PO Box 1256, Bellflower CA 90707.
***
15th AIR DX MEETING 1997- FRIULI' 97
A.I.R. - The Italian Radiolisterners Association
Colloredo di Monte Albano (Udine)-Pordenone. April 25-27th, 1997
* April 25th - At Colloredo di Monte Albano (near Udine, N/E Italy, 130 km.
from Venice!)
3 p.m. - Meeting official opening
4 p.m. - Antique Radios Show Room (Fantoni and Gratton collections)
- Meeting with local HAMs and CBs
- Radio Collectors' Exchange
10 p.m. - DX Night. "Noche Larga" (MW section).
* April 26th - In Pordenone (International Radioamateurs' Fair, the most
important italian HAM fair!) (Pordenone is at 50 km. W from
Udine and 80 km. N/E from Venice)
9 a.m. - Start of free guided visit to the stands for registered
participants to AIR Meeting
10 a.m. - Public debate: "The Future of DXing in Italy"
1 p.m. - International Meeting "Radio towards the year 2000"
- At Colloredo di Monte Albano (Udine)
10 a.m. - Daytime farm visit in the Friuli countryside for "not-DXers"
(ladies for example). Take this unique opportunity to convince
your families to join the party!
8.30 p.m.- The Official Banquet at Green Hotel (****) in Magnano in Riviera
-UD, near Colloredo di Monte Albano.
11 p.m. - DX Night. "Noche Tropical" (Tropical Bands section)
* April 27th - At Colloredo di Monte Albano (Udine)
10 a.m. - A.I.R. Members General Meeting
11 a.m. - Presentation of Publishing Plan of Radiorama 1997 and Public
debate
12 a.m. - Greetings from the Local Authorities
Special Guest: Guglielmo Giovanelli Marconi Esq., grand-son of Great
Inventor!
For any additional information please contact:
Francesco Clemente, P.O. Box 128, I-33100 Udine, Italy or
E-mail address: fclemente@xxxxxxx
(tel.: +39-432-520524 for italian/spanish speakers)
Dr. Pierluigi Calligaro, Udine. (tel.: +39-432-547118 for
english/french/german speakers).
Hotel accomodation near Colloredo di Monte Albano:
Green Hotel, at Magnano in Riviera (Udine) (****) Tel. +39 432 792308
Fax +39 432 792312
Reserving before April 15th is highly recommended!
See You Again at Colloredo di Monte Albano and Pordenone!
***
We are proud to announce for third time that the annual DX summer
meeting of Finnish DX Association will be held in Oulu, in Northern Finland.
The meeting will be arranged by Oulun DX-Klubi (DX-Club of Oulu), a local
branch of FDXA.
The Summer Meeting takes place on 1-3 of August 1997, beginning on
Friday afternoon, until Sunday afternoon.
Exact place is Virpiniemi Recreational Institute at Haukipudas, a small
village about 20 km's to the north from Oulu. And Oulu lies on the western
coast of North Finland.
Traffic links to Oulu are good: you can travel to Oulu from Helsinki by
air, train and bus. Oulu lies pretty close to border of Sweden, so you can
arrive via Sweden, too (i.e. border towns Haparanda and Tornio, about 125
km's from Oulu).
Almost 100 Finnish DX listeners are expected to participate in the
Summer Meeting. All foreign DXers as well as representatives of radio
stations are warmly welcomed to attend the meeting!
For more information, write to:
Oulun DX-Klubi ry.
c/o Ari Kilponen
Annantie 7 G
FIN-90560 OULU
FINLAND
Phone: +358 8 5541 700 (home, 16-20 UTC)
+358 8 3110 600 (work, 7-14 UTC)
Fax: +358 8 3110 610
E-mail: ark@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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CPC DX tests summary
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Lynn Hollerman - gmholler@xxxxxxxxxx
PLEASE NOTE: Even if you don't hear a test, be sure and drop a card,
letter, or e-mail to the station personnel, thanking them for going to the
trouble to run a test!
Here's a reminder of upcoming DX tests; if anyone has any additions or
corrections, please contact me. Times are EDT. For UTC add 4. * - new!
