July 2013

Propagation Summary

Solar activity was at low to moderate levels during the second half of June.  The majority of the low level activity was on 18-22 June,  then high levels were observed on 23 June in response to coronal hole high speed Stream. 

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to active levels. The period began with quiet levels on 17-19 June, but due to an increase in solar wind speeds, the geomagnetic field responded with unsettled to active periods late on 20 June.  The conditions then worsened to minor storm periods on 21-23 June due to another coronal mass ejection.

Propagation Forecast

Mostly quiet conditions are expected from 30 June to 04 July. By 05-06 July, quiet to unsettled conditions are expected with the arrival of another Coronal Hole High speed Stream Quiet conditions are once again expected from 07-16 July. Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected on 17 July with unsettled to active levels from 18-20 July due to Coronal Hole activity once again.  

Solar Observatory Launched:

NASA's newest space telescope, a unique solar observatory named "IRIS", is orbiting Earth  following a successful launch on June 27^th.  Leaving from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, an Orbital L-1011 aircraft carried IRIS inside a Pegasus XL rocket out over the Pacific Ocean, where the rocket separated from the belly of the airplane and blasted into space.  http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/weekly/WKHF.txt 

Shortwave Central

You can find up to date forecasts for shortwave conditions and articles about broadcast and amateur radio at: http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.co.uk/