Topband: Amazing conditions into the UK this morning.

[Don Kirk]

Turned radio on this morning at 0514 UTC even though we were having very
bad lightning storms all around and was blessed with some of the strongest
signals I have ever heard on 160 meters out of the UK a little before their
sunrise.  Copy was very easy right through the constant lightning crashes
that were 30 to 40 db over my normal noise floor.

Signals from same stations were very strong for at least 30 minutes so it
was not a brief phenomenon.

First worked G3OQT then ON7PQ then G3XHZ then G3OQT again.  And then long
after I thought it was all done I easily worked Tom G3OLB at 0621 to 0624
UTC which is 30 minutes past the QRZ reported sunrise of 0554 UTC for Tom
and still hearing him call CQ at 0635 UTC.

John G3XHZ was peaking an honest 35 to 40 db over my normal noise floor for
a long period and Richard G3OQT was peaking 30 db over my normal noise
floor the second time I worked him to tell him how strong he still was.

Unbelievable conditions and kick myself for not getting on sooner as it
sure was fun.

Oh, the reverse beacon network in EU did not even pick up the 3 different
CQ’s I called during these great conditions, so don’t rely on that system
of being an indication of conditions (at least not into the UK from the
Midwest US when running 100 watts).

73,
Don wd8dsb