4/21/97 Mon - 0030-0100 - 770 - WWCN - Estero FL (IRCA)
4/22/97 Tue - 0030-0100 - 770 - WWCN - Estero FL (IRCA)
4/23/97 Wed - 0030-0100 - 770 - WWCN - Estero FL (IRCA)
4/24/97 Thu - 0030-0100 - 770 - WWCN - Estero FL (IRCA)
4/27/97 Sun - 0300-0400 - 570 - KKFJ - Alturas CA (IRCA)
4/28/97 Mon - 0030-0100 - 770 - WWCN - Estero FL (IRCA)
4/29/97 Tue - 0030-0100 - 770 - WWCN - Estero FL (IRCA)
4/30/97 Wed - 0030-0100 - 770 - WWCN - Estero FL (IRCA)
PLEASE NOTE: Even if you don't hear a test, be sure and drop a card,
letter, or e-mail to the station personnel, thanking them for going to the
trouble to run a test! Believe me, they really, REALLY appreciate it!!
DETAILS (for some)
Tuesday, April 1, 1997 - Wednesday, April 30, 1997 - WWCN-770, Estero, FL
will conduct a DX test from 12:30 to 1:00 am ET with 1,000 watts directional
pattern every Monday through Thursday during the month of April. The test
will include morse code IDs inserted during their regular programming of
old-time radio serials and vintage comedy. Reception reports may be sent to:
Mr. "Joey C."
Program Director
WWCN-AM
P.O. Box 9600
Estero, FL 33928
(Arranged by J.D. Stephens for the IRCA CPC.)
******
Sunday, April 27, 1997 - KKFJ-570, Alturas, CA will conduct a rescheduled DX
test from 3:00 to 4:00 am EDT at 5,000 watts nondirectional pattern. The
test will include morse code IDs. Reception reports may be sent to:
Mr. Daniel Frey (K6YXE)
Chief Engineer
KKFJ-AM
P.O. Box 570
Alturas, CA 96101
(Arranged by J.D. Stephens for the IRCA CPC.)
Information on more tests such as these can be found in "DX Monitor", the
official publication of the International Radio Club of America (IRCA). IRCA
is a club devoted to the hobby of hearing distant stations on the standard
AM broadcast band. "DX Monitor" is published 30 times a year and contains
members' loggings, articles on radio stations, receiver reviews, technical
articles, DX tips, and other material of interest to the Broadcast Band
DXer. For more information, and a sample copy of DX Monitor, send 0.32 US
or 2 IRCs to: IRCA, PO Box 1831, Perris CA 92572-1831, USA.
Also, if you hear a test, PLEASE, PLEASE let me know, via e-mail or in the
newsgroup! And, if you send a reception report to a station, please
remember to include return postage with your report...
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Both major MW clubs (IRCA/NRC) sponsor Courtesy Programs Committees. CPC
members arrange DX tests from various AM stations throughout the DX season.
Donations of money, stamps and target station lists are one way everyone can
get involved with this effort. Send your donations to the committee
chairman, whose address follow:
IRCA: JD Stephens
PO Box 11522
Huntsville AL 35814
At this time, both the IRCA and the NRC are looking for CPC chairmen, JD is
still gathering contributions.
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HOT STUFF
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Thomas J. Lussen - Thomas.J.Lussen@xxxxxxxx
Don't know if anyone is interested in this or not but station KCXL-AM 1140
Liberty Missouri (North Kansas City) is not going off the air at night as
required. This is a non directional days 1 tower 500 Watt station. (NDD1)
They do give a message at the end of the post sunset period (about 10 PM
CDT) that they are now concluding their broacast day but, in fact, they
never drop carrier and after two minutes of dead air, go to a classic rock
satellite feed, which stays up all night long till the classic rock is
suddenly interupted by a series of tones and then they give a message" KCXL
now begins a new broacast day" at 0600 CDT. It should be noted that I have
not heard a legal ID on the hour during this supposed unauthorized time
period. I suspect that this is a mostly automated station and they are
experiencing equipment (switching) problems. I happened to notice this 2
nights ago when I was trying to hear WRVA Richmond, Virginia who is the
primary class 1B station on this freq at night. Good DX ...Tom
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Larry Russell - ak473@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
D'oh I hate LMA's ... correction....I goofed.....
My log of WINX Rockville MD on 1030 khz on 3/31 was a relay of 1600 by the
station listed for Indian Head MD. That top of the hour WINX ID fooled me.
