Topband: very noticeable shift in propagation

[N7DF]

For the last three days the signals from the fish bouys and dxpeditions in the south and central pacific have been getting progressively weaker while the signals from Japan have been getting much stronger.
 
This seems to be more of a seasonal phenomenon this year than in the past.  From past years experience this shift usually takes place earlier in November but is more gradual.
 
At any rate it bodes well for large JA runs in the CQWW CW and ARRL 160 contests.