It was certainly a great opening between VK6 and my QTH (at W1FV). As Steve
indicated, we had been trying to make a LP QSO for a number of years. In
the past I had heard him a few times but it was marginal and we were never
able to connect for a two-way. This time it was easy.
Steve's e-mail indicates his SR was 2114Z. My sunset was 2130Z, so based on
SS/SR times there was no common darkness between Steve and myself. In fact,
I'm not sure there is much, if any, common darkness between VK6 and W1 at
any time of year to make LP QSO's, so that helps explain why this path is
not a common occurrence on 160, even though it does occur regularly on 80.
It's even more difficult for other parts of the USA because at this time of
year, W1 land has the earliest sunsets in the country. I continued to copy
Steve for about 15 minutes after our QSO, meaning the opening lasted about
30 minutes past Steve's SR.
73, John W1FV
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Ireland < <mailto:vk6vz@arach.net.au> vk6vz@arach.net.au>
To: Topband reflector < <mailto:topband@contesting.com>
topband@contesting.com>
Cc: Phil Hartwell < <mailto:vk6gx@yahoo.com> vk6gx@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wed, Nov 8, 2017 2:52 am
Subject: Topband: Good long path opening from VK6 to NA
G'day It has been a pretty poor season here so far, with conditions after
VK6 sunset into North America at/before sunrise well down on last year.
However, this morning the band opened well into eastern North America. Jeff
VY2ZM was 569 at 2100Z (14 minutes before sunrise here) peaking a couple of
minutes after my sunrise at 599, during our QSO. After a internet message
from John W1FV (MA) to try for a QSO, we worked easily - after a number of
years of trying - at 2127Z with reports of 559 both ways. At the end of the
QSO John peaked 589 and I was then QSOed by Roger N1RJ (ME) 56-79 and Dick
W1ZC (NH) 579. Long path QSOs with the USA on 160m only occur rarely from
here - I've had about 15 in 22 years - but really get the adrenaline going
when they occur. This was a really good opening - and the A Index was 32 and
the K index 6. What a strange band is the topband! Vy 73 Steve, VK6VZ ---
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