[Lowfer] good season

[craig wasson]

As we switch from winter to spring/summer - we will be moving towards
prime season in the southern hemisphere.  A couple of questions:

Has much research been done on the best time of year for propagation
between northern and southern hemispheres?  Logic might say local
winter is better due to noise - but maybe it is not that simple?
Maybe spring/fall is best?  Maybe mid-summer on those rare quiet
nights?  Taking advantage of the grey line?

Are there any good signal sources to use as beacons close to 137 or
187 from the southern hemisphere - maybe utility signals like DCF-39?