SFI stands for Solar Flux Index, and a value of more than 190 means that the Sun is highly active, resulting in excellent conditions for High-Frequency (HF) radio propagation (long-distance communication).
| SFI Range | Solar Activity | HF Propagation on High Bands |
| 65–70 | Solar Minimum (Low) | Very Poor |
| 100–150 | Average to Moderate | Fair to Good |
| > 190 | High/Solar Maximum | Excellent (Peak Conditions) |
“STATION DARK” is a serial gothic set in the surreal Midwest. If you like shortwave radio, small town horror, and voices in the wires, this is for you. New posts every Monday and Thursday.
Author here:
https://matthewholvey.substack.com/
Story here:
On Tuesday November 18th Club President, Gary McElroy N6BLU, finalized the donation and took possession of the Bandon CERT trailer from the Bandon Rural Fire Protection District. This donation was put forward in early July 2025, with the assistance of club members Dick & Grace Horning KI7NDL & KI7NDO.
After reaching out to Bandon RFPD Fire Chief Nick Siewell, the wheels were put in motion. After confirming legalities for a 501(c)3 transfer, an agreement between the CCRC and Bandon RFPD to transfer title to the CCRC was worked out. Soon after It was learned that the radio equipment, generator, push up masts, solar panels, and antennas that were purchased for CERT by the City of Bandon over it’s tenure may also be included in the Donation.
Thanks to Interim Bandon RFPD Chief / Bandon Public Works Supervisor Tim Lakey, and Bandon City Manager Torrey Contreras, the donation was put on the agenda for Monday November 3rd, 2025. The Bandon City Council voted unanimously to donate the radio equipment and contents of the trailer to the CCRC.
The CCRC has plans to transform this trailer and equipment into a multi operator communications platform to be utilized for the promotion of amateur radio and assist with communications during times of crisis or disaster.
This hurricane will be very devastating and long lasting.
https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/hurricane-melissa-jamaica-landfall-monday-climate
If you would like to listen to disaster communications, try the frequencies below…
Courtesy of Gary, via groups.io
From ARRL HQ
Important Notice: Emergency Frequencies — Keep Clear During Contest Weekend
As the Caribbean faces potential hurricane impacts, IARU Region 2 has activated emergency nets on the following frequencies:
40 meters: 7.198 MHz and 7.098 MHz
20 meters: 14.198 MHz
If the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) activates, they will be operating on:
14.325 MHz
7.268 MHz
The amateur radio station at the National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC, will also be monitoring the HWN frequencies for real-time weather and situation reports.
This weekend coincides with the CQ World Wide SSB Contest, one of the busiest times on the bands. All operators are urged to exercise extra vigilance and avoid transmitting on or near these emergency and hurricane watch frequencies.
These nets are providing critical communication links supporting the Caribbean Islands and affected regions. Please ensure they have clear and reliable access to designated frequencies.
In summary:
Keep clear of 7.198, 7.098, 7.268, 14.198, and 14.325 MHz
Be aware of possible emergency or health-and-welfare traffic on nearby frequencies
Operate responsibly and help maintain open frequencies for those supporting hurricane response efforts.
High Wind Warning issued October 23 at 11:13AM PDT until October 25 at 5:00PM PDT by NWS Medford OR
* WHAT…Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected.
* WHERE…Coastal and headland areas of Curry and Coos counties in addition to exposed areas on highway 101.
* WHEN…From 4 AM to 5 PM PDT Saturday.
Special Event, call K7CCH to…
Clubs across the country will be on the air for the newest operating event of the year — Club Week!
Club Week Nov 1-8
The National Amateur Radio Alliance (NARA) is proud to introduce Club Week. Running November 1–8, 2025, Club Week is all about making contacts, having great conversations, and helping new operators feel more confident on the air.
https://usnara.org/club-week.php
Club Week is a multipurpose, week-long event. While the primary goal is to contact other clubs and exchange QSL cards, this uniquely designed on-the-air event serves many additional purposes.
Folks, many things keep us away the radio. Next year, perhaps? With more preparation.
From approximately Tuesday the 14th through this morning the 20th, there were a total of 149 look-ups on QRZ.
Cool!
I snuck in about 25 or so of those QSO’s during the operating period. So thanks for playing along!
Courtessy of ARRL…
Tomorrow is ShakeOut 2025–Amateur Radio Support for USGS! On International ShakeOut Day, October 16, 2025, at 10:16 AM local time, millions of people worldwide will practice earthquake safety. After you “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” amateur radio operators have a unique role to play: supporting the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) by submitting Winlink DYFI (“Did You Feel It?”) reports. These reports provide valuable ground-truth data that helps USGS monitor and respond to earthquakes.
By sending your DYFI report via Winlink (cc: SHAKEOUT; ETO-DRILL), you are not only testing our emergency communication readiness but also contributing directly to a critical USGS data stream that informs science, emergency management, and community resilience.
LAXNORTHEAST is once again showcasing the Amateur Radio Community Intensity Map (ARCIM)—a powerful tool that visualizes Winlink DYFI reports (cc: SHAKEOUT) in near real-time. This demonstrates how amateur radio operators can rapidly transform individual reports into actionable, map-based situational awareness.
In parallel, the EmComm Training Organization (ETO) strengthens the exercise by providing its well-known message evaluation process for all reports submitted with cc: ETO-DRILL, ensuring both accuracy and readiness across the amateur radio community. View the Instructions for submitting your Winlink DYFI report. The EmComm Training Group Guide is available for background.
For more information on DYFI and earthquake science, visit the official USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Let’s show the power of amateur radio in action—support science, improve preparedness, and participate in ShakeOut 2025.
Coos County Radio Club