Topband: 160 Meter Propagation

[Milt, N5IA]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Phil Clements" <philc at texascellnet.com>

> Some theories are that there is little if any ducting going on. The theory
> is that when Sunspot numbers are low that the ducts fill with
> extra-terrestrial radiation and block 160 meter RF from entering the
> ducts.
> They say that long-haul DXing is not possible on 160 meters without
> ducting,
> even when the SFI=69, K=0, and A=0, and there is little to no aurora
> activity. Without ducting to bypass a few hops, there is no signal
> remaining
> at the far end of the path to be heard. Some theorize that the layers move
> up and down only around the equator, and move very little at high
> latitudes.
>
> This leads me to believe that what is missing this season is the ability
> of
> the ducts to accept 160-meter energy, for whatever reason.
>
> This would account for the lack of few spots greater than 10 k miles this
> year.
>
> Something has definitely changed in the last year or two. I just have no
> idea what it is! I just want to finish my 160 meter WAZ...I need 3 zones,
> and most of you can guess where they are!


Phil and others,

The occurrence is almost one year old now, but go to
http://ducie2008.dl1mgb.com/news/21/index.php
and read of our experience at VP6DX last February.

Milt, N5IA and VP6DX