Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

[N3XX]

They were weak here earlier this morning, but the signal came up nicely at 
around 1115Z, about 15 minutes before sunrise here.  Made the contact for a 
new one at 1122Z.

Good luck.
73,
Tim - N3XX

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wayne Willenberg" <wewill747 at gmail.com>
To: <topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 2:26 PM
Subject: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef


> 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
> _______________________________________________
> UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK