MF band conditions

[Kage]

Anyone else notice that the mediumwave and lower HF bands lately are acting a bit strange?
I am getting skip from MW stations taking over locals up to 10 or 11am in the early day.
It's rather annoying because some stations I listen to which normally come in loud and clear are being bombarded by lots of skywave in the middle of the day!
160 meters also seems to be really problematic from what I have heard from hams.
Normally I would think it's just because we are just past the middle of winter, but this is much worse this year than any other year I can think of.

[RFBurns]

Blame it on the solar activity and huge CME's being thrown at the Earth, along with all the unusual weather going on.

With the aurora's putting on their biggest show ever seen or recorded, it would seem logical that the ionosphere would be affected and in turn affect radio propagation.

Peace!

[Deleted]

Jan 30, 2012 16:07:17 GMT -6 RFBurns said:

With the aurora's putting on their biggest show ever seen or recorded...

And Vancouver of course was thick with cloud the whole time

Cheers!

[Kage]

It was really bad a few days ago. Tried running a transmission on 1610Kc around 11am and could hardly pick up the signal 1/2 mile away whereas normally I can get out 3-5 miles with clarity that time of day.
Been forced to use 1710Kc lately even for local programming which is no fun since a few of my listeners complain that their radios won't tune up that high.

Now as far as DXing it is interesting listening to stations during the day that I normally never pick up. Night seems to be worse making even the regular flame throwers come in through a haze of interference.

The thousand watt station in my same town comes in like they are far away right now. Must blow to be them as they have to make a living getting that signal heard.

But yes, winter has been really odd this year for radio and weather in general.

[RFBurns]

The effects upon a CC system (Carrier Current) is also considerable. It is as if the power lines are absorbing more of the signal than usual, on any MW frequency. I am having to pump up the volume (RF power) a lot just to compensate for the coverage loss during this unusual season.

Usually it only takes about 4 to 6 watts to cover the entire town, lately its been throwing 15 to 25 just to keep the same coverage area with a clear signal. The coupler does not indicate any major changes taking place on the power line inductance. Weird.

Peace!