Topband: 160m at solar max

[Tree]

> My point was simply that based on W8JI's log data there's a lot of DX to 
> be worked on 160m around solar maximum, and it appears to be dependent 
> on how high in latitude your paths go. I think the concept of 160m only 
> being 'good' at solar minimum has been ingrained in us for many years, 
> and it has become somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Well, my experience over the past 20 years strongly support a big difference
between solar minimum and maximum.  But, I am in the high latitude category
and the aurora oval sits right between me and Europe.

It is a distant memory hearing the band full of Europeans, being able to call
CQ and have some of them calling me.  There were nights when I would work 
15 Europeans.

Over the past 5 years, I have been lucky to work 5 Europeans during each 
season.  I know they are there, because I hear others working them, and they
are spotted on the internet.  

Maybe next year....

Tree N6TR
tree at kkn.net