Topband: V8 Topband Report our SS 12 FEB and SR 13 Feb

[k1zm at aol.com]

Hi All
Last nite I had a family matter to take care of and could not be at the SS opening our time - your SR time.
Adi covered for me later assisted by JT1CO.
A quick check shows that Adi worked 31 NA stations during that opening last night - and a few of them were interesting catches - eg: NP2J, C6AGU, NO8D, NX4D, K4SV - and the usual crop of 5/6/7 land stations.  I checked the log and Adi's last NA contact was much later than normal that I have seen - he logged K7IDX at 1532z - I usually start getting overrun with EU callers by 1430z and switch over to the EU antenna at that time - this antenna has to be manually changed each night - which is why I often shift my focus to EU at what seems to be a good time.
This morning at OUR SR I was able to be there and pls note that each day at 2145z - I depart from 1822 or 1823 and qsy to 1805.5 qsx up 3 on 1808.5.
I did not hear any NA from 2145z - 2245z - I CQ'd for an hour - NADA.
However - at 2145z VO1HP copied me on 1822  - with a good signal - and called me but I did not hear him.
I hrd him two days ago but we did not connect that day - so I am still looking to work East coast VE via the long path.
Again - I am out there tonight again for you SR opening - I usually start with Ja until  the sun gets low in the sky - once the sun sets, the really strong part of the opening has passed it seems.
Hope to work some more of you tonight - remember - you want to look on 1805.5 qsx up 3 and not around 1822.
73 and GL
JEFF

Jeff BriggsDXing on the Edge: The Thrill of 160 Meters Available worldwide through BookBaby, Array Solutions, DX Engineering, Radio Society of Great Britain, & Amazon