Topband: Musings on multiple 160m QSOs

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Speaking of multiple QSOs with the same stations on 160m….
please do not hesitate to call me if you hear me on Topband no matter how many QSOs we have had!  I am a 160m QSO collector. The more the better.  I don't  get bored working the same guys over-and-over-and-over on TB. Each opening is a new adventure for me.  It ‘aint rocket science to know that if we wait to work only new stations on the band then things will get pretty slow!

Everyone is motivated in different ways, and at different times for what excites them about Ham radio.  For myself, the thrill of working DX on 160m….ANY DX, even multiple QSOs in the same season works for me.  I am much less excited about doing that on 80m, or 40m, or the higher bands, but I know there are those that love to work DX on ANY band all the time, any time.
The thrill for me started when I was 13 years old, under the covers in bed at night with a small transistor radio (1971) listening to distant AM broadcast stations with the sound of summer QRN.
Because 160m is so un-predictable and usually completely dead and devoid of ANY signals (here in VE6 at least) it really is magical when the DX finally makes it to my ears.  I mean sincerely magical, because I reflect back on listening to those AM signals on that transistor radio…the 160m band is just above the AM band. How cool is that!  We are just Ham guys with backyard antennas!

I understand completely those that find it boring working the same guys over-and-over, and how the chase for the next DXCC band counter is what really matters.  For many years after I built my 80m Yagi I was somewhat “marooned" on 80m working as much DX as possible.  I still love 80m, but the intrigue has faded and I don't find myself calling CQ there much anymore.  Perhaps the same will happen on 160m, but because the trans-polar propagation from VE6 to EU (under the AU oval) can be absent for YEARS (!) on end, I expect that when the condition are good I will remain engaged.  I must confess that working JA’s are not as exciting from here (perhaps like working EU from the EC?).
The chase for the DXCC band totals is not my main motivator anymore as much as just hearing what DX might make it through each night or morning.

To work a lot of DX on 160, you NEED to call CQ.  If we all just listen, waiting for others to call, the only guys we will work are the few that are calling CQ (wow, crazy eh?).   I understand that with poor RX and high local noise the alligator risk is high, but you never know.  I have received a number of JA and EU QSLs indicating 100w TX and modest antenna setups.

Lets keep the band alive.  Get on the band, ionize the ionosphere and call CQ and see what happens.

73, de steve ve6wz

So…here is the VE6WZ 2018-19 season “top repeat QSO list”

From my log export for this winter season (4 months) beginning September till now, I have worked 422 unique EU callsigns. (1,228 total QSOs)

Here is the top 25 list for Europe:
(rank, call, number of QSOs)

1	SM5EDX	  40
2	DF2PY	  38
3	LA1MFA	  38
4	SM4DHF	  33
5	OM2XW	  26
6	RA4LW	  23
7	LY7M	  23
8	ON7PQ	  23
9	YL2SM	  22
10	PA3FQA	  21
11	RC3FL	  19
12	G3PQA	  16
13	G3XHZ	  15
14	IK7JTF	  15
15	F5IN	  13
16	OH1XX	  13
17	DL8LAS	  13
18	G3OQT	  12
19	F5NZ	  11
20	G4UFK	  11
21	GW3YDX  11
22	SM3EVR	  11
23	G3XGC	  10
24	SM6MCW  10
25	SM7BIC	  10

And here is the OC/AS list:

1	VK6LW	44
2	VK2WF	21
3	HL5IVL	20
4	VK3HJ	19
5	JA5BIN	11
6	VK3IO	9
7	3D2AG	7
8	DS2JJV	6
9	JA4CQS	5
10	JH2FXK	5