The Joys of Fall

The Joys of Fall

Finally after a long and torrid summer once again Fall is on the horizon. for those of you who are participants in the world of High Frequency communication that means one thing. the return to lower noise conditions across the radio spectrum. You see, Spring and Summer march hand in hand with the development of Thunderstorms. Thunderstorms of course breed lightning. 

One of the things we enjoy about the high frequency shortwave bands is propagation of long distance signals. There's a 'bummer' that goes along with that effect. Lightning is in simple terms broad spectrum impulse noise of tremendous power. That means when it's summer in the northern latitudes we are treated to the crash and static generated by thunderstorms thousands many thousands of miles away. this results in the ambient noise level a.k.a. noise floor having a much higher level which tends to mask signals normally heard. 

Over the last several months I've watch the noise floor gradually sink on average 8 to 10db a significant amount where signals are now beginning to peak above the weeds so to speak.

Thankfully as we head further into Fall signals that were buried under the noise are now returning which allows my fellow travelers the opportunity to visit with friends on either coast with ease.

I've always said the best radio time of the year is December 26th at 12am local time. If there's no snow static (yes that's a thing) we enjoy transcontinental communication with ease making for the oft sought after "Arm Chair Copy". So bring on Fall, we're ready in the northern hemisphere for sure..

Until next time, best DX and 73 from North Texas.