Topband: Propagation on 160m 9/7/2021

[Bob Kile]

With a little less thunderstorm QRN and a rather strange early opening 
to EU from out west. John, SM5EDX went into the log. I heard but did not 
work OK1CF whom was right at the noise level.


Thanks to the midnight oil burners down under for keeping the band alive 
in the morning hours. VK3HJ, ZL1AZ and VK2WF. I  might add 8N1OLP, 
JA5BIN, 8N2OLP, 8N7OLP, JE1TSD and KL7QOW going to the NW.


160m the magic band is always open somewhere. Maybe just not where you 
want it


73

Bob W7RH

--
W7RH DM35QJ

 “Small is the number of people who see with their eyes and think with their 
minds.” – Albert Einstein

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Topband: propagation and space hurricanes

[YL2VW]

Hi

I think this recently published paper on space hurricanes might at least to
some extent explain why on some nights with seemingly promising Solar
indices (low Solar wind speed and density, Bz component positive),
trans-polar propagation just does not happen on topband:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-21459-y

In short, as I (non-scientist) read it - during the periods of low speeds
and density of Solar wind, positive Bz component and dominant By component,
scientists have observed space hurricanes which bring down into ionosphere
lots of electrons/energy , which is comparable to the amounts observed
during Solar storms.

Quote:
*"The space hurricane opens a rapid energy transfer channel from space to
the ionosphere and thermosphere, and would be expected to lead to important
space weather effects like increased satellite drag, disturbances in High
Frequency (HF) radio communications, and increased errors in
over-the-horizon radar location, satellite navigation, and communication
system*s"

73
Agris/YL2VW

>
>
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Re: Topband: Propagation Question

[paul ecker via Topband]

TimThanks for feedback and advice
73 Paul W2ECK 


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad


On Sunday, November 8, 2020, 12:53 PM, Tim Duffy  wrote:

Hello Paul,

160 is a nighttime band. It opens to Europe at your sunset and will close to 
Europe shortly after their sunrise. Good DX to the south can happen when our 
sun is down - until the sunrises in South America. Japan and DX to the west and 
northwest is best two to three hours before your sunrise and the peak is 
sometimes at your sunrise.

G3YRO has been encouraging us to get on Wednesday nights starting at about 
0100Z to 0800Z - I have worked many EU stations during that time.

Good Luck and I hope to hear you on topband.

73
Tim K3LR

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+k3lr=k3lr@contesting.com] On Behalf 
Of paul ecker via Topband
Sent: Sunday, November 8, 2020 10:21 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Propagation Question

In reading the below post, I have a question. I live  on east coast. What time 
either local or UTC are other east coasters making these 160m DX contacts??
73 Paul W2ECK 

Tnx Dave for the info. I have also noted nights with some strong EU
stations and the next night nothing heard...SFI staying the same. To
clarify, I run 100w and an inv. L and no special receive antennas.
So far this season I have made it into VK about 8 times and worked a
few EU stns as well. Most of this was done with the lower SFI values.
I have also noticed, on the DX Maps site, that ten mtrs has been open
some. Appears the higher SFI might help the higher bands, but little
or nothing on 160m. Interesting.
tnx Dave..73 de Bill K4JYS





Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
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Re: Topband: Propagation Question

[Tim Duffy]

Hello Paul,

160 is a nighttime band. It opens to Europe at your sunset and will close to 
Europe shortly after their sunrise. Good DX to the south can happen when our 
sun is down - until the sunrises in South America. Japan and DX to the west and 
northwest is best two to three hours before your sunrise and the peak is 
sometimes at your sunrise.

G3YRO has been encouraging us to get on Wednesday nights starting at about 
0100Z to 0800Z - I have worked many EU stations during that time.

Good Luck and I hope to hear you on topband.

73
Tim K3LR

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+k3lr=k3lr@contesting.com] On Behalf 
Of paul ecker via Topband
Sent: Sunday, November 8, 2020 10:21 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: Propagation Question

In reading the below post, I have a question. I live  on east coast. What time 
either local or UTC are other east coasters making these 160m DX contacts??
73 Paul W2ECK 

Tnx Dave for the info. I have also noted nights with some strong EU
stations and the next night nothing heard...SFI staying the same. To
clarify, I run 100w and an inv. L and no special receive antennas.
So far this season I have made it into VK about 8 times and worked a
few EU stns as well. Most of this was done with the lower SFI values.
I have also noticed, on the DX Maps site, that ten mtrs has been open
some. Appears the higher SFI might help the higher bands, but little
or nothing on 160m. Interesting.
tnx Dave..73 de Bill K4JYS





Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
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Topband: Propagation Question

[paul ecker via Topband]

In reading the below post, I have a question. I live  on east coast. What time 
either local or UTC are other east coasters making these 160m DX contacts??
73 Paul W2ECK 

Tnx Dave for the info. I have also noted nights with some strong EU
stations and the next night nothing heard...SFI staying the same. To
clarify, I run 100w and an inv. L and no special receive antennas.
So far this season I have made it into VK about 8 times and worked a
few EU stns as well. Most of this was done with the lower SFI values.
I have also noticed, on the DX Maps site, that ten mtrs has been open
some. Appears the higher SFI might help the higher bands, but little
or nothing on 160m. Interesting.
tnx Dave..73 de Bill K4JYS





Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
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Topband: PROPAGATION WC

[Robert T. Devine]

Prop has been great here lately both on 80M and Topband

 

Robert T. Devine, KC6AWX

Manager, ARRL 6th District Incoming QSL Bureau

 

"Save a Life...Become an Organ Donor"

'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you 

meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

 

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Topband: Propagation observations

[Mark Lunday]

Not trying to agitate, just making an observation about 160 meters.

If I can easily copy FT8 signals  coming from EU on my simple inverted L at my 
North Carolina QTH a full 80 minutes before sunset on 160, is there any reason 
why I should not be able to make a CW QSO?

I always followed common wisdom from others on top band (and mostly for 80 
meters)...if the sun is up, DX is nil due to ionospheric absorption (VA2GU 
exceptions notwithstanding).

But I was copying EA8DO at 2020 UTC today, and not ESP...I could occasionally 
hear the audio tones.  So why can't I do a CW QSO?

And then there's the skewed long-path from US NE and Canada to VK6 that has 
been workable daily on 80 meter SSB.  Since JULY!  Thanks to K2RR and VA2GU who 
clued me in, and I was heard on that path in VK6in July.

So I am starting to listen BEFORE sunset on 80 and 160.  The mystery continues, 
especially with a spotless sun.

Mark Lunday, WD4ELG
Greensboro, NC  FM06be
wd4...@arrl.net
http://wd4elg.blogspot.com
SKCC #16439  FISTS #17972  QRP ARCI #16497

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Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Propagation (VY0).

[DXer]

>>How about VY0ERC? They are on the radio a lot.

My guess as well. VY0ERC was very active last week on other bands that I 
monitored.


73 de Vince, VA3VF
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Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

[Stan Stockton]

How about VY0ERC?   They are on the radio a lot.  Probably not much else to do 
up there.

> On Dec 17, 2019, at 4:57 PM, Mike Smith VE9AA  wrote:
> 
> I am very calm Bruce.
> 
> 
> 
> All I did was ask questions and presented some facts & results from some 
> searches I did.
> 
> 
> 
> If you say you heard a VY0 CQing on 160m and did not write down his call nor 
> remember it, who am I to say
> 
> what happened in your shack?
> 
> 
> 
> Yes, I have experienced spotlight propagation on all bands from 2m through 
> 160m.  Some quite unbelievable.
> 
> 
> 
> 73
> 
> 
> 
> Mike VE9AA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
> 
> Keswick Ridge, NB
> 
> 
> 
> From: FZ Bruce [mailto:k...@twc.com] 
> Sent: December 17, 2019 6:51 PM
> To: 'Mike Smith VE9AA'
> Cc: 'topband@contesting.com'
> Subject: RE: Topband: Propagation (VY0)
> 
> 
> 
> Calm yourself Mike. It happened. I can see why not to post weak unusual 
> signals. Ever heard of spotlight propagation.
> 
> 
> 
> ---------
> 
> From: "Mike Smith VE9AA" 
> To: "FZ Bruce"
> Cc: topband@contesting.com
> Sent: Tuesday December 17 2019 5:46:18PM
> Subject: RE: Topband: Propagation (VY0)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> The RBN Shows tons of hits for UY0ZG CQing on 1826.9/1827 around 0500z +/-
> 
> 
> 
> Just tossin’ it out there.
> 
> 
> 
> A VY0 on 160m is very rare.
> 
> 
> 
> Mike VE9AA
> 
> 
> 
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
> 
> Keswick Ridge, NB
> 
> 
> 
> From: Mike Smith VE9AA [mailto:ve...@nbnet.nb.ca] 
> Sent: December 17, 2019 6:03 PM
> To: 'FZ Bruce'
> Cc: 'topband@contesting.com'
> Subject: RE: Topband: Propagation (VY0)
> 
> 
> 
> Understood Bruce. Thanks
> 
> 
> 
> VE9AA
> 
> 
> 
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
> 
> Keswick Ridge, NB
> 
> 
> 
> From: FZ Bruce [mailto:k...@twc.com] 
> Sent: December 17, 2019 5:57 PM
> To: 'Mike Smith VE9AA'
> Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)
> 
> 
> 
> Mike,
> 
> 
> 
> Did not write down his complete call, Strange propagation, no one called him. 
> No explanation. Only posted it in case someone wanted to listen on that freq 
> tonight. Listened many times it was very readable, and it was a Vy zero.  Did 
> not call him. Having some transmitter prob, Q3 in the K3 is shorted. trying 
> to get a signal out is a chore. Looking for a Temp cure..
> 
> 73 
> 
> Bruce
> 
> 
> From: "Mike Smith VE9AA" 
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Cc: 
> Sent: Tuesday December 17 2019 4:18:50PM
> Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)
> 
> Bruce, 
> 
> 
> 
> Callsign? did you work him?
> 
> 
> 
> There are no RBN Skimmer hits
> 
> nor any DX cluster spots when searched on DXscape.
> 
> nor any VY0 mentioned on the ON4KST chat page w/I the last 2 days.
> 
> 
> 
> Tnx
> 
> 
> 
> Mike VE9AA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> There was a VY0 calling CQ on 1826.5 last evening. Looked it up as an
> 
> afterthought and its very far north in Canada. Unfortunately he did
> 
> not get any callers.
> 
> 
> 
> If someone has a 1930's Amateur Radio Call Book they would like to
> 
> donate, or sell please email me directly.
> 
> 
> 
> 73
> 
> 
> 
> Bruce-K1FZ
> 
> 
> 
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
> 
> Keswick Ridge, NB
> 
> 
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
> 
> _
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Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

I am very calm Bruce.

