‰ Now 18 WPM transition file follows ‰

Solar activity is very low. Average daily sunspot numbers for the
week were down over 40 points to 9R1. Average daily solar flux
dropped nearly 11 points to 80R6. Geomagnetic conditions, with the
exception of January 26 were stable and quiet. On January 26 the
interplanetary magnetic field, which can shield the earth from solar
wind if it is pointing north, turned south, and the mid latitudes
experienced some moderate geomagnetic activity, with the A index for
the day at 15. Polar regions saw a lot more activity, with the
College A index in Alaska going to 36. Currently the sun is spotless
since January 29. Daily readings of zero sunspots could continue for
another week. We will observe more and longer periods such as this
as we head toward the solar minimum, still expected about to occur
about a year from now. Geomagnetic conditions should remain quiet,
and solar flux around 77. This may not begin to rise again until
February 10. January is over, so let us examine the average daily
solar flux and sunspot numbers for the month compared with previous
months. The average daily sunspot numbers for the months January
2005 through January 2006 were 52, 45R4, 41, 41R5, 65R4, 59R8, 68R7,
65R6, 39R2, 13, 32R2, 62R6 and 26R7. Average daily solar flux for
the same months was 102R3, 97R2, 89R9, 85R9, 99R5, 93R7, 96R5, 92R4,
91R9, 76R6, 86R3, 90R8 and 86R6. 160m Prediction Accuracy. 160m
frequencies are rounded to 2R0 MHz to conform to VOACAPs lower
frequency limit. VOACAP 2 MHz predictions are reasonably accurate
for NVIS and short range predictions out to about 1500 km. But when
path distances are very long, VOACAP becomes less accurate at night.
At night, a residual E layer exists with a MUF usually above 2 MHz.
It is this phenomenon that permits AM broadcasts in the medium wave
bands to propagate thousands of kilometers during nighttime hours.
Sunspot numbers were 24, 29, 11, 0, 0, 0 and 0 with a mean of 9R1.
10R7 cm flux was 86R9, 83R5, 80, 79R5, 78R8, 77R6, and 77R6, with a
mean of 80R6. Estimated planetary A indices were 29, 8, 6, 3, 1, 2
and 4 with a mean of 7R6. Estimated mid latitude A indices were 15,
7, 4, 1, 0, 1 and 3, with a mean of 4R4‚

‰ End of 18 WPM transition file ‰