Topband: Well, where is everybody???

[James Rodenkirch]

So, lots of chat here 'bout not giving up on Top Band in the spring and summer months - e.g., kick off an addiiton Stew Perry event or two, keep looking for stations 'cuz there'll be others on, yadda, yadda.
 
So, been on the air the last couple of mornings (yes, I know....that's not a LOOOOONG time to collect meaningful data) and here are my findings:
 
1) one CW station heard yesterday A.M. calling CQ DX (not good news for us QRP types but....hey, I called him AND he came back to my call - that doen't happen often, trust me!).  Called CQ for about 10 to 15 minutes on and off....nuthin' heard.
 
2) heard zero stations CW stations this morning....called CQ for some period of time (ten minutes or better, on and off) but no replies.  P.S.  know  I was radiating a signal as I was 19 to 22 db above the noise level at a reverse beacon network receiver over in Reno.
 
3) heard multiple SSB rag chews going on - not into SSB that much and most of the rag chews involved multiple stations on the various frequencies so expect there's a plethora of "buddies" that get on in the morning to say hi and catch up on "things"....
 
I'll keep operating as time permits in the mornings...and evenings....maybe might could hear other CW operators from out this way; I certainly have no illusions of grandeur as far as working DX or stations east of, say, CO and NM during these "un peak times" but....can't believe there aren't SOME western state ops out there who are in the mood to get on the air on Top Band and just chat, a little or a lot!
 
72, Jim (I'll keep the CW fires stoked on Top Band as much as possible for a peanut whistle strength signal) Rodenkirch, K9JWV