Band opened relatively early towards europe around 21:30z on the 17-
18th. The K index
was low for several days and solar flux remained in the mid 90's for a week.
Signals
out of europe were strong and relatively deep into Russia. Worked several
UA4's along with
RW3PZ, RK3PA, RA6AX, RK6AXS around 0230 to 0400z. Heard UN7JID CQ'ing at 0245z
with an S3-4 signal for several minutes, then stopped. Heard that an EY8 was
on, and W3BGN was hearing him. Several loud stations from central and western
europe appeared on SSB with S9 signals, such as OK1AWZ, DL7CM, and MW0AQD. I
went to bed at 0500Z after working a page full of stuff.
During early afternoon on the 18th, did some antenna tuning and shot some
new ropes
in trees to prepare for the winter season. Returned in the shack at 2030z,
turned on the
radio and heard ON4GG on 1838 with an S7 signal in broad daylight calling CQ.
Called several
times and finally heard me at 2045z (3:45pm local time). Noticed that the K
index went up to 4 during the day, knowing conditions would be poor after
sunset into europe, sure enough
it was. Heard traces of VK6HD at 2105Z on 1833. Mike wasn't in there for long
and I couldn't
get a good copy to call him. Knew that transequatorial paths were enhanced and
FH/DJ1RL
was coming thru after 2200Z and worked him after W4ZV. What a mess that was
with
silly policemen transmitting on top of him preventing some potential qsos to
be made.
Enough said and had fun.
Peter WW2Y
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