Any idea why AM is opening up and not much e-skip?

[nocomradio]

I've noticed a few threads about a lack of FM e-skip (and also noted it here as well) and then the AM band as of late has been open with a few decent catches and lots of stuff under the usual regulars.

Anyone have any idea why this is? Usually this time of year the FM band is jumping around with some regularity and AM is pretty much dead. Last night and for the last few evenings, I was hearing things on nearly every AM frequency, albeit faint and sometimes unable to ID it, but still more than I'd expect this time of year.

What gives?

 

[ddsparxx]

I think it may have to do with slight auroral conditions this month and recent high solar activity. Early this morning (3 to 4 AM), I have heard unusual openings on the AM band---the Cubans were heard more clearly. WSM in Nashville, and some other big 50 kW AMs that we normally hear, came in weak. The Cuban 650 was right over WSM and the Cuban 1180 was stronger, with WHAM underneath it. How strange.

 

[crainbebo]

Last night 1500 KSJX San Jose came in like a local. There were also massive fights for signal on 1310 and 1330. Something is in the air...

-crainbebo

 

[nocomradio]

I'm glad it isn't just me then! ;D

I was listening to WSVA 550 from Harrisonburg on their 1000 Watt nightime signal like it was next door. Usually that low end of the band is D-E-A-D in the Summer months. My best listen at night in the Summer is 1140 WRVA from Richmond. Only a few other really strong blowtorches tend to come in otherwise. I had WSM for a bit a few nights ago, but Spanish was heard mixing in here too.

 

[cyberdad]

We had a power outage here for a couple of hours Sunday night.

Good excuse to fire up the old GE SupeII in a (relatively) noise free environment. I didn't notice anything too unusual here northwest of Chicago, other than some of the usuals from north of here being weak or absent. And some signals from the south barreling in. For example....WWL strong, CJBC "next door" barely audible. I think I may have also briefly snagged the 1620 from Cuba, but it was gone quickly, and I couldn't ID the bits of Spanish I was hearing.

 

[nocomradio]

Power outages........

Last week, and into the week before, there were quite a lot of power outages due to the derecho storm that rolled through here. That may have also silenced some outside interference, and its something I didn't even consider.

 

[audioguy]

What I am noticing here in SW Michigan is that the lower part of the AM band-- up to about 1200 kHz-- is very quiet at night with just a few stations coming in with strong signals. Above 1200 it seems about normal. The Chicago 50 kW clears appear to come in at daytime levels while many of the skywave signals are missing. WSM is a notable exception; they pound in like a local. By the way, they have one of the best sounding AM signals I have ever heard-- the music definitely has some sparkle.

Toward local sunrise, the skywave signals picked up again and just before dawn it sounded pretty normal. There's definitely some abnormal propagation this summer. I doubt it but could this be related to the extremely hot weather?

 

[nocomradio]

Now last night, from about 12 midnight to 1:30 AM EST, I was beginning to get some distant FM's floating in. Mostly from the Eastern Shore and Hampton Roads areas, and fairly clear for the most part. That area is anywhere from 100-200 miles from my location. This was on MY G3 Grundig and its telescoping antenna.