Topband: VP8STI last night - Report from Cape Town

[Raoul Coetzee]

The pattern in ZS the last couple of nights was the same:Nada till about 23:30 UTC, then they would come out of the noise or just above the noise. Although the distance is not that long, (abt 4300Km ), it seems the path is only in "good" darkness for a short while. (It is of course summertime here with 32 plus degrees C in the day)
I managed to work them around 00:06 UTC.Looking forward to their log update!
Raoul, ZS1C 

      From: Gary Smith <Gary at ka1j.com>
 To: Topband at contesting.com 
 Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2016 5:54 AM
 Subject: Re: Topband: VP8STI last night - Report from Maryland
   
Bill,

Never say never. I worked them at 02:13 last night (Thanks Roger for 
the email today saying you'd heard the contact). It was right after 
they stopped working EU and I was waiting patiently on frequency till 
I heard them CQ without the EU designator. 

The Hi-Z triangular was a saving grace for me, I would like one of 
the Hi-Z 8A variety.

Anyone have one to let go of? I'm also interested in a NCC-1; contact 
me off list if you would.

73,

Gary
KA1J

> 
> 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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