Amateur Radio 2 Meter Auroral Communication | Bouncing Signals Of The Aurora!

The sun sent a LOT of energy our way and the resulting aurora was perfect for amateur radio operators to communicate! This video will show examples of amateur radio 2 meter communication by bouncing signals off the aurora. It's a great way to fill in holes in your grid map!
This was recorded during the aurora of May 10, 2024.
Two resources to help you predict aurora on the amateur radio bands are:
www.swpc.noaa.gov/
www.spaceweatherlive.com
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[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

If you're a ham, the aurora sure added some excitement for a few evenings! I hope you got in on the action!

[@granitebuilt5836]

Fascinating the possibilities with ham radio!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I love the challenge of making contacts with different forms of propagation. It is always a fun hobby! Thanks for stopping by to watch and comment! Cheers!

[@brycewiborg8095]

I had a cheap Radio Shack Radio circa 1980s. Thanks for taking me back.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Were you (or are you) a ham? It's a wonderful hobby! Hope your chicken is on the mend! Cheers Bryce!

[@brycewiborg8095]

​@TheOldSwedesFarm Was. I have a friend who still is. For a cheap radio the Radio Shack did alright.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@brycewiborg8095 I had an old Realistic receiver in the 80's too. Used it for shortwave listening. It performed pretty well. Take care Bryce!

[@northerngirlhobbies]

Great demo Rich. I enjoy these ham teachings.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

You need to get that license. We could've talked off the AU on 144 MHz. Let me know how I can help!

[@northerngirlhobbies]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm I know. You can come and do my garden work, that would be a huge help! 😉

[@elfnetdesigns702]

This effected higher into the 155 - 158 MHz VHF hi band cause 2 of our remaining analog community repeaters were keying up on an active PL and passing audio from some businesses that were not in our coverage footprint. Thing is we are not using Yagi antennas either, Just the ole 20 foot folded dipole masts for VHF Hi band

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I know there was enough energy to have aurora on 222 & 432 MHz. It must've been strong for folded dipoles to work! Great report!

[@PetersonFarmsofNashvillePFON]

Pretty Scenery 👍 Somewhat Concerning but maybe for nothing? I’m sure it’s exciting for you Ham Guys Have fun with it and thanks for the video 😃

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The aurora was fantastic. I hope you caught the northern lights. Friday night was incredible. The radio sure was fun on the higher frequencies. It's always fun to find ways to communicate further! Cheers Phil!

[@janiceemery2008]

That is very interesting. Thank you for sharing. Amazing how the radio signal interacts with the curtain of the auroral. Thank you again.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It is a fun hobby and I love using all the different means of communicating. Thanks for watching Janice!

[@janiceemery2008]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm I hope that one day, I can actually have a multi ham radio setup so that, I can access different bands I agree with you, digital is not ham radio but, that is an individual thing. I know you suggested different antennas to get started but, I decided to buy the Cushcraft HV-4E which looked like a good antenna, I just got it yesterday. I know that MFJ is going out of business, but I thought this antenna was good for the price. I am still in the process of learning CW and with time I will get there. Thank you Rich for sharing your ham radio experiences.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@janiceemery2008 Looks like a good antenna for 10-40M. Get as many radials as you can under it. It'll really help it perform. If you have questions, let me know. Are you already licensed? Not sure if I had asked that before. Where are you located? 73!

[@janiceemery2008]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Yes Rich, I have my extra license and I am located in SC. I still haven’t been able to get my radio back up and running but plan to very soon. Thank you and 73. Still trying to learn all this radio stuff.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@janiceemery2008 Congrats! When you get operational, let me know. We can meet on 20 meters. I used to get to SC each month for business. Loved Columbia! Take care!

[@waakca]

Great video!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thank you! It's a great hobby and fun to share with everyone! Cheers!

[@LittleHomesteadOnHinerPond]

Are the raspy tones from the aurora affecting someone’s the sound of someone’s voice? Are these distances very rare normally?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

These are very rare distances. Normally I can talk out to about 250 miles. This is 144 MHz, so it's higher than your FM radio. It'd be like hearing an FM station from 700 miles. The raspy tone is just the signal bouncing off the uneven curtain of the aurora. So much fun for us hams!

[@will2dmax1]

What does that do to CB signals, does that create skip, and hearing people far away.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Most of the HF signals are soaked up by all the absorption of the aurora. I would assume that CB would be useless. I head very few signals on any of the HF frequencies on Saturday. It really was a strong aurora!

[@user-cx5ue4wf3c]

Interesting information Thanks everyone

[@reedreamer9518]

Is this technically "backscatter"?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I guess you could call it that. You're both pointing at a scattering point and using it to communicate. It's such a weird scattering point due to the movement within the auroral cloud. It's so much fun! Thanks for stopping by to watch!

[@reedreamer9518]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Okay, thanks! Can you tell me what frequencies I can expect to hear aurora voice and CW on 2m and 6m?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@reedreamer9518 On 6M, listen for CW below 50.100 and listen for SSB from 50.125 (and up). On 2M, listen for CW and SSB on 144.200 (+/-). Point your antenna north/northeast. Let me know how you do. There might be more aurora later this week.

[@reedreamer9518]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Okay, thanks! I guess there isn't a special aurora calling frequency - lol. I've got a 6m dipole and I'm gonna set up my 10 element 2m Yagi and point it magnetic north. I'll let you know.

[@AnneHeyns]

very interesting thanks for sharing

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for stopping by to watch! It was a fun night! Cheers Anne!