Topband: low band propagation at solar min

[Paul Mclaren]

I don't think anybody lives near VK4CT that operates on HF.   I often get
received on his RBN but can never raise a reply from the locals so it is
not particular to 160m.

Regards

Paul MM0ZBH

On 6 June 2016 at 16:20, Milt <miltn5ia at gmail.com> wrote:

>
> -----Original Message----- From: Bob Garrett
> Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 2:58 AM
> To: jkaufmann at alum.mit.edu ; 'Carl Luetzelschwab' ; topband at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: Topband: low band propagation at solar min
>
> ...........SNIP...............
>
> I believe we still have so much to learn on this subject.
> That is why nothing beats listening no matter what the numbers say.
> 73 and gud DX.  Bob K3UL
>
> =========================================================
>
> I am certainly guilty of neglecting 'The Band' during the northern
> hemisphere summers.  Near constant QRN and short nights (for sleeping) are
> the two main reasons I have traditionally not operated TB between the
> equinoxes.
>
> This year I have made a concerted effort to do spot checks on the band,
> particularly the early morning hours when QRN is the lowest.  However, this
> time frame allows a possibility of contacts only to the Pacific region.
>
> I truly believe that Bob's statement above re listening is the true clue
> to fully utilizing the fickle offerings of 160 Meters.
>
> As an example, this past week, the local morning of June 2, I CQed to the
> west, alternately at 225, 270 & 315 degrees.  I began at 1100 Z and
> continued until my sunrise at ~1200 Z.
>
> I did not receive any responses to my CQ's; no contacts were logged.
>
> QRN level was quite low, so I can only presume there were few if any
> stations in the targeted areas of South Pacific Islands, ZL, VK, JA, UA0
> and SE Asia on the air during this time period.
>
> I believe 'The Band' was WIDE OPEN to at least a portion of VK, if not
> other areas.  Apparently no stations were listening at that time.
>
> The RBN system provides a good insight into the propagation available.
> Besides western US RBN station reports, I noted the following.
>
>  de               DX                 Freq             SNR           Time
> --  Date
> _____          ____             ______        _____         __________
>
> VK4CT         N5IA              1824.5          19 dB         1103 -- 2 Jun
>
> VK4CT         N5IA              1824.5          20 dB         1115 -- 2 Jun
>
> VK4CT         N5IA              1824.5          27 dB         1131 -- 2 Jun
>
> VK4CT         N5IA              1824.5          25 dB         1146 -- 2 Jun
>
> The signal reports also show the signal enhancement taking place as
> sunrise approached my location.
>
> 73, and GL to everyone who tries northern hemisphere, summer time
> operations on TB.
>
> de Milt, N5IA
>
>
>
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