[Ips-hf-warning] ASWFC HF SHORTWAVE FADEOUT WARNING issued 0732 UT on 25 Dec 2022 [SEC=OFFICIAL]

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SUBJ: ASWFC HF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WARNING 22/103
ISSUED AT 0732UT/25 DECEMBER 2022
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE WEATHER FORECASTING CENTRE.

Sunspot region AR3169 has grown in complexity has has increased 
solar flare potential.

DEGRADED HF PROPAGATION CONDITIONS EXPECTED
FROM 25-26 DECEMBER 2022
IF COMMS DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED TRY A HIGHER FREQUENCY BAND
_____________________________________________________________

SOLAR ACTIVITY FORECAST       HF COMMS FADEOUTS
25 Dec:  R0-R1, chance R2     Possible
26 Dec:  R0-R1, chance R2     Possible

Note:
An SWS MUF depression HF Warning and SWS shortwave fadeout 
HF Warning are both current. Shortwave fadeouts degrade 
lower shortwave radio frequencies first (through increased 
ionospheric absorption) and the usual strategy during shortwave 
fadeouts is to try a higher frequency. In contrast, during 
periods of ionospheric MUF depression, the upper frequencies 
are degraded first and the usual strategy is to use a 
lower frequency. 

In general use a lower frequency if you are having trouble
with your normal workable frequency.

If a shortwave fadeout occurs during a period when ionospheric 
MUFs are depressed the available HF bandwidth will be "squeezed", 
with increased absorption raising the lowest usable frequency 
and the ionospheric depression lowering the highest usable 
frequency. Under such conditions it is suggested that the 
HF communicator operates on the highest usable frequency, 
even though this may well be in fact lower than what is normally 
supported for that particular circuit.

Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre
Bureau of Meteorology
ASWFC at bom.gov.au
www.bom.gov.au | www.sws.bom.gov.au