Topband: Change in 160m conditions

[daraymond at iowatelecom.net]

I, too, have noticed a lessening in frequency and intensity of sunrise peaks 
the past decade.  They were so common a decade or so ago that many of us 
could pretty much count on them.  In addition the openings which are 
frequently called "long path" (they are not true long path by my account, 
but are actually skewed path, typically SSW for NA stations in the early 
morning hours working Asia) are also happening with far less frequency. 
Here in the Midwest, it seems they have disappeared almost entirely. 
Obviously, things have changed.  Here at the time of minimal solar activity 
I was hopeful of good prop on TB (like 2007/2008/2009).  Generally speaking 
from my viewpoint here in the Midwest, that has not been the case.

73. . . Dave, W0FLS

-----Original Message----- 
From: Roger Kennedy
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2017 2:01 PM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Change in 160m conditions

It seems to me that DX conditions have been pretty poor for the past 10
years on 160m . . .

But apart from generally being poor (even when the band is open), there is
something strange I have noticed.

For me, over the decades, best propagation on 160m has always been around
our Sunrise . . . stations in North America will peak up 10dB or more at
that time. (it's also always been the best time for VK/ZL, rather than our
sunset)

HOWEVER . . . in recent years there seems to be NO Sunrise peak !  If
anything, signals start dropping off.

You can see this very clearly when there's a contest on . . . and I've also
noticed it on my own signal by looking at RBN reports.

Strange, huh?!

Roger G3YRO


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