[The Architect]

Is this true?

Between the years of 2011 - 2013, the Sun Spot Cycle will peak again and long range communications will be possible with very little radio transmitter power. During these times CB radio communications can be hundred or thousands of miles, with only 5 watts of power.

 

[cas]

It will just mean more skip, which isn't necessarily a good thing.

 

[guyver0313]

Actually, given the radio frequency associated with solar radiation, most, if not all communications can be shut down. So, usually, this is when we lose stuff like Direct TV and such. I deal with things like wave form propagation and satellite telecommunications everyday at work. You should read the explanation for why rain hurts Dish Network and such.

 

[The Architect]

Wait now your opening another can of beans.

Will my DirecTV be effected from this?

 

[_]

 

[The Architect]

Seriously, lets discuss this..

 

[hydtguy]

The wife works in pc board design mostly space systems (big birds that look down),and com sats. The mil birds are hardened, but all bets are off when you have that much energy. We haven't had a big event (direct hit from a big flare) in so long, no one knows if we will still have an electrical grid left let alone communication. We have been in a very quiet cycle with sun spots and flares,as for when the sun will become active, its a cycle, but its just a best guess.

PS. Sig love the hat

 

[Sparkz]

Is this true?

Between the years of 2011 - 2013, the Sun Spot Cycle will peak again and long range communications will be possible with very little radio transmitter power. During these times CB radio communications can be hundred or thousands of miles, with only 5 watts of power.

Actually the peak is predicted to be around 2014. The cycle usually lasts 11 years.

You're correct about being able to use very little power to transmit vast distances. In fact, depending upon the frequency you use, like those used by CB radio, you can literally transmit across the globe on as little as 5 watts. The real problem is that everyone else can do the same thing causing huge interference problems. Directional "Beam" antenna's can help minimize some of the interference. That's another reason Ham Radio is "better" than CB. It's much more disiplined, it has far more frequency choices, and several more ways to actually transmit a signal.

This is a chart from Nasa that shows their prediction for the upcoming cycle. As you can see they are predicting a lower number for this cycle than in the past.

 

[milspecnsn]

"America's power supply is primed for an end-of-days blackout"

How it Could Happen:

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2009/08/survival/power-grid

 

[The Architect]

WOW.

 

[Doc T]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MIL2132-1.html

hope everyone has them with the converter hardware!

 

[bobtorre]

El Guapo Can be anywhere and still communicate to Santa Poco...

muy bueno... Si!