October 1989 Forecast -- Flux Range 174 - 239

by Roy, AD5Q - Houston, Texas

10 Meters: 300+ solar fluxes would improve things on 6 Meters, but 10 doesn't need them. A number of 200 hundred is plenty good with low K-index. As we have seen, 10 is very sensitive to seasonal variations. The peak season is right now: October/November. November is the peak month for the high traffic paths to Europe and Japan, but October is best for polar stuff. These stations are easy to pick out on a crowded band: polar sigs on any band have the same hollow echo.

15 Meters: The excellent evening/nighttime activity we have enjoyed through spring and summer is no longer a factor. In the early evening we have an excellent daylight path to Asia with some polar stuff - but no Europe. 15 is now a daytime band - a very good one. 15 and 10 will open to the same parts of the world throughout the day, with signal strengths peaking on 15 a couple hours later. As good as 15 will be, it will have to compete with 10 Meters for your attention. Much of the rare DX tends to show up on 10. Tune both bands carefully during the day.

20 Meters: Macho DX'ers always prefer 20. This will be the best nighttime band until winter, when it will compete with 40. Antarctic long path will be at its best for the next several months. Though African/Indian Ocean LP peaks in the summer, high fluxes will keep these paths open at least through the fall. The exotic NW morning path across Asia to FT5/ZS8 etc. is dropping out. Short path openings will be fine. Use a sunrise chart or program to predict peaks to anywhere east of north. Peaks occur 1 to 2 hours after sunrise.

40 Meters: Activity is increasing, with Europe and Africa workable in the evening. Signals peak an hour either side of sunrise.

80 Meters: DX-peditions make an effort to operate all bands, and will provide the majority of opportunities to work new countries for 5B-DXCC. Conditions will be poor.


Return to Article Index Page