[CW] Absorption?

[mikea]

On Fri, Apr 25, 2008 at 04:19:55PM -0700, Ken, KA0W wrote:
> Anyone else experiencing the overall lousy 40m conditions the past
> few days (weeks)?
>
> There are very few signals moving the s-meter over S9 during the
> day and afternoons. A few weeks aqo 40m was filled with S9 and plus
> signals at my QTH, not just from QRO monster stations.
>
> I know I need to place my order for a couple of new Super Berthas
> and get at least a 3x 40m Yagi stack on each, but I never struggled
> with conditions like this in the past couple of weeks.
>
> Maybe ops are saving energy and running more QRP to keep gas prices
> from going higher? Perhaps Al Gore suggested that at the last ARRL
> conference?
>
> Hope to hear signals on the bands!

It's not just me or the nasty QRM in my neighborhood, then? I've been 
struggling to even _hear_ anyone, and when I bang out CQs for half an 
hour at 100 W into my Gap Titan and get no response, I have to conclude
that The Great Signal-Sucker is hard at work. 

Tonight and tomorrow are pretty well spoken for, and we're working the
OKC Marathon Sunday AM, but I'll try to get on 40 -- somewhere above 
7050 -- Sunday afternoon after I get a nap. Getting up at 0330 is hard
nowadays. 

-- 
Mike Andrews, W5EGO
mikea at mikea.ath.cx
Tired old sysadmin