(confirmed by Robert Carpenter who answered my question about it. Hooray for
the internet! Robert wrote that the county is trying to buy 1600 for a TIS,
so WINX may end up on 1030.) (Russell-MI)
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Paul Ormandy - paulorm@xxxxxxxx
Attn Grey-Liners:
NZ Station 531 PI, on 531kHz, is on the web. Their CE is Robert Jeffares and
his e-mail is robert@xxxxxxxxxxx
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Tim Hall - halls@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
The owner "X-Bach" AM 540 was quoted last week as saying his station would
be on the air "no later than 5am Tuesday 4/15." Surprisingly, this time he
was right. Power does seem to be increased, but don't know if they got the
full 25kW. Classical music format. Haven't heard a full ID yet so don't
know if calls have changed from XETIN. Presume the Costa Mesa station is
simulcasting, but don't know for sure.
(TRH-CA) Tim Hall, Chula Vista, CA ICF-2010, KIWA Loop
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1997 M STREET RADIO DIRECTORY
The IRCA Bookstore is proud to announce that the 'M Street Corporation' has
agreed to offer a discount on their 1997 'M Street Radio Directory' to
NewsFlash members ordering through the IRCA Bookstore. The Directory
contains a complete listing of over 15,000 radio stations (AM/FM, US/Canada)
including the following information: facilities, ownership, formats, LMAs,
station personnel, phone numbers (and FAX), addresses, ratings, as well as
information on almost 400 radio markets in the US and Canada. Stations are
listed by location (complete info), frequency (frequency, call, location,
power and pattern) and call (call, frequency, location) and market
(frequency, call, location, rating, format). It also includes a former call
reference (old call, location and current call). Major network information
(addresses/phone numbers/etc) and several interesting radio articles are
included as well.
The price to US and Canadian NewsFlash members ordering through the IRCA
Bookstore is $44.95 post paid (UPS address required). The book is expected
to be out by the end of May (usual disclaimer on date 'cause we can't be
sure!). Retail will be 55.95.
Europe - add $5.00 for surface, $19.20 for airmail delivery.
Australia/New Zealand - add $5.00 for surface, $27.25 for airmail delivery.
IRCA Bookstore, 9705 Mary NW, Seattle WA 98117-2334
Please make checks payable to: Phil Bytheway.
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INDIVIDUAL LOGGINGS
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Mark Connelly - wa1ion@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Auroral disappointment ? (Mark Connelly, WA1ION - 13 APR 1997)
The expected auroral upheaval didn't really seem to happen here. Upper
midwest domestics, such as WJR-760, WTAM-1100, and WOWO-1190, were reduced
some during the earlier part of the evening, but they were not thoroughly
eliminated (as during a "serious" aurora). What was noticed was a slight
overall reduction in long-skip signals (not unusual in the spring). European
signals heard over the weekend were mostly from Spain. >From Africa, Morocco
and Algeria were the dominant countries. Northern Europe (UK, Norway, and
Germany for example) stations were weakened, compared to earlier in the week
(8 APR), but were not totally blanked. South Americans still seemed
mediocre and southern Africa was pretty much absent. Long-distance TA's
were still available: not only was usual "blaster" 1521 good at 0300 UTC on
12 APR, bits of the parallel 1440 Saudi Arabian were also noted. On a rainy
Saturday afternoon, I drove home from Cape Cod via Scituate, MA. On the
seaside drive, I stopped briefly at the boatyard on the corner of Jericho
Road and Hatherly Road (near the former WRUL/WNYW/WYFR shortwave site). A
car radio check showed Mauritania-1349 hetting CKAD-1350 at a very early
(almost 1.5 hours pre-sunset) 2155 UTC. Other big-gun hets such as
Libya-1251, Spain-1107, and Morocco-1044 popped up soon after. UK/German
signals were weak by comparison. A strong 1422 het was probably Algeria
rather than Germany, judging by conditions. Back at home on 13 APR at 2352,
VOA Kuwait - 1548 was very strong. About the same time, 1566 was really
interesting: bits of Indian-sounding music blended with Switzerland at times
(but not enough to constitute ID material).
It will be interesting to see what the Cape Hatteras DXpedition crew
heard. I'd suspect that the Spaniards and Moroccans were in at piledriver
levels: it's the rarer stuff that will be of greater interest. My "parallel
effort report" covering logs from Rowley, Harwich, and Billerica (MA) from 8
to 14 APR will be issued soon.
