Topband: VP8STI last night - Report from Maryland

[Les Kalmus]

Glad you made it Gary.

73, Les W2LK

On 1/22/2016 10:54 PM, Gary Smith wrote:
> 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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