How does Aurora sound?
The last two weeks have been for amateurs, who I also work on 144 MHz very interesting. Due to solar activity spots 486 the aurora borealis occurred several times – auroras also here in the middle latitudes. Because I was very interested, what will it look like on a 2m band, 29.In October, I turned on Snezka in the evening. Before that, of course, I followed the Internet and the development of the Kp index and the aurora. After Risa OM2TW recommended not to listen to the SSB calling frequency, I decided to listen around 144.100 MHz.
It was quiet for a long time, here and there some distant OM station appeared with a challenge. But no DXs. But it started late at night. Zacul som signaly, which they did not know, but only a chopped sum went in its place. It was new for me, I did not know, what's going on. Of course I had a tusak, that will probably be it. Reflection from the aurora. I watched DX cluster and I noticed, from the station, ktore udavali, that it is a connection through the aurora, udavali report 59A, 55A a pod. The place of the tone was therefore A.
The hooray. The reports are also here 55A, I hear signals reflected from the aurora, I told myself. I listened to the signals and recognized the PA signs, OZ , I 2308U 2364D, DJ, DL stations.
My equipment was not at all commendable. I only had 10 W transceiver Snezka and on the roof “antenna – don't wait” OK1KRC. I know, that this is completely impossible equipment for VKV, but at least it was enough for listening. I hardly slept the first night. All night long I listened to the connections of our stations with various DX stations. Only reports were exchanged in connections, e.g. 55A a lokatory. According to the locators, I immediately checked the distance of the stations. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to shoot with the antenna, that's why I listened to the stations mostly around 300 degrees.
The second day I barely got up for work, but the night before there was also a strong eruption, which heralded the arrival of the aurora. So in the evening I sat down again to the Internet and the radio and listened. When the aurora appeared, the signals were much stronger, ako v predosly den. When I heard the station, which sent 59+A, I couldn't do it and even with my poor morse experience I decided to call. I won't give anything for trying. When DJ3LE answered me and I heard my tag, I was almost petrified 🙂 With a shaking hand, I pulled out the report and the locator, he received his report and locator.
Nadhera, connection to 865 km through the aurora ! I know, some will find it funny. But this was my second telegraphic connection in my life.
The conditions then changed at night but around 01.00 UTC I have decided on SP2OFW, which was from me 500 km.
On the first day, I also connected a computer to the radio, and I also recorded something. If anyone would like to hear, what the station signal sounds like through the aurora, send me an email, I will send you a short instruction in mp3.
This article was written for those, who have never made a connection through the aurora, I know, to be successful, what are the 10s connected through A, maybe I'll laugh at my little attempt. But it was the first attempt and certainly not the last ! :-))
Good luck !
I work OM2AMR
