Hi Dave
We just can wait for it. Patience., good conditions is coming to stay for
several years.
73's
JC
N4IS
-----Original Message-----
From: Topband <topband-bounces@contesting.com> On Behalf Of
daraymond@iowatelecom.net
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2018 10:04 PM
To: Steve Ireland <vk6vz@arach.net.au>; Topband reflector
<topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: Poor conditions in 2018 so far for working VK6 to NA long
path
Topbanders. . .
Although my geographic perspective is much different than Steve's, I concur
that conditions so far this season have been very poor with the exception of an
occasional bright spot. . . many nights/mornings being remarkably poor.
Far inland here in the Midwest (Iowa) I go night after night listening to
European stations (and mornings looking toward VK, JA, etc.) that have
typically in years past been Q5 with S5/S6 signals. . . but the signals are now
weak, just above the noise floor, and often uncopyable. Probably the bright
spot this season has been with VK. While I have only been QRV on TB since 1987
(many of you have me beat by two decades or more), I have gone through several
sunspot cycles. The old adage that low sunspot numbers bring good conditions
to 160m does not necessarily seem to hold true.
Obviously, there are other significant factors at work (or combination of
factors). I was holding my breath, hoping that the bottom of the current cycle
would bring great conditions but it simply has not happened. . .at least here.
A classic example is a stalwart topbander in Germany. In years past (several
years ago actually) he would have S5-S8 signals, night after night, week after
week, season after season. Many nights this season he is barely copyable and
often not even copyable. Upon inquiring he informed me earlier in the fall he
had not made any changes in his nice station. My last good skewed path opening
(w/9M2 my morning hours) was September, 2010.
I have seen virtually no signs of skewed path since. While all this is a bit
discouraging we, of course, plod on in anticipation of better conditions
to come. . .which will happen. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Ireland
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2018 7:32 PM
To: Topband reflector
Subject: Topband: Poor conditions in 2018 so far for working VK6 to NA long path
G'day
With the exception of last Sunday I've been on 160m for east coast NA sunset
from 7/11/18 until 12/11/18 to try to give out some ‘long path’ contacts with
USA/VE.
Although there has been some spotlight propagation into Europe (today was
Southern Europe/North Africa and S01WS for a new country) the LP into North
America has seemed to be non-existent so far.
2017 and 2016 were definitely better, with my recollection of LP openings
present on several mornings during this period.
My reference point is if I can hear or work Jeff VY2ZM, then I know there is a
chance of working into NA further south. Every morning I regularly check
Jeff's transmitting frequency - and during the aforementioned period I haven't
heard Jeff once!
Since Jeff started his station on PEI, we have worked on 160m many times - and
on SSB at least once - and usually I can hear him virtually daily at this time
of the year. This year is definitely the worse I can recall since I first came
on 160m from VK6 back in 1995.
I guess the take-away message is 2018 is a very bad year but east coastal NA
stations don't give up hope that a LP QSO is possible (but perhaps not this
season).
Vy 73
Steve, VK6VZ
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