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Jean Burnell - jburnell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cuban Daytime Bandscan
by Jean Burnell, St. John's, Newfoundland
Guardalavaca, Province of Holguin, Cuba
April 9-10, 1997 ** daytime only **
Sony 2010, internal antenna
Freq Station SIO Notes
530 R. Vision Cristiana TCA 555
540 R. Rebelde 444
550 R. Rebelde 242
RJR Montego Bay JMC 242
560 R. Rebelde 454
570 R. Reloj 454
580 RJR Galina JMC 444
unID in SS 222 *
590 R. Rebelde 455
600 R. Rebelde 311 transmitter problems
610.1 R. Rebelde 455
620 R. Rebelde 455
630 -
640 R. Progreso 422 buzz, seems transmitted
650 R. Rebelde 444
660 v. weak SS
670 v. weak SS
680 R. Rebelde 222 local noise
690 R. Progreso 344
700 -
710 R. Rebelde 555
720 -
730 -
740 R. Progreso 444
WWNZ Orlando FL 222
750 -
760 R. Reloj 444
770 -
780 -
790 WAXY South Miami FL 343
800 R. Rebelde 222
unID in SS 222
810 R. Progreso 344
820 R. Progreso 444
830 WACC Hialeah FL 830
840 "Dobleve" 242
850 WEAT West Palm Beach FL 333
R. Progreso 222
860 -
870 -
880 -
890 R. Progreso 444
900 R. Progreso 544
910 -
920 R. Reloj 354
930 R. Reloj 354
940 R. Reloj 433
WINZ Miami FL 422
950 R. Reloj 344
960 R. Reloj 344
970 -
980 R. Reloj 444
La Voz del Niquel 444
990 -
1000 -
1010 R. Reloj 455 but absent at other times
1020 -
1030 -
1040 R. Victoria 444
WYFX Boynton Beach FL 322
1050 R. Victoria 455
1060 -
1070 CMKS 244
1080 WVCG Coral Gables FL 244
1090 -
1100 R. Angulo 455
1110.1 R. Angulo 555
1120 -
1130.1 R. Angulo 353
1140 WQBA Miami FL 444
1150 R. Bayamo 444
1160 -
1170 -
1180 R. Rebelde 433
R. Marti Marathon FL 422 // ineffectively jammed 9825
1190 -
1200 R. Revolucion 444
1210 WCMQ Miami Springs FL 354
R. Revolucion 222
1220 -
1230 unID EE 242 carries Florida Marlins baseball
1240 ZNS2 Nassau BAH 444
1250 -
1260 Caracol HJHU CLM 243
1270 -
1280 -
1290 WBZT West Palm Beach FL 242
1300 R. Enciclopedia 333 poor audio
unID EE talk 222
1310 -
1320 WLQY Hollywood FL? 243 Haitian programming
1330 -
1340 R. Banes 455
1350.9 R. Libertad 444
1360 WKAT Miami FL 344
1370 R. Cadena Agramonte 444
1380 R. Cadena Agramonte 344
1390 -
1400 -
1410 -
1420 -
1430 unID SS 242
1440 -
1450 unID SS 243
1460 -
1470 -
1480 -
1490 R. Mayari 555
1500 R. Enciclopedia 243
1510 -
1520 R. Baragua 242
1530 -
1540 ZNS1 Nassau BAH 555
1550 -
1560 WAGL Lancaster SC 444
1570 weak EE
1580 -
1590 -
1600 WPOM West Palm Beach FL 232
* unidentied SS stations are not R. Rebelde, R. Progreso or R. Reloj.
Here are some nighttime logs -- I hesitate to say "DX" because I suspect
that these would be regularly heard at this location! (Dates and times are
UTC.)
820.2 COLOMBIA R. Vigia (HJAD), 10 April, 0215 - Sports play-by-play "a
travez de Todelar," ads; SIO 444
850 DOMINICAN REP. R. Clarin (HIAZ), Santiago, 10 April, 0205 - American
League baseball play-by-play, Dominican ads, // 860 Santo Domingo;
SIO 333
1010 COLOMBIA R. Reloj (HJOP), Barranquilla, 7 April, 0043 - LA dance
mx, lots of "Radio Reloj" ID's; over the Cuban Radio Reloj, SIO 333
1050 MEXICO R. Pirata (XEQOO), Cancun, 7 April, 0200 - Disco mx, woman
w/ ID. (Heard at other times with baseball play-by-play.) SIO 322
1130 DOMINICAN REP. R. Cadena de Noticias (HIRL), Santo Domingo, 7
April, 0152 - Lots of news, many ID's; SIO 444
1160 DOMINICAN REP. Radiolandia (HIBG), Santiago, 8 April, 0230 -
Yankees baseball play-by-play, lots of ads for stores in Santiago,
frequent ID's; SIO 343
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Nick Hall-Patch - Nick_Hall-Patch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mark Connelly didn't notice radical effects at his location from the
recent geomagnetic upset, but it did cause a reasonable shift here in the
reception of signals from the other side of the Pacific. (Equipment used:
homebrew receiver and 3' unamplified box loop)
(Anytime one sees even faint visual aurora in Victoria means that
something is going on.)
