Topband: 8Q7WM Z-22 in VE6

[Mike Fatchett]

Congrats!

W0MU

On 2/28/2022 1:14 PM, VE6WZ_Steve wrote:
> Well, today a miracle happened.
> I worked 8Q7WM on 160m CW for a new DXCC and Z-22.
> His signal peaked at about 1415 z or so.  My SR at 1430z.
>
> First of all, I owe thanks to Bob W7RH for spotting 8Q7WM this morning on 160m.
> For the last few months, I have been lazy and sleeping in.  This morning I got up about 25 min before my sunrise and checked the band.
> I saw Bob's spot for the 8Q7 on 1821, and thought, “well, I will never hear him, but I my as well check”
>
> I was so shocked when I heard his CQ that I almost fell out of my chair.
> His signal was arriving at the usual skew path that most of SE Asia arrives, somewhere between Japan path at 320 deg. and direct west at 270 deg.
> The direct path to 8Q7 from VE6 is virtually straight north polar at 352 deg.
>
> Here are a few recordings I made of his signal.
> If you decide to listen to these, don't even bother without headphones, he is weak. Really weak.
> These recordings are in stereo diversity, in the Left ear is the phased Beverage pair, in the Right ear is the 9 circle .
> Both RX are set direct west, although he was also copyable on the JA rx too.
>
> While the amp was warming up I recorded this CQ:
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHNBaTs-JDKPTLHDuhRtRAxWrEpMYvzj/view?usp=sharing <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHNBaTs-JDKPTLHDuhRtRAxWrEpMYvzj/view?usp=sharing>
>
> Next Kevin VK6LW called, and I recorded his 2-way QSO:
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EaHEhGU3UQk9YwGpmawdFBjC1b23aPKn/view?usp=sharing <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EaHEhGU3UQk9YwGpmawdFBjC1b23aPKn/view?usp=sharing>
>
> After Kevin finished, the amp was warm so I called.
> I am actually embarrassed about my calling.  I was so stunned that I could copy him, I was messing up my reports, and sending my call way too many times.
> I think it's clear that I was doubling with him, and I almost ruined my own QSO.
> He went into a QSB fade right when I called, so I wasn't sure he had my call correct, so I think he was unsure I had confirmed.
> AT 2:05 he sends VE6WZ?
> I resend my call and report,
> At 2:40 he sends VE6WZ 5NN,
> I CFM and at 3:05 8Q7 sends CFM.
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eibREmwj9BzNH2I-gPa14rTdOqMLlorV/view?usp=sharing <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eibREmwj9BzNH2I-gPa14rTdOqMLlorV/view?usp=sharing>
>
> Here he is QRZ? with Dennis, ZL1AZ and JI1DCW calling:
> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nz6GX62Ba1gw22R__jpcjbHHnb8QGoNt/view?usp=sharing <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nz6GX62Ba1gw22R__jpcjbHHnb8QGoNt/view?usp=sharing>
>
> The band has remained very poor and the EU trans-polar path has not opened for a few weeks.
> Working Z 22, which is a direct polar path I never would have imagined, but of course the opening was a skew path, completely avoiding the AU !
>
> Thanks to Karel OK2WM for pulling me out, and for setting up an excellent TX on the beautiful beach in the Maldives.
>
> Good luck to the other WC guys.  It seems Karel and Vlad will be there till March 8.
>
> 73, de steve ve6wz
> _________________
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