[Ips-hf-warning] ASWFC HF SHORTWAVE FADEOUT WARNING issued 0721 UT on 21 Jan 2026 [SEC=OFFICIAL]

[Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre]

SUBJ: ASWFC HF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WARNING 26/14
ISSUED AT 0720UT/21 JANUARY 2026
BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE WEATHER FORECASTING CENTRE.

There are currently ten numbered sunspot regions visible on the 
solar disk, of which the most notable are AR4342, AR4345 and 
AR4341. R1-R2 level flaring is expected.

DEGRADED HF PROPAGATION CONDITIONS EXPECTED
FROM 21-23 JANUARY 2026
IF COMMS DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED TRY A HIGHER FREQUENCY BAND
_____________________________________________________________

SOLAR ACTIVITY FORECAST       HF COMMS FADEOUTS
21 Jan:  R1-R2                    Possible
22 Jan:  R1-R2                    Possible
23 Jan:  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