 

All I did was ask questions and presented some facts & results from some 
searches I did.

 

If you say you heard a VY0 CQing on 160m and did not write down his call nor 
remember it, who am I to say

what happened in your shack?

 

Yes, I have experienced spotlight propagation on all bands from 2m through 
160m.  Some quite unbelievable.

 

73

 

Mike VE9AA

 

 

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

 

From: FZ Bruce [mailto:k...@twc.com] 
Sent: December 17, 2019 6:51 PM
To: 'Mike Smith VE9AA'
Cc: 'topband@contesting.com'
Subject: RE: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

 

Calm yourself Mike. It happened. I can see why not to post weak unusual 
signals. Ever heard of spotlight propagation.

 

-

From: "Mike Smith VE9AA" 
To: "FZ Bruce"
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Tuesday December 17 2019 5:46:18PM
Subject: RE: Topband: Propagation (VY0)




The RBN Shows tons of hits for UY0ZG CQing on 1826.9/1827 around 0500z +/-

 

Just tossin’ it out there.

 

A VY0 on 160m is very rare.

 

Mike VE9AA

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

 

From: Mike Smith VE9AA [mailto:ve...@nbnet.nb.ca] 
Sent: December 17, 2019 6:03 PM
To: 'FZ Bruce'
Cc: 'topband@contesting.com'
Subject: RE: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

 

Understood Bruce. Thanks

 

VE9AA

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

 

From: FZ Bruce [mailto:k...@twc.com] 
Sent: December 17, 2019 5:57 PM
To: 'Mike Smith VE9AA'
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

 

Mike,

 

Did not write down his complete call, Strange propagation, no one called him. 
No explanation. Only posted it in case someone wanted to listen on that freq 
tonight. Listened many times it was very readable, and it was a Vy zero.  Did 
not call him. Having some transmitter prob, Q3 in the K3 is shorted. trying to 
get a signal out is a chore. Looking for a Temp cure..

73 

Bruce


From: "Mike Smith VE9AA" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Cc: 
Sent: Tuesday December 17 2019 4:18:50PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

Bruce, 



Callsign? did you work him?



There are no RBN Skimmer hits

nor any DX cluster spots when searched on DXscape.

nor any VY0 mentioned on the ON4KST chat page w/I the last 2 days.



Tnx



Mike VE9AA





There was a VY0 calling CQ on 1826.5 last evening. Looked it up as an

afterthought and its very far north in Canada. Unfortunately he did

not get any callers.



If someone has a 1930's Amateur Radio Call Book they would like to

donate, or sell please email me directly.



73



Bruce-K1FZ



Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB



_
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Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

[FZ Bruce]

Calm yourself Mike. It happened. I can see why not to post weak
unusual signals. Ever heard of spotlight propagation.

-From: "Mike Smith VE9AA" 
To: "FZ Bruce"
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Tuesday December 17 2019 5:46:18PM
Subject: RE: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

The RBN Shows tons of hits for UY0ZG CQing on 1826.9/1827 around
0500z +/-

Just tossin’ it out there.

A VY0 on 160m is very rare.

Mike VE9AA

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

FROM: Mike Smith VE9AA [mailto:ve...@nbnet.nb.ca] 
SENT: December 17, 2019 6:03 PM
TO: 'FZ Bruce'
CC: 'topband@contesting.com'
SUBJECT: RE: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

Understood Bruce. Thanks

VE9AA

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

FROM: FZ Bruce [mailto:k...@twc.com] 
SENT: December 17, 2019 5:57 PM
TO: 'Mike Smith VE9AA'
SUBJECT: Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

Mike,

Did not write down his complete call, Strange propagation, no one
called him. No explanation. Only posted it in case someone wanted to
listen on that freq tonight. Listened many times it was very readable,
and it was a Vy zero. Did not call him. Having some transmitter prob,
Q3 in the K3 is shorted. trying to get a signal out is a chore.
Looking for a Temp cure..

73 

Bruce


From: "Mike Smith VE9AA" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Cc: 
Sent: Tuesday December 17 2019 4:18:50PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

Bruce, 

Callsign? did you work him?

There are no RBN Skimmer hits

nor any DX cluster spots when searched on DXscape.

nor any VY0 mentioned on the ON4KST chat page w/I the last 2 days.

Tnx

Mike VE9AA

There was a VY0 calling CQ on 1826.5 last evening. Looked it up as an

afterthought and its very far north in Canada. Unfortunately he did

not get any callers.

If someone has a 1930's Amateur Radio Call Book they would like to

donate, or sell please email me directly.

73

Bruce-K1FZ

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

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[2] http://www.contesting.com/_topband

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Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

The RBN Shows tons of hits for UY0ZG CQing on 1826.9/1827 around 0500z +/-

 

Just tossin’ it out there.

 

A VY0 on 160m is very rare.

 

Mike VE9AA

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

 

From: Mike Smith VE9AA [mailto:ve...@nbnet.nb.ca] 
Sent: December 17, 2019 6:03 PM
To: 'FZ Bruce'
Cc: 'topband@contesting.com'
Subject: RE: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

 

Understood Bruce. Thanks

 

VE9AA

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

 

From: FZ Bruce [mailto:k...@twc.com] 
Sent: December 17, 2019 5:57 PM
To: 'Mike Smith VE9AA'
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

 

Mike,

 

Did not write down his complete call, Strange propagation, no one called him. 
No explanation. Only posted it in case someone wanted to listen on that freq 
tonight. Listened many times it was very readable, and it was a Vy zero.  Did 
not call him. Having some transmitter prob, Q3 in the K3 is shorted. trying to 
get a signal out is a chore. Looking for a Temp cure..

73 

Bruce


From: "Mike Smith VE9AA" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Cc: 
Sent: Tuesday December 17 2019 4:18:50PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

Bruce, 



Callsign? did you work him?



There are no RBN Skimmer hits

nor any DX cluster spots when searched on DXscape.

nor any VY0 mentioned on the ON4KST chat page w/I the last 2 days.



Tnx



Mike VE9AA





There was a VY0 calling CQ on 1826.5 last evening. Looked it up as an

afterthought and its very far north in Canada. Unfortunately he did

not get any callers.



If someone has a 1930's Amateur Radio Call Book they would like to

donate, or sell please email me directly.



73



Bruce-K1FZ



Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB



_
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Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

Understood Bruce. Thanks

 

VE9AA

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

 

From: FZ Bruce [mailto:k...@twc.com] 
Sent: December 17, 2019 5:57 PM
To: 'Mike Smith VE9AA'
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

 

Mike,

 

Did not write down his complete call, Strange propagation, no one called him. 
No explanation. Only posted it in case someone wanted to listen on that freq 
tonight. Listened many times it was very readable, and it was a Vy zero.  Did 
not call him. Having some transmitter prob, Q3 in the K3 is shorted. trying to 
get a signal out is a chore. Looking for a Temp cure..

73 

Bruce


From: "Mike Smith VE9AA" 
To: topband@contesting.com
Cc: 
Sent: Tuesday December 17 2019 4:18:50PM
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

Bruce, 



Callsign? did you work him?



There are no RBN Skimmer hits

nor any DX cluster spots when searched on DXscape.

nor any VY0 mentioned on the ON4KST chat page w/I the last 2 days.



Tnx



Mike VE9AA





There was a VY0 calling CQ on 1826.5 last evening. Looked it up as an

afterthought and its very far north in Canada. Unfortunately he did

not get any callers.



If someone has a 1930's Amateur Radio Call Book they would like to

donate, or sell please email me directly.



73



Bruce-K1FZ



Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB



_
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Re: Topband: Propagation (VY0)

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

Bruce, 

 

Callsign?  did you work him?

 

There are no RBN Skimmer hits

nor any DX cluster spots when searched on DXscape.

nor any VY0 mentioned on the ON4KST chat page w/I the last 2 days.

 

Tnx

 

Mike VE9AA

 

 

There was a VY0 calling CQ on 1826.5 last evening. Looked it up as an

afterthought and its very far north in Canada. Unfortunately he did

not get any callers.

 

If someone has a 1930's Amateur Radio Call Book they would like to

donate, or sell please email me directly.

 

73

 

Bruce-K1FZ

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

 

_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Propagation

[FZ Bruce]

There was a VY0 calling CQ on 1826.5 last evening. Looked it up as an
afterthought and its very far north in Canada. Unfortunately he did
not get any callers.

If someone has a 1930's Amateur Radio Call Book they would like to
donate, or sell please email me directly.

