Topband: Pacific 160m Test conditions

[Steve Ireland]

Conditions seemed a very mixed bag during the Pacific 160m Test, with some
propagation into North America, but the huge solar flare apparently killing
the band after 1300Z.

Activity levels from VK/ZL seemed a little lower than previous years, but
VK2, VK3, VK5, VK6, ZL2 and ZL3 stations were logged at VK6VZ.  Most
activity seemed to be on CW, but Dave VK3EW was heard with an excellent
signal, working a lot of VK/ZL stations on SSB.

Tom W8JI was an amazing RST 599 at 1011Z and was quickly in the log.  VK3ZL
was heard just after this, giving Tom a report of 599 + 20dB!  However,
after Tom disappeared, the band died off until about 1215Z, when Dick N6RO
was heard at RST 569.  It is known that Rex ZL3REX worked Bob W7LR after
1100Z, so conditions were obviously a little better in the land of the long
white cloud.

Although N6RO could not be raised, an excellent RST579 signal was heard
from Earl, K6SE at 1229Z and reports quickly exchanged.  Shortly after,
K6TQ called me for my second west coast QSO.  After that, the solar flare
seemed to take hold of the band and no more intercontinental QSOs were
made.  At my sunrise, although the band sounded OK, no signals came
through, while European signals on 40m were very weak and with a clear
'hollow' auroral sound to them.

All in all, a rather disappointing 13 QSOs were made from VK6VZ, but
considering the solar flare, it could have been much worse.  

Vy 73,

Steve, VK6VZ
    



--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/topband
Submissions:              topband@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  topband-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-topband@contesting.com