Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 274, Issue 3

[stevevk6vz at tpg.com.au]

< I think the thrill of DXing on 160m is only enhanced by the unpredictability and sporadic conditions.  Sure, we all lament about the poor conditions during elevated geo-mag periods, but if 160m was open all the time, and DXing was easy like on 40m or even 80m, I would soon become bored and need to find a new hobby.

When those weak trans-polar signals bubble up and emerge through the noise (even for a few seconds) and a QSO can be squeezed out, its worth the effort and the wait, even if that same station has been logged 60 times!

 

< back in 2008-2010 and prior sunspot lows TB was often wall-to-wall DX with great signals. That?s not the case now with the current solar activity level.  The low CW activity we see now on 160m is not just because of digital modes and higher noise levels. Yes, that?s a contributor, but the real reason activity is low is because generally, the conditions are poor and marginal.  If conditions were back to like they were in 2008-10, you can bet the band would be filling up with CW.  But this is precisely what makes 160m DXing exciting!

 

73, de steve ve6wz

Sundre, AB

 

G’day

 

Thanks to Steve for nicely summing up the current lure of 160m.

 

After spending a lot of the last few years working 10m AM/CW, it is back to topband for me for similar reasons. It is still more of a challenge and fun to work across the globe on 160m than any other band.  Even as Steve says, if you have worked that station 60 times before. 😉

 

I now have an inverted-vee VK6LW Knife OCF up at 90 feet (instead of a doublet at half the height) and been having a ball chasing DX. See you in the Stew Perry/Lowband Jack at the weekend I hope.

 

Vy 73

 

Steve, VK6VZ