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Here is the current forecast discussion on space weather and geophysical activity, issued 2015 Mar 31 1230 UTC.

Solar Activity

24 hr Summary: Solar activity was at low levels with C-flare activity from both Regions 2303 (N18, L=065) and 2305 (S10W58, Dho/beta). The largest flare of the period was a C4 at 30/2205 from Region 2303 just beyond the NW limb. Slight decay was observed in the leading spots of Region 2315 (S20W36, Dro/beta) and the trailing spots in Region 2305. No Earth-directed coronal mass ejections were observed.

Forecast: Solar activity is likely to be at low levels with a slight chance for an isolated M-class (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) flare for day one (31 Mar). An increased chance for M-class activity is expected by days two and three (01-02 Apr) as old Regions 2302 (N12, L=189) and 2297 (S17, L=196) are expected to return.

Energetic Particle

24 hr Summary: The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels. The greater than 10 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit remained at background levels.

Forecast: The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is forecast to be at normal to moderate levels all three days (31 Mar -02 Apr) The greater than 10 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at or near background conditions (Below S1-Minor) for the forecast period.

Solar Wind

24 hr Summary: Solar wind speed at the ACE spacecraft for the majority of the period was in the mid-300 km/s range but increased to near 400 km/s after 0730 UTC. Phi was negative. Bz was at or above -4 nT and Bt was less than 7 nT through 0730 UTC when it increased to near 16 nT. The increase in activity is likely due to the onset of a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS).

Forecast: Continued enhancement of solar wind parameters is anticipated on day one (31 Mar) and remain enhanced through day three (02 Apr) as the CH HSS becomes geoeffective.

Geospace

24 hr Summary: The geomagnetic field was at quiet levels.

Forecast: Unsettled to active conditions are expected to dominate through day three (02 Apr) due to CH HSS effects. trans-equatorial high speed stream becomes geoeffective.

Don’t forget to visit our live space weather and radio propagation web site, at: http://SunSpotWatch.com/

Live Aurora mapping is at http://aurora.sunspotwatch.com/

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Amazon announced a new product today called a Dash Button. Amazon sends you a little self-stick wireless pushbutton. When you run out of a product, you just push the button and it sends a wireless signal which triggers your phone to send an order for the product.

With a little creativity, could you “re-purpose” one of these to be a wi-fi doorbell or some other kind of signaling device? A push-button wi-fi panic alarm? I’m sure it would be against the terms of service to open one up and modify it, but geeks like me wonder just what’s inside one of these little buttons.

A lot of the media are reporting that it’s a wi-fi button, but I wonder if it actually uses Bluetooth communication. Basically you press a button and the signal goes to your phone via bluebooth, and then you’re phone places an order via the Amazon app.

I wonder what it contains for a microcontroller? I expect there will be plenty more info to come once these start getting in the hands of consumers. According to their website, Amazon Prime members will be eligible receive three of them at no charge. At the moment it’s by invitation only.

What uses could you think of for a cute little wi-fi push-button transmitter?

5/11/15 Update:
http://www.amateurradio.com/inside-the-802-11bgn-amazon-dash-button/

Daily solar report: Current Sunspot Cycle 24 Activity and Space Weather

Sunspot count: Sun Spots: 56 as of 03/30/2015
10.7-cm Radio Flux: 134 SFU (SFU=Solar Flux Units)
Estimated Planetary A-index (Ap): 5 | K-index (Kp): 2

Solar Wind: 405 km/s at 16.0 protons/cm3, Bz is 2.0 nT
(Mar 31, 2015 at 1820 UT)

X-ray Solar Flares:
6h hi [C4.7][0138Z 03/30] 24h hi [C4.7][0138Z 03/30]

Background X-ray Level, Last Six Days

Mar 30 2015 :: B6.6
Mar 29 2015 :: B9.1
Mar 28 2015 :: B7.9
Mar 27 2015 :: B5.0
Mar 26 2015 :: B4.5
Mar 25 2015 :: B5.4

Global HF Propagation Conditions for 1800Z on 31 Mar, 2015
High Latitude: Fair
Middle Latitude: Normal
Low Latitude: Normal

Geomagnetic Latitude Ranges: High: 60-90 degrees, Middle: 20-60 degrees, Low: 0-20 degrees

For live data and images, visit http://SunSpotWatch.com

Get the space weather and radio propagation self-study course, today. Visit http://nw7us.us/swc for the latest sale and for more information!

This report has been prepared by your space weather and radio propagation reporter, Tomas ( amateur radio operator, NW7US, http://NW7US.us )

We’re on Facebook: http://NW7US.us/swhfr

Stories you’ll find in our April, 2015 issue:

Scanning North America’s Railroads
By Richard Fisher KI6SN
The good news for the vast majority of railroad scanners is that 95 percent of railroad communication takes place on good ol’ analog FM. So, if you have a scanner capable of covering the railroads’ 96 FCC-assigned VHF channels, you’ve already got everything you need. You’ll be known in the vernacular as a “railfan” – of the radio-operatus specie.

