Topband: XR0ZRC?

[David Olean]

I am a bit puzzled by XR0ZRC.  I thought they were going to have a major 
effort on 80 and 160, but so far I have heard from little to none from 
them on 160. (I am not on 80 M) Last night, 26th UTC, I did hear them 
but their signal was quite weak and the heavy QRN was making copy almost 
impossible. I think this was the first time I heard them.  It was hard 
for me to copy much of anything between static crashes.  On other days, 
I saw many spots from hams showing that they are on 160M but I hear nil 
and a check on the Reverse Beacon Network shows no spots for them. (?)  
(Pirates?) Last night, a few stations mentioned that XR0ZRC was loud in 
the SE. VA2WA, who is a couple hundred miles north of me, said something 
like "booming " to describe their signal last night. Not sure of the 
strength required for "booming", but it must be similar to "wall to 
wall, and treetop tall".  At my shack I could not tell who they were 
working between  the static crashes! I copied fragments between crashes. 
I know my receiving setup is working. Just a few hours later near my 
sunrise I worked VK6 and JA from here in Maine.

I have read a few notes on DX sites (many days old) explaining that they 
are plagued by high noise levels and have poor internet accessibility. I 
understand that, but I am still concerned that I almost never hear them 
QRV on 160. Maybe it is just my turn to be in the barrel? I just wonder 
what is going on. I am curious. I hope no one takes this as a complaint 
about a DXpedition. It is not.

My task for the day is to lay out another RX wire for 140 degrees and 
Bouvet! Unfortunately, all of my wooden stakes with insulators attached 
to them are stored in a shed and the ice around it is so thick, deep, 
and hard, that I cannot get to them!


Dave K1WHS