March 1989 Forecast -- Flux Range 156 - 267

by Roy, AD5Q - Houston, Texas

We are approaching the spring equinox, and the grey line now runs straight over the pole. With fluxes as high as they are, we can expect excellent polar propagation on several bands. This would also be true in the fall, but there are some important differences between spring and fall propagation. Ten Meters is usually better in the fall, but with fluxes in the 200's anyway, who cares? The most significant springtime phenomena is the 15 meter propagation over nighttime paths.

HIGH BANDS: The whole world will be workable on 10, though the windows over the pole will be narrow. Best penetration into Asia will be the two hours following either sunrise or sunset. Look for the Soviet 8th call area, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan etc. in this window. The Middle East can be worked in the morning and the Far East just before 10 closes. 15 meter propagation will be outstanding. This band is remaining open well into the evening, and will be a nearly all-night band shortly. It is also open for DX most of the day. Openings are therefore very broad, since you can work into nighttime areas during broad daylight and vice versa. As with any band that is open all night, you can follow the sunrise peak in the evening as it crosses Russia and Europe. We will soon be hearing loud signals from Europe around midnight, and loud signals from Indonesia and the Far East in late morning. 20 will be wide open and crowded with Russians in the evening, but if you tune carefully you can find other goodies in the Middle East and Africa. After sunrise look for the Far East via short path; and southern Asia, the Middle East and Africa via long path. Also catch the southerly long path in late afternoon to the Far East, and the Pacific/VK in mid afternoon in with the short path Africans.

LOW BANDS: If the high bands don't keep you busy, 40 is still in great shape at night and at sunrise. Frankly, the high bands probably will keep you busy.


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