160 conditions are down for everyone Bob, since sunspots and
MUF are up.
Even north-south paths, far from any aurora oval, are very poor this
year compared to last. I've seen this repeat through three sunspot
cycles now.
Compounding the problem, many stations abandon 160 when
higher bands are open. There is less activity, and so there often is
no one at the other end to work.
This dreaded solar maximum will be over soon, and things will be
back to normal in a few years.
73, Tom W8JI
w8ji@contesting.com
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