During the first half of the year 2001 solar activity has been at or near its peak.  Although just a few sunspots can be observed during the solar minimums, enormous number of sunspots appear during the solar peaks .  The plot below displays the number of sunspots as a function of yearly observations, clearly showing the eleven year cycles.  The previous peak occurred in 1989.  Currently we are in the next 2000/2001 maximum region.

Sunspots activities are associated with spectacular solar flares, bursts, sending billion tons of particles and charged protons toward the earth, nearly at the speed of light.  Penetrating the earth's atmosphere, the results can be devastating.

1. Human beings may suffer from dangerous radiation.  The crews and passengers of high flying airplanes ( The CONCORD) are especially vulnerable!
2. Short-wave radio communication becomes unreliable.
3. Solar activity can double or triple the occurrences and severity of co-channel interference, while competing DBS services send crystal clear over-the-air  TV broadcast pictures.

When severe co-channel interference strikes due to solar activity, every head-end engineer must be prepared for fast and efficient interference identification.  Missing the needed information?  The list of potential offenders, the dramatic co-channel signal direction sheets are available at incredible speed and accuracy.  Actually, the interference information should be permanently posted on the head-end wall.

A prime example is the situation in STROUDSBURG, Pa.  Located 63 air miles north of Philadelphia, and 64 air miles west of New York City, the VHF pictures are exposed to co-channel interference even under normal wave propagation conditions.  On the other hand the peak solar activity can critically increase the intensity of the interference.  The Channel 2 through  Channel 6 co-channel signal direction sheets, presented below, can become very handy when the head-end engineer is pressed for information and quick action.

CHANNEL 2 CO-CHANNEL SIGNAL DIRECTION SHEET

CHANNEL 3 CO-CHANNEL SIGNAL DIRECTION SHEET

CHANNEL 4 CO-CHANNEL SIGNAL DIRECTION SHEET

CHANNEL 5 CO-CHANNEL SIGNAL DIRECTION SHEET

CHANNEL 6 CO-CHANNEL SIGNAL DIRECTION SHEET

CHANNEL 13 CO-CHANNEL SIGNAL DIRECTION SHEET

For emergency co-channel interference engineering services:
Call: (609) 883-9866
E-mail: steven@biroengineering.com
Web site: www.biroengineering.com

Biro Engineering
P.O.BOX 2175
PRINCETON, N.J. 08543