Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

[Wayne Willenberg]

As I always start my posts on this reflector, I will explain again that I
am very new to 160M.  I would like to work 3D2C on 160.  I have read enough
to know that propagation programs are of very limited value in predicting
propagation on 160.  But, what I have read is I need total darkness between
my QTH, in South Carolina, and Conway for any chance of working them on
160.  I have been working with DXAtlas to find the hours of darkness.  Here
is what I have found.

The terminator at 3D2C heading toward dark starts at about 05:30Z and
continues until full darkness at 06:30Z.  Throughout that 1 hour, there is
complete darkness for the remainder of the path to my QTH.

The path from 3D2C remains completely dark until the terminator starts at
10:30Z at my QTH and continues until sunrise at 11:15Z.

So, it looks like there is a window of about 6 hours of darkness.

I have also read that there is sometimes an increase in signal strength
during the terminator.  It's not clear to me if that means the terminator
at the DX location or my QTH.

Assuming 3D2C is transmitting on 160 throughout that period of 6 hours,
when am I more likely to work them?

Thanks again for explaining the basics to a newcomer.

73, Wayne KK6BT