We have had some solar ups and downs over the past week. A high-speed stream from a large coronal hole has kept the Kp index high at times, plus the solar flux index has been relatively low due to a lack of sunspots.

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The coronal hole has been massive, covering from the Sun’s south pole right up to and past the solar equator.

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Nevertheless, there has been DX about, including PZ3OZ in Surinam on 80m FT8 and 40m CW, ZS7ANF in Antarctica on 30m CW, and TG9ADM in Guatemala on 10m CW. Also spotted have been some of the “12 Days of Christmas stations in the US”, including W2R/5 in Arizona on 15m CW.

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Let’s take a look at HF propagation over the next two weeks.

According to NOAA, we may be in for a bumpy ride. The Kp index is predicted to rise to six on December 30th and stay high until early January. Meanwhile, at the same time, the SFI is predicted to rise to 170.

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The best time for HF may be after January 3rd, when the Kp index is predicted to fall to a more reasonable two to three, while the SFI remains in the 150-160 range.

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There should be plenty of activity on HF, with the G-QRP club’s Winter Sports running up until January 1st, and a whole range of contests, from the RSGB’s AFS CW Contest from 1300hrs UTC – 1700hrs UTC on January 3rd, to the Marconi Club ARI Loano QSO Party from 0700hrs UTC – 2100hrs UTC, also on January 3. Keep an eye on www.contestcalendar.com for updates.

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