2016 HF Propagation Update
/Steve Nichols, G0KYA, the Chairman of the RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee, has updated his hourly UK HF Propagation Predictions maps for the rest of 2016.
The new charts take into account the latest smoothed sunspot numbers from NOAA/NGDC.
Steve’s group have seen a steady decline in sunspot activity from the peak of solar cycle 24. Since a high of 164 in May 2015, the current solar flux is well under 100.
Adding to the effects are plasma from solar coronal holes, created by the sun's open magnetic field allowing plasma to escape.
This increased K index is usually a sign of poor HF conditions, with noisy bands and depressed maximum usable frequencies. Any path over the poles is also badly affected. This can also lead to aurora, which while not being visible in the summer, can lead to openings on VHF.
Updated Propagaion Charts - http://g0kya.blogspot.co.uk
HF Propagation Prediction Tool - http://www.predtest.uk
