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[AC7CW]

They declared it underway. I'm looking forward to some 10Meter FM, maybe mobile in a few years...

https://www.weather.gov/news/201509-solar-cycle

[K6SDW]

Back in the mid-1980's I worked the North Pole on 10 meters using my Radio Shack 10m rig and a mag-mount antenna on the roof of the car........all from my driveway. Ah, the good 'ol days

[KC6RWI]

Yes, I was spoiled by that sort of propagation, but thats what always kept my interest up,
I have a little mono band anytone radio in my van. I just ran out to see if this cheap rig has fm and it does.
I'll have to check the band plan to see where fm is used unless the original poster wants to give out the parameters.
And yes, thats cause for celebration, maybe I have a toast to new cycle.

[WB8VLC]

And in another news story that broke today about cycle 25 it has just been reported that solar cycle 25 began rapidly over a 3 to 4 day period and peaked around the 2nd week of august 2020 with solar numbers reaching an astronomical unheard of earth shattering number of 74!!!

After which the sun then went back to sleep and back into the downward spiral of the end of solar cycle 25 only to be awaiting several more years of lower solar numbers once again, possibly even hitting negative figures this time until once again the cycle repeats and we experience another 2-3 day peak of what should be solar cycle 26 in another 11 years or so.

It looks like these upcoming solar cycles will now have a peak of just  3 to 4 days instead of the 3-4 years that we have been used to.

Sarcastic me, no way it's years of experience and observation and listening to static.

[N8NK]

If anyone is interested in hearing the most amazing contact I've ever made in my 46 years as a ham? It happened on 15m at the peak of a solar cycle. Do ya think I could work DX... or anone... with 3 MILLIWATTS? I call my story 'A QRP Story'. I'm not putting a link here, but it's on YT if anyone cares to hear. Just search on 'a qrp story'. This is what's ahead for us! 73.. and even better: 72 OMs and YLs

[K6AER]

It an't over until the fat lady sings...talk to me in six years. I have been through 5 of these cycles. Only one they got right, 1968.

[KC6RWI]

I'd like to read the story, but I do not know what YT is.

[K0UA]

I'd like to read the story, but I do not know what YT is.

You Tube

[AC7CW]

10 Meter band plan is on this page. http://www.arrl.org/band-plan

[KC6RWI]

Oh yeah,, you tube, I was thinking a publication.
I always spin the dial thru 1o meters and rarely hear things.
Simplex FM is 29.6 is way up there.  I am pretty sure my mobile antenna will not be able to cover the whole band, I usually give a listen on 28.4 ssb.

[K0UA]

Oh yeah,, you tube, I was thinking a publication.
I always spin the dial thru 1o meters and rarely hear things.
Simplex FM is 29.6 is way up there.  I am pretty sure my mobile antenna will not be able to cover the whole band, I usually give a listen on 28.4 ssb.

If you wish to know if there is actual propagation on 10 meters the frequency you need to be monitoring is 28.074 USB, and the software to run is WSJT-x.  You will be able to know exactly where the signals you are hearing are from, their call signs, and their signal strengths. You will also be able to see who is working who to get an idea how widespread any opening is.   Monitoring 28.4 won't do much good, because no one is transmitting there. On 28.074, there are people there testing propagation all the time. Once you know where the propagation is and how strong it is then you can go to 28.4 point your beam in the correct direction and start calling CQ. Set up your rig to call CQ automatically with a pause long enough to hear any answering stations, and have it automatically resume. Here is an example where automation can be of a great benefit to snagging QSO's. If your rig doesn't have any voice memory capability there is software that can do the job also.

If anyone would like specifics on how to do any or all of this, please contact me and I will be glad to assist you, over the phone and/or with screen sharing.

73  James K0UA

[AF5CC]

There is also a beacon subband from 28.200 to 28.300 with quite a few beacons continuously transmitting there.  Most of them will give their location or grid square when they ID.  Another great way to know where the band is open to.

73 John AF5CC

[AC7CW]

I really like this site for checking propagation. https://www.voacap.com/

[AD6AD]

Back in the mid-1980's I worked the North Pole on 10 meters using my Radio Shack 10m rig and a mag-mount antenna on the roof of the car........all from my driveway. Ah, the good 'ol days

Me too! - - Though to be exact, it was with a mag mount on a 2nd floor window sill, and, oh, yeah, and it was the SOUTH pole. My brother worked there. "Wintering over" as nothing goes in or out of the station for 6 months due to the wind and cold.

[KC6RWI]

Back in the mid-1980's I worked the North Pole on 10 meters using my Radio Shack 10m rig and a mag-mount antenna on the roof of the car........all from my driveway. Ah, the good 'ol days

I heard a story like that, good dx, but the antenna was  a mag mount stuck to the top of the refrigerator