Crew:
I have been getting up every morning now for 6 days at 2 a.m. CST in an
effort to get ZL9CI into the log on 160 (I missed the first couple of days
when they first started the operation and were on 80 and 160). Every
morning I would go back to bed at 4 a.m. or so with no 160 activity.
Today that changed. I got to the radio about 0830z and see a spot for NE8Z
(thanks for the heads up!) indicating that they'll be qrv on 160 at 0930z.
At this point they were on 3.503 working a big pile (which they've been
doing the past few mornings). About 0925z the station on 3.303 goes silent.
I'm waiting on 1826.5 for them to show up. At 0930z I hear a weak CQ on
1826.5 It's the ZL9! He says he's listening up 5. I was already there and
waiting. Called him and believe I was the first station to work him
although he took a deep fade making it difficult to hear him acknowledge my
report. I spotted him at 0930z as did VE1ZZ. A small pile developed but
nothing huge...must be to early in the morning except for us diehards!
Anyway, I called him back at 1017z when he was CQing (with no answers) and
made an insurance contact.
His signal was peaking 569 on the SW 2-wire beverage but running mostly 559.
I did notice several callers that the ZL9 apparently could not hear,
although their hearing ability seems to be pretty good (particularly since
it's summer down there). The 40 meter ssb op this morning said they would
be on 160 more now until they go final QRT.
BTW, they're signal on 80 cw is big...peaking S9 here on the 4 square once
their sun is down for 30 minutes or so.
Good luck and 73 to all...Dave
W0FLS
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