FT-991: Yaesu’s Latest Shack-in-the-Box
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH
The Yaesu FT-991is both a competent rig that has a feature set that will satisfy most hams. Added VHF/UHF capabilities make it a very versatile rig for many applications. Yaesu’s touch screen goes a long way to help demystify menu selections. Find out why Mark thinks the FT-991 is a perfect fit for just about any ham shack, portable and Field Day use.

Digitally Speaking: Battery Considerations for Digital Portables
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
Digital voice transceivers have more sophistication and complexity going on inside of them than similar analog FM rigs—especially when it comes to portables. That little radio in your hand, and the computer chips driving the extra features needs, additional current to keep everything going.

The Thrift Store Amateur
By Chris Friesen VE4CWF
If money has never been a problem, and you’ve always been able to buy your equipment factory fresh—congratulations—this article is not for you. If however, you have always had difficulty justifying the purchase of a new piece of station equipment, because you need your money to buy groceries, then you might find some encouragement in what Chris is writing about.

2015 Winter SWL Fest Recap
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL
Every year at the end of at the first of March for the last 28 years, the North American Shortwave Association (NASWA) has hosted its annual Winter Shortwave Listening Fest. This year saw over 100 devoted SWLers brave severe winter weather to gather in Pennsylvania to share their passion for shortwave.

Scanning America By Dan Veenaman
P25: A Tale of Two Systems

Federal Wavelengths By Chris Parris
Super Bowl XLIX Wrap-up

Utility Planet By Hugh Stegman NV6H
New Use for US Marine Channels?

Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
3G Wideband Protocols Are Arriving on HF

HF Utility Logs By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

Amateur Radio Insights By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
My Friend Ferrite: Interference Part 3

Radio 101 By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
The Art and Science of Chasing DX

Radio Propagation By Tomas Hood NW7US
More Sunspot Mysteries Revealed

The World of Shortwave Listening By Rob Wagner VK3BVW
The QSL Card – At What Cost?

The Shortwave Listener By Fred Waterer
Radio, History and Business Today

Maritime Monitoring By Ron Walsh VE3GO
Radio Surprises and Changes

The Longwave Zone By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Tuning in to Natural Radio

Adventures in Radio Restoration By Rich Post KB8TAD
The Real McCoy: A 1957 Novice Transmitter

The Broadcast Tower By Doug Smith W9WI
Stuffing 85 Channels into a 32-Channel Sack

Antenna Connections By Dan Farber AC0LW
Nothing Ventured: Understanding Antenna Gain

The Spectrum Monitor is available in PDF format which can be read on any desktop, laptop, iPad®, Kindle® Fire, or other device capable of opening a PDF file. Annual subscription (12 issues, beginning with the January 2015 issue) is $24. Individual monthly issues are available for $3 each.

Today’s graph, plotting the SESC sunspot number, the 10.7cm Radio Flux, and the Estimated Planetary A Index, for the last 30 days.

The numbers are:

Date | Sunspots | 10.7-cm Flux | Ap

==========================================
2015/03/30 | 56 | 134 | 5
2015/03/29 | 73 | 145 | 14
2015/03/28 | 82 | 146 | 9
2015/03/27 | 109 | 138 | 9
2015/03/26 | 103 | 136 | 8
2015/03/25 | 115 | 138 | 13
2015/03/24 | 127 | 133 | 12
2015/03/23 | 119 | 128 | 21
2015/03/22 | 88 | 122 | 24
2015/03/21 | 40 | 114 | 14
2015/03/20 | 27 | 113 | 24
2015/03/19 | 71 | 109 | 28
2015/03/18 | 44 | 115 | 52
2015/03/17 | 60 | 114 | 117
2015/03/16 | 57 | 117 | 11
2015/03/12 | 56 | 127 | 8
2015/03/11 | 42 | 132 | 9
2015/03/10 | 42 | 121 | 5
2015/03/09 | 29 | 123 | 6
2015/03/08 | 23 | 124 | 11
2015/03/07 | 20 | 138 | 20
2015/03/06 | 37 | 127 | 13
2015/03/05 | 31 | 130 | 6
2015/03/04 | 43 | 124 | 10
2015/03/03 | 38 | 125 | 11
2015/03/02 | 65 | 130 | 28
For complete live data and images visit http://SunSpotWatch.com

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As Steve announced a week ago, CLE192 was a special NAVTEX edition. I like NAVTEX for several reasons. It’s an open format, easily decodable and messages are mostly in plain English. Then it’s just like fishing with a fish pod: you can leave your setup on over night and in the morning see what nice DX you have caught.

Normally I use the FRISNIT software for decoding NAVTEX. It’s plain and simple and messages are stored in plain text files. This time I tried YaND (Yet another NAVTEX Decoder) and found it to be better in decoding weak signals than FRISNIT. I don’t like the interface and message handling, but those are minor issues.

