Topband: SP Contest

[Jim Brown]

On 3/9/2025 1:52 PM, Steve Harrison wrote:
> most of the east coast seemed to be having
> lots of trouble copying westerners although they were strong out here.

My experience on Topband is that all the east coast seems interested in 
is EU. Many are listening with arrays focused on EU, and those with 
transmitting arrays transmitting in that direction. When prop to EU 
dies, they go to bed. Add to that the increased noise levels from 
electronic power-handling, like SMPS power supplies  and chargers, 
variable-speed motor controllers, and solar systems.

All of which is why I've been increasingly losing interest in Topband 
contesting over the years. 10-15 years ago, I got to 47 states for WAS 
on Topband QRP (5 W), all CW, when noise levels were much lower, and 
enough east coast stations listened west after EU shut down. The only 
state I've been able to add since was WV, using JT65. The states I'm 
missing are SC and VT. And the big gun VT Topbanders have always been 
deaf to the west -- they're hard to work legal limit with a 100 ft Tee 
vertical!

73, Jim K9YC
Santa Cruz, CA