[amsat-bb] What influences LEO propagation?

[Hans BX2ABT]

The last couple of days the Fox birds haven't been coming in as well as 
before. Signal strengths are down, fading has increased and it is almost 
impossible for me to open them. Now the sporadic E season also has 
kicked off in the last few days, with increased activity here in east 
Asia. Is this a coincidence or do the two have a connection? And are 
there other factors that influence LEO propagation? I know satellite 
tumbling is one factor that causes fades, but are there also ionospheric 
or atmospheric influences? Thanks for the insight. 73 de Hans (BX2ABT)