Topband: ARRL160 Test conditions

[Tim Shoppa]

I thought EU was coming in fine both nights. I didn't work many strings of
5-pointers but then again I didn't stay up through EU sunrise.

Sometimes the pileups on the CQ'ing EU stations were extremely rude
severely hampering their rates, while other EU on the band were CQ'ing
lonely. Maybe the EU's that had the best rates were S&P! NA CQ'ing stations
were as close as 300Hz apart so by setting my filters wide I could hear the
EU working their way up the band on the way to me.

Conditions to 7-land seemed really excellent Friday night. There were some
6's but many many more 7's. Wow, there were a lot of Arizonas and
Washington states.

Tim N3QE

On Sat, Dec 6, 2014 at 2:06 PM, Gary Smith <Gary at ka1j.com> wrote:

> I'm running QRP in the contest and found
> for some reason I can't hear much DX as
> other years. Lots of stateside & VE
> contacts but just not much else from my
> QTH. I've only been able to make three 5
> point Qs and sure QRP is big in that but I
> can't hear them this year using my same
> equipment as always, K3 & HI-Z Triangular
> & right on the ocean.
>
> I find it interesting how fast some
> stations fire off their CQ tests, often so
> fast I find replying even with my short
> call, they are starting a new CQ when I'm
> done replying. Guess they are listening
> for a strong signal and if its not heard
> instantly, they kick the machine to keep
> the flywheel going. Must work for them but
> they have to be losing on DX stations.
>
> I've made a fair amount of Q's so I'm
> getting my signal out but it's a personal
> challenge to not be able to work everyone
> I hear. Maybe tonight will be some
> different. I'm definitely having fun.
>
> Good luck to all,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
>
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