Something that has always puzzled me is summer operation on 160 in the northern hemisphere.
Here in Connecticut 160 in the summer is so full of crashes that picking out any DX is next to impossible. But, during the winter the crashes are sometimes totally absent and the band is almost dead silent except for ham operation. However, summer here is winter in the southern hemisphere. I'll just use Argentina as the southern example. Quoting from Wikipedia on Argentina: "Argentina has four seasons: winter (June-August), spring (September-November), summer (December-February) and autumn (March-May), all featuring different weather conditions. The hottest and coldest temperature extremes recorded in South America have occurred in Argentina." So what is amazing to me is how difficult it is for me to hear southern hemisphere DX in Connecticut, in July, yet they are hearing our winter 160 contest signals, wonderfully in the middle of what is their summer. The two recent VP8 DXpedetions were in their local summer yet they were knocking NA & EU off one after another on top band. My HI-Z Rx is so very helpful on 160 (& other bands as well) but it sure doesn't let me hear SA DX in July. I'd like to have a clear picture of how it is that Southern Hemisphere 160M DX can hear so well in their summer when I'm deaf as a doorknob in mine. 73, Gary KA1J _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband