Topband: Poor conditions again.

[robert briggs]

Hi all.After an excellent Dx run through November things have fallen 
into the doldrums here again.Although there are a few signals getting 
through,most are down in strength and QSB is really making it 
difficult.Keep trying though as I am always listening.
Of note here. I was able to have a contact with HK3BVD Mario on the 13th 
my first contact with Colombia.My winter path to South America has 
dropped away and I am not able to hear Doug ZP6CWI or Louis Hp3XUG. 
Noted plenty of traffic for the ZL8R operation over a few nights and 
hope most of you were successful making contact with them.I was hearing 
them on the 13th 569 2 hours before my sunset and they were 599+ after 
SS.Strangely over the next few nights their signal was a lot weaker 
often only 569 but they seemed to be handling plenty of traffic.
Big lightning storm kept me off air on Tuesday 17th,my birthday.No 
damage but was pretty scary.Last night still had heavy QRN but managed a 
QSO with John VE1ZJ and later with Tom W8JI, both contacts very 
difficult.I always seem to manage a nightly contact with Jon DU9/N0NM.He 
is generally 599.Must be very frustrating for him as he has a very 
difficult receive situation but nevertheless he soldiers on every night 
trying to make those US contacts.
Summer is early in VK this year and I note the QRN is starting to 
build.I am getting on air at sunrise every day in anticipation of my 
European season but to date there is very little propagation.Daylight 
saving starts at the end of October so I will begin to look seriously at 
EU.I will still be on for US East coast sunrise Dx so look forward to 
catching you all.
73 to all.....Bob VK3ZL