I know that this subject has been beaten to death, but
here are a few observations from the CQ 160m contest that
some may find interesting.
During the various day-time propagation tests last year I
did not hear a peep at my Miami Beach (noisy) QTH.
For the CQ 160m contest I was portable on the north-west
tip of Rum Cay as C6AGU (23.66 N 74.95 W -- about 400
miles south-east of Miami). The location was very quiet,
with no civilization for miles around.
During both days of the Contest I heard US station with
great signals in the middle of the day. Here are some
examples on 1/26: (times EST)
11:10 W2GD 599 -- Really loud
11:12 KC1XX 559
11:13 WE3C 579
11:16 K8KS 569
11:35 W1UE 579
11:36 KD2I 589
15:30 N8XA/QRP 549 from OH! The signal was steady and easy
to read.
W8JI was strong on both days, a steady 599 signal. There
were several other FL, SC and GA stations whose signals
were strong on both days. (Note that in a quiet location
signals that barely move the S meter can be loud and
easily readable. An S7 signal booms.)
My RX antenna was an inverted L and no pre-amp was being
used.
By the way, EU stations were being heard with S 5 to 7
signals from about 4 PM local time (of course dark there).
They rarely heard anybody from this side, but some did get
through. Unfortunately, a couple of NA station were CQ-ing
in the DX window, perhaps thinking that there could be no
DX during day-light. They had some great DX right under
them.
73,
George
AA7JV/C6AGU
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