SB PROP @ ARL $ARLP004
ARLP004 Propagation de K9LA

ZCZC AP04
QST de W1AW  
Propagation Forecast Bulletin 4  ARLP004
From Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA
Fort Wayne, IN January 26, 2001
To all radio amateurs 

SB PROP ARL ARLP004
ARLP004 Propagation de K9LA

Tad, K7VVV, your regular solar reporter, is on vacation this week.
This report was submitted by Carl, K9LA.

Solar activity over the past seven days, January 19 through 25, was
mostly moderate due to C7 and M1 flares produced by Regions 9311,
9313, and 9325.  The highest activity was seen on January 21, when
Region 9313 produced an M7 flare.

Following the sun's 27-day rotation period, the 10.7 cm solar flux
gradually rose from 153 at the beginning of the period to around 170
at the end of the period.

The planetary A index was 11 or less for most of the period, with a
jump to 18 on January 21 and 24.

The most recent SSN (smoothed sunspot number) data for Cycle 23
indicates we may be seeing the peak of Cycle 23.  The last four
month's of data (March, April, May, and June 2000) shows the SSN to
be hovering around 120.  Only time will tell if this is just a
plateau toward a slightly higher peak or indeed it's the peak.

Historically the SSN of a solar cycle of this magnitude will remain
somewhat constant for a couple more years (as Cycle 20 did).  So
take advantage of the excellent worldwide propagation opportunities
on the higher bands--15, 12 and 10 meters--while you can.
NNNN
/EX