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 VK6....in 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<mailto:wd4...@arrl.net> http://wd4elg.blogspot.com SKCC #16439 FISTS #17972 QRP ARCI #16497 _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
