Transmitter techs are keeping a watchful eye on the Sun — it’s currently in a solar cycle and feeling a little restless. Solar cycles are recurring patterns of solar activity that last approximately 11 years. They feature changes in the Sun’s magnetic field, sunspots, solar flares, and other solar phenomena that can impact electromagnetic radiation here on Earth.
The solar cycle inspires the cover of Gayle Van Horn’s latest edition of the Global Radio Guide. In it, she explains why radio hobbyists are excited at the impacts of the Sun’s increased activity on the radio spectrum. “From enhanced propagation on the higher frequency shortwave bands to more frequent auroral activity on mediumwave and even hobbyists tuning in to the ionosphere itself through ‘natural radio,’ Solar Cycle 25 is proving to be quite the motivator for radio hobbyists to reach for their radios,” says Van Horn.
In the latest edition, Larry Van Horn explains what the increased solar activity means for radio listeners on the high-frequency shortwave bands. Think there are no shortwave broadcasters left to hear? Think that military and other utility communications have dried up on HF? Larry points you to the right spots on the band that prove otherwise.
Monitoring the hotspots
With the help of the GRG, you can take advantage of this enhanced propagation to tune in to shortwave broadcast stations from global hotspots such as China, Cuba, India, Iran, North and South Korea, and many other counties. If you have a shortwave radio receiver, SDR or Internet connection, pair it with this unique radio resource to know when and where to listen to the world.
This newest edition of the GRG carries on the tradition of an in-depth, 24-hour station/frequency guide with schedules for selected mediumwave, longwave, and shortwave radio stations. This unique resource is the only radio publication that lists by-hour schedules that include all language services, frequencies, and world target areas for over 500 stations worldwide.
“You can even tune in to the ionosphere itself as solar energy interacts and bends our magnetosphere through the wonders of very low frequency ‘natural radio,'” adds Gayle. “You can learn about sferics, tweeks, whistlers and the magical dawn’s chorus and how you can listen in with your own ears!” A little further up the band, mediumwave frequencies are alive with signals from the tropics. Mediumwave signals from the tropical region become enhanced with each dip of the auroral field closer to the equator.
Whether you monitor shortwave radio broadcasts, mediumwave, amateur radio operators, or aeronautical, maritime, government, or military communications in the HF radio spectrum, this book has the information you need to help you to hear it all.
You can find a print edition of the “Global Radio Guide” here. An e-book version is also available on Amazon.