Satgen 576 The Auroral Oval 2 by GM4IHJ (BID SGEN576) 2000-04-08 Satgen 575 discussed the consequences on the received signal from RS13 when the signal path from satellite to receiving station crossed the northern auroral zone , even when the satellite was far to the south , and,also, what then happened when the satellite later overflew the edge of , entered , and then left the auroral zone. However, whilst it was possible to see vaguely similar effects as the satellite or its signal path crossed the auroral zone at the south magnetic pole . Detailed comparisons between the two zones was not possible , because of the absence of an hour by hour plot of the southern auroral zone. This swiftly changed when subsequent to the publication of Satgen 575, GM4JJJ pointed out that http://sec.noaa.gov/pmap/index.html had a feast of pictures of both polar regions, showing the extent of the aurora on successive passes of satellite NOAA 15. From which , by careful choice of plots taken in quiet Kp2 planetary magnetic index conditions. It was possible to build a series of computer plots , one every hour, of the extent of the outer edge of the southern auroral oval at the 0.1 ergs.cm^2/second contour. Recently propagation from the far south has been highly variable. So comparison of the NOAA 15 real time southern auroral zone plots, with actual RS 13 returns, have been few and far between. However , one signal at 1602z to 1609z on 4th April, did produce a normal direct signal at the anticipated doppler shift, plus a superb doppler feather. Which began as the satellite overflew and entered above the southern auroral zone, at 78S 227W. Only to die just as it came above the horizon of South Island New Zealand. What sub horizon signals have appeared from the southern hemisphere recently have followed the pattern described above , (without the doppler feather). But the signal returns are usually about 40 Hz or more in bandspread and very broken up. Quite unsuitable for even CW QSOs. In addition to which, being near the antipodeal point as seen from Scotland, these south polar zone signals have a fiercely changing azimuth as the bearing shifts from due south through east to north in just a few minutes. Making an already weak signal difficult to track. By contrast the RS13 signals over or near the northern auroral zone have been producing good sub horizon signals from the beacon. Albeit with almost no possibility of QSOs because of the unsocial hour in the area inside the satellites normal footprint. Correspondence with the NOAA auroral plots has been excellent, but it is rather annoying that results from both VK ZL, and W6, are both presently impaired by the unsociable timing of this months RS13 orbits. All the above observations have been based on what has turned out to be a very quiet month for auroral activity. This is clearly now changing with 4 auroras in the last 7 days here in Scotland. A situation which is providing lots of opportunities for checking amateur radio auroral communications both terrestrial and satellite , against the the NOAA plots on http://sec.noaa.gov/pmap/index.html