Solar effects March 6- March 21: minor to strong radio blackouts in Aviation and Maritime radio communications

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It's not my intention to take away from Y2k failure reports, but the effects of solar activity on radio transmissions in 2000 are something we should keep in mind.

Darn, I dislike being objective.....

Summary For March 6-12 - Isolated Category R1 (minor) radio blackouts occurred on March 7, 8, 11, and 12. R1 radio blackouts are normally associated with minor degradation of HF communication signals and low-frequency navigation signals for brief intervals.

Outlook for March 15-21 - Continued R1 (minor) radio blackouts are expected to continue. Isolated Category R3 (strong) and R2 (moderate) radio blackouts are possible. R3 radio blackouts are normally associated with a wide area blackout of HF communication signals with loss of radio contact for mariners and en route aviators for about an hour on the sunlit portion of Earth. In addition, R3 blackouts degrade low-frequency navigation signals for about an hour, affecting maritime and general aviation positioning.

Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA, USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services and other observatories, universities, and institutions.

Source: Earth Changes TV newsletter, http://www.earthchangesTV.com

Date: 3/14/2000 7:11:38 PM Eastern Standard Time

-- Lee Maloney (leemaloney@hotmail.com), March 15, 2000


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