ad7i (05/13/82)
qst de ad7i pr propagation forecast bulletin nr 19 from arrl headquarters newington ct may 10, 1982 to all radio amateurs bt the solar flux was 150 or lower daily april 30 through may 8, the longest such low in several years. combined with above average geomagnetic activity and normal seasonal changes, this made for generally pooc dx conditions in early may. geomagnetic activity dropped to more favtrable levels after may 6, bringing much improved propagation through may 8. higher geomagnetic activity is expected to degrade high level propagation may 9 and 10, but dx conditions should improve may 11 to 13. the solar flux is likely to be higher this week but it will not be a major propagation factor. the flux has been 186 or lower for 39 days, but this is not a unique drop in solar activity and an almost identical low came in may and june of last year. american sunspot numbers for april 29 through may 5 were between 101 and 53, with a mean of 69.4. these are the lowest numbers since june of last year ar