I want to wish everyone best results going into IARU HF World Championship this weekend. I won't be in front of the controls this weekend however I'm making plans for CQ World Wide VHF scheduled for next weekend. Another opportunity at 6m is too much to pass up after having massive fun during the ARRL June VHF QSO Party.
My understanding of 6m propagation is limited, really limited and Jon K. Jones, N0JK, wrote about sporadic E (Es), aurora, tropo, and meteor scatter in an article titled, "Post Solar Cycle 23". You can find it on page 20 in the July/August 2002 issue of the National Contest Journal.
Jones suggested Es tend to follow a 5- to 6-year cycle independent of the solar cycle in addition June typically is the best chance at experiencing Es of note.
The author further suggested that optimal conditions on the magic band were experienced off of the peak of a cycle. Could this explain why Europe has enjoyed continental wide Es this summer? Potentially, without evidence, it may suggest the peak of our current cycle?
Jones noted that an aurora can happen at anytime although this type of propagation typically occurs on the downward slope of a cycle.
If operating in an event like CQ World Wide VHF then one might expect an auroral peak late in the afternoon and early evening according to the article. Two conditions are happening at once suggesting cycle peak that is the occurance of optimal Es and aurora.
Also, the author suggested typical aurora path between 1-land and 7-land or 1-land and King Lima Seven. Perhaps, this is related to latitude and proximity to the aurora?
Jones discussed tropospheric refraction otherwise known as tropo and this condition can happen anytime during a cycle. Unlike Es and aurora, tropo refraction is weather dependent, as a result of air moisture/temperature changes along air masses and fronts. Are we noting an increase in tropo refraction given the increased activity in sever storm systems and mass of these systems? Additionally, operating from mountain tops especially in the summer, is an excellent opportunity at experiencing tropo refraction.
It is a little late to plan an adventure to the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada range however this could happen next year.
Meteor scatter is mentioned in N0JK's article where it is suggested that next tier stations with high power and heavy metal in the sky have the greatest advantage in the morning. However 100 watt stations with smaller yagi antennas including verticals can take advantage of meteor trail ionization as well.
I'm going to miss everyone this weekend in the meantime I learned a little more about 6m propagation thanks to N0JK and the National Contest Journal.
73 from the shackadelic near the beach.