However, as is normal here at this time of year, most of the action was
merely carriers. The morning of April 11 just after 1300 UTC showed
definite down under carriers on 846, 837, 828, 819, 801, 774, 612, 585 and
531. Audio traces were noted on 567 with a man talking, very poor in the
murk. All of these looped south of 270 degrees, but most did not have
really definite nulls on the loop (Sydney is approximately 240 degrees from
here). What was interesting was audio traces on 594 which definitely looped
towards Japan, and the fact that nothing from overseas was evident above 850
kHz.
April 12 at 0645 showed a big carrier on 738 (almost certainly Tahiti),
and fainter ones on 1017 (Tonga), 1008 and 756, both likely New Zealand.
These have not been common except during disturbed conditions for the last
few years. 1200 UTC on the 12th showed fewer carriers than the 11th, but
all seemingly down under, and all low band.
However by 1215 UTC April 13th, Asiatic carriers were back with a
vengeance on the usual Japanese high power channels (747, 774, 828), and 756
looped towards Korea, not New Zealand...My indicator Aussie on 612 was
nowhere to be found...
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MISC ITEMS
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IRCA Mexican Log, 4th Edition
The IRCA MEXICAN LOG log lists all AM stations in Mexico by frequency,
including call letters, state, city, day/night power, slogans, schedule in
UTC/GMT, formats, networks and notes. In addition, stations that have
changed frequency since 1990 are cross-referenced on the old frequency. The
call letter index gives call, frequency, city and state. The city index
(listed by state, then city) includes frequency, call and day/night power.
The log has been completely updated from the 1994 edition and carefully
cross-checked by IRCA members in Mexico and the US. This is an
indispensable reference for anyone who hears Mexican radio stations. Size
is 8 1/2" x 11" and three hole punched for easy binding (optional).
Prices: IRCA/NRC members - $6.50 (US/Canada/Mexico/seamail), $7.50 (rest of
the Americas airmail), $8.00 (Europe/Asia airmail), $8.50 (Australia/New
Zealand airmail). Non-members: add $2.00 to the above prices. Make checks
out to: Phil Bytheway.
Order TODAY from: IRCA Bookstore, 9705 Mary NW, Seattle WA 98117-2334
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The National Radio Club NRC AM Radio Log for the 1996-1997 DX Season.
This is the Seventeenth edition and has been updated through September 1996.
This annual edition contains 312 pages, 8 1/2" x 11" size, 3-hole punched,
loose leaf format with over 5,500 A.M. Radio station listings from the
United States and Canada. Each station listing consists of its location,
frequency, call, format, network affiliation, station address, station
slogan, day and night transmitter powers. There are cross references by
city and by call letter.
The nonmember prices of the AM Radio Log are as follows:
NRC & IRCA Members see your magazines for the member prices!
U.S. & Canada US $22.95
Latin America US $23.50
Europe US $24.00
All Others US $28.00
Orders may be placed now. The 1997 Seventeenth edition of the NRC AM RADIO
LOG ready and being shipped at this time.
Please mail all orders to: National Radio Club
Publications Center
P.O. Box 164
Mannsville, NY 13661-0164
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Henry Lazarus - henrylaz@xxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Phil - I tried to reach the Latin American verie signers site mentioned
in the latest AM DX NewsFlash, but I cannot reach it. Could you please check
the URL and see if it is correct? Many thanks.
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Paul Ormandy - paulorm@xxxxxxxx
CONTENTS
Current Solar Flare Related Disturbance Status
New Solar Cycle 23 Status
Prospects for the Future of Solar Cycle 23
Placing the 07 April Solar Flare Disturbance in Perspective
Available Tools and Sources of Information
CURRENT SOLAR FLARE RELATED DISTURBANCE STATUS
----------------------------------------------
As of 05:30 UTC on 10 April, the well publicized solar flare related
disturbance of 07 April has not yet arrived. See below to place this
disturbance into perspective.
