The sunspot number is 113, with sunspot AR1748 holding potential for significant flaring. Additional solar energy is also streaming from a coronal hole and should impact Earth towards later this week. There has been a R1-class radio blackout in the past 24 hours, though the Kp index has since subsided down to a generally quiet level.



Upper HF and lower VHF enthusiasts could find moderate DX conditions on the 10m and 6m bands, especially near the greyline. The 20m band is practically open between North America and Europe, and it is likely to hold for the next few hours since we are approaching summer DX conditions.

The sunspot number is down to 102, with sunspot AR1731 still holding potential for a significant flare event. Otherwise, the Kp index is currently quiet.



With a low noise floor, today could be a good day for HF DX enthusiasts. Even the 6m band is producing some contacts, both within North America and across the pond into Europe. 10m enthusiasts might also find TEP conditions into South America. 15m and 20m are open for business, and given the decent DX conditions so far today, either could be an interesting opportunity for QRP operators as well.

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The sunspot count is up to 165, with AR1730 and AR1731 still holding potential for significant flaring. The KP index is slightly up as well, peaking at 4 in the past 24 hours and now settling back down to 3. The Kp index could rise again when the previously mentioned increased solar wind from a coronal hole likely arrives at Earth towards weekend.



An increased HF noise floor should be expected tonight, at least until the Kp index further settles down. Increased atmospheric noise from thunderstorms could also affect the HF spectrum, especially across the mid-west and southeast portions of the United States. The 40m band should offer a compromise for DX enthusiasts tonight, especially in locations where the 80m noise floor is elevated. Otherwise, the 20m is also still producing decent DX conditions, which could remain an hour or two past greyline conditions.

The sunspot number is up to 136, with sunspots AR1730 and AR1731 holding potential for significant flaring. Increased solar wind from a coronal hole should arrive at Earth later this week. As for now, the Kp index is relatively quiet.



10m band enthusiasts, especially long the east coast, might find a TEP opening into South America today. Otherwise, the 15m and 20m bands should be open for business into Europe.

The Kp index is currently at 5 as increased solar energy is buffeting Earth's magnetosphere, sparking minor geomagnetic storming. The energy is arriving via the coronal hole mentioned earlier this week.



The sunspot number is 93, and sunspot AR1726 is still holding potential for powerful flares, though it is starting to move away from the Earth-side of the sun.

Given the Kp index and geomagnetic flux, 20m and perhaps even 40m are the better bets for DX conditions today. The noise floor could be high, and that is not even factoring atmospherics from storms, so it be a challenging day for DX enthusiasts operating on the HF bands.

Sunspot AR1726 is now showing a delta class magnetic field, meaning an increasing chance of a significant flare event. The percentages are weighted more towards a M-class flare at 40% odds, though there is an estimated 15% chance of a more powerful X-class flare. Either way, given the location of AR1726, any produced flares are likely to track towards Earth. Sunspot AR1726 is the oval-shaped formation appearing in the upper-right quadrant of the following images.



M- and especially X-class flares are often associated with radio blackouts, particularly in the HF and below spectrum. Energy from powerful X-class flarse striking Earth can also lead to geomagnetic storms, satellite issues, fluctuations in power grids, and auroras stretching into lower latitudes.

The sunspot number is down to 76, with sunspot AR1726 showing significant size and potential for flaring. Increased solar wind from a coronal hole should arrive at Earth later this week, towards weekend. Meanwhile, the Kp index is currently quiet.



The upper HF bands are not looking impressive this morning, though there appears to be a limited TEP opening on 10m 0between portions of North and South America. 20m is a better bet today, and probably will remain so barring any significant sporadic-e openings on the higher HF bands.

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The sunspot number is down to 89, and while sunpot AR1723 was holding potential for strong flaring, it now appears to be losing energy. A coronal hole is streaming increased solar wind, which should arrive at Earth this weekend. Otherwise, the Kp index is current.y quiet.



