Topband: the amazing band

[N1BUG]

It has been a great weak for this little station.  Earlier 
this week I managed to snag VQ9LA on a truly remarkable SS 
peak.  8R1RPN, certainly not rare, was nevertheless new for 
me.  Then last night the band decided to be very kind... 
FT5XO and 8Q7DV went in the log.  I better have a *big* 
celebration today!

The only one I have struck out with is V7.  I heard them 
once, rather weak.  Condx to VK/ZL have been very good the 
last two mornings but no V7.  I guess they gave up on 160 
after a couple days of poor condx??

A few comments on FT5XO last night.  First of all, great op!  
It surprised me to hear them calling CQ for some time after 
my QSO with no other NA callers.  I realize not much of NA 
was in darkness at the time but thought there would be a 
few... unless it was some sort of spotlight prop.  Also, 
every other time I have heard them this week, either the S 
or E Beverage was the only antenna they were audible on.  
Last night was just the opposite: no trace of signal on 
either Beverage but 559 for some time on the inverted V.  
Either the signal was coming in high angle or directly from 
the southeast (if the latter I would expect to still hear 
something on one or the other Beverage, but, maybe not...).  
While many NA seem to hear them better at SR, it has 
clearly been a SS path for me so far (or shortly after SS 
as was the case last night).

GL to all who still need some of this week's fine DX 
offerings.  I won't be on tomorrow morning, so go get that 
V7!   (Murphy's law clearly states he will be there.... :)

73,
Paul