NEW SOLAR CYCLE 23 STATUS
-------------------------
It is now becoming quite clear that we have passed old solar cycle 22
and are ramping slowly upward toward the maximum of the present solar cycle
23. We have seen some reports and heard speculation regarding this matter
that is somewhat inaccurate. Although the official word still isn't out yet,
there is an increasingly abundant amount of evidence suggesting that we are
now within solar cycle 23. Some of this evidence follows: Calcium plage
emissions are slowly increasing and have been increasing for many months
now; the background and daily average x-ray flux values are increasing -
they are higher now than they have been since about 1995 when we were still
in the decline of cycle 22; the occurrence of new-cycle sunspot regions is
increasing and the frequency of old-cycle sunspot formation is decreasing.
This latter item is usually considered the clincher.
Unless sunspot formation suddenly dies out for an extended period of
time, the sunspot minimum of solar cycle 22 will almost certainly be May of
1996, where the smoothed sunspot number fell to 8.1.
PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE OF SOLAR CYCLE 23
------------------------------------------
Solar Cycle 23 is predicted to be a larger than average solar cycle.
Current predictions estimate the sunspot number for cycle 23 will probably
peak near 160 (+/- 30) with a peak in the 10.7 cm solar radio flux near 205
(+/- 30). There is some excitment that this cycle may be a record breaker.
The current champion of sunspot cycles is solar cycle 19 which had a
smoothed sunspot number of 201 in November of 1957. This is not likely to
occur, but it is a notable possibility. The art of predicting the magnitude
of sunspot cycles is still rooted primarily in empirical relationships. We
do not yet understand the physical processes involved well enough to derive
successful quantitative models of sunspot cycles. For this reason, there is
a level of uncertainty that (however small) could result in a
record-breaking cycle.
If current projections are correct, the sunspot maximum is currently
estimated to peak in March of the year 2000. It must be noted, however,
that predicting the month of maximum is even less certain than the sunspot
number. The actual month of sunspot maximum could be as early as January
1999 or as late as June, 2001.
Geomagnetic activity is expected to gradually become increasingly
disturbed as we move toward the solar maximum of cycle 23. The number of
days of disturbed conditions is expected to increase from 1997 through to a
peak near the year 2002. Thereafter, activity should begin a gradual
decline. This is good news for people interested in watching auroral
activity, but it is bad news for people reliant on ionospheric radio
communications and satellite health. For people reliant on ionospheric
radio communications, there is a bitter-sweet story. Although the frequency
of degrading interplanetary disturbances will increase, the large increase
in ionizing radiation from sunspot regions will provide ever-improving
propagation conditions with bands gradually opening into the higher
frequencies of the HF bands. The years from 1999 through 2005 will be the
worst in terms of geomagnetic and ionospheric disturbances. And of those,
the year 2001 is expected to be significantly disturbed, seconded by the
year 1999 and the year 2004.
PLACING THE 07 APRIL SOLAR FLARE DISTURBANCE IN PERSPECTIVE
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A few notes and caveats regarding the solar flare and related coronal
mass ejection of 07 April is in order, considering how well publicized this
event is becoming. We have seen a sufficient number of reports on TV, the
Internet and radio to feel justified in placing this disturbance in
perspective. Some sources are blowing this event a fair bit out of
proportion.
First, the flare itself was rated a class C6/3N event. The C6 portion
identifies the magnitude of the flare in soft x-rays. The flare in x-rays
was really not that unusual or spectacular. It was very small compared to
the solar flares that we will be observing over the next 3 to 6 years. The
last portion of the rating ("3N") defines the optical size and brilliance of
the flare. In this case, the flare was quite large, but of only average
("N"ormal) brilliance. A size 4 flare is the largest optical flare rated.
So the flare itself was not very spectacular in x-rays, but it was
fairly large optically. Since x-rays are considered the more accurate
indicator of a flares true magnitude (and potential influence on the Earth),
we can conclude that this flare was really rather diminuitive.
Over the next 3 to 6 years, we can expect to see some solar flares 100
to 1,000 times more powerful than this one. This should help bring the
ordinary nature of this flare into perspective.
What few people realize is that solar flares themselves are NOT well
correlated with the magnitude of interplanetary disturbances (technically
called coronal mass ejections or CMEs). Most solar flares don't even
produce disturbances that escape the Sun. In fact, a great number of CMEs
are not associated with flares at all. And some aren't even associated with
any discernable changes in the appearance of the Sun. Some researchers even
argue that solar flares are not related to coronal mass ejections at all,
but that they are two separate and distinct types of unrelated phenomena.
