Worked Taka, JQ2SIX, but......

 I worked Taka, JQ2SIX this morning but he was only 33.  He gave me a 55. QRN was down but band was very weak with "band noise" high.  Old man Barry, W9UCW has been MIA with a few exceptions for several months.  His wife Linda, W5TRV does manage to get him up and to the radio on rare occasions.  When the band is slightly better I have contacted JH4CES, Takai on 3796 a few times in the past several months.

The other usual suspects have been missing from the band for a year or more.  I have talked with Elvin, JA3CZY a few times on 20m.  He will try to be on 40 & 80m this winter.  

I am closing in on 100 countries confirmed on 160m.  Just about 14 more to go, which I should get this winter.  There was a nice 6m opening into Japan, China, and Taiwan on Oct. 4.  6m was open other days as well, but I was not there!  😕

If you read this please leave a comment, otherwise I will believe that I am (still) talking to myself. 

73, Jay, HP3AK (and rarely K1YJ)

Bad Numbers, Better 80m

 The numbers were bad for low band DX this morning, SFI 234, A22, K2 but JQ2SIX was coming through about S7. This was the best that I have heard him in more than 2 weeks.  Unfortunately my noise was peaking 10/9.  Lightning strikes within the first skip zone were about 2 per second...UGH!

I have been talking with my friend Randy, N9LTA in WI most weekday mornings on 14.152 + QRM from about 1230 until 1330 UTC.  With 313 worked and 291 confirmed overall my DXCC hunt has almost stopped.  I am looking forward to getting 15 more confirmed on 160m this fall and winter to complete 100 on 9 HF bands (no 60m in HP).

The dogs and I are still happy in Western Panama.  73.

Jay, HP3AK

Bah Humbug

 Well, not much to report.  75m continues to be poor.  Propagation has been weak for 2 or 3 years and there is no morning activity except for a small group of JA stations.  JQ2SIX was on today in my noise at 4x7.  Barry, W9UCW was also on.

Europeans are on in the evenings, but mostly working East Coast U.S. stations.