73

Bruce-K1FZ


_
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Topband: propagation revisited

[N7DF via Topband]

after reading all the comments by others concerning their experiences with 
propagation during the cq160cw contest over the weekend i reviewed my log to 
see what was going on since my experience was so different---i found that, 
after i deducted the usual suspects that are always over s-9 nearly everything 
else was typical of spotlight effect---for instance in one 20 minute time slot 
18 out of 22 contacts were from WI and another time similar results from 
FL---remember that i only operated search and pounce--similar results were for 
PA and WA with surprisingly few CA and almost no northwest stations 
heard--practically no new england stations were heard--in fact nearly all the 
QSOs were from within 700 miles of my QTH--normally i hear and work many weaker 
stations that are well below s9 but they were simply not there to work--in fact 
it seemed like there was not as much activity as i expected and there were 
numerous large multikhz holes on the band which is hardly ever the case--both 
PJ2T and KV4FZ had the loudest signals i have ever heard from them while a JA 
opening simply did not occur---the only conclusion i can reach is that the 
geomagnetic storm reported on spaceweather.com was affecting 160 meter 
propagation in an unusual way--- and only stations with certain transmission 
characteristics were propagating and their signals were not subject to the 
normal amount of adsorption --doing only  hunt and pounce gets pretty boring 
but i  am no good at QLF and do not type well left handed--if it was not for my 
AEA morse machine i would not be able to operate cw at all
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Re: Topband: Propagation improves from VK6 into Europe

[lee]

Well said Frank,
   When I was first experimenting with the Hi-Z all active 8 element array 
through modelling I placed a simple 125 foot vertical in the model and found 
serious interaction at 800 feet separation and some pattern perturbation at 
1000 feet. However, we routinely can recommend nesting a 160 meter and 80 meter 
version of 8 element high impedance receiving arrays (200 and 100 foot 
diameter) as we have also not seen serious mutual impedance affects. RDF or 
directivity with any close physically long pseudo element like power wires or 
resonant element comes with a price on top band for sure. My conclusion at that 
time was that a single antenna with greater than 13.5 dB RDF was not likely to 
work at most ham radio sites due to interaction with something. However, 
phasing two lesser-compromised high RDF antennas is working well providing 
modelled and anecdotally observed RDF of 15 dB (Where is the government budget 
when we need it).  Fortunately even with some pattern or RDF compromising inter
 ference a good receiving antenna remains much better than most simple 
transmitting antennas for low noise receiving.
Lee   K7TJR   OR


Corollary: You can't have too many antennas except when they interfere with 
each other which they often do on Topband where a wavelength is approximately 
500 feet... 


Even on 20 meters, the pattern of a Yagi is noticeably degraded when it points 
through another 20 meter Yagi or tribander 500 feet distant or more. 


Fortunately most Topband receiving antennas don't interfere with each other -- 
except at extremely close spacing -- because their mutual impedance is 
negligible. But transmitting antennas and other antenna-like radiators such as 
power lines -- even 1000 feet away or more -- can significantly degrade the 
directivity of Topband receiving antennas. 


73
Frank
W3LPL 


_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: Propagation improves from VK6 into Europe

[donovanf]

Corollary: You can't have too many antennas except when they 
interfere with each other which they often do on Topband where 
a wavelength is approximately 500 feet... 


Even on 20 meters, the pattern of a Yagi is noticeably degraded 
when it points through another 20 meter Yagi or tribander 500 feet 
distant or more. 


Fortunately most Topband receiving antennas don't interfere with 
each other -- except at extremely close spacing -- because their 
mutual impedance is negligible. But transmitting antennas and 
other antenna-like radiators such as power lines -- even 1000 feet 
away or more -- can significantly degrade the directivity of 
Topband receiving antennas. 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 

- Original Message -

From: "David Olean"  
To: "Dennis Egan" , "Steve Ireland" 
 
Cc: "Topband reflector"  
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2018 4:50:42 PM 
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation improves from VK6 into Europe 

Hi Steve 

I missed my sunset as I had a doctor's appt. I had a bad case of Lyme 
Disease in 2017, and am still taking meds. The doctor was thrilled with 
my recent bloodwork and figures that I have an almost clean slate. I am 
feeling great for the first time since 2016! The bad news was the 
appointment was right at sunset so no listening for LP. I am 
contemplating a low wire antenna. I just need to find a good spot away 
from all the beverages. You can't have too many antennas. 

Dave K1WHS 


On 11/16/2018 2:56 AM, Dennis Egan wrote: 
> Steve 
> 
> I did hear you but you couldn’t hear me. Big European pileup on you. 
> 
> Dennis W1UE 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone 
> 
>> On Nov 15, 2018, at 20:31, Steve Ireland  wrote: 
>> 
>> G’day 
>> 
>> Although there was no LP prop into NA today, I had the best European 
>> propagation since 1 November, working 12 Europeans. 
>> 
>> The prop was very much spotlight, favouring Italy, Serbia, Hungary and 
>> Greece (SV1EOG/7 was a genuine 589), but I did work R8, OH and SM as well. 
>> 
>> Let’s hope 160m can surprise us in the next few days. 
>> 
>> Vy 73 
>> 
>> Steve, VK6VZ 
>> 
>> --- 
>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. 
>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus 
>> _ 
>> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector 
> _ 
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector 

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Re: Topband: Propagation improves from VK6 into Europe

[David Olean]

Hi Steve

I missed my sunset as I had a doctor's appt. I had a bad case of Lyme 
Disease in 2017, and am still taking meds. The doctor was thrilled with 
my recent bloodwork and figures that I have an almost clean slate.  I am 
feeling great for the first time since 2016!  The bad news was the 
appointment was right at sunset so no listening for LP.   I am 
contemplating a low wire antenna. I just need to find a good spot away 
from all the beverages.  You can't have too many antennas.


Dave K1WHS


On 11/16/2018 2:56 AM, Dennis Egan wrote:

Steve

I did hear you but you couldn’t hear me.  Big European pileup on you.

Dennis W1UE

Sent from my iPhone


On Nov 15, 2018, at 20:31, Steve Ireland  wrote:

G’day

Although there was no LP prop into NA today, I had the best European 
propagation since 1 November, working 12 Europeans.

The prop was very much spotlight, favouring Italy, Serbia, Hungary and Greece 
(SV1EOG/7 was a genuine 589), but I did work R8, OH and SM as well.

Let’s hope 160m can surprise us in the next few days.

Vy 73

Steve, VK6VZ

---
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https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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Re: Topband: Propagation improves from VK6 into Europe

[Dennis Egan]

Steve

I did hear you but you couldn’t hear me.  Big European pileup on you.

Dennis W1UE

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 15, 2018, at 20:31, Steve Ireland  wrote:
> 
> G’day
> 
> Although there was no LP prop into NA today, I had the best European 
> propagation since 1 November, working 12 Europeans. 
> 
> The prop was very much spotlight, favouring Italy, Serbia, Hungary and Greece 
> (SV1EOG/7 was a genuine 589), but I did work R8, OH and SM as well.
> 
> Let’s hope 160m can surprise us in the next few days.
> 
> Vy 73
> 
> Steve, VK6VZ
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Topband: Propagation improves from VK6 into Europe

[Steve Ireland]

G’day

Although there was no LP prop into NA today, I had the best European 
propagation since 1 November, working 12 Europeans. 

The prop was very much spotlight, favouring Italy, Serbia, Hungary and Greece 
(SV1EOG/7 was a genuine 589), but I did work R8, OH and SM as well.

Let’s hope 160m can surprise us in the next few days.

Vy 73

Steve, VK6VZ

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
_
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Re: Topband: Propagation.

[Cecil Acuff]

That’s what the Delete key is for...

Cecil
K5DL

Sent using recycled electrons.

> On Sep 13, 2018, at 6:28 PM, Bryon Paul Veal NØAH  wrote:
> 
> What do I have to say to get booted off this thread?  10 meters rules???
> 
> Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36>
> 
> 
> From: Topband  on behalf of W7RH 
> 
> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2018 2:39:59 PM
> To: Topband
> Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation.
> 
> The not so Boring Report. Sorry Tree. Boring is actual a suburb of the
> greater Portland, Gresham area on US 26 on the way to Mt Hood and Bend
> Oregon. Know it well as the area was stomping ground in my youth. I'm
> now an old fart who has been in the desert for over 30 years.
> 
> Here is my Propagation perspective from the West:
> 
> Except for rare Greyline at sunset propagation it takes several hours
> for the F1 and F2 layers to settle. This early in the season out west
> and you stay up to midnight you might get lucky but usually hear
> nothing. The exception is those to far south and those to far north.
> 
> No propagation? 160m is always open somewhere. Sunrise here in the west
> has seen many openings to VK and ZL with Asiatic Russia thrown in. All
> summer there were good openings to South America, Central America  and
> occasional African.
> 
> While the Midwest guys are enjoying getting into EU, West of the Rockies
> only a few openings occur this early. Guys in the northern western tier
> states and Canada with good RX capabilities can bust through the Auroral
> zone and work into EU. The rest of us will have to be satisfied with
> Mediterranean and North Africa. Thus far I've heard peeps from Wolf
> DF2PY and Len SM7BIC. ON the other hand out of the blue 4U1GSC (Italy)
> had a great signal at their sunrise two nights ago. Unfortunately I was
> dealing with a line of thunderstorms on that path.
> 
> In other comments I tend to agree with Merv and Paul on recent comments.
> I get kinda of sensitive once in a while regarding regarding remote
> operations because I'm in a group of a half dozen or so who  primary
> station is remote and solely for my use taking years to build and
> optimize not to mention maintain. I don't like being lumped into the
> dialup group.
> 
> Not being an avid DX'er card carrying member I'll take my poke. The real
> proof of the pudding is in competitions because your "$10,000 radio" is
> not going to work UN5J on FT8 with a 50cent antenna regardless of how
> much power you run. To satisfy the argument my primary station is a
> lowly TS480. My wife on the other hand would like to think I didn't
> spend as much as I did on land and infrastructure. LOL
> 
> The ultimate award is competing on fair grounds with your peers and
> getting nominated to Contesting Hall of Fame. This half deaf old timer
> will never achieve that but still enjoys the competition in Zone 3!
> 
> With that in mind. Put on your headphones work them whatever way you
> want because in the end it just doesn't matter to anyone except oneself.
> 
> 73, Bob
> 
> W7RH
> 
> 
> --
> W7RH DM35OS
> 
> 
> It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
> humanity.
> 
> Albert Einstein
> 
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

_
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Re: Topband: Propagation.

