Topband: VP8STI 160 Meter Path

[David Raymond]

The whole band opening last night from NA to VP8STI on TB was rather 
bizarre.  The opening started in earnest with big signals coming first in 
Maine.  The guys in 1 land reported signals rivaling "locals."  The opening 
then started moving slowly and selectively southward.  Guys in 2 land and 
then 3 land started working them next and then into 5 land.  As the was 
opening into 5 land it also began opening westward, but again, selectively. 
Stations in 8 and 9 land were hearing and working them but not everywhere. 
I sat here in Iowa for over three hours with virtually nothing from them at 
all.  Finally about 0400 I began hearing them.  They slowly improved and, at 
0424z I put my call in and was answered immediately.  They continued to 
build here peaking to S5-S6 around 0445z.  After that they slowly faded and 
were gone here before their SS.  The opening appeared to be very limited 
and, in some places, non-existent in 4 land.  A handful in 4 land made it, 
several using HWF for RX.  Several big stations reported hearing little or 
no signal.  It seemed odd to be listening to them here with S5 signals and 
the guys in the far SE and FL had none (and they are 1200 or 1500 miles 
closer).  But perhaps the most bizarre thing of all was K4SV and W4ZV having 
to listen to the NORTH to hear them with apparently no signal from the 
direct path.  It would be interesting to know what mode of propagation that 
was.  All in all it was an odd night.  Nevertheless, a LOT of NA stations 
made it into the log.  Joy for many but frustration remained for quite a 
few.  Antennas here a full size ground mounted four square for TX and Hi-Z 8 
circle optimized for 160.
73. . . Dave, W0FLS, in Iowa
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joel Harrison" <w5zn at w5zn.org>
To: "topband" <topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 11:15 PM
Subject: Topband: VP8STI 160 Meter Path


> Tonight on 160 VP8STI had a good signal. Here in Arkansas their signal
> arrived from the NE from around 0115z until around 0200z peaking around 5
> dB above my noise floor. Around 0200z they went "QRX" for a few minutes.
> When they returned their sig was much weaker and finally faded.
>
> As the evening went on their sig returned around 0330z here and was in and
> out of the noise, still peaking to the NE and somethings shifting E to SE.
> Right About a half hour before their SR the signal peaked to the SE and
> remained their until they faded into the sunrise.
>
> Best signal level here was 10 dB above my noise floor.
>
> Just wanted to pass that on for the folks (K9LA, W4ZV, etc) that keep
> track of these paths for us.
>
> 73 Joel W5ZN
>
>
> www.w5zn.org
>
> _________________
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