Low solar activity is key for good long distance MW & longwave DX, and especially so for signals traveling here via the polar route. A long time ago, I was told 3 or less is best.
NOAA has a great site that shows in graph format, solar activity over three days . As you will see when you visit the site, things are very good for lw/mw these days. http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/kp_3d.html
NOAA also has a sunrise/sunset calculator at http://www.srrb.noaa.gov/highlights/sunrise/sunrise.html. If you go to the bottom left of the page, you can click on solar calculator links and find other interesting sites.
Another site is Zip Code Central at http://www.v-soft.com/ZipSignal/default.htm. Type in the zip and it will bring up all the FM and AM stations with the field strength of the station, both nights and days in relation to the zip code you have typed in. It is up to date. The actual night signals don't necessarily reflect the strengths listed, but it is interesting and if you travel, a good way to see what frequencies are active in a city or area.
Enjoy.
NOAA has a great site that shows in graph format, solar activity over three days . As you will see when you visit the site, things are very good for lw/mw these days. http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/kp_3d.html
NOAA also has a sunrise/sunset calculator at http://www.srrb.noaa.gov/highlights/sunrise/sunrise.html. If you go to the bottom left of the page, you can click on solar calculator links and find other interesting sites.
Another site is Zip Code Central at http://www.v-soft.com/ZipSignal/default.htm. Type in the zip and it will bring up all the FM and AM stations with the field strength of the station, both nights and days in relation to the zip code you have typed in. It is up to date. The actual night signals don't necessarily reflect the strengths listed, but it is interesting and if you travel, a good way to see what frequencies are active in a city or area.
Enjoy.