Topband: Did anyone hear/work AK

[n0tt1 at juno.com]

> > Charlie wrote:
> >
> > > Hi  Gents,
> > >
> > > Just curious...
> > > Did anyone hear or work AK during the CQ160 CW?  Noticed
> > > that several "missed" that state....me too.
> > >
> > > 73,
> > > Charlie
> > > N0TT

Well the verdict is in...with 10 replies to my question:
2 said they worked KL7J during the contest.
3 said they just heard KL7, but didn't work.
4 said they didn't hear any KL7's at all.
1 was "undefined"...didn't answer the question.

Thanks to all that replied!

I heard from Gary, NL7Y and he writes:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------
>>Hello from Gary NL7Y in Fairbanks, AK. the main reason, shown visually,
is
this in my opinion - http://sec.noaa.gov/pmap/ - because for those of us
that live under/near the Aurora signal-sucker, propagation on all bands
is
at time limited by even moderate A and K levels and resulting poor
propagation. Even my other QTH 100 miles west Fairbanks shows
consistently
improved propagation (both ways) on all bands. Those further south
(200-300
miles) in Alaska, including KL7Y(SK), NL7Z, and KL7J among others,
usually
enjoy better propagation and often work stations we further north simply
can't depending on signal direction. It's not from lack of trying, but
sometimes there's just no chance. Locally, Rich KL7RA has fought this for
years, and will likely relocate further south in the near future to begin
a
new "radio life".  Gary NL7Y
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------

Let's hope propagation improves to the northlands soon!!  I once
went on a mini-DXpedition to VE8 in November...that was to 
Yellowknife.  I can tell you first hand that after the sun went down,
all the bands were dead...NOTHING got through and that went 
on for the entire week I was there!

73,
Charlie
N0TT