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eHam Forums => Propagation => Topic started by: N1AUP on February 17, 2023, 02:22:10 AM

Title: Solar storm. Preparations?
Post by: N1AUP on February 17, 2023, 02:22:10 AM

With the arrival of an intense solar storm this afternoon, should we unplug our radios from antennas? 

Title: Re: Solar storm. Preparations?
Post by: KC0W on February 17, 2023, 02:51:43 AM

 No, but make damn sure any tinfoil hats are removed.............Danger Will Robinson.

                                                       Tom KH0/KC0W

Title: Re: Solar storm. Preparations?
Post by: KH6AQ on February 17, 2023, 04:14:57 AM

From Spaceweather.com

"GEOMAGNETIC STORM WATCH: Photographers, warm up your cameras. A CME is heading for Earth, and it could spark a good display of auroras when it arrives later today or tomorrow. NASA's computer model of the CME suggests it will reach Earth on Feb. 17th at 1800 UT. First contact is expected to produce a minor G1-class geomagnetic storm, intensifying to moderate G2-class storming on Feb. 18th. During such storms, auroras can spill into the United States as far south as New York and Idaho."

Title: Re: Solar storm. Preparations?
Post by: K1VSK on February 17, 2023, 08:46:58 AM

Quote from: N1AUP on February 17, 2023, 02:22:10 AM

should we unplug our radios from antennas?

no but you could unplug your antennas from your radios

Title: Re: Solar storm. Preparations?
Post by: WA3SKN on February 17, 2023, 09:38:40 AM

Are your antennas "plumber's delight" construction?
Better to put a "short" on the radio antenna port and/or the antenna itself.  You want to keep the "difference of potential" (voltage) to a minimum.  Of course, this is for unused connections... if you are talking on the radio it won't work!
And the G2 affects mostly power lines... not radio antennas. It CAN affect propagation though!

-Mike.

Title: Re: Solar storm. Preparations?
Post by: VK3HJ on February 17, 2023, 08:48:09 PM

I'm confused. Should we put on tinfoil hats, or take them off?