Topband: Summer in the Northern Hemisphere

[Gary Smith]

Something that has always puzzled me is summer operation on 160 in 
the northern hemisphere. 

Here in Connecticut 160 in the summer is so full of crashes that 
picking out any DX is next to impossible. But, during the winter the 
crashes are sometimes totally absent and the band is almost dead 
silent except for ham operation. However, summer here is winter in 
the southern hemisphere. I'll just use Argentina as the southern 
example. 

Quoting from Wikipedia on Argentina:
"Argentina has four seasons: winter (June-August), spring 
(September-November), summer (December-February) and autumn 
(March-May), all featuring different weather conditions. The hottest 
and coldest temperature extremes recorded in South America have 
occurred in Argentina."

So what is amazing to me is how difficult it is for me to hear 
southern hemisphere DX in Connecticut, in July, yet they are hearing 
our winter 160 contest signals, wonderfully in the middle of what is 
their summer. The two recent VP8 DXpedetions were in their local 
summer yet they were knocking NA & EU off one after another on top 
band.

My HI-Z Rx is so very helpful on 160 (& other bands as well) but it 
sure doesn't let me hear SA DX in July. I'd like to have a clear 
picture of how it is that Southern Hemisphere 160M DX can hear so 
well in their summer when I'm deaf as a doorknob in mine.

73,

Gary
KA1J