Topband: A35T

[Milt]

I was fortunate to work them this AM on 160 M.  However, the problem was 
hearing their signal.  It was weak, as it was the previous morning when I 
listened only to a few dits.  IMHO their signal is at least 20 DB below 
where it should be when compared with other South Pacific DXped Top Band 
signals.

As said, their signal was weak while sporadically getting answers from both 
NA and JA.  I waited for a signal peak where I was sure I could hear the 
reply.  I got a come back with a single call to them.

I also worked them on 80 M this AM, with 100 Watts.  Lots of callers.

They QRTed on 40 M right at the time I was making the all important 160 M 
contact.  Otherwise I might have made the trifecta in a short period of 
time.  I only have a single 160 M vertical (full WL on 40 M) for use on 40 M 
but the K3 tuner tunes it very well.  Will see if they are on 40 in the 
manana.

73, and GL to everyone, de Milt, N5IA

CU all in the CQ 160 SSB this weekend.  I will operate N7GP from AZ -- DM52.

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-----Original Message----- 
From: Jim Brown
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2016 10:56 AM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: A35T

On Wed,2/24/2016 9:00 AM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
> I don't understand what is going
> on here.  A pacific island should be a chip
> shot from the left coast.

Nor do I.  Perhaps a poor TX antenna -- vertical with no radials? Maybe
low power?  Something caused them to not be on the band at their sunset.
They did a self spot around 0515Z saying they would be on in an hour,
but no spots at all until about 1000Z or later. I went into the shack to
listen, nothing, no trace, no signal, no callers. They had QSYed to a
higher band. I QSYed back to bed. Nature called around 1330Z, I looked
to see spots, and headed for the shack. I heard occasional callers and
saw spots about LOUD, bu it was more than 45 minutes before I saw a
faint trace, another 10 minutes to be able to hear CW, then ten minutes
later, enough to copy. One call and they came back.

One thing they clearly don't get about 160, and to a lesser extent, 80,
is the spotlight nature of propagation, and that they need to be there
from before sunset to after sunrise to catch everyone who wants to work
them. It seems that when things slowed down, they QSYed to a higher band.

And yes, that guy who didn't know how to use the radio, QSYing up and
down the band for every caller, was on 160 the night before, as
indicated by spots from JA. Luckily, the op who was on this morning did
know how to use the radio. :)

73, Jim K9YC
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