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What will solar cycle 25 look like?
21 February 2015 | by We now seem to be, on average, on the downward slope to the next solar minimum. Some are predicting that the next peak will be almost a non-event with the sunspot number peak of just 7. Of course no-one really knows, but I think it is true that most experts now think cycle 25 will be very poor. Conditions on LF/MF are likely to improve but decent F2 propagation on 10m is likely to be rare, except perhaps with N-S paths over the equator. What is certain is no-one is really sure. Summer Es could well be the dominant DX mode on the higher HF bands.
UPDATE 2048z: I have now gone QRT (for the night) on 10m but I will be on 160m now and overnight. Back on 10m tomorrow morning after breakfast.
3 Responses to “What will solar cycle 25 look like?”
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Sounds like it will be time for compromise antennas on 160, 60, 80/75, 40 and 30 meters. Oh and lets not forget Satellite work. More digital and CW will be used. 20 meters will be so-so and kiss off 15, 12 and 10 meters.. 6 meters will always be magic so I am not writing it off.
Ham radio will not die, it will just shift to wherever the action is. As of 1999 have assumed we are entering another grand minimum, like the Maunder Minimum. So this will be more then one cycle and a whole lot colder planet. Yes we have climate change. The only thing that can change this much climate is the Sun. Cut the con job of selling carbon credits and look at the history of the planet and the truth will be found…
That rant said, it is time for me to get more top band antennas up on my lot. I have a SGC-230 that I think will be my next 160-20 meter experimental antenna. JT-65, JT-9, PSK31/63 will be my main modes. Which is OK, because at 67 my hearing is going anyway.
2 cents and rant… Hope no one mind.. Back under my rock.
73 and have a great week-end
Harry K7ZOV
Utterly disagree with you about human caused climate change being a con job. But think you are right about going into another long-term minimum. Too bad, 20 on DX was a lot of fun in Cycles 22 and 23 (and of course the old timers talk about Cycle 19). Won’t be the end of ham radio, but it sure will hurt those of us who like simple little dipoles.
I pretty much agree with Harry’s, K7ZOV, comment. Also, CW is the main reason I was attracted to HAM Radio in the first place. And since living in an HOA antenna restricted community, my attic antennas are lacking on HF and have led me into the low power Digital modes I didn’t think I’d like. So, when SSB phone contacts are not possible I will rely on CW, FT-8, PSK31 etc.
73!