Topband: Remarkable LP Opening

[David Raymond]

Topbanders in eastern and central NA were treated to perhaps one of the best longpath openings to Asia in a decade.  Ross, 9M2AX, was peaking S5 here in Iowa 90 minutes before sunrise.  Peter, XU7ACY, was peaking an amazing S7.  Both were peaking to the SW/SSW with nothing audible via direct path.  Many stations in the eastern half of NA worked both stations.  There was quite a pileup on Peter for an extended period of time.  DU1IST was copyable both direct and LP.  VK3HJ, VK3ZL, and later VK3IO were all loudest to the SW with signals peaking S8 (VKs often favor the SW from the Midwest as the direct path from here is due east).  

All in all it was quite an unusual morning.

73 and Happy New Year to all. . . Dave
W0FLS