Topband: I am not dead yet - Boring Report

[Tree]

While many people are reporting big openings on 12 meters and the solar flux
numbers are up in the 90's - one might think the good openings on topband are 
not going to happen.

Last night - I could just hear OM2XW at 0529Z and I managed to work him.  I
then found S50U calling the TX4 with a good signal.  After some encouragement 
from DF2PY, I called a few CQs and Wolf came right back with a 579 signal.  
It seemed the path was skewed to the east some as the signals were better on 
my 70 degree beverage than my 20 degree one.  I could not hear the SMs - but 
managed to work a hand full of the PA's that were working the contest - along 
with S50U, IV3PRK, OK2PAY and OZ1CTK.  

It will be interesting to see if this more eastern path becomes the norm with
increased solar activity.

73 Tree N6TR
Boring, OR