[Bryon Paul Veal NØAH]

What do I have to say to get booted off this thread?  10 meters rules???

Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36>


From: Topband  on behalf of W7RH 

Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2018 2:39:59 PM
To: Topband
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation.

The not so Boring Report. Sorry Tree. Boring is actual a suburb of the
greater Portland, Gresham area on US 26 on the way to Mt Hood and Bend
Oregon. Know it well as the area was stomping ground in my youth. I'm
now an old fart who has been in the desert for over 30 years.

Here is my Propagation perspective from the West:

Except for rare Greyline at sunset propagation it takes several hours
for the F1 and F2 layers to settle. This early in the season out west
and you stay up to midnight you might get lucky but usually hear
nothing. The exception is those to far south and those to far north.

No propagation? 160m is always open somewhere. Sunrise here in the west
has seen many openings to VK and ZL with Asiatic Russia thrown in. All
summer there were good openings to South America, Central America  and
occasional African.

While the Midwest guys are enjoying getting into EU, West of the Rockies
only a few openings occur this early. Guys in the northern western tier
states and Canada with good RX capabilities can bust through the Auroral
zone and work into EU. The rest of us will have to be satisfied with
Mediterranean and North Africa. Thus far I've heard peeps from Wolf
DF2PY and Len SM7BIC. ON the other hand out of the blue 4U1GSC (Italy)
had a great signal at their sunrise two nights ago. Unfortunately I was
dealing with a line of thunderstorms on that path.

In other comments I tend to agree with Merv and Paul on recent comments.
I get kinda of sensitive once in a while regarding regarding remote
operations because I'm in a group of a half dozen or so who  primary
station is remote and solely for my use taking years to build and
optimize not to mention maintain. I don't like being lumped into the
dialup group.

Not being an avid DX'er card carrying member I'll take my poke. The real
proof of the pudding is in competitions because your "$10,000 radio" is
not going to work UN5J on FT8 with a 50cent antenna regardless of how
much power you run. To satisfy the argument my primary station is a
lowly TS480. My wife on the other hand would like to think I didn't
spend as much as I did on land and infrastructure. LOL

The ultimate award is competing on fair grounds with your peers and
getting nominated to Contesting Hall of Fame. This half deaf old timer
will never achieve that but still enjoys the competition in Zone 3!

With that in mind. Put on your headphones work them whatever way you
want because in the end it just doesn't matter to anyone except oneself.

73, Bob

W7RH


--
W7RH DM35OS


It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.

Albert Einstein

_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Propagation.

[W7RH]

The not so Boring Report. Sorry Tree. Boring is actual a suburb of the 
greater Portland, Gresham area on US 26 on the way to Mt Hood and Bend 
Oregon. Know it well as the area was stomping ground in my youth. I'm 
now an old fart who has been in the desert for over 30 years.


Here is my Propagation perspective from the West:

Except for rare Greyline at sunset propagation it takes several hours 
for the F1 and F2 layers to settle. This early in the season out west 
and you stay up to midnight you might get lucky but usually hear 
nothing. The exception is those to far south and those to far north.


No propagation? 160m is always open somewhere. Sunrise here in the west 
has seen many openings to VK and ZL with Asiatic Russia thrown in. All 
summer there were good openings to South America, Central America  and 
occasional African.


While the Midwest guys are enjoying getting into EU, West of the Rockies 
only a few openings occur this early. Guys in the northern western tier 
states and Canada with good RX capabilities can bust through the Auroral 
zone and work into EU. The rest of us will have to be satisfied with 
Mediterranean and North Africa. Thus far I've heard peeps from Wolf 
DF2PY and Len SM7BIC. ON the other hand out of the blue 4U1GSC (Italy) 
had a great signal at their sunrise two nights ago. Unfortunately I was 
dealing with a line of thunderstorms on that path.


In other comments I tend to agree with Merv and Paul on recent comments. 
I get kinda of sensitive once in a while regarding regarding remote 
operations because I'm in a group of a half dozen or so who  primary 
station is remote and solely for my use taking years to build and 
optimize not to mention maintain. I don't like being lumped into the 
dialup group.


Not being an avid DX'er card carrying member I'll take my poke. The real 
proof of the pudding is in competitions because your "$10,000 radio" is 
not going to work UN5J on FT8 with a 50cent antenna regardless of how 
much power you run. To satisfy the argument my primary station is a 
lowly TS480. My wife on the other hand would like to think I didn't 
spend as much as I did on land and infrastructure. LOL


The ultimate award is competing on fair grounds with your peers and 
getting nominated to Contesting Hall of Fame. This half deaf old timer 
will never achieve that but still enjoys the competition in Zone 3!


With that in mind. Put on your headphones work them whatever way you 
want because in the end it just doesn't matter to anyone except oneself.


73, Bob

W7RH


--
W7RH DM35OS


It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.

Albert Einstein

_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: propagation in reply of real antennas for topband comments

[Bryon Paul Veal NØAH]

No propagation? Just remote in where the signal you need is on ground wave! We 
don't need no stinking real men antennasand apparently no one is at the 
switch of the ARRL DXCC desk to care.  They are too busy rearranging the chairs 
on the Titanic.  Not a popular view (I know) but I can assure you there is some 
reality with our times right now.I think a lot of old timers hiding in the 
woodwork are trying get those topband DXCC numbers up in their sunset years bu 
any means, excuse the pun.

Paul. N0AH

Get Outlook for Android


From: Topband  on behalf of K9FD 

Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2018 5:10:32 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: AA0RS sig in EU

I find part of the problem to be many hams are willing to spend 10,000
dollars for a new
SDR radio,  and 50 cents on a decent antenna.  and wonder why they have
no propagation.

Merv K9FD/KH6

> Hello !
>
> it seems that slowly the band nw opens up. Dave had a workable signal
> this morning into EU. It was a kind of 1 minute QSB intervall. And on
> the peak he was 549. But he came back to the second call .
>
> In them ol`days we used to work the westcoast by the third weekend in
> September. But from what i experienced the last years, we have less
> stns capable of bridging the continent and another ocean.
>
> Its about time everybody brings up the filaments and wears the
> headphones again.
>
> see u guys down there wolfdf2py
>
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

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Re: Topband: Propagation on 160

[CT1EKD]

Hi Ashraf
Since I'm in your path to NA, if you need to test it, contact me.
QRV  at evenings.
73

Pedro - CT1EKD
 

Citando Ashraf Chaabane :

Thanks to all those who responded to my email here in the reflector  
or offline!


I may need to focus on preparing the best TX antenna for the  
upcoming autumn. I currently have an inv-V in 3V8SS which doesn't  
satisfy my DX needs. I'm figuring out the construction of an  
inverted-L in 3V8SF (where the beverage is). I should be ready with  
that and another beverage to AS by the time propagation improves.


73 Ash 3V8SS/KF5EYY

-- Original Message --
From: "David Olean" 
To: "Ashraf Chaabane" ; topband@contesting.com
Sent: 30/05/2018 15:35:30
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation on 160

Hello Ashraf,

I am afraid that NA activity has gone down to almost no activity at  
all! It is also true that signals have been weak when there at all.  
Don't touch your beverage. It is working fine!  Raising wire from 1  
to 2 meters will not change much.  All my beverages are at 2 meters.


Dave K1WHS

On 5/30/2018 8:59 AM, Ashraf Chaabane wrote:

Hi All,

I set up a 260m long beverage beaming NA back in March. The height from
ground was 1m. It performed well (RBN spots of US stations). I dismantled
it then re-installed it two weeks ago at 2m high. But I almost can't have
any US station reported. Is it a matter of poor propagation these days?
(Sorry, I can't monitor the band for entire nights). Does this have to do
with my beverage height?

When I filter NA/EU RBN sport, I don't find many spots.

Beverage details: http://www.kf5eyy.info/technical.htm

73


_Topband Reflector Archives -  
http://www.contesting.com/_topband


 
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Propagation on 160

[Ashraf Chaabane]

Thanks to all those who responded to my email here in the reflector or 
offline!


I may need to focus on preparing the best TX antenna for the upcoming 
autumn. I currently have an inv-V in 3V8SS which doesn't satisfy my DX 
needs. I'm figuring out the construction of an inverted-L in 3V8SF 
(where the beverage is). I should be ready with that and another 
beverage to AS by the time propagation improves.


73 Ash 3V8SS/KF5EYY

-- Original Message --
From: "David Olean" 
To: "Ashraf Chaabane" ; topband@contesting.com
Sent: 30/05/2018 15:35:30
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation on 160



Hello Ashraf,

I am afraid that NA activity has gone down to almost no activity at 
all! It is also true that signals have been weak when there at all. 
Don't touch your beverage. It is working fine!  Raising wire from 1 to 
2 meters will not change much.  All my beverages are at 2 meters.


Dave K1WHS


On 5/30/2018 8:59 AM, Ashraf Chaabane wrote:

Hi All,

I set up a 260m long beverage beaming NA back in March. The height 
from
ground was 1m. It performed well (RBN spots of US stations). I 
dismantled
it then re-installed it two weeks ago at 2m high. But I almost can't 
have
any US station reported. Is it a matter of poor propagation these 
days?
(Sorry, I can't monitor the band for entire nights). Does this have to 
do

with my beverage height?

When I filter NA/EU RBN sport, I don't find many spots.

