There is a long standing theory that suggests 160-meter propagation during the peak years of the sunspot cycle is very poor, or non-existent. That theory seemed to be debunked last year however this season the theory seems to have substance, and at a significant level.

It will be interesting to see how the band performs over the next 8 weeks into mid-March. Bouvet could be a surprise although I have all but given up on any chance to work VU7. Even if there was a very brief opening of 5 mins or less (much less?) the ops now going to VU7 do not have the 160-meter experience to manage a short opening on the band.

Regardless, I will follow my on guidance (and order from Coach Joe Pitts) and GET IN THERE and see what happens.

GL es DX

73 Joel W5ZN / ZF2ZN

p.s. I wish I had an old photo of Coach pointing that long, skinny finger at me and saying “GET IN THERE!”. It would be a great motivator, to hang in in the shack, to see when the DX is intense and situation bad! In the meantime, this will have to suffice! Without the hat and beard, and with a crew cut, he would look a lot like Coach.