[NLRS] Two Meter Aurora Observations using Vertical Polarization (long)

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer]

I suspect the polarization preservation depends on the particular style
of the display. The classic northern curtains probably do preserve
polarization, though they modulate it some while the more southern blobs
may not be so picky. By 8 PM when I went out to take a look the green
blobs were overhead at 42N. Under those conditions probably adding
elevation to azimuth control of the aurora illumination array may have
helped signals.

I had a partial with '5CM I think in EL29 on 2m. Makes it appear the
aurora was pretty far south. Signals were there, QRM prevented
completing the QSO.

Since I was interested more in new grids and dx, I tended to work my
beam towards the southern edge of the signals ignoring peaking the
strongest signals. There was much QRM which limited DX for me. And pile
ups (one I was the center of lasted at least 5 minutes). I heard more
than I worked.

As it moved west, I worked into Colorado and heard them working further
west though I didn't hear the stations they were working. While trying
to work W0PUF, I noticed that the further south (of NW) that I aimed the
5WL beam the lower the received frequency. E.g. doppler changed
depending on what part of the aurora that I looked at. Likely
polarization is also dependent on what part of the aurora curtain is
observed. It also may be different in different parts of the spectrum.

There was a little aurora E later in the evening, but not very extensive
from central Iowa.

73, Jerry, K0CQ
-- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
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