Topband: Fwd: Re: Baker Island DXpedition on 160

[lennart.michaelsson at telia.com]

Hi Don et al,

Just an example:
Late last night I made a brief CQ DX and got a prompt answer from Jeff, in
TZ4 (Mali) Nobody else to be heard on 160.
Let us see if the upcoming Stew Perry will bring some more 160 activity.
73
Len SM7BIC

-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Från: Topband <topband-bounces at contesting.com> För Don Kirk
Skickat: den 15 juni 2018 14:30
Till: Guy Olinger K2AV <k2av.guy at gmail.com>
Kopia: TopBand List <topband at contesting.com>; Bruce <k1fz at myfairpoint.net>
Ämne: Re: Topband: Fwd: Re: Baker Island DXpedition on 160

 Guy (K2AV) said "Methinks hamdom underestimates 160 propagation in the
summertime.", and I totally agree with him.

For the past 11 months I have been running a daily early morning experiment
on 160 meters CW trying to copy a specific station in South America running
500 watts (4700 mile path, 160 degree bearing from my location), and I'm
able to copy him more than approximately 95% of the days which I would have
previously said was impossible (copy meaning I can hear him send CQ and his
call sign).  My RX antenna is just a small pennant (51.6% the size of a full
size pennant) using one W7IUV preamp, an old Kenwood TS-180s with 500 Hz
filter and a 200 Hz hi-per mite active audio filter.  A few times we have
checked to see if sunrise enhancement would help, but have noticed very
little if any sunrise enhancement improvement.

There are very rare days where propagation is exceptional (like 12 dB
increased signal level compared with a normal day), and all other days
signals are just above my noise floor to 6 dB above my noise floor (noise
floor not including static crashes from thunder storms).  During my summer
months the signal level is much less than the static crash peaks, but still
able to copy nonetheless.

As I said, this is something I would have never thought possible before
investing so much test time.

Just FYI,
Don (wd8dsb)
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