The 10m and 12m bands are not showing much activity this afternoon, with the trend likely holding through the day barring any sporadic-e or TEP openings. 20m is the better bet for DX enthusiasts, with there appearing to be current openings into both Asia and Europe from North America.

We just got Fuschia Dunlop's latest cookbook, Every Grain of Rice. Her other books have been really good, and we happened to have some high-quality pork belly -- uncured bacon with the rind still on. So we decided to make this tonight:

Red-Braised Pork

1¼ lb (500g) boneless pork belly, with skin, or shoulder
2 tbsp cooking oil
4 slices of unpeeled ginger
1 spring onion, white part only, crushed slightly
2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
2 cups plus 2 tbsp (500ml) chicken stock or water, plus more if needed
1 star anise
Small piece of cassia bark or cinnamon stick
Dash of dark soy sauce
2 tbsp sugar
Salt, to taste
A few lengths of spring onion greens, to garnish

Cut the pork into ¾-1 in (2-3cm) chunks.

Pour the oil into a seasoned wok over a high flame, followed by the ginger and spring onion and stir-fry until you can smell their aromas. Add the pork and stir-fry for a couple of minutes more. Splash in the Shaoxing wine. Add the stock, spices, soy sauce, sugar and 1 tsp salt. Mix well, then transfer to a clay pot or a saucepan with a lid.

Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over a very low flame for at least 1½ hours, preferably two or three. Keep an eye on the pot to make sure it does not boil dry; add a little more stock or hot water if necessary. Adjust the seasoning and add the spring onion greens just before serving.

Mmm -- bacon.

Sunspot AR1719 produced a M-class solar flare yesterday, generating a mild R1 radio blackout, with the resulting coronal mass ejection likely reaching Earth on Saturday. There is a moderate chance of G2 geomagnetic storms upon arrival. Those in the northern latitudes might want to keep a lookout for auroras tomorrow night.

Otherwise, the sunspot number is down to 121, and the Kp index is quiet.



Spring is here, and the HF band is reflecting the change. 10m is even currently open for many North American operators, though the potential will likely fade as the greyline moves west. At least for the next hour or two, there is a moderate chance for DX contacts on pretty much any band between 40m and 10m.

Moving downwards in the spectrum, 80m and especially 160m operators in North America are likely to start realizing increasing atmospheric noise from springtime thunderstorms. It is a good time to start shoring up your 40m solutions, especially for nightime DX opportunities. Remember 60m is also available for those feeling adventerous, though with some limitations for US amateurs. Voice ops are strictly USB at 2.8KHz max bandwidth, and please respect the published channel plan.

The overall sunspot count is down to 116. Sunspots AR1718 and AR1719 continue to have potential for M-class flares, with AR1718 already producing C-class flaring. The Kp index remains rather quiet.



Interestingly enough, 10m is currently producing contacts from North America into Australia and South America. Enjoy the upper HF opening this evening, as it could collapse as the greyline moves west. 20m and 40m are practically wide open between North America and Europe, and if like recent nights, conditions could be favorable way past greyline hours.

The sunspot number has further increased to 144, with sunspots AR1713, AR1718, and AR1719 having potential for flaring. Otherwise, there are no coronal holes facing Earth, and the Kp index is rather quite.



For the 10m enthusiasts, there are a number of opportunities this morning via sporadic-e and transequatorial propagation events. The 17m band is also producing some impressive DX contacts from the eastern United States into eastern Asia.

Speaking of the HF bands, thanks to RML radio for the personal shoutout last night! :cool:

The sunspot number is up to 119, with sunspot AR1711 still impressive in size, though none are showing much potential for flaring. Increased solar wind could interact with Earth this weekend. Otherwise, it is currently rather quiet, with the Kp index relatively flat.



The 15m and 20m bands are practically wide open, so with the low Kp index, DX enthusiasts should have plenty of opportunities today.