Falling sunspot numbers?

Sunspot number for Dec 27th 2014 has fallen.to 92 and 10m propagation is forecast to be "fair".  Although we'll still get good days, we must now expect sunspot numbers to gradually decline as the years go by towards the next sunspot minimum. Usually the decline downwards tends to be faster than the climb after the minimum, although many are predicting that the next maximum (cycle 25) will be miserably low.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/  .

See also http://sc25.com/ .

See also http://www.swsc-journal.org/index.php?option=com_article&access=doi&doi=10.1051/swsc/2012008&Itemid=129 .

Staying on 10m and MF through the night

I've decided to stay on 10m and MF WSPR through the overnight period to see what spots turn up on both bands. Last night there were OZ stations on 10m around 0300z and MF is always interesting overnight.

472kHz WSPR today

I have been on 472kHz all day, and intend to stay on all evening and overnight. I am TXing for about 20% of the time and 80% on RX. These are the unique stations spotted here in the last 12 hours. Currently it is 2012z.

Unique 472kHz WSPR spots received here on earth-electrodes

On TX, with 5mW ERP, these are my unique spots so far today.

Unique 472kHz WSPR spots received from 
others (5mW ERP) on earth-electrodes

Sunspots and 10m - Dec 26th 2014

Sunspot number today is 100 and 10m conditions are forecast to be "fair". So far today no DX spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon have been received from further than the USA. No spots from South Africa or Reunion Island for example.

UPDATE 1922z:  Still no further DX after the USA stopped spotting me a few hours ago. I think it will be locals and, maybe, the odd European by wintertime Es for the rest of the evening on 10m. I may go QRT shortly on 10m, although I am still running 5mW ERP from the short baseline earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz, MF.

10m WSPR - first/last USA spots of my 500mW beacon today - Dec 26 2014

W3CSW (5886km) copied my 10m 500mW beacon first today at 1300z. It is just getting dark here but the path to the USA is likely to remain open for a couple more hours. No other DX further than the USA has been seen here today.

UPDATE 1755z:  Last USA 10m WSPR spot of my 500mW beacon was K3EA (5657km) at 1648. Since then just G4IKZ (18km) and OE6PWD (1232km) and DK0SC (827km).

10m OZ opening

Leaving 10m WSPR (500mW) running overnight I was spotted in Denmark a few times around 0300z.  I suspect this was winter Es.

10m DX with 500mW WSPR

Today amongst  the tinsel and turkey of Christmas I have been WSPRing on MF and 10m. Best DX today was ZS5J (9529km) on 10m.

Sunspots - Christmas Day

At present, my feed showing sunspot number and 10m conditions is still showing Dec 24th! I'll update later if I get the data.

UPDATE 2045z: Sunspot number was only 86 today and 10m conditions "good"

Sunspots - Dec 24th

Sunspot number today is 128 and 10m propagation "fair".

Christmas

We have family here from Dec 24th until Dec 26th so blog updates will be infrequent during this period. May I wish all readers a very happy Christmas whether with family or alone. For some this can be a difficult time. It is the season of love and kindness. My hope is you find love and kindness whatever your situation.