Solar Cycle 25 Producing Record High Sunspot Numbers

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Solar Cycle 25 Producing Record High Sunspot Numbers

Record High Solar Cycle 25 Solar Maximum Sunspot Numbers Have Improved HF Propagation Since Mid-July and Possibly Bringing Worldwide 6 Meter F2 Propagation This Fall.

According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC), Solar Cycle 25 likely reached its highest sunspot number yet of at least 299 on 8th August 2024.

The World Data Centre - Sunspot Index and Long-Term Solar Observations (SILSO) publishes near-real-time Estimated International Sunspot Number (EISN) reports based on its global network of reporting stations. Daily EISN reports during Solar Cycle 25 were consistently well below 200 until suddenly rising to 218 on 14th July and reaching 289 on July 18th, but then declining to 178 on 22nd July 2024.

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New York High School Helps License Amateur Radio Operators

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New York High School Helps License Amateur Radio Operators

On 1st August 2024, Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, ARRL Education and Learning Manager, took a train trip to New York City to visit the Staten Island Technical High School. He was there to help administer amateur radio exams to 49 students and all passed their exams. Several upgraded their licenses from General to Extra class and two students went from unlicensed to Extra class in one sitting.

Their teacher, Everton Henriques, KD2ZZT, attended ARRL’s Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology TI - 1 last year and TI - 2 this year. Since then, Everton has helped over 100 kids successfully test for their amateur radio licenses. He has built a program incorporating HF, local repeater use, foxhunting, and space communications and has plans to incorporate mesh networking with his students this coming school year.

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Ofcom has Released a New Video on Amateur Radio Licence Revalidation

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Ofcom has released a new step-by-step video on its YouTube channel to assist radio amateurs in the process of revalidating a UK amateur radio licence using the online licensing portal.

Ofcom does note that whilst it is a requirement to revalidate your licence every five years, it is recommended to do it annually. Make sure you keep your details up to date and make a diary reminder to renew each year.

You can find the video by going to the RSGB website at rsgb.org and searching for ‘licence revalidation’. On that page you will also find a helpful FAQ section prepared by the Society on the topic.