The jury is still out on that one. Caution must therefore be exercised in
relating solar flares with coronal mass ejections.
This particular event _does_ appear to have been related to the C6/3N
solar flare of 07 April. The coronal mass ejection itself was larger than
most the Solar and Heliospheric Spacecraft (SOHO) has seen, but remember
that SOHO has not been in space long enough to see anything but the sparse
and less active disturbances associated with solar sunspot minimum
conditions. SOHO will undoubtably see some disturbances over the next
several years that will blow the lid off the disturbance currently being
publicized. This disturbance is probably being publicized so strongly
because of our new and very much improved ability to observe these solar
events with new state-of-the-art spacecraft and high resolution.
So, placed into perspective, what has really occurred is an event that
is not out of the ordinary or liable to produce any serious impacts on
Earth. The most probably impact that will be observed is a rather weak
shockwave hitting the Earth (marking the disturbances arrival) and producing
a sudden (and small) impulse in the Earth's magnetic field, followed a few
hours later by somewhat stronger fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field
(perhaps a few of which may be large enough to be classified as "minor" or
"major" fluctuations). But these too are not out of the ordinary. We
routinely see (sometimes several times a month) brief periods of minor and
major geomagnetic activity - particularly over the higher latitude regions
where such activity is strongest. The geomagnetic activity should coincide
with increased levels of auroral activity - but again nothing particularly
magnificent is expected. We do not expect auroral activity to become
visible from any of the lower latitudes below about 40 to 45 degrees north
latitude (over North America). Some locations in New Zealand and (perhaps)
extreme southern regions of Australia may observe activity, but this too is
not unusual. New Zealand regularly reports sightings of auroral activity -
even during the solar minimum. We have received sighting reports from New
Zealand observers at least once or twice a month even during the lull of the
solar cycle.
Wait until the true power-houses of solar activity start appearing on
the Sun. THEN you'll see how insignificant this disturbance will likely be.
As we rise toward the solar maximum, we will begin to see some periods of
geomagnetic and auroral activity that will dwarf this disturbance in
comparison. Sightings of auroral activity are usually possible from the
southern regions of North America (and sometimes even into the tropics) at
least once or twice each solar cycle. Powerful displays visible throughout
most of the continental United States, Europe, Russia, Australia and New
Zealand will become much more common over the next 3 to 6 years, occurring
possibly dozens of times during this new solar cycle.
Over the next several years, there will undoubtably be an increasing
number of satellites that suffer anomalies and even failures. The increased
sensitivity of satellite components translates (in many cases) to increased
vulnerability as well. This should indeed be a very interesting decade of
activity and one for which satellite owners are likely going to have to
sweat through.
AVAILABLE TOOLS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION
------------------------------------------
The advent of the world wide web and easy access to the Internet has
opened up a wide assortment of possibilities for amateurs and professionals
alike. You can now obtain current (almost realtime) images of the Sun and
the solar corona. A good source of information is at the WWW page for the
Solar Data Analysis Center (SDAC) at: http://umbra.gsfc.nasa.gov
Current predictions and other information can be obtained from the Space
Environment Center at: http://www.sec.noaa.gov
Information regarding current solar flux and geomagnetic data can also
be found at: http://solar.uleth.ca/solar
For those nearer to Australia, a great deal of information is available
from IPS Radio and Space Services in Australia at: http://www.ips.oz.au.
These are good starting points for finding information on the current
state of the Sun.
For those with a real hunger for REALTIME information, a substantial
software package is available for those with Windows 95 computer systems
(and soon Windows 3.1 systems) that will haul down a huge amount of critical
solar and geophysical information IN REALTIME over the Internet. All you
need is a computer that can be connected to the Internet (whether via a
modem and an Internet Service Provider, or a direct line). The software
effectively turns your computer into a solar, geomagnetic, space and
ionospheric "weather" analysis center. The same data is used by
professional solar and space weather forecasters. You can observe the
progress of solar flares, AS THEY HAPPEN, updated on-screen as frequently as
you desire (up to once each minute). You can study the CURRENT state of the
ionosphere, obtain current geomagnetic readings from up to 11 magnetic
observatories world-wide, set up to 43 audible warnings providing you with
exceptional "activity trapping" capabilities, track the current locations,
sizes and shapes of active solar regions and coronal holes, and much more.
