Topband: Possible 160m propagation indicator: lightningmaps.org?

[Mike Waters]

Merv, Vince, et al,

Then they ought to be good right now.

Checking lightningmaps.org just now, with the Lines setting at 4 (5 is
maximum) E-W conditions seem even better than I previously reported!

Guys, let's see if conditions on 160 are also enhanced.

This might be a good night for me to try. My NE Beverage is setup to
transmit, and I once had a QSO on 80m with it. Who knows, maybe also on 160.

73, Mike
W0BTU

On Sun, Jan 5, 2020, 3:29 PM K9FD <merv.k9fd at gmail.com> wrote:

> Conditions on LF and MF last nite were nothing special,  the nite before
> either,
> but two nites ago 630M was as good as its ever been since I have been
> using it,  I
> have been on since about 2013,  starting with an experimental call WH2XCR.
> I use WSPR overnite to record conditions and activity,  for the first
> time I copied
> G0MRF and LA8AV on 630M,   and was reported by LA2XPA and a Norway SWL
> KQ40LS,   received reports from JA. VK, ZL, LA, US mainland, VE etc
> running 1 watt erp.
> So far I saw no coorelation between lightning propagation and conditions
> on 630M.
>
> I did notice on 160 meters yesterday that Vk and ZL were stronger here
> than any locals,
> a couple UA9-UA0 also super strong, at my sunrise that is, but the EU
> conditons were poor compared to
> previous days.    Today was generally fair but signals all back to normal.
>
> This winter season on 630 meters I usually will copy 20 to 30 different
> stations and will be reported
> heard by 60 or 70 unique stations.
>
> 73 Merv K9FD  Molokai Island Hawaii
>
> > Mike,
> >
> > Thank you for the post, very timely for me.
> >
> > I have been exploring the VLF and LF spectrum (RX only) for a few
> > weeks now, after spending some time and money acquiring the capability.
> >
> > As far as hamradio goes, there is life in the 2200 and 600M bands.
> >
> > Regarding lightning strikes and their effects, yesterday was an
> > interesting day. Keeping in mind this is all news to me, I was
> > surprised to see the number of 'hits' on my SDR waterfall. It was like
> > every 10-15 seconds or so. The SDR would go into clipping for the
> > duration.
> >
> > This went on for a few hours, nothing was being decoded, and then
> > quiet. G0MRF in the UK, and other NA stations, showed up again on the
> > monitor a few minutes later on 600M. I did not check 160M, will do
> > next time.
> >
> > I did not see any mention of yesterday's condition on the VLF list
> > though. There are ongoing attempts on 8.270 kHz and less frequently on
> > 1.65 kHz. Fascinating stuff.
> >
> > Thank you for the links.
> >
> > 73 de Vince, VA3VF
> > _________________
>
>