[CQ-Contest] What to expect from 10 meters???

[Bill Coleman]

On Dec 6, 2005, at 6:16 PM, Jacob W Tennant wrote:

> I am a novice contester and was wondering what to expect from this  
> weekends
> ARRL 10 Meter contest?

During the sunspot low, which we are virtually in now, it's hard to  
tell what to expect. 10m may barely open at all, or it could be  
filled with activity. Odd propagation modes may present themselves,  
including Es.

In general, at this time, I would expect solid north-south  
propagation during the day and early evening. There may be more of an  
east-west opening if the sun cooperates. Look for this from sunrise  
until a few hours after to the east, and similarly a few hours before  
sunset to the west.

The hard part is the unexpected. Sometimes, an hour or two after  
sunset, there may be weak propagation all over the states. Signals  
may not be strong, but on a quiet band contacts are possible.

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901