Topband: 160 in daylight

[Art Roberts]

Hi Gang,

While working at a beginner level on 160, I have dabbled with the band 
for many years. The subject of daylight operations brought to mind on 
interesting occurrence. After I returned from Vietnam, in 1969, I setup 
a basic station which included 160. There was a total lunar eclipse for 
the East coast during that time in '69. One of the test being run on 160 
was if the propagation would change to night time conditions during the 
eclipse. Worked beautifully, as the sun went away, the band got better. 
 From my QTH in Northern Connecticut, I was hearing Florida stations at 
the peak. Since I was running low power and a marginal antenna, I was 
not able to contact anyone, but it was very interesting to hear the change.

Several years later I was stationed in Northern California and again was 
on 160. There was some local daytime activity in the area. Again some 
interesting propagation occurred then too. I remember one station had a 
rapid QSB from S9 to S0 and back, and they were like 10 miles away. I 
figured it was the ground wave and possible sky wave interacting.

Some afternoons I do get on JT65 and start listening and calling CQ 
several hours before sunset and I think it helps stir up activity.

Bob, I am glad that you brought up this side of the Top Band.

Art  w1aer
FN31ov



On 5/13/2017 11:26 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
> Hi Bob,
>
>   
>
> Welcome to 160m !
>
>   
>
> Milt Jensen N5IA (sk) used his huge array in the 160m contests to work
> thousands of miles east and west while he was in full sunlight. (In fact I
> believe he was the one who sponsored a plaque for daylight operation only in
> the Stew Perry Contests)
>
> For some of these exciting reports (too lengthy to reproduce here) go to
> 3830scores.com and type in N5IA.
>
> Look for the Stew Perry Contests (SPTDC) and his call N5IA(N7GP) then read
> his DAYLIGHT reports.
>
>   
>
> Incidentally the first real exposure to daylight DX I personally experienced
> was from CY9AA in 1997 when myself, Doug, VE1PZ and Dennis, K7BV setup on
> that tiny rock in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (N. Atlantic area).  We had a
> wonderful balloon supported 1/4wl wire vertical tied into a massive copper
> groundscreen (leftover from a VLF beacon) and a salt water Fresnel zone.
> With that setup and legal limit we were able to work EU a cpl hours before
> sunset on that desolate rock.  An unforgettable experience.
>
>   
>
> Big stations like VY2ZM, VE1ZZ, etc. do the same all the time.
>
>   
>
> It still is exciting !
>
>   
>
> >From my home with a small-moderate sized 'array' of 2-inverted L's phased I
> can SOMETIMES work EU just a little before sunset (pre-grayline) here and
> have worked out as far as KH6/VK/ZL to a little after sunset here(post
> grayline).  Hardly full sun, but it does show what can be done when you
> think it not possible.
>
>   
>
> Have fun !
>
>   
>
> Mike VE9AA
>
>   
>
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
>
> Keswick Ridge, NB
>
>   
>
> _________________
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
>

-- 
Art Roberts W1AER
Tariffville, CT  FN31ov
JT9 and JT65