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Author Topic: sfi numbers are low  (Read 341 times)

KC6RWI

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sfi numbers are low
« on: October 22, 2019, 09:57:13 AM »

Just have to say. the sfi number today is 64, I guess it can go lower but I can't remember when it was lower.
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KH6AQ

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RE: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2019, 09:59:27 AM »

Yet 10 meters still opens frequently.
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KC6RWI

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RE: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2019, 10:06:27 AM »

I got to put more time with the radio on, I got to stop listening to the streaming news. Where do you park your radio?
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AC7CW

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RE: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2019, 11:12:42 AM »

I'm building a station, the first thing I'm going to do is try ALE. I'm convinced that many openings go completely unnoticed...
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Novice 1958, 20WPM Extra now... (and get off my lawn)

KC6RWI

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RE: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2019, 01:48:44 PM »

I bet you have built a number of stations, do you mean you are moving your stuff to a new shack? I'm just looking at the statement line on your post.
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KH6AQ

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RE: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2019, 02:03:13 PM »

I usually start on 10 meters and work down the bands as they close. I find it fun to stay on long after a band seems to have closed. Right now (11 AM local time) I'm working SA and the U.S. west coast on 10 meter FT8 using an inverted-vee.
« Last Edit: October 22, 2019, 02:11:40 PM by KH6AQ »
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K0UA

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RE: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2019, 06:46:25 AM »

Yet 10 meters still opens frequently.

I managed to work and confirm both Liberia and Mauritania and worked San Andreas and it shows in their log, so that will be confirmed. Those three are just this month of October 2109 Of course SA and some Carib are nearly a daily occurance on 10 from here in Missouri.  Antenna is an MA5B at 40 foot.  two actual elements on 10 meters.  I live in a valley.  So while things are "bad", it ain't hopeless.
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73  James K0UA

WB8VLC

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Re: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2019, 08:33:01 PM »

Even with crap solar number I was still able to work the C21 ON 2 of the upper hf bands in cw/ssb,  both liberia  stns on 17 ssb and ft8, san andreas on 17cw/ssb, vp6r on all bands from 10 to 40meters on cw/ssb mostly and even some ft8, gibraltor on 17 cw, the Zk3a on all bands from 12-80 mostly cw/ssb and a few ft8's (I missed the zk on 10 meters cuz of work), finally rounding off a sprinkling of 10 meter south american stns on ssb/cw most weekends.

My antennas are just Simple phased verticals for 40/30 erected one at a time for the desired band, 40 or 30meters.

For lower bands  one 40 meter vertical is loaded to get on 60/80 meters.

For 20-12 I use single  moxons at 24 feet which are erected on the same mast/mount depending on the desired band that I want to work and finally a long boom 4el owa at 32 feet for 10meters which is my only permanent mounted, non armstrong rotated antenna.

Whatever antenna that you can get in the air then get it in the air and try all bands that you can.

The only difference that I have observed between low SFI and high SFI years are the duration of the openings.
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AC7CW

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Re: RE: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2019, 09:32:28 PM »

I bet you have built a number of stations, do you mean you are moving your stuff to a new shack? I'm just looking at the statement line on your post.

I'm moving to a house with no HOA, at least not one that limits antennas. I have some qrp stuff to start up with.
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Novice 1958, 20WPM Extra now... (and get off my lawn)

KB3HJK

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Re: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2019, 06:06:42 AM »

I suspect good things are right around the corner. If you look at spaceweather.com it shows we have had more spotless days this year than the low in 2008. But in 2009 things dramatically improved. I say any week now....(fingers crossed).
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OZ8AGB

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Re: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2019, 06:21:18 AM »

Sure. How low can we go? Not much lower...
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W1VT

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Re: sfi numbers are low
« Reply #11 on: October 29, 2019, 06:32:03 AM »

If you want to get 5BDXCC the toughest band for many people is 80 meters.  You may want to do that now.  I just picked up a bunch of countries on 80 in the last Phone DX contest, and worked MD4K Isle of Man for #100 on 40 Phone. #99 was VK9NC on Norfolk Island.

Modes don't normally matter for 5BDXCC, but since Ive already worked it on CW and Digital, I decided to see how far I can get on phone with my wire antenna farm.

Zak W1VT
« Last Edit: October 29, 2019, 06:41:59 AM by W1VT »
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