CB radio: Is it over and out?

[BJ radionut]

http://solarcyclescience.com/forecasts.html

We are currently entering the "minimum" between Solar Cycles 24 and 25.
This doesn't mean that there won't be any HF propagation.

It means that the flavor of HF propagation is changing:
= Above 15 MHz daytime DX openings will be rare and shorter duration
= Below 11 MHz regional coverage will remain fairly good
= Below 11 MHz night DX will be still be possible
= Below 6.5 MHz will be needed for daytime NVIS/local coverage
= Below 3 MHz will be needed for night NVIS/local/regional coverage

Minimum will last about 4 or 5 years.
This means, we should start to see some positive change to DX openings above 15 MHz around April 2024 or October 2024, approximately 6 years from now.
To those nah-say'ers the propagation your seeing now is Early Summer Eskip...by Mid August this will diminish rapidly. Then a smaller peak, near the Winter solstice
So don't get your hopes up.
I don't call anything CONUS...DX...if you do FB...but don't expect much else, as these groups have been pretty much dead-on the last 4 or 5 cycles.
All the Best
Gary

 

[kaos513]

Last night i finally had skip on channel 27

 

[Onelasttime]

I agree with 399, CB used to be local talk but no more. On channel 28, the DX conditions have been hot and cold.....but when hot it is really strong.
The way things are evolving, it might be pointless to have a vertical beam.

I always liked both local talk and DX'ing.

 

[sunbulls]

Yesterday morning I worked 6 states within 30 minutes on AM with 4 watts. Sometimes I enjoy the challenge of QRP AM, although SSB is my main mode. The point is, in order to keep my interests alive I never focus on just one aspect of the hobby. By constantly rotating, bands, modes, antennas, repair work or restorations, I never get bored. The biggest plus side to the “jack of all trades” concept is the fact that you never stop learning.

 

[jon666]

i enjoy to see how far i can reach. with minimal power
more of a challenge.

 

[Unit 194]

I always liked both local talk and DX'ing.

I consider that "the best of both worlds".