Topband: Poor Conditions

[n4is at comcast.net]

<<But apart from that, as I've said before, conditions seem to have been
generally poor on Top Band for the past 20 years.>>

Roger, I am afraid I do not agree. I started on 160m back in 1972, my first
DX was 1974, living in a city lot I reach DXCC only in 1994, yes 20 years to
do it. I moved with my family to  Florida in 1999 , and I started all over
again as N4IS.
I reach DXCC in 4 years and got motivated to fight QRM again on Top Band.
2006 I built my Big Vertical Waller Flag and 2010  my Horizontal WF.  With a
good receiving antenna I worked over 300 countries and heard 316  until
2019. ONLY IN 13 years window! In 2020 the activity dropped due the
pandemic and  it is not back to normal yet. It is just starting to bounce
back.
I am now at 306 confirmed on 160m ALL CW, no FT* here by my choice, not
wrong with DIGITAL, but is not my like.
Jan this year, I works Eddy XV1X, CW on 160m long path on 160m. 
Propagation on the last 20 years was the best we ever had before on 160m.
The propagation  is bad as the receiving noise you have at your place and
limited by activity.
The best and comprehensive explanation about Top Band propagation you can
find here, at K9LA site  ; NM7M's book titled "The Big Gun's Guide to
Low-Band Propagation" is in the 160m link.
 >>
https://www.k9la.us/NM7M_The_Big_Gun_s_Guide_to_Low-Band_Propagation.pdf

Several ham with dedication to reduce noise and improve RX antennas did the
same or better than me. NX4D Doug  #315, Jon AA1K #329 and others too.

FT* gives the impression you don't need a good RX antenna for any band and
recent DX expedition is going on that direction, it is a pit.

160m is always tough and hard to work DX,  that is why we love 160m.

73's
JC
N4IS