I have not been following the transatlantic path on 136 since I got
the station back but have been frustrated by the recent hf
conditions. Alan is correct when he says things have shown a sign of
improvement but they have a long way to go before they are anything
like normal.
My frustration has always been that when I look at the propogation
forecasts (I use a combination of DK0WCY and the site at
http://www.hfradio.org/propagation.html). Inevitably when I check
when I know conditions are lousy (and often not even hearing DK0WCY
on 10144) it says conditions are 'Normal' when I know they are far
from so! There seems to be a variance between the theoretical
forecasts put out on these sites and how they relate to amateur
experience.
It was interesting to read some of the comments on the Elecraft
reflector yesterday. They had arranged an 'Elecraft Net' on 18112
which turned out not to be very successful. At the time involved
(2000z) propagation between USA and Europe was probably past it (I
wasn't even bothering to listen). While some of the mid US stations
commented that conditions were 'great' others on the East Coast and
West Coast found them very poor - clearly propogation paths differ
enormously between different areas, and those further south always
fair far better than us in the UK.
There is clearly a strong link between HF and LF propogation, as
shown by Alan's very weak detection of CFH last week when the HF
bands were to all intents and purposes dead. However I am not
convinced that we should religiously believe the theoretical figures
and there may also be openings when the theory indicates otherwise.
This coming weekend I am hoping for a good bash at WPX CW so hoping
things improve an awful lot before then!
73 Dave G3YMC
[email protected]
http://www.dsergeant.btinternet.co.uk
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