[OKDXA] VK9's on Low Bands

[Coy Day]

Putting this out in case any of you are still looking for VK9LA on the low
bands.

Having problems sleeping this A.M., I got up at 2:30 local time and
decided the check out the bands.  I've been watching for VK9LA on 80 and
160 meters as I need them both bands.  I stumbled across VK9GMW on 80
meters and they were pretty loud, so I thought that VK9LA should be strong
somewhere.  I was wrong.  I worked VK9GMW at 08:21Z just for the fun of it
since I didn't need them that band.  In a short while, they moved to 160
where I did need them and was able to snag them on 160 at 09:31Z.  They
had great signals on both bands.  That's great but where was VK9LA?  They
were spotted but I wasn't able to hear them.  Nothing on 80 SSB where they
were supposedly begging for Q's and nothing on 80 CW.  I did hear them
once on 160 but they didn't stay there long.  I should have went back to
bed but by this time I was wide awake and searching for VK9LA.  Around
11:30Z I started hearing them from time to time on 80 meters, so I
surmised they would get stronger as SR approached.  It didn't happen.  But
as I sat there with the sun up, all of a sudden they popped through the
noise and bingo they were in the log.  This was at 12:30Z, six minutes
past my SR.

I will have to admit that the guys on Mellish have a much better signal
than the guys on Lord Howe.  I may take a nap this afternoon and see if I
can get VK9LA in the log in the morning.

A couple of links of interest:  http://vk9gmw.com/ and http://www.odxg.org/

Good luck.  Coy, N5OK

--
Coy Day
20685 SW 29
Union City, OK 73090
405-483-5632