[SEDXC] A5A depends on sun spots

[Dave Thompson]

I heard A5A at S5 on 20 SSB at 1500Z and again for a short period at 0200Z this week.  The sun spots were above 70 but have dropped to less than 30 now.  Best I hard them on 17 CW was 439
and they were ESP on 17 SSB.  Europe hears them on 15 but no real propagation for us.  Never did listen for them on 40.

I worked A52A in 2000 when Bob K4UEE and the large group were over there on 10 to 40. Even then the 80 window was so short that only the hams in NC worked them in the SE USA. 

My first QSO  with A5 was VU2US/AC5 (the old prefix) in 1960.  VU2US used an elephant to carry a BC-610 over the mountains.  This was an AM Phone QSO.  I worked A51PN in 1981 on 15 SSB for the next QSO.

I do have beams at 75 feet so have an advantage over the SEDXC members with wire or vertical antennas.

Good luck to all who need this for a ATNO.

Dave K4JRB