Topband: 160m activity

[Richard McLachlan]

I was very active on 160 during the 60s and early 70s then gave up radio for 
about 50 years and came back 4 years ago. Almost all my activity is 160m CW, I 
don’t have a microphone, I have a PC but it is not connected to my radio and I 
don’t use computer logging and certainly have no interest in data modes. I 
guess that makes me a dinosaur! 

I am active most evenings but never after about 2300Z and frequently come on to 
check the band just before sunrise during the winter. I have worked around 185 
countries in the last 4 years using a invL at around 60 feet with 20 radials 
plus numerous wire netting fences bonded to the ground system. I have a single 
E/W 400 ft  Beverage and a rotatable receiving loop for other directions.

The DX path to E coast NA is relatively easy from here and I have been having 
reasonable success recently on the short path at our dusk to VK/ZL and the Far 
East. The W coast NA is almost impossible at the stage of the sunspot cycle and 
KH6/KL7 etc completely impossible.

Like Roger, I put out a few CQs every time I switch on to check my RBN 
coverage. Usually I only get EU responses, but a couple of years ago it was 
very different and I would get hits as far away as W7 etc. I also used to be 
able to work Steve WZ almost every day but have not even heard him this season. 
So I think that the major problem these days is simply the state of the sunspot 
cycle and that we all have to just put up with it and wait a few years.

Richard G3OQT
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Re: Topband: 160m activity night

[W3HKK]

Roger, G3YRO: Good to work you again. But Ive been caught with my
pants down...err I mean with my radials up. Coiled up for summer
mowing but now its too cold and snowy to lay them out. So Ive been
working radial-less. The 52 ft tall 1/4 wave L with a single 8 ft
ground rod still works, but not as well on DX contacts. But the other
night besides you (G3YRO) I worked IV8PRK, and then at my SR Luke,
VK3HJ. Just not with the usual sig strength, alas. 

Hope to catch Mamuka, 4L2M this weekend for a new one on TB.

Bob

PS Nice clear blue skies this morning with a temp of +1F. Good for top
band but not antenna work. 

. 

-From:
topband-requ...@contesting.com
To: topband@contesting.com
Cc: 
Sent: Wednesday January 26 2022 12:00:46PM
Subject: Topband Digest, Vol 229, Issue 26

 Send Topband mailing list submissions to
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 Today's Topics:

 1. Wednesday CW DX Activity Night (Roger Kennedy)
 2. Re: Topband Digest, Vol 229, Issue 25 (Mamuka Kordzakhia)

 --

 Message: 1
 Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2022 00:50:07 -
 From: "Roger Kennedy" 
 To: 
 Subject: Topband: Wednesday CW DX Activity Night
 Message-ID: 
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

 Your weekly reminder . . .

 As mentioned by Andree, conditions across the pond have been fairly
good the
 last couple of nights.

 Hope to see you on the band tomorrow night !

 73 Roger G3YRO

 --

 Message: 2
 Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:08:10 + (UTC)
 From: Mamuka Kordzakhia 
 To: "topband@contesting.com" 
 Subject: Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 229, Issue 25
 Message-ID: 
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

 I will be very active in the CQ WW 160M CW Contest, My antenna is
Delta and Beverage.
 73!
 Mamuka4L2M??
 On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 09:00:45 PM GMT+4,
topband-requ...@contesting.com  wrote:

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 When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
 than "Re: Contents of Topband digest..."

 Today's Topics:

 ? 1. condx in DL (Andree DL8LAS)

 --

 Message: 1
 Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2022 05:27:07 + (UTC)
 From: Andree DL8LAS 
 To: "topband@contesting.com" 
 Subject: Topband: condx in DL
 Message-ID: 
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

 Hey gentlemen,after 4 weeks I had again very nice conditions last two
days.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWSN8HcQVys=youtu.be
 />
 It seems that the 4 week period is working.Today I had 20 QSOs with
NA, most signals were clear and strong.That makes hopeness for the
CQWW 160m next weekend.I will be DR5X again in contest.
 73 Andy DL8LAS

 ?

 www.dl8las.com
 www.swing-company-bigband.de/
 www.uni-big-band-kiel.de/

 --

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Re: Topband: 160m activity

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

On 10/9/2020 8:26 AM, VE6WZ_Steve wrote:

There is still a great deal of CW activity on 160m !

What we need is more guys calling CQ and less just listening and saying that no 
one is active!


In the Summer Stew, I enjoyed a good rate for an hour or two after west
coast sunset, then my rate dropped to single digits after
almost everyone went QRT.  Let's see if we can get more
activity next week.  At the least, propagation will
begin at an earlier time.

Rick N6RK
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Topband: 160m activity

[VE6WZ_Steve]

There is still a great deal of CW activity on 160m !

What we need is more guys calling CQ and less just listening and saying that no 
one is active!
With the usual very fast QSB on 160m, just scanning the band and listening for 
RBN spots will not work very well. Especially if everyone is just listening!
I, like a few others will call CQ for 1 or 2 hours. I often find it surprising 
what signals will pop out of the noise!  Often the QSO is “squeezed" into a 
30-40 second QSB peak!
(kinda like FT8 QSOs being completed in the 15 second cycle!)

In the 2 months since August, I have worked 99 EU DX on 160m CW.
Many repeat calls, but 35 unique call signs. On Saturday night I worked 16 EU, 
but….I stayed up till EU sunrise calling CQ.

Here is a list of the EU calls that have made it into the VE6WZ log since 
August.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SplivMvfoylcFIdeIsp4ggVS797ihqG-/view?usp=sharing
 


I personally still find the band exciting every night (and every morning) 
wondering what signals might emerge from the noise.

73, de steve ve6wz
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Re: Topband: 160m activity West Coast View

[W7RH]

In Response,

Yes, the trans equatorial propagation has been good but still thunder 
storm noise limited in North America. It can lower in late evening and 
in early morning hours.


