Extraordinary conditions here in Glen Forrest, Western Australia on 160m
today around sunrise.
I came on 160m about half an hour before sunrise (2128Z) and found a few G
signals around S4 - S6. I quickly worked G3LZQ, G4RCG, G3GLL and G3SJJ.
The G signals rapidly built in strength and increased in number and at
around 2124Z, several were hitting S9. A listen 1KHz up from XZ0A (who was
S9) produced a similar signal level from Jack VE1ZZ, who was a solid S9/S9+
at 2124Z and the loudest I have ever heard him (calling the XZ0, I think).
I could not believe how strong he was - just like a local VK6!
A quick spin of the dial showed the band absolutely chockfull of G/GW
stations, all at least S6 and some S9.
However, within a minute or two, most of these signals that had suddenly
appeared had just as quickly disappeared, leaving only the previous
stronger signals. I worked G0IVZ, GW3KDB, G4BJM, UU4JM and a final QSO
with Svein LA3XI at 2140Z. G3LZQ, G3SJJ and G0IVZ were still audible at
2146Z - 17 minutes after sunrise.
At this point, I quickly put the rig onto 80/75m and spun the dial. The
higher band was virtually dead, with only a few S2 - S3 signals.
The strength AND brevity of the major part of the opening was one of the
strangest things I have heard on 160m this year.
All signals were copied/worked on an inverted vee dipole with its apex at 90'.
Vy 73,
Steve, VK6VZ
CQ 160 - the Twilight Zone
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