Topband: comparing solar minimum periods

[Carl K9LA]

Hello to everyone,

There's no doubt we're experiencing the deepest solar minimum period of 
our lifetimes. The previous five solar minimum periods roughly lasted 
only two years, and here we are now halfway through year three of the 
solar minimum period between Cycles 23 and Cycle 24. This solar minimum 
period shouldn't be too much of a surprise, though, as our historical 
data suggested this is likely where we were headed.

I've seen scattered comments about this solar minimum (2006 onward) not 
being as good as the previous solar minimum (1995, 1996, 1997) with 
respect to 160m propagation. I'd like your comments on this issue. 
Specifically, does your experience on topband indicate this solar 
minimum period is worse than the last solar minimum period? Better than? 
The same?

What criteria is this based on? Quantity and duration of European 
contacts? Quantity and duration of extremely long distance contacts? 
Signal stengths? Something else?

Please reply to me peronally at k9la at gte.net. I'm not sure what I'll do 
with this information yet, as it is just a curiosity for now.

Carl K9LA