Len SM7BIC, sunset at AZ QTH is 02:42 UTC. Even then it takes the band 
an hour or so to settle down. My EU QSO from out west was April 15th. 
Will be looking for you in mid-September OM!


VK, ZL and JA all had great signal levels this morning...

73

Bob, W7RH

--
W7RH DM35qj

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein

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Re: Topband: 160m activity West Coast View

[Mail 10]

Nice to hear you almost daily, Bob. Top Band is very slow during our 
winter time. It's good to see some activity at all. Yesterday I also 
worked AA1K and K3UL on the East Coast.


Len, 0200z is midday here. I am quite certain we won't work at that 
time! I start to look for European stations as we get closer to summer. 
November through to late March around our sunrise 20z or so is when I 
work European stations.


73 and keep healthy,

Luke VK3HJ

On 23/07/2020 3:20 am, lennart.michaels...@telia.com wrote:

Hi Bob et al
I was on at 0200 Z this morning calling CQ but nil. Will try agn tmw
73 and stay safe!

Len SM7BIC

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Re: Topband: 160m activity West Coast View

[Patrick Parmentier]

Just to let you know ,I was working  LU5FC on July 18 at 3:47 am just on my 
sunrise .He was calling CQ and has good ears . 73 stay safe   Pat ON7PQ .  

-Oorspronkelijk bericht-
Van: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+on7pq=telenet...@contesting.com] Namens 
Tree
Verzonden: woensdag 22 juli 2020 18:47
Aan: Lennart M
CC: Topband; W7RH
Onderwerp: Re: Topband: 160m activity West Coast View

Just for reference Len - sunset here is 0352 UTC.  We still have a ways to
go before we can work.

Typically, I can work my first European in late August.  Aug 31st sunset is
0251Z.

Tree N6TR / K7RAT

On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 10:27 AM  wrote:

> Hi Bob et al
> I was on at 0200 Z this morning calling CQ but nil. Will try agn tmw
> 73 and stay safe!
>
> Len SM7BIC
>
> -Ursprungligt meddelande-
> Från: Topband  telia@contesting.com> För W7RH
> Skickat: den 22 juli 2020 18:05
> Till: Topband 
> Ämne: Topband: 160m activity West Coast View
>
> Hi guys,
>
> 160m is not dead. In late evening hours these stations have been active:
> LU5YF, LU5FC, V31MA and ZP9ME. In the early morning hours the following
> are quite active: JA5DQH until 11:00 UTC. ZL1AZ, VK6LW, VK3HJ, 8C52I,
> VK3CCC and VK3CWB.
>
> These are great stations to check out antennas with  RBN RX of VK4CT,
> ZL4YC and KH6LC.
>
> de Bob W7RH
>
>
> --
> W7RH DM35qj
>
> "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our
> humanity." - Albert Einstein
>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
> _
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>
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Re: Topband: 160m activity West Coast View

[Tree]

Just for reference Len - sunset here is 0352 UTC.  We still have a ways to
go before we can work.

Typically, I can work my first European in late August.  Aug 31st sunset is
0251Z.

Tree N6TR / K7RAT

On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 10:27 AM  wrote:

> Hi Bob et al
> I was on at 0200 Z this morning calling CQ but nil. Will try agn tmw
> 73 and stay safe!
>
> Len SM7BIC
>
> -Ursprungligt meddelande-
> Från: Topband  telia@contesting.com> För W7RH
> Skickat: den 22 juli 2020 18:05
> Till: Topband 
> Ämne: Topband: 160m activity West Coast View
>
> Hi guys,
>
> 160m is not dead. In late evening hours these stations have been active:
> LU5YF, LU5FC, V31MA and ZP9ME. In the early morning hours the following
> are quite active: JA5DQH until 11:00 UTC. ZL1AZ, VK6LW, VK3HJ, 8C52I,
> VK3CCC and VK3CWB.
>
> These are great stations to check out antennas with  RBN RX of VK4CT,
> ZL4YC and KH6LC.
>
> de Bob W7RH
>
>
> --
> W7RH DM35qj
>
> "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our
> humanity." - Albert Einstein
>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: 160m activity West Coast View

[lennart.michaelsson]

Hi Bob et al
I was on at 0200 Z this morning calling CQ but nil. Will try agn tmw
73 and stay safe!

Len SM7BIC

-Ursprungligt meddelande-
Från: Topband  
För W7RH
Skickat: den 22 juli 2020 18:05
Till: Topband 
Ämne: Topband: 160m activity West Coast View

Hi guys,

160m is not dead. In late evening hours these stations have been active: 
LU5YF, LU5FC, V31MA and ZP9ME. In the early morning hours the following are 
quite active: JA5DQH until 11:00 UTC. ZL1AZ, VK6LW, VK3HJ, 8C52I, VK3CCC and 
VK3CWB.

These are great stations to check out antennas with  RBN RX of VK4CT, ZL4YC and 
KH6LC.

de Bob W7RH


--
W7RH DM35qj

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein

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Topband: 160m activity West Coast View

[W7RH]

Hi guys,

160m is not dead. In late evening hours these stations have been active: 
LU5YF, LU5FC, V31MA and ZP9ME. In the early morning hours the following 
are quite active: JA5DQH until 11:00 UTC. ZL1AZ, VK6LW, VK3HJ, 8C52I, 
VK3CCC and VK3CWB.


These are great stations to check out antennas with  RBN RX of VK4CT, 
ZL4YC and KH6LC.


de Bob W7RH


--
W7RH DM35qj

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein

_
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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[VE6WZ Steve]

I have been away for three weeks on holidays with no internet so I am late to 
this thread.