Beverage details: http://www.kf5eyy.info/technical.htm

73




_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Propagation on 160

[David Olean]

Hello Ashraf,

I am afraid that NA activity has gone down to almost no activity at all! 
It is also true that signals have been weak when there at all. Don't 
touch your beverage. It is working fine!  Raising wire from 1 to 2 
meters will not change much.  All my beverages are at 2 meters.


Dave K1WHS


On 5/30/2018 8:59 AM, Ashraf Chaabane wrote:

Hi All,

I set up a 260m long beverage beaming NA back in March. The height from
ground was 1m. It performed well (RBN spots of US stations). I dismantled
it then re-installed it two weeks ago at 2m high. But I almost can't have
any US station reported. Is it a matter of poor propagation these days?
(Sorry, I can't monitor the band for entire nights). Does this have to do
with my beverage height?

When I filter NA/EU RBN sport, I don't find many spots.

Beverage details: http://www.kf5eyy.info/technical.htm

73


_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Propagation on 160

[F Z_Bruce]

Hi Ash,

Propagation is very poor and noise is high this particular period of time.  
Your Beverage is probably OK.
http://www.qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html


73
Bruce-k1fz





On Wed, 30 May 2018 09:59:38 +0100, Ashraf Chaabane  wrote:

Hi All,

I set up a 260m long beverage beaming NA back in March. The height from
ground was 1m. It performed well (RBN spots of US stations). I dismantled
it then re-installed it two weeks ago at 2m high. But I almost can't have
any US station reported. Is it a matter of poor propagation these days?
(Sorry, I can't monitor the band for entire nights). Does this have to do
with my beverage height?

When I filter NA/EU RBN sport, I don't find many spots.

Beverage details: http://www.kf5eyy.info/technical.htm

73
-- 
Ash ~ 3V8SS/KF5EYY
http://www.kf5eyy.info/
Phone/SMS/Whatsapp: (+216) 22670026
Skype: kf5eyy
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: Propagation on 160

[Ashraf Chaabane]

Hi All,

I set up a 260m long beverage beaming NA back in March. The height from
ground was 1m. It performed well (RBN spots of US stations). I dismantled
it then re-installed it two weeks ago at 2m high. But I almost can't have
any US station reported. Is it a matter of poor propagation these days?
(Sorry, I can't monitor the band for entire nights). Does this have to do
with my beverage height?

When I filter NA/EU RBN sport, I don't find many spots.

Beverage details: http://www.kf5eyy.info/technical.htm

73
-- 
Ash ~ 3V8SS/KF5EYY
http://www.kf5eyy.info/
Phone/SMS/Whatsapp: (+216) 22670026
Skype: kf5eyy
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: Propagation

[Yuri Blanarovich]

To put it simple terms:
Sun(spot) activity is low, atmo/ionosphere layers height has shrunk.
RF mirrors/ducts are lower, propagation is squished (sucks).
I remember 1958 when I could work the whole world at the same time with 
10W Wehrmacht tank TX and (Windom) piece of wire for 24 hours on 10m!

Highest sunspot activity in my lifetime, never repeated since.

73 Yuri, K3BU/KH6
 
 
 On Wed, Nov 15, 2017 at 08:28 AM, Craig Clark wrote:
 
 > So, what IS going on? Why has propagation on Top Band (and other 
bands) been

so poor?
An inquiring mind would like some "ed-u-macation." I missed K9LA's
presentation
at W9DXCC this year.

Craig Clark K1QX



_
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_
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Re: Topband: Propagation

[Mike Waters]

Great question, Craig! I asked this question a few months ago here:

ham.stackexchange.com/questions/8940/what-is-the-cause-of-this-unusually-long-period-of-terrible-hf-band-conditions

It is NOT what the answers there claim. I have done extensive research on
this. And when I get the time and motivation again, I'll share what I have
found.

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com

On Nov 15, 2017 7:29 AM, "Craig Clark"  wrote:

So, what IS going on? Why has propagation on Top Band (and other bands)
been so poor?
An inquiring mind would like some "ed-u-macation." I missed K9LA's
presentation at W9DXCC this year.

Craig Clark K1QX
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: Propagation

[Craig Clark]

So, what IS going on? Why has propagation on Top Band (and other bands) been
so poor?
An inquiring mind would like some "ed-u-macation." I missed K9LA's
presentation
at W9DXCC this year.

Craig Clark K1QX



_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: Propagation info

[K1FZ-Bruce]

IV3PRK Luis web site:   

http://www.iv3prk.it/
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Re: Topband: propagation question.

[K1FZ-Bruce]

Tim,

Many thanks for your research, 

 How do the numbers compare to other years,  the same contest ?.

Bruce-k1fz





On Wed, 24 May 2017 21:18:50 -0400, Tim Shoppa  wrote:

Bruce, I went and looked at reversebeacon statistics for the two nights
before the Chelyabinsk meteor (that would be 13 Feb 2013 and 14 Feb 2013)
as well as the night of the strike (15 Feb 2013). The strike was at 0320Z.
I specifically looked for 160M EU-NA transatlantic reversebeacon spots and
counted the number of such spots.

On 13 Feb 2013, there were 636 EU-NA reversebeacon spots.
On 14 Feb 2013, there were 776 EU-NA reversebeacon spots.
On 15 Feb 2013, there were 1984 EU-NA reversebeacon spots.

HOWEVER, there is a confounding factor, which is that ARRL DX CW started on
16 Feb 2013. I think the pickup in spots on 15 Feb could be entirely
explained by stations warming up and checking out the night before the
night before the big contest.

There was one station, LY7M, that was on 160M for several hours before and
several hours after the meteor. I plotted a curve of its strength at a NA
Skimmer and while there are a couple peak-ups, I don't think the peak-ups
are necessarily tied to the meteor strike. You can see the curve I plotted
here: http://n3qe.org/ly7m-meteor.png

Tim N3QE


On Wed, May 24, 2017 at 4:20 PM, K1FZ-Bruce wrote:

>
> Watch " Meteor Strike" on some PBS TV stations tonight.Check your
> local TV listings for time and channel.
>
>  Did anyone notice an increase in low band propagation for awhile, after
> this rather large event ?
>
> 73
> Bruce-K1FZ
> http://www.qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
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Re: Topband: propagation question.

[Tim Shoppa]

Bruce, I went and looked at reversebeacon statistics for the two nights
before the Chelyabinsk meteor (that would be 13 Feb 2013 and 14 Feb 2013)
as well as the night of the strike (15 Feb 2013). The strike was at 0320Z.
I specifically looked for 160M EU-NA transatlantic reversebeacon spots and
counted the number of such spots.

On 13 Feb 2013, there were 636 EU-NA reversebeacon spots.
On 14 Feb 2013, there were 776 EU-NA reversebeacon spots.
On 15 Feb 2013, there were 1984 EU-NA reversebeacon spots.

HOWEVER, there is a confounding factor, which is that ARRL DX CW started on
16 Feb 2013. I think the pickup in spots on 15 Feb could be entirely
explained by stations warming up and checking out the night before the
night before the big contest.

There was one station, LY7M, that was on 160M for several hours before and
several hours after the meteor. I plotted a curve of its strength at a NA
Skimmer and while there are a couple peak-ups, I don't think the peak-ups
are necessarily tied to the meteor strike. You can see the curve I plotted
here: http://n3qe.org/ly7m-meteor.png

Tim N3QE


On Wed, May 24, 2017 at 4:20 PM, K1FZ-Bruce  wrote:

>
> Watch " Meteor Strike" on some PBS TV stations tonight.Check your
> local TV listings for time and channel.
>
>  Did anyone notice an increase in low band propagation for awhile, after
> this rather large event ?
>
> 73
> Bruce-K1FZ
> http://www.qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html
> _
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>
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Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: propagation question.

[K1FZ-Bruce]

Watch " Meteor Strike" on some PBS TV stations tonight.Check your local TV 
listings for time and channel.

 Did anyone notice an increase in low band propagation for awhile, after this 
rather large event ?

73
Bruce-K1FZ
http://www.qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html
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Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: propagation variables ?

[K1FZ-Bruce]

Interesting info

http://www.space.com/36934-humans-change-space-weather.html

73
Bruce-K1FZ
http://www.qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html
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Re: Topband: Propagation

[JC]

Hi Bruce

V P 8 A L J  beacon transmits with 30w and the antenna is a vertical but I
don't have more information about it. The frequency is 1804.8, I can hear
the beacon here in Florida 449 to 559 almost every night starting 01z. The
beacon has a long time between transitions.

Conditions is promising to be very good this DX season. N-S conditions
already good.

73's 

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
K1FZ-Bruce
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2017 10:57 PM
To: Topband <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: Propagation


Propagation still peaking north-south. Worked Mario LU8DPM at 0156.  We are
very close to the same longitude of 70 Degrees.
Typical aurora conditions.


73
Bruce-k1fz 
file:///C:/Users/Clark/Documents/WEB%20Pages/beverage_antenna.html
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Topband: Propagation

[K1FZ-Bruce]

 

Propagation still peaking north-south. Worked Mario LU8DPM at 0156.  We are 
very close to the same longitude of 70 Degrees.
Typical aurora conditions.

73
Bruce-k1fz 
http://www.qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html
_

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Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: Propagation

[K1FZ-Bruce]

Propagation still peaking north-south. Worked Mario LU8DPM at 0156.  We are 
very close to the same longitude of 70 Degrees.
Typical aurora conditions.


73
Bruce-k1fz 
file:///C:/Users/Clark/Documents/WEB%20Pages/beverage_antenna.html
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Topband: Propagation

[K1FZ-Bruce]

160 band is coming back slightly/slowly. Propagation is still better S-N,  N-S..
More activity is taking place. 

73
Bruce-k1fz
 http://www.qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html
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Topband: propagation

[K1FZ-Bruce]

Well we had very unusual propagation the 
last few days. A station from Africa CN2CO was coming through after lunch. 
About 2 PM local time I tuned across him again.
.
After awhile there was a break in the European pile up, as he repeatedly called 
CQ. I got a contact, then K1CP worked him also.
There are strange propagation events at times.

