[CQ-Contest] Propagation question

[Steve London]

VOACAP sure doesn't trump real-world experience !

On this path, VOACAP is incorrect. Most nights, the MUF is too low on our end of 
the path at Europe sunrise, thus no opening. The best time for western 
USA-to-Europe short path on 40 seems to be around our local sunset - 23Z-01Z. An 
even stronger (but shorter) opening is long path at, or slightly after, our 
sunrise. Unfortunately, at that time most of the EU activity is up on 20 and 15 
working the eastern USA.

73,
Steve, N2IC/5 (New Mexico)

Guy Molinari wrote:
> I'm reviewing VOACAP SNR graphs as I usually do before a major contest.  I'm puzzled by one thing.   Just like last year, it appears that the MUF should dip below 7mHz at around 0300Z just like last year during CQWWCW.    The charts show that the MUF goes above 7mHz a few hours later and that according to VOACAP, the best time to work central EU on 40M from W7 (Pac NW) is at about 0600Z.   Not surprising in that it is sunrise there.
>  
> I didn't hear a peep last year (I'm using slopers which is partly to blame).   The K wasn't that high.   Why?   Are you EU guys working JA?   VOACAP is usually pretty solid.
>  
> Thoughts?
>  
> 73 - Guy, N7ZG
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