I understand Bob’s question. During the last solar minimum, the EU path seemed 
to favour the southern latitudes compared to my VE6 location. It was very 
common to hear the boys in AZ, NE, CA and even OR and WA working into EU while 
I sat on the sidelines hearing no signals at all. The band did open with 
fantastic signals when the solar wind dropped below 300 km/s and the geomag 
settled down, but as soon things heated up, the door would close for me, and I 
was left listening to the southern guys working EU again.  Fortunately the last 
solar min from 2008-11 was so quiet that I was still able to work 160m DXCC 
each winter.

As Bob has pointed out, during this latest solar minimum, things seem reversed. 
For the last two seasons at my QTH the trans-polar EU path has been open most 
evenings, while it seems the more southerly locations remain shut out.  It has 
been commonplace to work 20-30 EU each night if the band is open. I have worked 
over 1,500 EU this winter. However, I have also noticed that the preferred path 
has been northern EU and UA, with southern EU less common. Perhaps the ops in 
south EU have noticed the same thing as Bob?  If the conditions are marginal, 
it is most likely for me to be working into SM, LA, OH, LY and UA etc, while 
the central-south EU guys are shut out. Unlike the last solar minimum, it seems 
even with an elevated solar wind, and a hot AU I can occasionally still get an 
opening.
Is it possible as Bob has pointed out that the relative position of the AU has 
allowed my signals to undershoot the absorption, while impeding those further 
south?

Unfortunately, during the last solar minimum I was at my city location and I am 
now using my purpose built low band remote hilltop QTH, so it’s possible these 
differences are simply because of the new set-up.
Perhaps if I was still at the old city QTH things would not be so great, but so 
far this solar minimum has been excellent for trans-polar DX.

Steve ve6wz


From Babcocks iPhone

> On Feb 23, 2020, at 10:09 AM, W7RH  wrote:
> 
> The emphasis of my questions are based on European propagation path 
> perceived differences since last solar minimum.
> 
> One thing I am not is a Geophysicist, I have no training there. My 
> comments are on perceived changes in the aurora ring density as viewed 
> from my location in Arizona that would have been in the past much lower 
> on the path towards Europe far more often than present. I'll call it 
> prime time wipe out. Very small changes in solar wind have had a 
> profound effect. Whether the center point is the magnetic north pole or 
> the Geomagnetic pole I have no idea as both have migrated with the 
> Magnetic North pole the greatest at a rate of 30 miles per year and 
> increasing.
> 
> Perhaps the reduction of magnetic field over North America and increased 
> gamma radiation create the effect. In a related article it stated the 
> magnetic field over North America is 15% less than it was in 2015.
> 
> https://www.livescience.com/46694-magnetic-field-weakens.html
> 
> https://www.hist-geo-space-sci.net/5/175/2014/
> 
> Trying to get a better grasp of what is going on.
> 
> 73
> 
> Bob W7RH
> 
> -- 
> W7RH DM35os
> 
> "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
> humanity." - Albert Einstein
> 
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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Gary Smith]

VP8PJ, in South Orkney is a 559 here 
tonight. A new one on 160 & my only other 
S. Orkney Q was on 15M in 1990.

Amazingly it took two calls and he came 
back so N/S propagation is excellent right 
now. 

73,

Gary
KA1J
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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Mike Waters]

I suspect that you are exactly right, Jim. :-)

On Sun, Feb 23, 2020, 12:51 PM Jim Brown  wrote:

>
> I suspect much of the difference may be RX noise levels at both ends of
> the path. The number of RX noise sources has mushroomed over the past
> decade, with SMPS, variable speed motor controllers, solar systems, and
> the bean counters at power utilities that down-prioritize the
> maintenance of their distribution lines.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Jim Brown]

On 2/23/2020 5:09 AM, W7RH wrote:
The emphasis of my questions are based on European propagation path 
perceived differences since last solar minimum.


I suspect much of the difference may be RX noise levels at both ends of 
the path. The number of RX noise sources has mushroomed over the past 
decade, with SMPS, variable speed motor controllers, solar systems, and 
the bean counters at power utilities that down-prioritize the 
maintenance of their distribution lines.


73, Jim K9YC
_
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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Henk Remijn PA5KT via Topband]

In the previous minimum I could work North West USA and West Canada 
almost every day.


Now it is rare.

The path to southwest USA and Carribean is better.

73 Henk PA5KT

Op 23-2-2020 om 14:09 schreef W7RH:
The emphasis of my questions are based on European propagation path 
perceived differences since last solar minimum.


One thing I am not is a Geophysicist, I have no training there. My 
comments are on perceived changes in the aurora ring density as viewed 
from my location in Arizona that would have been in the past much 
lower on the path towards Europe far more often than present. I'll 
call it prime time wipe out. Very small changes in solar wind have had 
a profound effect. Whether the center point is the magnetic north pole 
or the Geomagnetic pole I have no idea as both have migrated with the 
Magnetic North pole the greatest at a rate of 30 miles per year and 
increasing.


Perhaps the reduction of magnetic field over North America and 
increased gamma radiation create the effect. In a related article it 
stated the magnetic field over North America is 15% less than it was 
in 2015.


https://www.livescience.com/46694-magnetic-field-weakens.html

https://www.hist-geo-space-sci.net/5/175/2014/

Trying to get a better grasp of what is going on.

73

Bob W7RH


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Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[W7RH]

The emphasis of my questions are based on European propagation path 
perceived differences since last solar minimum.


One thing I am not is a Geophysicist, I have no training there. My 
comments are on perceived changes in the aurora ring density as viewed 
from my location in Arizona that would have been in the past much lower 
on the path towards Europe far more often than present. I'll call it 
prime time wipe out. Very small changes in solar wind have had a 
profound effect. Whether the center point is the magnetic north pole or 
the Geomagnetic pole I have no idea as both have migrated with the 
Magnetic North pole the greatest at a rate of 30 miles per year and 
increasing.


