Re: [IRCA] 20 questions about annual DX conditions

[Nick Hall-Patch <nhp@xxxxxxxx>]

At 14:08 18/07/2006, you wrote:
> Hi All,
> How consistant (by date) has the beginning of the DX season been
> through-out the years?

Patrick and Bill have given a very good snapshot of year by year
conditions.  Bruce Portzer also did a good article some years ago
based on loggings that clearly showed the sluggish DX returns in
mid-winter for Asiatics and Down Unders (IRCA reprint T054; what you
don't have the CD of IRCA reprints?  contact Lee right
away...)

Years of low sunspot number, like right now, are most likely to deliver
good high latitude conditions, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Asiatic
big guns start showing in the Pacific Northwest in the next few weeks if
we  can drag ourselves out of bed for sunrise.  There are
carriers there already for the short period that we have a darkness
path.   In high sunspot years, the first high latitude
receptions seem to occur later in September, with receptions of Australia
being more common in late August/early September.  And although low
A-indices are not necessarily an indicator for good high latitude
conditions, especially in midwinter,  they do give a hint of good
conditions in the fall and spring.

When a geomagnetic storm kicks in, check for stations from the Pacific
Islands, New Zealand and Australia, especially as the storm gets
underway.   Unfortunately, as Patrick mentioned, down under
signals ain't what they used to be, and South Americans are very hard to
find, though that lack is at least partly due to more domestic
interference (remember the loggings of Argentina on 1620 before Atmore,
AL signed on and wiped them out with its mighty 1 kw?)

good luck this season.


Nick

****************************************************************************
Nick Hall-Patch
Victoria, B.C.
Canada

****************************************************************************

_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://arizona.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx