SN drops but SFI goes up?

[K6TOP]

In the past few days the sunspot numbers have dropped from 124 on 12/3 to 85 on 12/9. But in the same period the solar flux has risen from 134 to 166.  How does that work?

I know there is not a clean, linear relationship between SFI and SSN...but an inverse relationship?

Sheesh, just when I was starting to think I understand ol' Sol!


Kevin.

[KB4QAA]

Fewer sunspots which are more intense.

[KD6KWZ]

Right now I see a SFI of 218, and a SN of 178. Yet, not much activity on HF on the real time DX maps.

[KB4QAA]

http://www.wm7d.net/hamradio/solar/
Three day chart of Solar Flux.

You will note the SF has only been above 200 three times in the last three days, for brief periods of just a few hours total. So while the momentary index is high, it has been averaging much lower. 

It takes a while for an increase in the Solar Flux to 'cook up' those refracting layers in the ionosphere.

[N3QE]

Right now I see a SFI of 218, and a SN of 178. Yet, not much activity on HF on the real time DX maps.

I was on intensely in RTTY RU over the weekend, and 15M and especially 20M were very good to EU and active well after EU's dark. I credit the SFI with that.

I worked many EU and just a little pacific, VK, ZL on 10M but that's not unusual past couple months. Did not feel 10M stayed open late.

Tim.