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
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