ARLP026 Propagation de K7VVV:
June 25, 1999

ZCZC AP26
QST de W1AW
Propagation Forecast Bulletin 26 ARLP026
From Tad Cook, K7VVV
Seattle, WA June 25, 1999
To all radio amateurs

SB PROP ARL ARLP026
ARLP026 Propagation de K7VVV

This is the weekend for ARRL Field Day, so our path projections this week will concentrate on domestic locations and the five HF bands which are of concern to most Field Day operations.

Sunspot numbers were down quite a bit last week, with the average lower by over 78 points compared to the previous week. Average solar flux was down almost 12 points. Geomagnetic conditions were very stable. Solar flux bottomed out on Saturday at 138.8, and is back on the rebound. Flux values this Field Day weekend are expected to be quite high, at 180, 185 and 190 for Friday through Sunday. Unfortunately there have been a couple of M-class flares in the past few days, and this will lead to unsettled to active conditions over this weekend, with planetary A indices at 15.

Sunspot Numbers for June 17 through 23 were 167, 109, 117, 102, 148, 160 and 169 with a mean of 138.9. 10.7 cm flux was 146.5, 146.5, 138.8, 151.5, 145.5, 161.6 and 167.5, with a mean of 151.1, and estimated planetary A indices were 7, 7, 7, 4, 4, 4 and 6, with a mean of 5.6.

Path projections for Field Day will assume modest antennas, and the times given should be a very good bet for working the target areas. You will find other times and frequencies work as well, but the ones listed here are as close to a sure thing as we can get. The best overall band for domestic contacts this weekend looks like 40 meters. To many areas it is open around the clock.

Remember in Field Day there is no multiplier for working DX or the number of states or sections worked, so the key is to have fun and work as many stations as possible.