Great report Dave. I was late to the radio this morning and also found Kevin LW CQing with and excellent signal.
Indeed, in spite of the elevated solar activity, TB is still showing signs of life. In the last week I have been able to squeeze out 11 QSOs with EU. Sept 22 was a particularly strong opening over the pole with 6 EU logged that night. Mostly N. EU with strong signals from SM5EDX, OZ4MM, YL2SM, OK1CF, ON7PQ and LA7AFA. This time was exactly coincident with a low solar wind speed of around 350km-s and low K index. On Sept 23 I found Andy DL8LAS CQing and we easily had a QSO, although he faded out quickly afterwards. So, I support Daves comments, that in spite of the high SFI, TB still has lots of life in it!! 73, de Steve VE6WZ on CW in Alberta. ________________________________ From: Topband <[email protected]> on behalf of David Raymond <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 7:34 AM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Topband: Conditions Greetings topbanders. . . We all know topband conditions have been in the doldrums for quite awhile. This morning was different. As usual, I got to the rig about my usual 0500L and got things fired up. Not hearing any activity I began CQing with the 1821.5 xtal. I was a little surprised to see that I was being heard at the VK3RASA RBN for the first time this season. I continued CQing for a few minutes with nothing heard. Then at 1043z I was pleasantly surprised to hear Nob, JA3KZR, in the noise call in with a 339 signal, my first JA QSO of the season. I continued CQing then had another surprise at 1103z when Phil, VK6GX, called in with a 449 signal. An even bigger surprise came when Phil gave me a 599(!) report. Over the next few minutes Phil and I had several more exchanges with his signal building to S7. Phil said my signal was well above S9. Meanwhile topband stalwart Adrian, VK2WF, was up on 1829.6 the whole time and was just detectable, not copyable enough for a QSO. In the meantime John, W4NU, in Atlanta had success with Phil/VK6 while Ron, N4XD, clear out west in NM did not. . . go figure. After nearly four decades of DXing on topband it never ceases to surprise and amaze me. With SFI numbers still high, it's probably asking too much to expect better conditions this season. . .but hope springs eternal! 73. . . Dave, W0FLS on CW in Iowa _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