Perhaps the reduction of magnetic field over North America and increased 
gamma radiation create the effect. In a related article it stated the 
magnetic field over North America is 15% less than it was in 2015.


https://www.livescience.com/46694-magnetic-field-weakens.html

https://www.hist-geo-space-sci.net/5/175/2014/

Trying to get a better grasp of what is going on.

73

Bob W7RH

--
W7RH DM35os

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein

_
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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Saulius Zalnerauskas]

UA7 is in zone 16
Good luck in CQWW 160 SSB
Sam LY5W

On Fri, Feb 21, 2020 at 11:29 PM Jim Brown 
wrote:

> 3-4 weeks either side of the winter solstice, I worked a dozen or so EU
> stations using FT8. Nearly all were on the daylight side of their
> sunrise. Best DX was a UA7 in Zone 17!
>
> Last weekend in ARRL DX CW, I worked a bunch of EU stations on 80M, most
> well into daylight after their sunrise.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> Near San Francisco
>
> On 2/21/2020 11:17 AM, Wes wrote:
> > I worked him at 0500Z
> >
> > Wes  N7WS
> >
> > On 2/21/2020 11:50 AM, W7RH wrote:
> >>
> >> Yesterday I worked EA7X two hours after sunset and then the band
> closed.
>
> _
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> Reflector
>
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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Jim Brown]

3-4 weeks either side of the winter solstice, I worked a dozen or so EU 
stations using FT8. Nearly all were on the daylight side of their 
sunrise. Best DX was a UA7 in Zone 17!


Last weekend in ARRL DX CW, I worked a bunch of EU stations on 80M, most 
well into daylight after their sunrise.


73, Jim K9YC
Near San Francisco

On 2/21/2020 11:17 AM, Wes wrote:

I worked him at 0500Z

Wes  N7WS

On 2/21/2020 11:50 AM, W7RH wrote:


Yesterday I worked EA7X two hours after sunset and then the band closed. 


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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Nick Hall-Patch]

Isn't the auroral zone centered on the "geomagnetic pole" rather than 
the "magnetic pole"?   Given that the geomagnetic pole is hardly 
moving at all in comparison with the magnetic pole, that would 
indicate that the location of the auroral zone itself shouldn't have 
moved too much since the last solar minimum.


73

Nick
VE7DXR


At 18:50 2020-02-21, W7RH wrote:

Thanks for the comments in this discussion.

I have in previous posts commented on the magnetic north pole and 
it's migration towards Siberia. I feel this has been the primary 
cause of propagation disturbance at my location. That and I'm at the 
wrong distance from the aurora itself creating the high absorption.


Here are a couple of links to visualize what I perceive is the 
cause. Fortunately 160m is almost always open somewhere after dark, 
not necessarily where I want it to be.


Yesterday I worked EA7X two hours after sunset and then the band closed.

http://wdc.kugi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/poles/polesexp.html

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/

On the NOAA page click on the right hand image of the Aurora and run 
the 24 hour collection. You can see I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time.


73

Bob W7RH

--
W7RH DM35os

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded 
our humanity." - Albert Einstein


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Nick Hall-Patch
Victoria, BC
Canada 


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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Wes]

I worked him at 0500Z

Wes  N7WS

On 2/21/2020 11:50 AM, W7RH wrote:


Yesterday I worked EA7X two hours after sunset and then the band closed. 


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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[W7RH]

Thanks for the comments in this discussion.

I have in previous posts commented on the magnetic north pole and it's 
migration towards Siberia. I feel this has been the primary cause of 
propagation disturbance at my location. That and I'm at the wrong 
distance from the aurora itself creating the high absorption.


Here are a couple of links to visualize what I perceive is the cause. 
Fortunately 160m is almost always open somewhere after dark, not 
necessarily where I want it to be.


Yesterday I worked EA7X two hours after sunset and then the band closed.

http://wdc.kugi.kyoto-u.ac.jp/poles/polesexp.html

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/

On the NOAA page click on the right hand image of the Aurora and run the 
24 hour collection. You can see I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time.


73

Bob W7RH

--
W7RH DM35os

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein

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

Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Cecil]

> On Feb 21, 2020, at 11:29 AM, Roy Morgan  wrote:
> 
> In that same building is the US standard 1.1 million pound weight.  

That must have been used to measure our gold reserves accurately...藍

Cecil
K5DL
> 
> 

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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Roy Morgan]

Dave,

Thanks for your reply. I am reminded that here I may have topographic maps from 
late 1800's possibly and from the late 1950's. I will dig them out to see what 
they show. 

I assume the numbers you show are for London. Also I'd expect to find accurate 
current values for my location on line somewhere. 

It's just of interest - I don't expect to do any important surveying with this 
Brunton Pocket Transit. I do want to survey our house lot. I think only one 
corner pin is known.  

I used to work at NIST/NBS Gaithersburg, MD. On the grounds there is a primary 
survey monument. It is at the top of a 20-foot(?) pole anchored in bedrock and 
covered by an innocuous cover in the grass. It and perhaps 2 or 3 others in 
this part of the country establish the basis for all surveying this side of the 
Mississippi. It's position is known to a small fraction of an inch.  Also on 
the site is a GPS monitoring system that issues corrections to GPS users doing 
surveying. In that same building is the US standard 1.1 million pound weight.  

Ferdinand Hassler was Superintendent of the first thorough survey of the East 
coast sometime around 1800. See NIST.gov for info about him. 