73
Bruce-K1FZ
http://www.qsl.net/k1fz/beverage_antenna.html





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Topband: Propagation

[K1FZ-Bruce]

Seeing a large front to back on antennas tonight indicating low angle 
propagation. 
 
Good for the contest
 
73
Bruce
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Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

[Willem Angenent]

I was on Conway Reef in 2001, I might still have the 160 log. I will look
for it and report the times worked USA.
I still remember the NI6T QSO he was one of the loudest. (If I remember
correct he has wires in his trees).


73
Will
K6ND

-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Milt --
N5IA
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 8:20 PM
To: Robin; 160
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

-Original Message-
From: Robin
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 3:52 PM
To: 160
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

SNIP

During the VP6DX expedition, we made many contacts before sunset and after
sunrise, some quite notable distances.  There is a recording of the SSB
contact during the SSB contest with EA6 when it was almost 2 hours after
sunrise at EA6.

SNIP-



I believe the contest contact Robin is referencing was the 2nd one with CN3A
during the 2nd night of the contest.  I had worked CN3A earlier in the
evening and it was a bit difficult.  It was now hard daylight in all of EU
and AF, and the terminator was out in the Atlantic on the Cape Verde
Islands, past the Canaries and the Azores.

I was giving a few minutes of directional calls for the central Pacific and
ZL/VK.

CN3A calls in while I am listening on the Beverage in the opposite
direction, directly to ZL/VK.  He reports the VP6DX signal is
unbelievable.  I switch to the EU Beverage and the CN3A signal is 10-15 dB
stronger.  CN3A and I exchange signal reports with his report of that VP6DX
was like local 20 Meters to CT (Portugal).

It truly was an exciting minute of time inside the unreal two night of the
CQ 160 SSB contest from the middle of nowhere in the South Pacific.  Sum
total was only two contacts out of more than 1,000 Qs that were less than
3,000 miles.

Anyone interested in listening to the MP3 of the contact and viewing a jpeg
graphic of the path taken from the GeoClock screen can request them in a
direct E-mail.

73 de Milt, N5IA.  Also VP6DX and XZ0A.
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: Propagation

[wa3mej]

All of this talk about propagation on TB has refreshed my memory of when I read 
the original ON4UN book where he talks about skewed paths... AND it explains 
what happened to me on 9/20 starting at 0947 ... I worked three VK stations on 
TB but the very first one was very interesting.. you see I had forgotten to 
switch from my receive 480 ft Beverage pointed at about 40/220 degrees.  VK4WHO 
 had a pretty good signal and after this contact I realized what I had done 
(chalk it up to being sleepy)  You see even though my Beverage is 
bi-directional I only have one feedline and no relay in the remote box so it 
was fixed on 40 deg.  WHen I switched to my inverted L for receive heard VK5BC 
and his signal was nearly as good on the transmit antenna.  Moving down a 
little I also worked VK3IO some 45 plus minutes after the initial contact. Not 
sure if the sun was above the horizon yet but it was definately bright out.  It 
didnt strike me until sometime after that I worked the first one long path.. 
but probably in retrospect it was a skewed path.. not a true long path.. 



Jim 


http://www.qsl.net/wa3mej/index.htm 
- Original Message -
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

[Tom W8JI]

So, it looks like there is a window of about 6 hours of darkness.



Any time in that window is a chance.



I have also read that there is sometimes an increase in signal strength
during the terminator.  It's not clear to me if that means the terminator
at the DX location or my QTH.


Either one. There are also peaks we miss that are not at either terminator. 
They may not be as frequent, but they are there at odd times during 
darkness.


When I had daily skeds with VK3ZL and ZL3REX, we would frequently have peaks 
only during off times.



Assuming 3D2C is transmitting on 160 throughout that period of 6 hours,
when am I more likely to work them?


When they are on. :-)

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

[Gary K9GS]

Tom is correct.

It's probably unlikely that they're going to be on 160M at their 
sunsetthey're going to be on other bands and their operating 
pattern, so far, has confirmed this.


I would guess that the time your most likely to work them is 1 or 2 
hours before your sunrise with sunrise +/- 30 minutes being the peak time.



On 9/30/2012 1:43 PM, Tom W8JI wrote:

So, it looks like there is a window of about 6 hours of darkness.



Any time in that window is a chance.



I have also read that there is sometimes an increase in signal strength
during the terminator.  It's not clear to me if that means the 
terminator

at the DX location or my QTH.


Either one. There are also peaks we miss that are not at either 
terminator. They may not be as frequent, but they are there at odd 
times during darkness.


When I had daily skeds with VK3ZL and ZL3REX, we would frequently have 
peaks only during off times.



Assuming 3D2C is transmitting on 160 throughout that period of 6 hours,
when am I more likely to work them?


When they are on. :-)

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK



--


73,

Gary K9GS

Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
CW Ops #1032   http://www.cwops.org



___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

[N3XX]

They were weak here earlier this morning, but the signal came up nicely at 
around 1115Z, about 15 minutes before sunrise here.  Made the contact for a 
new one at 1122Z.


Good luck.
73,
Tim - N3XX

- Original Message - 
From: Wayne Willenberg wewill...@gmail.com

To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 2:26 PM
Subject: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef



As I always start my posts on this reflector, I will explain again that I
am very new to 160M.  I would like to work 3D2C on 160.  I have read 
enough

to know that propagation programs are of very limited value in predicting
propagation on 160.  But, what I have read is I need total darkness 
between

my QTH, in South Carolina, and Conway for any chance of working them on
160.  I have been working with DXAtlas to find the hours of darkness. 
Here

is what I have found.

The terminator at 3D2C heading toward dark starts at about 05:30Z and
continues until full darkness at 06:30Z.  Throughout that 1 hour, there is
complete darkness for the remainder of the path to my QTH.

The path from 3D2C remains completely dark until the terminator starts at
10:30Z at my QTH and continues until sunrise at 11:15Z.

So, it looks like there is a window of about 6 hours of darkness.

I have also read that there is sometimes an increase in signal strength
during the terminator.  It's not clear to me if that means the terminator
at the DX location or my QTH.

Assuming 3D2C is transmitting on 160 throughout that period of 6 hours,
when am I more likely to work them?

Thanks again for explaining the basics to a newcomer.

73, Wayne KK6BT
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK 


___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

[Tom W8JI]

schedule. The problem with many DX-peditions today rather than in the past 
is they rely on SR/SS charts for the East Coast before they even check the 
band for a few test CQ's prior to what the charts or the computer tells 
them what to do.


It is a HUGE mistake for anyone to assume propagation only peaks at sunrise 
or sunset, or that the sunrise or sunset peak is always the optimum or best 
time. It really is terrible planning.


There are many days working ZL/VK, and working Europe from here, when there 
was no propagation at sunrise or sunset and great propagation well away from 
the two. Sometimes sunset at one end is the peak, sometimes sunrise at one 
end is the peak, and very often the only opening or best peak is not near 
either.


During noise season operating at sunrise/sunset can produce a great 
reduction in noise at the end near daylight, and the lower noise makes 
things better, and many times there is a signal strength peak, but there are 
many times the best or only peak is not remotely close to dawn/dusk at 
either end of the path.


People familiar with 160 listen at all times there is darkness in the path, 
and people unfamiliar listen only at sunrise/sunset.


73 Tom 


___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

[Robin]

In the trip across the south pacific from ZL to VP6DX, we were about in the 
middle when
the CQWW160 CW contest started. ( I was the only expedition member aboard at 
that point-
we were bound for Mangareva to collect the rest of the crew).  I had a 125 ft 
horizontal
wire running the length of the Braveheart.  When the contest started I hadn't 
finished
getting things set up for operating topband effectively, but I could listen 
(and /MM isn't
a multiplier, or even a 10 pointer)

I started listening about 4 PM local - 2 hours before sunset.  I had 100 
callsigns written
down on a yellow tablet in the first hour, ALL easy copy (but then, there isn't 
much man
made noise 1000 miles from the nearest land).  All of the callsigns were 5000 
miles plus
away -  99% North America.

During the VP6DX expedition, we made many contacts before sunset and after 
sunrise, some
quite notable distances.  There is a recording of the SSB contact during the 
SSB contest
with EA6 when it was almost 2 hours after sunrise at EA6.

I also note a comment about the signals coming in from the SW to eastern USA.  
During our
XZ0A trip, if you had a directional RX antenna and wanted to hear us, that is 
the
direction you had to listen from.  There is significant repeatability to the 
data on skew
paths and odd arrival angles near the terminator hours,  We had to listen (at 
XZ0A) on a
low horizontal dipole during the 2 hours at Sunset or we heard nothing.  There 
appears to
be some correlation with how well developed the northern oval is and the 
magnitude of the
skew paths and high arrival angles.  We were on the air with 1500W and a full 
size quarter
wave (elevated) vertical for close to a month with daily repeatable results 
that required
us to listen on a very high angle receive antenna at sunset, and eastern 
stateside to
listen for us from the SW.

With all of this, the bottom line is:
1: If you aren't on the air, you cant work them
2: do not assume that traditional propagation modes and times are the only ones 
that are
useful.
3: encourage the expedition folks to note both 1 and 2

Robin Critchell
WA6CDR, VP6DX, XZ0A

- Original Message - 
From: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com

To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 15:21
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef



schedule. The problem with many DX-peditions today rather than in the past is 
they rely
on SR/SS charts for the East Coast before they even check the band for a few 
test CQ's
prior to what the charts or the computer tells them what to do.


It is a HUGE mistake for anyone to assume propagation only peaks at sunrise or 
sunset,
or that the sunrise or sunset peak is always the optimum or best time. It 
really is
terrible planning.

