TopBand: VQ9SS

[Tree N6TR]

This isn't a Boring report - more like a Southern Oregon report.

Your roving reporter has uncovered a QSO between Oregon and VQ9SS
which occurred on the morning of the 19th.  Here are the details:

Roseburg, Oregon, 19-Sep-97  - George, W2VJN, reports working 
Pres, VQ9SS this morning on TopBand!  George and Pres exchanged 
signal reports at 13:35 UTC.  The opening lasted a brief 5 minutes 
and no other contacts were heard.

"The gray line is perfect for a few days" commented George.  This
refers to the timing of sunset/sunrise between the two stations.
Often, propagation is enhanced when sunset and sunrise are occurring
on both ends of the path.  This effect seems to not work near
Willis Island however.

This was the first time Pres (aka Preston) has ever worked 
the USA at this time of day.  George's W2 prefix through him
for a loop, since most people associated W2 with New York or 
New Jersy.

Pres is also active from the USA as N6SS in Arizona.

In the past five years, Pres has only every heard N6RVZ (operating
from the famous N6DX station) and N6TR (a pirate radio station located
in "Boring, Oregon").  These previous sightings were made during
the dead of winter in the northern hemisphere.

Another station, VQ9TP, has worked a number of W6/7/0 stations
after VQ9 sunset during several seasons.

The radio station at VQ9XX consists of a Paragon/Alpha 78 at 300 watts 
output and Beverages at 330, 030 and 090\170.  He used the 030 beverage
for his contact with George.  The transmit ant is a 100' of Rohn 45, 
shunt fed with a TH7 on top and four loaded 101' radials elevated at 20'. 

Pres did indicate that he heard some other signals after working
George, but wasn't able to pull out any callsigns.

If you are interested in trying to work Pres, look for him
daily until the end of the month from 1300 to 1500Z, CQing
on 1824 kHz.  Hopefully the ZK1 pileup won't cause much QRM.

Of course, if you hear N6TR calling, please standby.

73 Tree N6TR
tree@contesting.com
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