Re: Topband: C21MM

[Bob Kile <midnight18@cox.net>]

Firstly you are not at C21 and don't know what difficulties they have. 
The same applied to PX0. Andy is an experienced and dedicated 160m guy 
and he will come through.
My dear friend K7CA worked them this morning using a 50ft top loaded 
vertical on the roof of his home. I was lucky enough to log them 3 days 
ago. From the West Coast if you call CQ on FT8 and don't light up PSK 
Reporter for  JA, VK, ZL and KH6 under the present conditions you are 
not likely going to work them!
Whilst FT8 is not my favorite mode it does take work and it is not 
unattended. Most of the JA working Andy I could not hear and there are 
lots of them. You need to find a clear channel and you need to check 
frequently that someone hasn't landed on top of you. It's called 
operational savvy. Signals on each end may not be equal.
I agree that more CW activity is needed. When a DX station is 20dBm 
above the band noise CW can be done easily but that has to be on both 
ends. For some reason it seems that stations in OC and South Pacific on 
Equator can be more challenging. You need to be the right time and have 
the right skip zone. It took me years to work Ross 9M2AX with daily 
thunder storms. For 160m there may be optimum conditions one or two 
nights for those looking for a new one. Just keep on trying.
As for CW, I too would be happy to have a Q. It is what it is and it's 
during solar maximum for Petes Sake. If we live long enough just maybe 
we can enjoy the wonderful conditions of the last two solar minimums.
Instant gratification is available on 10m during the day and  a good 
normal daily cycle you can work 4 continents with a simple stick and 100W.
Stop bitching operate or seek alternatives. Life is not easy and neither 
is 160m.
Bob W7RH


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