Roy Morgan
K1LKY Western Mass

> On Feb 21, 2020, at 9:39 AM, David Olean  wrote:
> 
> Years ago, I think the correction was more like 17 degrees in New England.   
> ...magnetic variations for London, England over the last few  centuries. The 
> pole really does move.
> 
> YEAR   DECL.
> 
> 1600  8E
> 1650  1E
> 1700  7W
> 1750  18W
> 1800  24W
> 1850  22W
> 1900  16W
> 1950   8W
> 1970  7W
> 
> 73
> Dave K1WHS
_
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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[David Olean]

Years ago, I think the correction was more like 17 degrees in New 
England.  I did some work on the geomagnetic field some years ago, and 
remembered getting magnetic variations for London, England over the last 
few  centuries. The pole really does move.


YEAR   DECL.

1600  8E
1650  1E
1700  7W
1750  18W
1800  24W
1850  22W
1900  16W
1950   8W
1970  7W

73

Dave K1WHS

On 2/21/2020 2:05 PM, Roy Morgan wrote:

Hello Frantisek and others,

I wonder how much the magnetic pole has shifted.

I have been reviewing the operation of the Brunton Pocket Transit here. It has 
an adjustment for declination - the angular difference between the magnetic 
North Pole and the true rotational axis North Pole.

Here in Western Massachusetts it has been about 15 degrees East for a very long 
time. I wonder if that is changing.

Roy Morgan
K1LKY Western Mass


On Feb 21, 2020, at 4:59 AM, Frantisek Mikulenka 
 wrote:

Hi Bob,

did you take in mind  increasing magnetic  pole (and accompanied  aurora oval) 
eastern shift  from Canada towards Siberia ?

73
Frantisek OK2BUZ

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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Roy Morgan]

Hello Frantisek and others,

I wonder how much the magnetic pole has shifted. 

I have been reviewing the operation of the Brunton Pocket Transit here. It has 
an adjustment for declination - the angular difference between the magnetic 
North Pole and the true rotational axis North Pole. 

Here in Western Massachusetts it has been about 15 degrees East for a very long 
time. I wonder if that is changing. 

Roy Morgan
K1LKY Western Mass

> On Feb 21, 2020, at 4:59 AM, Frantisek Mikulenka 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi Bob,
> 
> did you take in mind  increasing magnetic  pole (and accompanied  aurora 
> oval) eastern shift  from Canada towards Siberia ?
> 
> 73
> Frantisek OK2BUZ
_
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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Frantisek Mikulenka]

Hi Bob,

did you take in mind  increasing magnetic  pole (and accompanied  aurora oval) 
eastern shift  from Canada towards Siberia ?

73
Frantisek OK2BUZ

-Original Message-
From: Topband 
[mailto:topband-bounces+frantisek.mikulenka=onsemi@contesting.com] On 
Behalf Of W7RH
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2020 3:57 AM
To: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Topband: 160m activity and propagation


[External Email]: This email arrived from an external source - Please exercise 
caution when opening any attachments or clicking on links.

Perhaps I was misunderstood by some in their comments regarding my post. 
As Larry N7DD pointed out the stations are there at least in the contests. My 
comments were pointed at changing propagation characteristics. It is no 
uncommon for huge swings between my location, N7DD near Tucson and NA7TB on the 
Mexican boarder near New Mexico. 
300-500 miles can make a huge difference. They often flip over the over a two 
day contest period.

I am very lucky and have a great RX location with very low noise. At this 
moment (0300) my s-meter is S1-S2 on the TX/RX array pointed to EU. 
My point is that more often than not a station may be 349 at my place and 579 
down south 300 miles. This was not the case during the last solar cycle.

I will note I have logged many new calls the past year and  it's always a 
pleasure to work a new one. I just expected more openings than what we've had 
for this solar minimum.

73

Bob W7RH


--
W7RH DM35os

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein

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Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[W7RH]

Perhaps I was misunderstood by some in their comments regarding my post. 
As Larry N7DD pointed out the stations are there at least in the 
contests. My comments were pointed at changing propagation 
characteristics. It is no uncommon for huge swings between my location, 
N7DD near Tucson and NA7TB on the Mexican boarder near New Mexico. 
300-500 miles can make a huge difference. They often flip over the over 
a two day contest period.


I am very lucky and have a great RX location with very low noise. At 
this moment (0300) my s-meter is S1-S2 on the TX/RX array pointed to EU. 
My point is that more often than not a station may be 349 at my place 
and 579 down south 300 miles. This was not the case during the last 
solar cycle.


I will note I have logged many new calls the past year and  it's always 
a pleasure to work a new one. I just expected more openings than what 
we've had for this solar minimum.


73

Bob W7RH


--
W7RH DM35os

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein

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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[donovanf]

There is a many, many Russians on 160 meter FT8... 

- Original Message -

From: "W7RH"  
To: topband@contesting.com 
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2020 3:01:41 PM 
Subject: Topband: 160m activity and propagation 

Greeting all, 

This season has been interesting not because of highlights but because 
of a noticeable change in propagation at least from my Arizona QTH. I 
will note from my perspective highlights have been few. 

Yesterday Dave W0FLS was holding court calling CQ. I could just barely 
hear the DX in EU he was working. 

To Roger G3YRO congrats but no QSO. You had a good 579 signal calling CQ 
at 0100 hours UTC. You had a break through the aurora wall and I did not! 

In other news HL5IVL Kim, had a true 599 plus 20 signal calling CQ in 
the early morning here. Not another signal on the band. 

In solar cycle 23 even though I was working full time on weird shifts I 
managed EU contacts almost daily with only a few periods of black outs. 
My operating habits have changed a bit to early morning through sunrise 
and sunset through sunrise in European Russia and Eastern EU. I stay up 
for Western EU if conditions appear to be good which for the most part 
they have not. 

Missing this season has been European Russians. Where did they all go? 
Perhaps to another band? On the other hand there were many stations 
worked in Zone 15 primarily in southern end. With the exception of EA 
and CT zone 14 was a flop except for a couple big openings. SM5EDX was 
an exception. 

