[Ips-hf-warning] ASWFC HF DEPRESSION WARNING issued 2242 UT on 09 Nov 2024 [SEC=OFFICIAL]

[Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre]

SUBJ: ASWFC HF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WARNING 24/131
ISSUED AT 2239UT/09 NOVEMBER 2024
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE WEATHER FORECASTING CENTRE.

Southern Australian region MUFs are 15-20% depressed after local 
dawn this morning. Northern Australian region MUFs are near predicted 
monthly values. Southern Australian region MUFs are expected 
to recover as the day progresses.

DEGRADED HF PROPAGATION CONDITIONS EXPECTED
FOR 10 NOVEMBER 2024 SOUTHERN AUSTRALIAN REGION ONLY.
IF COMMS DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED TRY A LOWER FREQUENCY BAND
_____________________________________________________________

HF COMMUNICATIONS FORECAST (AUSTRALIAN/NEW ZEALAND REGION)
Southern Australian Region          FREQUENCY BANDS
       T-index      MUFs        2  4  6  8 12 16 22 26
_____________________________________________________________
10 Nov:   70   -20%/normal      2  4  6  8  8 12 16 16

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