Bill, Never say never. I worked them at 02:13 last night (Thanks Roger for the email today saying you'd heard the contact). It was right after they stopped working EU and I was waiting patiently on frequency till I heard them CQ without the EU designator.
The Hi-Z triangular was a saving grace for me, I would like one of the Hi-Z 8A variety. Anyone have one to let go of? I'm also interested in a NCC-1; contact me off list if you would. 73, Gary KA1J > > From Maryland, FM 19: > > Armchair copy last nite from 2350Z until 0215Z this morning. Some fading. > With my headphones laying on the bench, they were Q5 solid copy while > I was working on other projects waiting for them to call for "NA" instead of > "EU". > Never happened. > > I stayed & listened until 0215Z when they faded out here. > > I'm using a Hi-Z 4-sq. Azimuth heading to VP8S is 155 Deg. 4-SQ heading > used was 134 Deg. > > Bill N3RR > > -----Original Message----- > From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ken Boasi > Sent: Friday, January 22, 2016 12:18 PM > To: topband@contesting.com > Subject: Re: Topband: VP8STI last night > > Just my observations from what happened here last night in NY (doesn't help > you west coast guys, I guess). > > VP8STI was solid copy from my sunset around 2230z until 0200z. Very little > fading and Q5 copy. They were calling and working EU only during this > period. > > Around 0200z, their signal got much weaker and more susceptible to QSB. They > also started calling for anyone at that time, not just EU. I don't know if > they switched direction on their TX array or not at that point, but things > did get worse at that point; propagation I'm assuming. > > I use two 560' beverages to receive, one at 135 degrees and one at 180 > degrees. No diversity rx, just switching back and forth. They were the same > copy on both antennas, generally, since both are about the same amount "off" > of STI's hearing from here (FN13, western NY). > > I didn't listen much after 0200z, so I don't know if their signal came back > up at any point. > > They did have an excellent run of EU during that 2200-0200 time frame, > though. > > 73, Ken N2ZN > > > On Jan 22, 2016, at 11:11 AM, Tom <wa8...@wa8wzg.net> wrote: > > > > N6SS is located about 40 miles north west of me in AZ,, 2800 feet higher > in elevation and a lot quieter location,,and better receiving antennas,, I > have not heard but just traces past 2 nights,, will be there tonight,, been > listening to the east coast guys working them,, all signals have been great > except Vp8!! Congrats to all that have worked them and maybe tonite the > propagation gods will shine west!!! > > 73's > > Tom > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Tree <t...@kkn.net> > > Sender: "Topband" <topband-boun...@contesting.com> > > Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2016 06:57:33 > > To: 160<topband@contesting.com> > > Subject: Topband: VP8STI last night in Oregon > > > > At least in my location - I would say that things were no better last > night. > > > > N6SS in Arizona said he worked them just after 0400Z. There was also > > a report that he came back to N6MB about 10 times around 0430Z - but > > N6MB was not hearing him. The data suggests they are hearing better > > than getting out - which means if you can hear them - the spotlight is > > shining on you and you have a pretty good chance of making the QSO. > > > > If it was easy - it wouldn't be as rewarding when it happens!! > > > > Good luck to all. > > > > 73 Tree N6TR > > Hillsboro, OR _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband