[UK-CONTEST] 40m to USA long after sunrise

[Clive Whelan]

Not at all unusual, in fact quite common at this time of year, 
especially in sunspot minima with low flux and consequently low 
absorption. There is little doubt that the F layer will support 7Mhz 
refraction at virtually any flux level, and the limiting factor is 
absorption at lower levels, as well as geomagnetic disturbance, also low 
in sunspot minima.

As I write- 11z in brilliant autumn sunshine- I am hearing N8AA in Ohio 
at 569. Sure he is running 1Kw and a 2el, but he is working JA and UA0 
(both of which are audible here) so he's not beaming this way. It's 
clear that the path is not "normal" as one can hear polar flutter which 
would not be normal on a W8. Whether this is a significant enhancement 
is not clear however.

It is clear that absorption is exceptionally low as I feel like I have 
to crank the audio gain right up, so quiet is the rx. As it happens the 
QRN level is also exceptionally low. It won't be long before the West 
coast is audible on the long path in mid to late afternoon, and so NA 
will be workable though most of 24 hours.

I'm just using a Butternut here.

73



Clive
GW3NJW