Topband: FO/AA7JV RX Conditions

[GEORGE WALLNER]

Hello Topbanders,
It is surprising how many ops still don't know how to call on 160 a DX form 
the tropics. Many more would make it into the log, and the DX would be 
making more Q-s, if callers would adjust their calling pattern to match the 
RX conditions at the DX. TB is not 20. Dropping a call once, is not the 
right way in poor CONDX. (Unless you are very sure of your power and antenna 
and have picked your calling frequency well.) When conditions are difficult 
the call should be sent three times.

As typical in the tropics, there is a constant barrage of lightning crashes 
that are often S7 to S9+. These crashes occur ever two to three seconds. If 
the call is sent once, there is a pretty good chance of it getting partially 
wiped out. Now the DX has maybe one or two letters and a number. He now has 
to wait until the caller calls again, but by then QSB may have the signal 
down and perhaps another caller has come up. The caller has just lost his 
chance despite having a pretty strong S7 signal!
Please, always keep in mind the conditions at the other end.
TKS and 73,
George,
FO/AA7JV