With all the wet weather we’ve had around my way recently, I’ve been getting cabin fever for another activation, so I’ve prepared my KX2 [battery, etc] in its rain-resistant enclosure, a large see-through toilet bag with nearly-closed zips through which the antenna, headphones and paddle cables emerge. The forecast is actually claiming dry-ish wx ‘til mid-afternoon tomorrow.
I wouldn’t normally make a splash on the reflector about an HF CW/SSB activation but I fancy doing 60m for a change, both CW and SSB. I get the impression that 60m activity - apart from ragchews - is actually declining a bit - but then I don’t sit there monitoring so I could be wrong.
My 60/40/30/20m linked dipole has been gathering dust for a long time so I need to check it over with my antenna analyzer in the back garden first thing tomorrow. All being well, I hope to be QRV ~1400utc on CW first then later with 10W of SSB further up the band.
That would be a new summit for me, so I’ll keep my ears open on 5.3545-CW, hi.
Have fun!
There could be a challenge involved – according to the forecast from Spaceweather.com on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, G3-class CMEs are possible on November 6th, 7th, and 8th, unfortunately.
Oh dear. I understand that when a strong G3-class geomagnetic storm occurs, the associated HF propagation blackouts typically last for 1 or 2 hours. Let’s hope it doesn’t hit my planned activation time.
Well, I’ll check 5MHz propagation at home around noon before setting off. I’ll listen to a few of the European 60m beacons. If I can still hear them pretty well, I’ll go anyway.
Heinz, I’m happy to work you on 60m (if the CME allows us) but as you want that particular summit, I would be happy to do 30m afterwards as I suspect that would be easier for you.
Geomagnetic storms generally last longer than 1 - 2 hours. They can go on for days. The current foF2 critical frequency is only 4.75 MHz. it has yet to reach 5 MHz to give a good chance of NVIS on 60m. This time yesterday (08:00), foF2 was 8.25 MHz. The prognosis is not good, but just a slight increase in the critical frequency should see you there.
