Topband: Contest

[Henk Remijn PA5KT]

Experience from the EU side:

During first night conditions were not very good, but normal, I did hear 
Midwest and West coast USA but not workable, europeans and East coast 
USA were strong the whole night.
Second night conditions were better during USA sunset, I heard a lot of 
midwest but no west coast. However in the half hour after my sunrise I 
worked couple of caribbeans and most of the west coast states, including 
Utah, which was one of 3 missing states for WAS160. What also might help 
around my sunset is that I dont hear most of the eastern Europeans, so 
the overall noise floor is lower.
I still hear more than I can work. I did not try to break a lot of pile 
ups, because of the "call forever, never listen" europeans. Cq-ing was 
much more efficient.

Most suprising experience was that XE2WWW was stronger then the G 
stations around 45 minutes after my sunrise. Also heard HI3TEJ calling 
him with same signal. This took about 5 minutes, then signals 
disappeared and band closed. Did not work them.

When comparing ARRL160, Stew Perry and the CQ160, I have the feeling 
that Stew Perry was best (but less stations), followed by Stew Perry and 
ARRL160.
Last year CQ160 had best conditions, followed by ARRL160 and Stew Perry.

73 Henk PA5KT

Julius Fazekas schreef:
> Propagation... Well at least that's what I hope it is. EU was pounding in here Friday night early, but from the sounds of it, even the Top Band heavies were having some difficulty making the contact. Funny, later in the evening, particularly during the EU SR period, their signals were way down (compared to our SS) but QSOs were much easier... well at least in Tennessee, YMMV ;o)
>
> Cheers,
> Julius
>   
-- 

Henk Remijn PA5KT
email: pa5kt at remijn.net
www: www.remijn.net