Propagation page.

                   With information about radio propagation on HF and VHF for Hams and SWL.

           

 

               30 days solar cycle activity.                                      Solar activity forecast for next 27 days.     

 

                                        

                                                                   GOES Solar X-ray Flux.

 

                            Click here to see the most recent image of the far side of the sun.

 

                                                                                 

                                Solar X-Rays
                             Status

                             Geomagnetic Field
                             Status		    VHF Aurora      Status

144 MHz E-Skip  
Status

 

                              

                                                                    K index.

                                                     

                          Real time solar wind.                                               Current solar images.

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Aurora (also known as "aurora borealis" or "northern lights") is caused by interaction between the Earth's magnetic field and the solar wind (a mix of charged particles blowing away from the sun).  During solar storms, enough of these charged particles make it through to the Earth's upper atmosphere that they interact with the earths natural magnetic field lines.  When enough of these particles collide, energy is released in the form of auroral light.  In addition to creating a pretty light show (mostly in upper latitudes), radio signals scatter off of these particles and can greatly enhance propagation on 6 meters and above. High levels of aurora can also make HF propagation via polar routes difficult.

                                           

                                         Real Time                                                                  Real Time
                                Northern Hemisphere                                               Southern Hemisphere
                                    Auroral Activity.                                                        Auroral Activity.
 
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                                                               Grey line map (click here)
 
The grey line is a band around the Earth that separates the daylight from darkness.  Radio propagation along the grey line is very efficient.  One major reason for this is that the D layer, which absorbs HF signals, disappears rapidly on the sunset side of the grey line, and it has not yet built upon the sunrise side.  Ham radio operators and shortwave listeners can optimize long distance communications to various areas of the world by monitoring this area as it moves around the globe.  This map shows the current position of the grey line terminator.
 
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The following map shows Maximum Usable Frequencies (MUFs) for 3000 kilometer radio signal paths.  More importantly, the current sunspot number (SSN) and Planetary A-index are updated every 30 minutes on the bottom of this image.  Additionally, the grey line position, auroral ovals, and sun position are provided.  

            

                                                              Near real time MUF map.