There are many days working ZL/VK, and working Europe from here, when there was 
no
propagation at sunrise or sunset and great propagation well away from the two. 
Sometimes
sunset at one end is the peak, sometimes sunrise at one end is the peak, and 
very often
the only opening or best peak is not near either.

During noise season operating at sunrise/sunset can produce a great reduction 
in noise
at the end near daylight, and the lower noise makes things better, and many 
times there
is a signal strength peak, but there are many times the best or only peak is not
remotely close to dawn/dusk at either end of the path.

People familiar with 160 listen at all times there is darkness in the path, and 
people
unfamiliar listen only at sunrise/sunset.

73 Tom
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK


___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

[Milt -- N5IA]

-Original Message- 
From: Robin

Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 3:52 PM
To: 160
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation to Conway Reef

SNIP

During the VP6DX expedition, we made many contacts before sunset and after 
sunrise, some
quite notable distances.  There is a recording of the SSB contact during the 
SSB contest

with EA6 when it was almost 2 hours after sunrise at EA6.

SNIP-



I believe the contest contact Robin is referencing was the 2nd one with CN3A 
during the 2nd night of the contest.  I had worked CN3A earlier in the 
evening and it was a bit difficult.  It was now hard daylight in all of EU 
and AF, and the terminator was out in the Atlantic on the Cape Verde 
Islands, past the Canaries and the Azores.


I was giving a few minutes of directional calls for the central Pacific and 
ZL/VK.


CN3A calls in while I am listening on the Beverage in the opposite 
direction, directly to ZL/VK.  He reports the VP6DX signal is 
unbelievable.  I switch to the EU Beverage and the CN3A signal is 10-15 dB 
stronger.  CN3A and I exchange signal reports with his report of that VP6DX 
was like local 20 Meters to CT (Portugal).


It truly was an exciting minute of time inside the unreal two night of the 
CQ 160 SSB contest from the middle of nowhere in the South Pacific.  Sum 
total was only two contacts out of more than 1,000 Qs that were less than 
3,000 miles.


Anyone interested in listening to the MP3 of the contact and viewing a jpeg 
graphic of the path taken from the GeoClock screen can request them in a 
direct E-mail.


73 de Milt, N5IA.  Also VP6DX and XZ0A.
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: Propagation last evening

[chacuff]

Anyone care to comment on last evenings propagation for the CQ SSB contest?

From the deep south there just was no DX going on.  Spots were very slim as 
well...

I'd be curious what others experienced...

Cecil
K5DL 

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[Steve]

The only thing I heard last night was KH7Y and N4PN calling CQ...I couldn't get 
Paul's attention 
73, Steve KH6/AA4V

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 25, 2012, at 9:07 AM, chacuff chac...@cableone.net wrote:

 Anyone care to comment on last evenings propagation for the CQ SSB contest?
 
 From the deep south there just was no DX going on.  Spots were very slim as 
 well...
 
 I'd be curious what others experienced...
 
 Cecil
 K5DL 
 
 ___
 UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[K4OWR]

 My first contest on 160, and really my first heavy activity session.
The only DX I worked was a dozen or so Carribean, Mexico, and Canadian 
provinces 1,2,3,4,6
Also 43 states, no west coast though.
I saw lots of DX spots, but heard almost none of it. I used YCCC dx 
cluster, but have no idea who was posting the spots...could have been 
Europeans.
Did manage to work almost 500 stations this first night.
I'm 35 miles west of Knoxville TN.
BILL K4OWR

On 2/25/2012 2:07 PM, chacuff wrote:
 Anyone care to comment on last evenings propagation for the CQ SSB contest?

  From the deep south there just was no DX going on.  Spots were very slim as
 well...

 I'd be curious what others experienced...

 Cecil
 K5DL

 ___
 UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK


___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

We've had three contests in a row where Friday night 160 was really stinky.
 Will we have three in a row where Saturday night was a whole new deal?
At least that long line of thunderstorms off shore that stretched from GA
to New Brunswick will be gone with the front.  In North Carolina the band
sounded like mid-summer, with 20 over and 30 over QRN.

73, Guy.

On Sat, Feb 25, 2012 at 2:07 PM, chacuff chac...@cableone.net wrote:

 Anyone care to comment on last evenings propagation for the CQ SSB contest?

 From the deep south there just was no DX going on.  Spots were very slim
 as
 well...

 I'd be curious what others experienced...

 Cecil
 K5DL

 ___
 UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[Mike Coreen Smith]

I only got on for a very short time in the mid evening (8-10pm local ).
Prop must have been kinda weird.  Some EU's were over S9 yet I only made a 
couple of QSOs.
I worked W9RE who was actually weak-ish (weird, in and of itself) on the QRG 
of OL7M who was over S9.
I made a comment to W9RE that there was a very loud EU on his freq and 
nobody out east could hear him
and he said he was not hearing them (the EU) at all.

VY2ZM's son was on and working EU's I could not even hearbut that's just 
normal, hi hi !

Mike VE9AA

Mike, Coreen  Corey Smith
699 Rte 616 Keswick Ridge
NB
Canada
E6L 1T1
  - Original Message - 
  From: chacuff
  To: Topband@contesting.com
  Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 3:07 PM
  Subject: Topband: Propagation last evening


  Anyone care to comment on last evenings propagation for the CQ SSB 
contest?

  From the deep south there just was no DX going on.  Spots were very slim 
as
  well...

  I'd be curious what others experienced...

  Cecil
  K5DL

  ___
  UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK


--



  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
  Version: 8.5.455 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/4226 - Release Date: 02/22/12 
19:34:00
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[Sam Morgan]

I started about dark_30 here in West Texas
all I could hear was 4 other TX stations calling CQ
First I tried them with 5w, I wanted to work the contest QRP
no responses so I went up to 100w,
still nothing

so I watched some TV until about 10pm
lots of (stateside) stations all over the band by now
again no responses to my attempts to answer their CQ's, again with 100w.

all the stations I heard were in states I had worked b4
when running QRP in the previous CW contests

conclusion reached
I will not be wasting my time in any 160m SSB contests
either you can't be heard unless you run a kw
or ssb ops aren't listening for anything down in the weeds
that isn't received on a beverage pointed away from the US
or doesn't have an exotic call sign

tisk tisk, their loss, but not to worry
its the 1st weekend of the NASCAR season
c all you cw ops again for the mid year Stew Perry
--
GB  73
K5OAI
Sam Morgan

On 2/25/2012 1:07 PM, chacuff wrote:
 Anyone care to comment on last evenings propagation for the CQ SSB contest?

 From the deep south there just was no DX going on.  Spots were very slim as
 well...

 I'd be curious what others experienced...

 Cecil
 K5DL
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[Jim Brown]

On 2/25/2012 12:03 PM, Sam Morgan wrote:
 I will not be wasting my time in any 160m SSB contests
 either you can't be heard unless you run a kw
 or ssb ops aren't listening for anything down in the weeds
 that isn't received on a beverage pointed away from the US
 or doesn't have an exotic call sign

It's not much better on CW, which is why I no longer bother with 160M 
contests.

It's long past time for scoring rules changes that cause east coast 
stations to want to work something besides DX.  The excessive credit for 
DX QSOs and countries as multipliers simply does not make sense.  EU 
from most of the east coast is only about 25% greater distance than W6, 
yet the W1--W6 or W1-W7 QSO counts one point and the EU QSO counts three 
or five, depending on the contest.

The only 160M contest with reasonable scoring rules is the Stew Perry, 
but there's not nearly enough activity to make it much fun. Is it 
because the east coast guys don't like anything without their 5:1 
scoring advantage?

73, Jim K9YC
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[K4OWR]

* Gee, a lot of anger out there about this contest. In my 
opinion.running a KW or more on 160 is just required. It's the 
nature of the band, has been since Marconi.
I'm a long time SSB op (56 years) and I listen so far down into the 
weeds my ears hurt. I also use separate rcv antennas, in several 
directions to help me overcome the noise and hear better overall. I 
really try to answer even the weakest stations. The 500 people I worked 
last night can attest to that.
The attitude implied by several here is simply sour grapes from those 
who don't put forth the effort this band requires.
I will continue to try to operate my station as best I can.

As to the scoring rules.yes, they're unfair to US hams. This does 
not stop me from getting on and enjoying myself.*
*BILL K4OWRjust changed from my original 1957 issued original call 
K2OWR, to try to fit in to my wonderful new home in TN.Y'all
*
On 2/25/2012 3:35 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
 On 2/25/2012 12:03 PM, Sam Morgan wrote:
 I will not be wasting my time in any 160m SSB contests
 either you can't be heard unless you run a kw
 or ssb ops aren't listening for anything down in the weeds
 that isn't received on a beverage pointed away from the US
 or doesn't have an exotic call sign
 It's not much better on CW, which is why I no longer bother with 160M
 contests.

 It's long past time for scoring rules changes that cause east coast
 stations to want to work something besides DX.  The excessive credit for
 DX QSOs and countries as multipliers simply does not make sense.  EU
 from most of the east coast is only about 25% greater distance than W6,
 yet the W1--W6 or W1-W7 QSO counts one point and the EU QSO counts three
 or five, depending on the contest.

 The only 160M contest with reasonable scoring rules is the Stew Perry,
 but there's not nearly enough activity to make it much fun. Is it
 because the east coast guys don't like anything without their 5:1
 scoring advantage?

 73, Jim K9YC
 ___
 UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK


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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[Don Moman VE6JY]

From my landlocked 4 square in somewhat frozen and snowy Alberta, Friday
was mostly what I'd call a normal evening, i.e. not very good.   The bigger
stations on the east coast are workable (VY2ZM and N4PN were consistently
loud), Europe is a dream  (and yes, we consider VO1/2 to be part of Europe
for this one...) and the Carribean was workable but not many of them to
pick from.  I only called CQ here from almost 0800 thru 0930 and the best
mults that answered were VE9HF and KH6AT but I listened a fair bit (and
made a few Perseus recordings earlier) and gave out the multiplier to
whomever heard me.

