Topband: Amazing conditions into the UK this morning.

[Don Kirk]

As a follow up, the amazing conditions I experienced yesterday morning
(March 29th) did not repeat today (March 30th).  I just uploaded a
recording on youtube showing the fantastic signal from G3XHZ on March 29th
and here is a link to my brief youtube video for those interested:
https://youtu.be/vZ-9cWOTlKY
While watching the video keep reminding yourself that my noise floor
without the static crashes from lightning is typically S0 to S1.

Just FYI, and 73.
Don (wd8dsb)

On Sun, Mar 29, 2020 at 3:14 AM Don Kirk <wd8dsb at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
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