[Ips-hf-warning] ASWFC HF SHORTWAVE FADEOUT WARNING issued 2237 UT on 21 Apr 2024 [SEC=OFFICIAL]

[rwc]

SUBJ: ASWFC HF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WARNING 24/40
ISSUED AT 2236UT/21 APRIL 2024
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE WEATHER FORECASTING CENTRE.

There is a complex cluster of sunspots in the southwestern solar 
hemisphere with the potential for producing R1-R2 level solar 
flares.

DEGRADED HF PROPAGATION CONDITIONS EXPECTED
FROM 22-24 APRIL 2024
IF COMMS DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED TRY A HIGHER FREQUENCY BAND
_____________________________________________________________

SOLAR ACTIVITY FORECAST       HF COMMS FADEOUTS
22 Apr:  R1-R2                Possible
23 Apr:  R1-R2                Possible
24 Apr:  R1-R2                Possible

Note:
An ASWFC MUF depression HF Warning and ASWFC 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