‰ Now 18 WPM transition file follows ‰


Sunspot numbers and solar flux both increased this week, but just
barely. Average daily sunspot numbers rose five points to 19R6,
while average daily solar flux rose one point to 75R8. Values are
expected to stay about the same over the next week. In fact, the
U.S. Air Force predicts an even 75 for solar flux over the next 30
days.  Geomagnetic activity should remain quiet. Geophysical
Institute Prague agrees with outlook, predicting quiet to unsettled
conditions for today, March 2, quiet conditions on March 3 to 5, and
unsettled on March 6 and 7. The Air Force predicts 5 for the
planetary A index from March 2 to 5, 10 for March 6, and back to 5
after that.  Youll note that when there is geomagnetic activity,
which can be seen on the sec.noaa.gov web site, often the planetary
A and K index will be higher than the mid latitude numbers. Since
most of us live at middle latitudes, a quiet number for the
planetary A index means quiet conditions for us as well.  On the
last day of February, a solar wind stream caused a rise in
geomagnetic activity. You can see on the above mentioned web site
that the planetary A index was 23, Alaskas College A index was 38,
but the mid latitude A index was only 12.  In February we had low
sunspot numbers, appropriate for the bottom of the solar cycle. The
average daily sunspot number for February was just 17R3. The only
months with lower average daily sunspot numbers in the past year
were October, 14R7, and February 2006, 5R3.  Monthly averages of
daily sunspot numbers for February 2006 through February 2007 were
5R3, 21R3, 55R2, 39R6, 24R4, 22R6, 22R8, 25R2, 14R7, 31R5, 22R2,
28R2 and 17R3. Monthly averages of daily solar flux for the same
period were 76R5, 75R5, 88R9, 80R9, 76R5, 75R8, 79, 77R8, 74R3,
86R3, 84R4, 83R5 and 77R7.  This month just might be the bottom of
the cycle. View the table on the sec.noaa.gov web site and youll see
that the predicted smoothed sunspot number for March 2007 is 11R3,
and it rises after that through the end of the year.  This weekend
is the ARRL International DX SSB Contest, and conditions will
probably not be bad, at least no big geomagnetic storms should
occur. While there isnt much sunspot activity, our local star isnt
devoid of spots. Currently sunspot 944 faces us from the center of
the visible solar disk.  Eric Owen, KD4MZM of Sarasota, Florida sent
a URL for a web page devoted to 10 meter beacons. On this particular
site you can check loggings for 10 meter beacons, and leave your own
feedback as well for any you hear. There is also a list of links to
individual beacon web sites, and a beacon chat area. Eric runs a
beacon on 28R277 MHz.  In case you thought HF radio is no fun at the
bottom of the solar cycle, JA2UOZ, Aki, of Nagoya, Japan writes that
he operates with only one half watt transmitter power and dipole
antennas. Currently he is trying for DXCC on 17 meters and higher at
the bottom of the solar cycle. He outlines his personal challenge
and some of his recent contest logs on his web site.  Sunspot
numbers were 25, 22, 11, 12, 22, 23 and 22 with a mean of 19R6. 10R7
cm flux was 75R5, 75R1, 75R5, 76R6, 75R4, 74R8, and 75R8, with a
mean of 75R5. Estimated planetary A indices were 2, 2, 1, 3, 4, 12
and 23 with a mean of 6R7.  Estimated mid latitude A indices were 2,
2, 2, 4, 4, 7 and 12, with a mean of 4R7‚

‰ End of 18 WPM transition file ‰