[Elecraft] Propagation Modes

[Vic Rosenthal]

Douglas Westover wrote:
> Another interesting mode is one
> where the ray is trapped in the ionosphere, again due to the
> "just right" electron density distribution and you can get
> multiple transits of the earth before it finally exits. Think of
> round-the-world propagation and, possibly, so called long
> delay echoes. 

Some years ago when I lived in 4X, I recall getting up at about sunrise 
and hearing the 20-meter band apparently dead.  I tried the following 
experiment:  using high power and full QSK CW, I called CQ while 
rotating by antenna.  In certain directions, I heard very strong echoes 
between the dits and dahs.  The timing was such that I was convinced 
that I was hearing my signal the long way around.  I assumed that this 
was 'normal' multihop propagation, and I was surprised that I never got 
any answers from DX stations!  Now I think it was a chordal mode which 
was not coming down to earth except locally and (perhaps) in places 
where there wasn't anyone listening.

Vic K2VCO