Has anyone else noticed a change in propagation patterns? I'd like some 
input here with a focus and western US but midwest and eastern US 
welcome as well. 

73 

Bob, W7RH 



-- 
W7RH DM35os 

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein 

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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[Larry via Topband]

Hey Bob,
I found the season typical though signals in general were down from this part 
of the cycle. I did work 128 European stations in the CQ 160 which is a 
personal best for me.
There were many nights when I had the EU RBN lit up with huge reports but no 
answers to many CQ's. I blame that on the FT8 Phenomenal.
Larry

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail
Get the new AOL app: mail.mobile.aol.com
 On Thursday, February 20, 2020, W7RH  wrote:

Greeting all,

This season has been interesting not because of highlights but because 
of a noticeable change in propagation at least from my Arizona QTH. I 
will note from my perspective highlights have been few.

Yesterday Dave W0FLS was holding court calling CQ. I could just barely 
hear the DX in EU he was working.

To Roger G3YRO congrats but no QSO. You had a good 579 signal calling CQ 
at 0100 hours UTC. You had a break through the aurora wall and I did not!

In other news HL5IVL Kim, had a true 599 plus 20 signal calling CQ in 
the early morning here. Not another signal on the band.

In solar cycle 23 even though I was working full time on weird shifts I 
managed EU contacts almost daily with only a few periods of black outs. 
My operating habits have changed a bit to early morning through sunrise 
and sunset through sunrise in European Russia and Eastern EU. I stay up 
for Western EU if conditions appear to be good which for the most part 
they have not.

Missing this season has been European Russians. Where did they all go? 
Perhaps to another band? On the other hand there were many stations 
worked in Zone 15 primarily in southern end. With the exception of EA 
and CT zone 14 was a flop except for a couple big openings. SM5EDX was 
an exception.

Has anyone else noticed a change in propagation patterns? I'd like some 
input here with a focus and western US but midwest and eastern US 
welcome as well.

73

Bob, W7RH



-- 
W7RH DM35os

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein

_
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Re: Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[David Olean]

Hello Bob,

I have no experience from the last solar minimum, but I heard plenty of 
stories! I was really looking forward to this minimum to see the 
improvements in 160 propagation. I was hoping to knock off some 
countries in deep Asia. (Yeah, right!) So far I am not impressed. That 
being said, there are openings, but they are few and far between and 
easily missed unless you are nailed to the floor in front of the radio.


The best JA opening I ever heard was a few years ago before the minimum. 
In the past season, I have worked a few JAs and UA0, but with weak signals.


The path to Europe, for me, seems about the same as it always is. Some 
nights are awful, while others are pretty good. The same stations for 
the most part, are in evidence.  I did manage to hear HL5IVL once while 
aimed at Europe. I have not heard any JAs at my sunset. Last fall, I had 
a few LP VK6 QSOS. There was V84SAA too which was great.


European Russia is well represented here. I am also hearing some new 
calls, which is good. I think the new calls are ops trying 160 at solar 
minimum in hopes of working some unusual DX.


I look at FT-8 occasionally and did see a Chinese station recently at my 
sunset. That mode can be a killer, but, oftentimes on 160,many stations 
are "hard of hearing" and results are not too spectacular.


I wish there was more regular CW activity. With the contests, it is 
either feast or famine. (Too many signals vs. too few signals or none at 
all)


73

Dave K1WHS


On 2/20/2020 3:01 PM, W7RH wrote:

Greeting all,

This season has been interesting not because of highlights but because 
of a noticeable change in propagation at least from my Arizona QTH. I 
will note from my perspective highlights have been few.


Yesterday Dave W0FLS was holding court calling CQ. I could just barely 
hear the DX in EU he was working.


To Roger G3YRO congrats but no QSO. You had a good 579 signal calling 
CQ at 0100 hours UTC. You had a break through the aurora wall and I 
did not!


In other news HL5IVL Kim, had a true 599 plus 20 signal calling CQ in 
the early morning here. Not another signal on the band.


In solar cycle 23 even though I was working full time on weird shifts 
I managed EU contacts almost daily with only a few periods of black 
outs. My operating habits have changed a bit to early morning through 
sunrise and sunset through sunrise in European Russia and Eastern EU. 
I stay up for Western EU if conditions appear to be good which for the 
most part they have not.


Missing this season has been European Russians. Where did they all go? 
Perhaps to another band? On the other hand there were many stations 
worked in Zone 15 primarily in southern end. With the exception of EA 
and CT zone 14 was a flop except for a couple big openings. SM5EDX was 
an exception.


Has anyone else noticed a change in propagation patterns? I'd like 
some input here with a focus and western US but midwest and eastern US 
welcome as well.


73

Bob, W7RH




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

Topband: 160m activity and propagation

[W7RH]

Greeting all,

This season has been interesting not because of highlights but because 
of a noticeable change in propagation at least from my Arizona QTH. I 
will note from my perspective highlights have been few.


Yesterday Dave W0FLS was holding court calling CQ. I could just barely 
hear the DX in EU he was working.


To Roger G3YRO congrats but no QSO. You had a good 579 signal calling CQ 
at 0100 hours UTC. You had a break through the aurora wall and I did not!


In other news HL5IVL Kim, had a true 599 plus 20 signal calling CQ in 
the early morning here. Not another signal on the band.


In solar cycle 23 even though I was working full time on weird shifts I 
managed EU contacts almost daily with only a few periods of black outs. 
My operating habits have changed a bit to early morning through sunrise 
and sunset through sunrise in European Russia and Eastern EU. I stay up 
for Western EU if conditions appear to be good which for the most part 
they have not.


