I as a Radio Amateur (Ham) look at the sun's activities most every day. The sun effects radio waves here on earth and this effects my communication activities. The solar cycle runs on a 11 year cycle. In the 1990s it was not uncommon to see the reading (flux) of over 200. The same was true in the 2000s but now in the peak year of a 11 year cycle of 2012 - 2013 it hovers most days just over 100. When the flux reading is 175 to 200 I can expect to communicate to all parts of the world with very little power (watts from the transmitter) on the 14 Mhz. band (20 meters) With the flux count of 100 14 Mhz. drops dead at slightly after sunset. If I want to talk to Europe or the Pacific I must lower the transmitter frequency down to the 7 Mhz. band and use very high power (1000 watts). So what is going on with the sun ? See if you can find the answer on
Google.
Above chart from:
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2011/jun/30/whats-going-on-with-the-sun
