Is is now becoming hard to doubt we are finally seeing the true ramp-up of Solar Cycle 24 activity.

Decimating the prior cycle 24 highs, the current Sunspot Number of 71 and the 10.7cm solar flux is 94. 

There is presently three named sunspot groups on the Earth-facing side of the solar disk, including the robust Sunspot 1045.  1045 has also been responsibly for the most most intense solar flares of cycle 24 (M6).

Image from SOHO

I wanted to take a moment to talk about my radio and panoramic adapter setup. 

I have a Yaesu FT-2000.  It is a wonderful radio alone, but like many radios its operation can be enhanced by a external panoramic adapter.  Yaesu offers the DMU-2000 option which provides a panoramic adapter, but RF Space, a third party supplier provides a superior product in my opinion. 

My FT-2000 is fitted with a RF Space IF-2000 which provides an IF output.  The IF output is then fed into the RF Space SDR-IQ.  The SDR-IQ can then be connected to your computer via USB to provide an incredibly high resolution, very fast panoramic adapter when used with the SpectraVue software. 

This is a wonderful tool, allowing you to visually search the bands, easily picking out signals to work.  It can be a tremendous asset in contest environments to hunt and pounce signals very fast. 

It is also very useful for finding signals in the often barren spaces between the ham bands. 

The system allows you to display up to 190khz of RF at one time and easily click to tune on any desired signal.  It even allows you to record up to 190khz of data to play back later and tune around within the recorded segment of that band!

I have found this to be a very useful addition to the FT-2000 and would recommend it for anyone looking for a high-resolution, fast-refresh panoramic adapter.

The IF-2000 is now approved for use on the FT-950.

Here is N4IP giving a demo of the same system I am using.

Here is a screen capture of 40m a few minutes ago from the SpectraVue software I am using.  It looks really great on my 27" 1920x1200 monitor. 

2010 has been a very active year so far.  We have only had two spotless days as of this writing.  

The solar disk currently has the 1043 and 1044 named sunspot groups, and as of last night a new, unnamed sunspot group of robust size and potential has emerged.  It has reportedly already released an M-class solar flare.  Expect this group to be named shortly and contribute to an ever-improving ramp up to solar cycle 24. 

Image from SOHO

Sunspot 1039 is hanging tough as it spins toward the Earth facing side again. It is soon to be renamed 1041.

1039 has one last hurrah as it emitted a M2 solar flare on Jan 19th. This is the largest solar flare in nearly two years.