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(PhysOrg.com) -- Sunspot formation is triggered by a magnetic field, which scientists say is steadily declining. They predict that by 2016 there may be no remaining sunspots, and the sun may stay spotless for several decades.

The last time the sunspots disappeared altogether was in the 17th and 18th century, and coincided with a lengthy cool period on the planet known as the Little Ice Age....and lasted 400 years.

The worst, 10 and 6 meter DX will suck. I remember in the solar maxes of 1979 and 1989, I've had CB radio (11 meters, just below 10 meters) contacts as far as a few thousands of miles. During the Maunder Minimum, it is theorized that daytime communications on the shortwave bands was almost non-existant and only occurs at night on a much lower frequency like 80/75 meters (3500 to 4000 Kc), maybe a little higher perhaps. Unless there is a satellite relay system, if you fly or go by boat on international travel, you'd be on your own. If someone gets sick or you lose an engine as your 707 flies across the oceans, you have to deal with it on your own. Back in the day, there was a requirement that some stewardesses had to me trained as nurses in case if the former happened, you might see that again (or maybe a nurse practitioner) if this happens.

I wonder how worse it will be if the poles flip. There is supposed to be a time of fluctuation where the electromagnetic field is at its weakest and things that usually bounce off just come on down. could be how the Biblical meteors make it here. Fun to think about so I upgraded my tin foil hat last summer.

“The worst, 10 and 6 meter DX will suck. I remember in the solar maxes of 1979 and 1989, I’ve had CB radio (11 meters, just below 10 meters) contacts as far as a few thousands of miles. “

From the links below it seems solar flares and CME’s can either enhance radio communication, or make it much worse, or both at slightly different times for the same event.

http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/propagation/ionospheric/solar-flares.php

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsolar-center.stanford.edu%2FSID%2Fdocs%2Feffect-of-flares.doc&ei=NM5XVKemINfqoASS3YLQCA&usg=AFQjCNFXTg3XhQNWxR-_skHF71r2riJLXA&bvm=bv.78677474,d.cGE