[UK-CONTEST] RSGB 80m CC SSB condx

[G3WVG]

Hi all

David is quite correct of course about typical 80m propagation in Jan. In some years past there has been virtually no inter uk propagation for the duration of CCs. Other than from its extremities. 

Without giving away too many contest secrets, it's worth remembering that as well as geographical location and type/height of antenna there is another important factor.  Propagation is obviously frequency dependent, so at the moment when the band starts to open for "local" qsos it can start at one end of the 80m spectrum and move (sometimes relatively slowly) until the whole of the band is open  This is often quite noticeable in s and p mode.

So choice of run frequency can play a part when propagation is changing. 

Cheers Ian G3WVG 

Sent from my mobile


On 14 Jan 2011, at 10:13, David G3YYD <g3yyd at btinternet.com> wrote:

> Peter
> 
> What you have experienced is typical 80m propagation during the evening 
> in January. The AFS SSB is during the afternoon so much better 
> conditions for inter G QSOs especially from about 1400 to 1700.
> 
> As the sun rises higher in the sky the inter G propagation gets better 
> in the evenings. So stick with it and see how 80m conditions change it 
> will be something for you to learn and then take into next years CC.
> 
> 73 David G3YYD
> 
> On 14/01/2011 09:04, PETER CLEALL wrote:
>> This was the first 80CC SSB I have participated in. I live in Somerset. I
>> expected to find a band full of signals for 90mins of mayhem. When I started
>> I could only find 2 signals, both relatively local. Throughout the contest I
>> could only hear about 3 or 4 signals on the band at any one period that were
>> in the "run" mode. Trying to contact these proved difficult as I was usually
>> pipped by several stations calling and after about 10 tries I moved on
>> somewhere else. During the time I was trying to work someone I heard many of
>> the stations that the runner was working, some of which I could hear at very
>> good strengths, but interestingly I never heard them again anywhere else on
>> the band throughout the contest.
>> 
>> Does this mean most participants spent a large proportion S&P or was it a
>> propagation phenomena coupled with a poor antennae at this end
>> 
>> The stats are at the opposite end of the spectrum to the majority of reports
>> on this reflector, but I enjoyed myself which for me was the important
>> thing.
>> 
>> Q's 13 , countries 2
>> 
>> 50W to a 30m longwire running N/S at 6 to 8m. Basic noise level between S5
>> and S7.
>> 
>> Now 2 questions
>> 
>> Should I have a go during AFS , what am I likely to find, or will I waste my
>> time amongst all the big signals.
>> 
>> Are there any simple ways of improving my operating performance, as I am
>> currently restricted to the antennae and equipment I can use.
>> 
>> regards
>> peter G8AFN
>> 
>> On 13 January 2011 22:10, G4FNL<g4fnl at bubloz.demon.co.uk>  wrote:
>> 
>>> Not seen any posts on the contest last night, so here's my findings: At the
>>> start, as to be expected I suppose, I found conditions unsuitable for
>>> intra-G QSOs.  Most people that I worked at the start made some comment
>>> about how hard it was.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> There were some big signals from Europe - and one or two of the regular G
>>> stations were quite strong - but the majority were fairly weak and watery.
>>> I
>>> was ready to throw in the towel after 10mins - with just 9 Qs in the log. I
>>> tried running - but no takers - so went S&P for another 10mins. 20mins into
>>> the contest, I think that propagation must have suddenly changed. Did
>>> anyone
>>> else notice that? I managed to find a clear freq and had a terrific time
>>> for
>>> 40mins, with short duration rates of nearly 300/hour until it dried up
>>> again. More S&P, until 10mins before the end, when I managed to get a run
>>> going again. It was great to work the familiar callsigns - but also
>>> terrific
>>> to work some new stations who are now active in these contests.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> My sincere thanks to everyone that I worked last night. I ended up with
>>> 155Qs - no dupes. I was using an FT1000MP and 265ft doublet at 55ft.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 73 Graham G4FNL
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> UK-Contest mailing list
>>> UK-Contest at contesting.com
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>>> 
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