We feel it is ideal for anyone who wants to stay on top of current
conditions. Details can be found at:
http://solar.uleth.ca/solar/www/swarm.html
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Roland Nilsson - 106374.2662@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I wonder where i can find the latest Solarflux on the Web.
Best Regards from Roland Nilsson.Sweden
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Paul Ormandy - paulorm@xxxxxxxx
Could someone please supply me with the e-mail address of HCJB's Ken McHarg?
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Mika Makelainen - mtm@xxxxxxxxx
Does anyone know which U.S. or Mexican station uses the slogan "Fiesta
Mexicana" on the AM frequency of 1550 kHz? I picked up this station (here in
Finland using a 1-kilometer-long beverage antenna) already on Feb. 28th this
year, but haven't found out the identity of the station. I heard it at 0110
UTC, when the sun was going down in the Rockies, so the station in question
cannot be located west of the Rockies. The NRC log lists a few U.S. stations
with SS format, but none with this slogan. Also the WRTH doesn't give this
slogan to any Mexican on 1550.
I'd greatly appreciate any help by e-mail at: mtm@xxxxxxxxx
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Paul Ormandy - paulorm@xxxxxxxx
Attn Grey-Liners:
The future of New Zealand's summer sports network, "Sports Roundup" is
assured, although the frequencies aren't!
In a note from Adrian Sainsbury, Frequency Manager for RNZ, he comments that
"..the separartion of the Sports Roundup from RNZI to The Radio Network is
not quite complete. The programme originates in Broadcasting House,
Wellington (RNZ HQ) and the YC transmitters (657, 882, 900, 963, 576, 909, &
1026) are owned and operated by RNZ. Next season, The Radio Network will
look after the programming themselves, we may still offer the transmitters.
The Radio Network are slowly building a separate network to avoid using the
YC's because of Parliamentary interruptions. So my QSL management will in
future only cover transmitters owned by Radio New Zealand"
During this past summer, Sports Roundup used 96.1mHz FM in Auckland &
Christchurch, 783 in Wellington, 1368 in Napier and 1377 in Dunedin when
Parliament was being aired.
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Bob Karchevski - karchev@xxxxxxxxx
***** Forwarded mail follows *****
Tue, 15 Apr 1997 07:17:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: DaveyJohn@xxxxxxx (aol)
To: Bob Karchevski (BNR) Dept 4C02 MPK
Subject: Re: WHK Test
Tuesday morning
I'm rather embarrased about the WHK test. We moved the station that weekend
and some how the tape got misplaced for the test. So it never went. Now I
can see all these guys out there that got up early in the night to listen
for somethig that was not there! Woe is me!
Thanks for your kind words. I'll probably do another test next winter.
Maybe that will work out.
Dave Johnson
WHK
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Paul Ormandy - paulorm@xxxxxxxx
Attn Grey-Liners:
Yippee! Just QSL'd MW Country # 133, NOZEMA Flevoland 747kHz. FD v/l, V/s
was R Roskam, NOZEMA Public Relations, who said that there are no QSL cards
available so sent info on Dutch radio & TV transmitters.
Address is:
NOZEMA
Biezendijk 3
3412 KB Lopik
The Netherlands
73s Paul
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phil bytheway - Seattle WA - bytheway@xxxxxxx
Tabulated from WWV at ~0518 GMT nightly
Geomagnetic Summary April 3 1997 through April 16 1997
GEO - Geomagnetic activity pca - polar cap absorption
maf - major flare SA - Solar Activity
mas - major storm spe - satellite proton event
mis - minor storm ss - severe storm
Date FLUX A K SA GEO OTHER
4/ 3 79 4 3 low quiet-active -
4 79 13 4 very low quiet-active -
5 80 7 1 very low quiet-active -
6 78 10 2 very low quiet-active -
7 77 7 1 low quiet-unsettled -
8 76 3 2 very low quiet -
9 78 4 2 low quiet -
10 78 8 7 very low quiet-sev sev 2400
11 77 46 4 very low quiet-sev -
12 76 12 0 very low quiet-active -
13 79 6 3 very low quiet-unsettled -
14 77 5 2 low quiet-unsettled -
15 79 2 0 low quiet -
4/16 81 8 5 very low quiet-mis -
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If you note any AM changes (call, format, slogan, etc), please send them to
the NRC Log coordinator (Wayne Heinen) @ nrclog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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END of April 17 1997 IRCA's "AM DX NewsFlash" - bytheway@xxxxxxx