Missing this season has been European Russians. Where did they all go? 
Perhaps to another band? On the other hand there were many stations 
worked in Zone 15 primarily in southern end. With the exception of EA 
and CT zone 14 was a flop except for a couple big openings. SM5EDX was 
an exception.


Has anyone else noticed a change in propagation patterns? I'd like some 
input here with a focus and western US but midwest and eastern US 
welcome as well.


73

Bob, W7RH



--
W7RH DM35os

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our 
humanity." - Albert Einstein

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

Topband: 160m Activity Night

[Jim Garland]

Europe is tough in New Mexico, but last evening for about an hour after
sunset (0100Z-0200Z) I worked G3YRO, SM5EDX, and OR18TLS. As often happens,
signals were barely copyable when I worked them, with deep QSB, but got
stronger later, peaking 569-579. W7RH lives in a neighboring state and
always seems to hear better than I do. Pretty humbling, actually! I was
listening on a 720 ft beverage and transmitting on a 70ft base-loaded
vertical with sixty 120 ft radials. Radio was a Flex 6500 and hb amp. Band
was nice and quiet for a change.
73,
Jim w8zr

> -Original Message-
> From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of WILLIAM
HILL
> Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2019 12:19 PM
> To: topband@contesting.com
> Subject: Topband: 160m Activity Night
> 
> Last evening like the past month or so I've been having trouble hearing
Europe. I heard
> N2MS trying to work G3YRO but I couldn't hear Roger. Sigh...
> 
> Bill/W3WH
> _
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Topband: 160m Activity Night

[WILLIAM HILL]

Last evening like the past month or so I've been having trouble hearing Europe. 
I heard N2MS trying to work G3YRO but I couldn't hear Roger. Sigh...

Bill/W3WH
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Re: Topband: 160m Activity...musings from VE6

[Tim Shoppa]

In the pre-stew, I was honestly surprised how many EU guys I worked for the
first time ever. Not just the first time on 160M, but first time ever on
any band or mode.

I have been quite impressed with W3 <-> W6 QSO's at 100W CW on topband in
the past few weeks too. It really seems easier than in past years.

Tim N3QE

On Fri, Nov 2, 2018 at 3:02 PM VE6WZ_Steve  wrote:

> This season there has been some discussion on this reflector about
> activity levels on 160m (or lack thereof) and the possible negative effect
> of the FT-8 on CW.
> Here are my observations.
>
> CW is **very much** alive and well, and DX activity on TB has been
> exceptional.
> Compared to many on this list, I might be considered a “newcomer” to TB,
> but I have been QRV on 160m for 28 years so I do have a baseline.
>
> I did a .csv export from my log and a pivot table in Excel gave me a quick
> analysis of my 160m QSO for the one month period beginning Oct 1. Mode- CW
> only.
>
> Looking at EU-AF only, the log shows 270 total EU-AF trans-polar QSOs. 34
> EU-AF DXCC, and 162 unique callsigns.  There are many first time ever
> callsigns in my log on 160 this season so far.
> Three evening sessions stand out, Oct 19- 54 EU qsos, Oct 29 - 76 EU qsos,
> and Oct 31- 35 EU qsos.
> The log shows that 196 qsos or 72 % of the EU contacts were made in the 2
> hour period between 0400z and 0600z.
>
> I suspect that one significant contributor to the high level of EU
> activity were the numerous OC DX-peds…5W, YJ0, VK9X, VP6D etc.  Its likely
> that more EU operators were compelled to be at their radios early in the AM
> to try and get a new one.  However, I suggest that to work EU on the
> low-bands we need to be aware of the local times at the DX end. This may
> seem like I’m stating the obvious, (and I AM stating the obvious) but to
> expect a lot of activity at 0300z may be unreasonable. How many EU hams are
> that dedicated to get up at 2-4 am local time to sit at their radio except
> during a contest?  During my CQ sessions, I can observe the activity sweep
> across EU as the sun is starting to rise and the operators are getting up
> and taking the first sip of the coffee. The same is true with EU
> expectations of NA. As my log analysis shows the peak time for EU
> trans-polar QSOs (72 %) is from 0400z-0600z.  That is around midnight local
> for me. I am on the westcoast, but for the east and central NA boys its 2-3
> in the morning.  Sure there are a few dedicated ops, but most are sound
> asleep.
>
> Calling CQ.  If no one calls CQ, there will be no QSOs.  However, before I
> moved the station to the new remote set-up, I rarely called CQ for two
> reasons.
> 1. I would usually modulated my neighbours stereo and computer speakers in
> spite of my efforts to fix it. Less TX was better.
> 2. With my limited inner-city RX capabilities I knew I was an alligator.
> There was just too much RFI to hear well.
> The benefits of calling CQ for extended periods is to beat the usual 160m
> QSB.  Short (2X2) CQs allow callers to time the QSB wave and call on a
> peak. The 160m “cat-and-mouse” game as signals go from 579 to oblivion in
> 30 seconds.  It can be slow going, but a lot of chair time listening to
> static can pay off waiting for the callers to get you on the peak.
>
> There is no doubt that this last month from VE6 has been excellent for
> trans-polar propagation, and I know that its just a matter of time until
> the aurora door will slam shut and I will be sitting on the sidelines
> listening to the guys down south working all the DX.
> However, my point is that there is still a great deal of CW activity on
> TB….maybe as much as there ever has been? Not everyone is exclusively using
> FT-8.
>
> BTW…my log also shows 120 JA-Asia QSOs for the same last one month period.
>
> de steve ve6wz.
>
>
>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Topband: 160m Activity...musings from VE6

[VE6WZ_Steve]

This season there has been some discussion on this reflector about activity 
levels on 160m (or lack thereof) and the possible negative effect of the FT-8 
on CW.
Here are my observations.

