| 15th October |
Of course it was the right thing to do to write the diatribe below, yesterday - cuz G3XRJ and I both made good contacts with T32C (Chris G3SVL on the key) this morning. Neil, G0JHC also made it.
Probably close to the `Holy Grail` of 160m paths from here - and only the second morning in two weeks of operation that they have been audible.
Coming through the auroral zone over the north pole - probably close to the true great circle bearing - with slow, deep fading on the signals - but audible for 45 mins or so ... about an hour and a half after Christmas Is sunset to 15 mins before our sunrise.
This is what Amateur Radio is all about !! |
| 14th October |
The T32C expedition to Kiritimati has certainly brought some welcome activity and challenges to the bands.
HF propagation has in general been very good and the wire loops have worked into the central Pacific without too much trouble.
Top Band is, of course, a different matter and the path to the East Kiribati is exceptionally difficult from western Europe.
The only opportunity here is between sunset there (0415 gmt) and sunrise here (0640 gmt).
As of today, there has only been one opening, and that was on 12th October. Both G3SED and I were heard in Kiritimati, my `contact` fell apart due to fading ... and I don`t think Mike was over convinced with his either.
This is one of the wonderful challenges of the hobby - and hopefully there will be another `good` morning before the trip finishes.
Two station from Scotland have made it on 160 - its not necessarily easier from there, but is different ! |
| 16th June |
After several days listening to noise on 6m, finally PJ4E came out of the hash and was workable. As usual, our opening was very late compared to the rest of Eu (and G), but finally in the log at 2030 z |
| 1st May |
6 meters open today !
European sigs via Sporadic E prop !
I have a new 5 el LFA Yagi on my 20ft pole = seems to be working pretty good ... will put some images up soon ! |
| 8 February |
Super conditions on 160 yesterday evening ... 5H3EE; HL5IVL and DU1/JJ5GMJ for three new countries on the band ... topped off at 0318 this morning with S9DX. Happy Days !!
VP8ORK Expedition to South Orkney Is closed down at 0700 today. First class job which has given a new country to lots of operators. |
| 27th December |
Nice to work KH2/N2NL on Guam for a new one on 80m (2102 3512) - 80m new ones are a rarity indeed ! |
| 5th December |
ARRL 160m contest this weekend - not particularly brilliant conditions, but interesting sunrise peak this morning (Sunday) - with WD5COV (NM) very strong still one hour after sunrise - and VE3EJ 559 at 1100 !!
Northern Scandinavia carrying propagation through the day to the U.S. |
| 1st December |
Nice to catch ZL8X on the Kermadec is - Raoul Is in fact, on rtty 10MHz before they finish. 1430 with good signals here ... |
| 29th November |
Single band 80m jobby in CQWW CW contest over the weekend.
Around 630 QSOs in roughly 10 hours operating.
Very good conditions to West Coast USA / VE on the Saturday morning.
Will not win - but good fun ! |
| 26th November |
Great to eventually QSO ZL8X this morning on 160 bang on our sunrise at 0751.
He popped out of the noise for 5 mins max in between rain static etc - real tough one !
Another QSO which would have been impossible without the K9AY receiving antenna. |
| 25th November |
ZL8X going to be very tough from here on 160 - our sunrise is so late that they seem to be leaving 160 before sunrise ! Plenty of time left yet ... |
| 21st November |
ZL8X certainly setting the bands alive.
The deliberate QRM and jamming in Europe is, sadly, probably worse than ever before. Seems that there is a small but growing band of deranged idiots with decent signals hell-bent on spoiling the enjoyment of the hobby.
Extremely fortunate to have managed cw qsos on 20 (1718z) and 30 (1543z) with the zl8 so far. |
| 16th November |
Long Path into the West Coast of the USA on LF has always been the ultimate challenge from here at the extreme southwest of the UK.
Currently - mid November - the LP season is peaking. I have only ever had one QSO on 80 ssb (which was arguably skewed short path anyway) - none on 80 cw, where LP activity seems to be absent and the lower frequency makes it even more difficult.
I do usually manage one or two LP QSOs on 40 each year, and yesterday it was very nice to make it with KI7VR for a genuine south-southeast direction long path contact at 1545. |
| 13th November |
Good conditions on 80m this morning - N7DR (G4AMJ in Colorado hiding under `7` flag!) good signal along with some W6s. DT8A on South Shetland Is also workable, as was ZD9AH on Tristan da Cunha on 40 ssb. |
| 12th November |
Winds gusting around 60mph last few days - the mast running bare poles with all wires safely on the ground. Spell of typical mild wet winter weather ! |