Here is my list of catches:

YYYYMMDD HHMM KHz ID CALL STATION,COUNTRY DIST (Km)
—————————————————————-
20150327 1604 518 $13A UIK Vladivostok,RSE 2377
20150327 1656 518 $11F HAS Bangkok (Nonthaburi),THA 2525
20150327 1700 518 $11G JNB Naha ,JPN 723
20150328 1500 518 $11H JNR Moji,JPN 1359
20150327 1507 518 $11I JGC Yokohama ,JPN 2199
20150330 1737 518 $11J JNL Otaru ,JPN 2730
20150326 1519 518 $11K JNX Kushiro ,JPN 3010
20150327 1812 518 $11N XSQ Guangzhou,CHN 773
20150330 2218 518 $11O XSL Foochow ,CHN 235
20150327 2234 518 $11P XSX Keelung,TWN 1600
20150328 1053 518 $11Q XSG Shanghai ,CHN 704
20150327 1901 518 $11R XSZ Dalian ,CHN 1656
20150330 2150 518 $11L VRX Hong Kong, HKG 0
20150327 1801 518 $11M XSI Sanya, CHN 0
20150330 1900 518 $11S XSV Tianjin, CHN 0
20150328 1613 518 $11U 9MG Penang, MLA (tent.) 0
20150326 1933 518 $11V HL.. CHUKPYONG, KOR 0
20150329 1942 518 $11W HL.. PYONGSAN, KOR 0
20150327 1740 518 $11K JNX Kushiro 0
20150327 2140 518 $11K XVT, Da Nang Radio (tent.) 0

The catches with 0 km distance were not automatically identified by YaND and the two tentative catches were identified by the content of the message, so 99% sure it was them.

The last reason I like NAVTEX is the content being broadcast. It provides a window on a world that most of us don’t know much about. Most messages are warnings about military exercises, weather reports and changes in locations of buoys, etc. But occasionally you see distress messages and then you realize how much hardship and suffering there is out at sea and how mighty it is. I’ll leave you with two of those messages from the last few days. 73

—–

2015-03-28 13:20:15> ZCZC ID86
2015-03-28 13:20:19> 281320 UTC MAR 15
2015-03-28 13:20:21> OVERBOARD NO.141
2015-03-28 13:20:26> ONE PASSENGER FELL OVERBOARD FROM
2015-03-28 13:20:33> FERRY ISHIKARI ALONG TRACKLINE BETWEEN
2015-03-28 13:20:36> NAGOYA PORT AT 261000UTC
2015-03-28 13:20:41> AND SENDAI PORT AT 270740UTC OR
2015-03-28 13:20:46> SENDAI PORT AT 271040UTC AND
2015-03-28 13:20:51> TOMAKOMAI PORT AT 280200UTC.
2015-03-28 13:20:57> SHIPS ARE REQUESTED TO REPORT ANY
2015-03-28 13:21:03> INFORMATION TO 1TH REGIONAL JAPAN COAST
2015-03-28 13:21:08> GUARD. PHONE 81-134-276172.
2015-03-28 13:21:09> NNNN

2015-03-27 17:40:15> ZCZC KD57
2015-03-27 17:40:18> 271740 UTC MAR 15
2015-03-27 17:40:20> CAPSIZE NO.139
2015-03-27 17:40:27> TUGBOAT CAPSIZED IN 41-45N 140-44E
2015-03-27 17:40:30> AT 270610UTC.
2015-03-27 17:40:33> CREW WENT MISSING.
2015-03-27 17:40:39> SHIPS IN THE VICINITY ARE REQUESTED TO
2015-03-27 17:40:46> KEEP A SHARP LOOKOUT AND REPORT ANY
2015-03-27 17:40:52> INFORMATION TO 1ST REGIONAL JAPAN COAST
2015-03-27 17:40:56> GUARD. PHONE 81-13427-6172.
2015-03-27 17:40:57> NNNN

Many places in the world, low power transmitters in the medium wave band are allowed. I am talking about regulations like in the US where FCC part 15 allows up to 100 mW input.

In Norway we have a particular permission for members of the Norwegian Radio Historic Society to transmit up to 500 mW on 216 kHz. I’m not sure if this is output or input power. The permission is meant to cover a collection of historic radios. The frequency is the one used by the main transmitter north of Oslo from 1954-1995 running 200 kW. The frequency is still allocated to Norway, so I guess that is why we may use it this way.

I grew up close to this transmitter and have fond memories of my first homemade crystal set receiving this station.

There are several low power transmitters around that can be purchased, but most of them only cover the mediumwave band and not longwave (153-279 kHz). Further they are quite complicated as the frequency necessarily has to be user settable.

I looked for a simpler way to make a single-frequency transmitter and found that the function generator chip XR-2206 which I happened to have in my junk box could both generate this frequency and do the amplitude modulation. The RC-oscillator seems to be stable enough for this low frequency although I haven’t tested this much.

Here are the first results with images of the circuit on a Veroboard and the oscilloscope picture of the modulation with my Tandberg TP41 70’s radio on top of it listening to Dire Straits from Spotify streaming over longwave.

The circuit has very little output power, lacks antenna tuning and harmonic filtering, so there is room for improvement, but at least it works.

Too bad that the XR-2206 is obsolete and not recommended for new development!