CW is **very much** alive and well, and DX activity on TB has been exceptional.
Compared to many on this list, I might be considered a “newcomer” to TB, but I 
have been QRV on 160m for 28 years so I do have a baseline.

I did a .csv export from my log and a pivot table in Excel gave me a quick 
analysis of my 160m QSO for the one month period beginning Oct 1. Mode- CW only.

Looking at EU-AF only, the log shows 270 total EU-AF trans-polar QSOs. 34 EU-AF 
DXCC, and 162 unique callsigns.  There are many first time ever callsigns in my 
log on 160 this season so far.
Three evening sessions stand out, Oct 19- 54 EU qsos, Oct 29 - 76 EU qsos, and 
Oct 31- 35 EU qsos.
The log shows that 196 qsos or 72 % of the EU contacts were made in the 2 hour 
period between 0400z and 0600z.

I suspect that one significant contributor to the high level of EU activity 
were the numerous OC DX-peds…5W, YJ0, VK9X, VP6D etc.  Its likely that more EU 
operators were compelled to be at their radios early in the AM to try and get a 
new one.  However, I suggest that to work EU on the low-bands we need to be 
aware of the local times at the DX end. This may seem like I’m stating the 
obvious, (and I AM stating the obvious) but to expect a lot of activity at 
0300z may be unreasonable. How many EU hams are that dedicated to get up at 2-4 
am local time to sit at their radio except during a contest?  During my CQ 
sessions, I can observe the activity sweep across EU as the sun is starting to 
rise and the operators are getting up and taking the first sip of the coffee. 
The same is true with EU expectations of NA. As my log analysis shows the peak 
time for EU trans-polar QSOs (72 %) is from 0400z-0600z.  That is around 
midnight local for me. I am on the westcoast, but for the east and central NA 
boys its 2-3 in the morning.  Sure there are a few dedicated ops, but most are 
sound asleep.

Calling CQ.  If no one calls CQ, there will be no QSOs.  However, before I 
moved the station to the new remote set-up, I rarely called CQ for two reasons.
1. I would usually modulated my neighbours stereo and computer speakers in 
spite of my efforts to fix it. Less TX was better.
2. With my limited inner-city RX capabilities I knew I was an alligator.  There 
was just too much RFI to hear well.
The benefits of calling CQ for extended periods is to beat the usual 160m QSB.  
Short (2X2) CQs allow callers to time the QSB wave and call on a peak. The 160m 
“cat-and-mouse” game as signals go from 579 to oblivion in 30 seconds.  It can 
be slow going, but a lot of chair time listening to static can pay off waiting 
for the callers to get you on the peak.

There is no doubt that this last month from VE6 has been excellent for 
trans-polar propagation, and I know that its just a matter of time until the 
aurora door will slam shut and I will be sitting on the sidelines listening to 
the guys down south working all the DX.
However, my point is that there is still a great deal of CW activity on 
TB….maybe as much as there ever has been? Not everyone is exclusively using 
FT-8.

BTW…my log also shows 120 JA-Asia QSOs for the same last one month period.

de steve ve6wz.



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Topband: 160m Activity

[Roger Kennedy]

Yes, great to work lots of NA stations over the past couple of nights !

I don't actually think conditions were particularly good . . . it was just
that lots of people came on the band on CW (which is what I was saying we
need)

So keep it up guys !

Oh and it doesn't matter how recently we worked . . . do please give me a
quick call if ever you hear me on.

73 Roger G3YRO
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Re: Topband: 160m Activity

[Paul Kiesel via Topband]

Last night was the best I've experienced on 160. Well, okay,
I haven't been on the band in any kind of seriousness until
recently, but still...

Gosh, when I tuned the band I almost immediately came
across OH0Z! Hearing Europe on CW is very rare for me.
Jim, W7FI, keeps watch on solar activity and alerted me
to the possibility of good propagation. Good thing I 
listened.

I worked 20 stations during the opening, the farthest was
in UA3... and I got him on CW! I worked eight new ones
last night.

Need more of that. Wish I had a better receive antenna. I
was told that I had a lot of callers on FT8 that my system
didn't decode.

73, 
Paul, K7CW



On Fri, 10/19/18, VE6WZ_Steve  wrote:

 Subject: Topband: 160m Activity
 To: "160 reflector" 
 Date: Friday, October 19, 2018, 8:46 AM
 
 As Tree said in his post, last night Topband
 was very alive!
 
 Last night 54 EU made it into the VE6WZ
 log on TB. Just exceptional condx.
 20 min before my SS at 00:24z LA1MFA
 was the first in the log, and the band was jumping until I
 QRT at 0:600z.
 There were many "first time in my
 log” calls which was nice.  I guess everyone is not
 on FT-8!
 
 I am now TX on my new 2 el Parasitic
 array and it seems to be preforming well.  I think the
 extra 4 dB gain to EU is helping.
 I was RX diversity with the 1000’ EU
 Beverage and 9 circle RX array. The band was dead
 quiet…..I could almost "hear a pin drop”!
 
 Lets hope condx hold for a great winter
 season.
 
 73, de steve ve6wz.
 _
 Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
 
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband

Topband: 160m Activity

[VE6WZ_Steve]

As Tree said in his post, last night Topband was very alive!

Last night 54 EU made it into the VE6WZ log on TB. Just exceptional condx.
20 min before my SS at 00:24z LA1MFA was the first in the log, and the band was 
jumping until I QRT at 0:600z.
There were many "first time in my log” calls which was nice.  I guess everyone 
is not on FT-8!

I am now TX on my new 2 el Parasitic array and it seems to be preforming well.  
I think the extra 4 dB gain to EU is helping.
I was RX diversity with the 1000’ EU Beverage and 9 circle RX array. The band 
was dead quiet…..I could almost "hear a pin drop”!

Lets hope condx hold for a great winter season.

73, de steve ve6wz.
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband