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[W7CXC]

Folks:

I seem to remember a forecast that was very optimistic based on the spots on the northern  and southern hemispheres going on at the same time rather than out of phase as in the last few cycles. The theory as i recall was that the in phase spots would lead to a single higher peak rather than dual , although lower, peaks. Very preliminary observation would lead one to think there may be something to this single high peak  forecast. Is there any updated info on this?

David

[K4FMH]

See https://youtu.be/liphPLJe7Zw

[GRUMPY2021]

Given our inability to predict hurricanes, viruses or tomorrow's weather I wouldn't worry about it.   It's 11 years long so just enjoy the hobby.  Even at the bottom of cycle 24 I was never disappointed. 

[N5PG]

Reply:   https://www.dx-world.net/revised-prediction-for-solar-cycle-25/

[W7XTV]

Given our inability to predict hurricanes, viruses or tomorrow's weather I wouldn't worry about it.   It's 11 years long so just enjoy the hobby.  Even at the bottom of cycle 24 I was never disappointed.

Agreed.  At the bottom of the sunspot cycle, use the lower MF/HF bands.  As the sunspot numbers increase, switch to 20-6 meters.  Also, use a mode that is conducive to working DX if that's what you want.  At sunspot minimums, that means CW or digital modes.

[W1VT]

Another option, if you prefer working DX on SSB, is to improve your station.

I remember N6BUS, the XYL of KH6JNP, who was outfitted with a monoband 15M Yagi on a tower so they could communicate daily from Orange County CA to Honolulu Hawaii.  He would drive out to Sand Island and park right next to the water.  They hired him to maintain the radio gear at Honolulu International Airport.

A full size dipole a half wavelength or more above ground can be a significant improvement over compromise all band antenna.  Phone pileups can be very frustrating, as every loud DX station will attract a big pileup.  An amplifier may reduce the difficulty of getting through pileups.

Another approach is to work on eliminating local sources of noise, so you can hear weak DX stations.  There are a lot of 100W DX stations that would love to work stateside.  They can be worked if you can hear them.

Zak W1VT

[K0UA]

Another option, if you prefer working DX on SSB, is to improve your station.

I remember N6BUS, the XYL of KH6JNP, who was outfitted with a monoband 15M Yagi on a tower so they could communicate daily from Orange County CA to Honolulu Hawaii.  He would drive out to Sand Island and park right next to the water.  They hired him to maintain the radio gear at Honolulu International Airport.

A full size dipole a half wavelength or more above ground can be a significant improvement over compromise all band antenna.  Phone pileups can be very frustrating, as every loud DX station will attract a big pileup.  An amplifier may reduce the difficulty of getting through pileups.

Another approach is to work on eliminating local sources of noise, so you can hear weak DX stations.  There are a lot of 100W DX stations that would love to work stateside.  They can be worked if you can hear them.

Zak W1VT

Good post