Topband: VP8STI last night - Report from Maryland

[Bill Hider]

>From Maryland, FM 19:

Armchair copy last nite from 2350Z until 0215Z this morning.  Some fading.
With my headphones laying on the bench, they were Q5 solid copy while 
I was working on other projects waiting for them to call for "NA" instead of
"EU".
Never happened.

I stayed & listened until 0215Z when they faded out here.

I'm using a Hi-Z 4-sq.  Azimuth heading to VP8S is 155 Deg.  4-SQ heading
used was 134 Deg.

Bill N3RR

-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ken Boasi
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2016 12:18 PM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: VP8STI last night

Just my observations from what happened here last night in NY (doesn't help
you west coast guys, I guess). 

VP8STI was solid copy from my sunset around 2230z until 0200z. Very little
fading and Q5 copy. They were calling and working EU only during this
period. 

Around 0200z, their signal got much weaker and more susceptible to QSB. They
also started calling for anyone at that time, not just EU. I don't know if
they switched direction on their TX array or not at that point, but things
did get worse at that point; propagation I'm assuming. 

I use two 560' beverages to receive, one at 135 degrees and one at 180
degrees. No diversity rx, just switching back and forth. They were the same
copy on both antennas, generally, since both are about the same amount "off"
of STI's hearing from here (FN13, western NY). 

I didn't listen much after 0200z, so I don't know if their signal came back
up at any point. 

They did have an excellent run of EU during that 2200-0200 time frame,
though. 

73, Ken N2ZN 

> On Jan 22, 2016, at 11:11 AM, Tom <wa8wzg at wa8wzg.net> wrote:
> 
> N6SS is located about 40 miles north west of me in AZ,, 2800 feet higher
in elevation and a lot quieter location,,and better receiving antennas,, I
have not heard but just traces past 2 nights,, will be there tonight,, been
listening to the east coast guys working them,, all signals have been great
except Vp8!! Congrats to all that have worked them and maybe tonite the
propagation gods will shine west!!! 
> 73's
> Tom
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tree <tree at kkn.net>
> Sender: "Topband" <topband-bounces at contesting.com>
> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2016 06:57:33
> To: 160<topband at contesting.com>
> Subject: Topband: VP8STI last night in Oregon
> 
> At least in my location - I would say that things were no better last
night.
> 
> N6SS in Arizona said he worked them just after 0400Z.  There was also 
> a report that he came back to N6MB about 10 times around 0430Z - but 
> N6MB was not hearing him.  The data suggests they are hearing better 
> than getting out - which means if you can hear them - the spotlight is 
> shining on you and you have a pretty good chance of making the QSO.
> 
> If it was easy - it wouldn't be as rewarding when it happens!!
> 
> Good luck to all.
> 
> 73 Tree N6TR
> Hillsboro, OR
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