Well I'm glad EU signals were good with you Ken !
However, when conditions are good, the big NA signals are normally S9 or
more with me (on a calibrated S Meter) . . . whereas most last night were
only around S4 to 5 . . . only a couple peaked S7.
I could tell there were often several weak signals calling me . . . but they
were just too weak to be readable on SSB.
Also, I did notice that a couple of the big European stations were calling
CQ endlessly, but often getting very few replies (or none that they could
copy).
Anyway, I shall be on again tonight to see if there are any more I can work.
Even if you have no intention of entering the Contest (like me), I hope
stations will come on to see what 160m DX they can work on SSB.
One thing that would be useful to know is where on the band most of the NA
stations congregate in this Contest . . . the problem with not hearing many
of them is that it's hard to know if a frequency you pick to call CQ is
actually clear !
73 Roger G3YRO
_____
From: Kenneth Grimm [mailto:grimm@sbc.edu]
Sent: 06 March 2021 16:17
To: Roger Kennedy
Cc: topband
Subject: Re: Topband: ARRL SSB Contest
Roger,
I hasten to disagree with you. Conditions, as far as I'm concerned, were
quite good last evening on top band. In only a brief period of time I
managed over 20 QSOs with Europeans, some with honest S9 signals. While the
"spotlight" seemed to not be terribly important, power was. 500 and 1000
watt stations were easily S5 to S9. Hundred watt stations were a little
more difficult, but easy copy for the most part. In fact, I seemed to have
more trouble copying some of the Carribean stations than I did the European
ones! Stations were spread out from 1.810 to 1.900 and easy pickings!
I hope conditions will persist and tonight will be a repeat!
73,
--
Ken - K4XL
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BAMA - http://bama.edebris.com
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