[Boatanchors] It Happened Again!

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi Bob,

I had to laugh several weeks ago when a long time Ham asked me how come he 
could only hear European stations when there was a DX Contest in progress? 
Although part of his tongue was in his cheek, I think he was picking part of 
his bacon burger out of a molar with the other half, there is some truth 
here.

We are just past the halfway point in the 22 year solar cycle, or the 'solar 
sewer segment', as some term it. Contrary to common belief, the solar cycle 
runs for twenty-two years, not eleven. At the halfway point, or eleven 
years, supposedly the electromagnetic poles of the Sun reverse. This causes 
a tremendous disruptive effect on the Earth's geomagnetic poles and 
electromagnetic fields. It seems we can not live without sun spots, nor can 
we live with them! Talk about a confusing double standard!

Perhaps the number of European stations operating when we were near the top 
of the solar cycle +/- 3.5 years, and could hear them easily, now we need 
five times that many just to hear any of them? So maybe there are lots of 
European stations calling "CQ" until they lose their voices presently, but 
when there is a Contest thousands more add their voices to the "CQ" calls 
and we hear European DX.

Whatever the reasons, working one now is more of a challenge and maybe even 
a little more fun.

I am still trying to find some south Pacific countries on fifteen meters and 
having no success. Sigh. Maybe this weekend, heh? Go for them!




Duane Fischer, W8DBF/WPE8CXO
dfischer at usol.com
HHI: Halligan's Hallicrafters International
http://www.w9wze.net
HHRP: Historic Halligan Radio Project
hhrp.w9wze.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Macklin" <macklinbob at msn.com>
To: "lafayette" <Lafayette at mailman.qth.net>; "Heathkit" 
<heathkit at mailman.qth.net>; "Halicrafters" <Hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>; 
<glowbugs at piobaire.mines.uidaho.edu>; "Boatanchors list" 
<boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>; "AM Radio" <amradio at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 8:18 PM
Subject: [Boatanchors] It Happened Again!


> At 00:01Z 20M came alive with "CQ CONTEST"! The band has been dead for 
> weeks, At least here in Puget Sound.
>
> But everytime there is a contest I am able to see if my receivers are 
> still working!
>
> Bob Macklin
> K5MYJ
> Seattle, Wa,
> "Real Radios Glow in the Dark"
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> ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **
> ** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **
> $ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $
> http://www.w9wze.net
>
>
>
>
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