It never ceases to amaze/confuse me that when I'm searching and calling
stations, anyone that isn't fairly solid copy will virtually NEVER hear me.
 Yet when I call CQ, I get stations answering me that are so weak I'd never
even consider calling them, yet they often comment on how loud I am.  They
can't all be QRP

73 Don
VE6JY

On Sat, Feb 25, 2012 at 7:16 PM, Steve a...@bellsouth.net wrote:

 The only thing I heard last night was KH7Y and N4PN calling CQ...I
 couldn't get Paul's attention
 73, Steve KH6/AA4V

 Sent from my iPhone

 On Feb 25, 2012, at 9:07 AM, chacuff chac...@cableone.net wrote:

  Anyone care to comment on last evenings propagation for the CQ SSB
 contest?
 
  From the deep south there just was no DX going on.  Spots were very
 slim as
  well...
 
  I'd be curious what others experienced...
 
  Cecil
  K5DL
 
  ___
  UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
 ___
 UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[Milt -- N5IA]

Hey Sam,

It was the poorest first night that I can remember going back 20 years to 
the first part of the '90's.

For a LNG timethe only station we heard and worked out here in southwest 
NM was one TX superstation.  And that is with HP and lots of radiating 
metal.  This is the NI5T multi-op.

It too us nearly 5 hours to get to 100 Q's.  Only 330 or so for the entire 
night when normally the count in around 600 for the first night.

Best DX was Al, K7CA in Chile and RC0F on Sakalin (sp) peninsula in eastern 
Russia.

I like others am looking for the band to flip-flop tonight and give us a 
reasonably good shot.

73, and get on for a while after the 10 PM news.

Milt, N5IA, one of the ops at NI5T


-Original Message- 
From: Sam Morgan
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2012 1:03 PM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

I started about dark_30 here in West Texas
all I could hear was 4 other TX stations calling CQ
First I tried them with 5w, I wanted to work the contest QRP
no responses so I went up to 100w,
still nothing

so I watched some TV until about 10pm
lots of (stateside) stations all over the band by now
again no responses to my attempts to answer their CQ's, again with 100w.

all the stations I heard were in states I had worked b4
when running QRP in the previous CW contests

conclusion reached
I will not be wasting my time in any 160m SSB contests
either you can't be heard unless you run a kw
or ssb ops aren't listening for anything down in the weeds
that isn't received on a beverage pointed away from the US
or doesn't have an exotic call sign

tisk tisk, their loss, but not to worry
its the 1st weekend of the NASCAR season
c all you cw ops again for the mid year Stew Perry
--
GB  73
K5OAI
Sam Morgan

On 2/25/2012 1:07 PM, chacuff wrote:
 Anyone care to comment on last evenings propagation for the CQ SSB 
 contest?

 From the deep south there just was no DX going on.  Spots were very slim 
 as
 well...

 I'd be curious what others experienced...

 Cecil
 K5DL
___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK


-
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2114/4831 - Release Date: 02/25/12 

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

Well, I might agree with you Jim, if all the states and provinces weren't
multipliers.  And that the strategy of winners for 160 contests is to WORK
ANYTHING THAT MOVES.  If you hear it, work it.  Doesn't matter if it's east
coast or west coast or DX.

Personally my limiting factor is being able to hear weak stations.  CQ and
ARRL list winners by states and call areas and gives them certificates.
 Nice piece of paper.

73, Guy (If I can hear you I'll work you) K2AV

On Sat, Feb 25, 2012 at 3:35 PM, Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.comwrote:

 On 2/25/2012 12:03 PM, Sam Morgan wrote:
  I will not be wasting my time in any 160m SSB contests
  either you can't be heard unless you run a kw
  or ssb ops aren't listening for anything down in the weeds
  that isn't received on a beverage pointed away from the US
  or doesn't have an exotic call sign

 It's not much better on CW, which is why I no longer bother with 160M
 contests.

 It's long past time for scoring rules changes that cause east coast
 stations to want to work something besides DX.  The excessive credit for
 DX QSOs and countries as multipliers simply does not make sense.  EU
 from most of the east coast is only about 25% greater distance than W6,
 yet the W1--W6 or W1-W7 QSO counts one point and the EU QSO counts three
 or five, depending on the contest.

 The only 160M contest with reasonable scoring rules is the Stew Perry,
 but there's not nearly enough activity to make it much fun. Is it
 because the east coast guys don't like anything without their 5:1
 scoring advantage?

 73, Jim K9YC
 ___
 UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

___
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation last evening

[Mike(W5UC)]

On 2/25/2012 1:07 PM, chacuff wrote:
 Anyone care to comment on last evenings propagation for the CQ SSB contest?

  From the deep south there just was no DX going on.  Spots were very slim as
 well...

 I'd be curious what others experienced...

 Cecil
 K5DL
It was poor at best.  never heard anything beyond 2000-2200 miles, 
except the K7 fellow in CE.  I worked a few Caribbean stations running 
without the amp;  Just not worth the effort.

At the beginning of the season I had great hopes of finally making DXCC 
on 160 this season as I just need 5 or 6, but with condx like they have 
been, I am having serious doubts.  It is interesting to note that stuff 
out in the Pacific is usually stronger than the Caribbean.

73,
Mike, W5UC
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Re: Topband: Propagation on CQWW CW 160M

[jeremy maris]

Propagation was very bad on the Friday/Saturday to the South coast of England - 
only managed 4 W/VE states compared to many more in previous years but 
Saturday/Sunday was much better - and yes we had a great run of NA QSO like you 
did with very strong signals.

The Reverse Beacon Network showed G4AQG at 30dB S/N at a couple of East coast 
skimmers, much stronger than I'm accustomed to!

Keep meaning to download and process the RBN data for the contest to get more 
detailed comparison and trends  re other EU signals 

Jeremy G3XDK/G4AGG


On 3 Feb 2012, at 15:02, F3WT wrote:

 Hello Gents,
 
 As I was still reading comments on that event, let me add that I was hooked 
 that last Sunday morning Jan 29 around SR here in France ( between UTC 6:40 
 to as late as 7:14 when it was full day).
 I live in city house within town, with a small lot.  My ant is a vertical inv 
 U shaped wire of abt 30M, apex up 20M down on the street-side  of my house ,  
 fed against an other wire of my 2nd antenna (a  delta-loop left open with 
 circumference 
 of another 30M, upper corner up 18M, base at abt 10M), situated on the other 
 side of my house ( south). The vertical part radiates towards a large  open 
 street oriented North, NW, fine for North America.
 
 I probably got up too late  that Sunday not assuming good propagation as was 
 the case 24h b4 (Saturday  28, same time to work NA).
 
 Summit showing lots NA stations that morning so I had just time to  rushed 
 up staircase to my shack ...
 .. in time to work in a row ( half an hour):
   KT3Y, NO3M,VE3EJ ( 10dB over if not more), K1LT, K1DG and K3ZM last 
 station heard after falloff  - 
 
 Gee! ...  It made my day and even my participating in that contest.
 
 Was it that spot light propagation?  I never experienced this before!
 
 Glad to still  share this with you.
 
 73.
 Pierre, F3WT
 
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 UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: Propagation from Maine this morning

[N1BUG]

Finally some remarkable propagation!

I got up about an hour before sunrise this morning to see if there 
was any sign of T30RH on topband. Nothing, so I parked the receiver 
on 1826.5 and went back to bed. I did NOT turn the amp on, trying to 
conserve $$.

A few minutes prior to sunrise I was startled by a loud CQ. Can't 
be, I thought. Then he signs T30RH up 2! So I flew out of bed, 
tripped over the cat, but managed to flip the amp switch to ON 
before hitting the floor. Three minutes is a very, very long time 
when you are listening to the DX call CQ and the amp isn't ready. I 
was still too sleepy to think of trying barefoot! Five or six 
relatively long CQs, no takers. Finally the amp was ready! I gave my 
call twice and a very easy 599/599 QSO resulted. Jacek really was 
599 here! Amazing!

Quickly looking around I found Dave, KH2/N2NL CQ'ing with no takers, 
so I waited a bit and then sent my call ONE time. Dave came back... 
another quick, easy QSO. Great ears, Dave!

My new S9+ local noise (from a defective furnace next door) came up 
just seconds after the QSO with Dave. By the time it stopped, the 
sun was well up and BU2AQ was fading into noise. Rats! Might have 
had a chance at that 40th zone were it not for the noise!

Following a cold night the three to four feet of snow was finally 
frozen enough to walk on for Beverage repair. They had been down 
since the ice storm a week ago, but fortunately none had been 
dragged away by flood waters as I feared. All are now up and ready 
for action again. The self-disconnects at the ends of the WD-1A wire 
reversible Beverages paid off yet again. They disconnect and drop, 
but don't break.

73
-- 
Paul, N1BUG
Aurora Sentry: http://www.aurorasentry.com
Piscataquis ARC: http://www.k1pq.org
N1BUG: http://www.n1bug.com
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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK

Topband: Propagation for the SSB test?

[Cecil Acuff]

I know the list is mostly CW enthusiasts but how did propagation seem to you 
guys for the SSB test.  A group of us operated Field Day style... generators 
and the works.  Had a brief opening to EU in the evening and worked one VK 
early in the morning of the first day.  Things didn't seem as good the 
second day with less of an opening to the northeast but did manage to work 
HI with a better opening to the west.  No DX to be found around our daybreak 
both days...bummer.

We're in the deep south and was thankful for no lightning static.

1/4 wave balloon vertical with HI-Z 4SQ RX.

Cecil
K5DL 

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UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK