“Solar Cycle 25 has begun. During a media event on Tuesday, experts from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) discussed their analysis and predictions about the new solar cycle – and how the coming upswing in space weather will impact our lives and technology on Earth, as well as astronauts in space.” — NASA
While people might think of some negative impact or other, to Amateur Radio Operators it’s a good thing. The greater the number of sunspots, the better radio waves propagate in the High Frequency (HF) bands.
The sunspot maximum is predicted for July 2025, according to the Press Release.
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It was during the minimum sunspot activity of Solar Cycle 21 that I was licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and given the call sign N6BVZ. While learning Morse Code for the exam, I built a low-power transceiver—a HeathKit HW-8. I set up a vertical antenna on top of my trailer. I listened a lot as I waited.
When my license came in the mail, I got on the air. I had no idea the bands were not suppose to be good, that it would be hard to make any contacts. I tuned around on a band that had some noise on it, indicating that some activity might be present.
Finally the moment came. A fellow in Texas was sending CQ (which is an invitation to anyone to answer and “talk.” Talk meant using Morse Code and a key to send dits and dots. My speed then was about 5+ words per minute.
I didn’t hesitate to send my call. I heard him reply with my call. He’d heard me. The signal was a bit off from where I was tuned, and I started to retune as I readied to reply. Calamity! I managed to slip and push the dial way off. I tried to get back to the spot, but couldn’t find him again.
After a bit I found another station calling CQ, answered, and we had a short QSO (conversation or contact). Despite my initial blunder, I got off to a pretty good start, making a lot of contacts over the next few years.
Eventually the Solar Cycle got really good, as it hit maximum. I made contacts in Europe and even Australia, as well as all over the United States.
Those first years were my best years in Ham Radio (a nickname for Amateur Radio).
L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
JonahzSong 
Very interesting. By the way, although I am not a ham operator, I do know morse code. At one time I was around 25 wpm (or do I remember that correctly?) Anyway, good to know another CODE Christian! K
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I’d love to hear your story of learning code. 25wpm is a nice, crisp speed. At my peak, I was able copy 100% at 18wpm; that was my plateau. I didn’t operate CW (using morse code) for many years, and got very rusty. Recently I got the bug again and started code practice listening to sessions on YouTube. After a month I am back to about 90% copy at 15 wpm. I’ll get back on the air soon, I think. First I need to get the kinks out of my sending, my fist, as it’s referred to.
If you find yourself interested in Ham Radio, the tests now are given by local Amateur Radio Operators, and no code test is required. There are several Bible Study Nets (voice modes) still on the air, too, and a good number of Christians. More Christians on the air means more fellowship on the air. There are also a lot more people just listening to short wave stations, including listening to hams.
Have a great weekend.
L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine . . .
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