[PVRCNC] 10 meter tropo 'flutter' :: ARRL 10M contest

[Steve Jackson]

I don't think I've spent more than 45 minutes straight, on the 10 meter band, ever, until this weekend.  

I decided to try a little contesting, on CW, and for sport, left the amplifier off.

I noticed a very peculiar phenomenon.  Stations that are relatively local, such as N4AF, K4CZ, and N4CW, all were very difficult to copy, as they sounded like they were in Siberia.  Not that the signals were weak, but that they sounded like they were under the strongest of auroral-type 'flutter' distortion.  I had an especially difficult time copying Bert ... signals 10 over 9, but warbling like he was under water.  I almost called him on the telephone to 'report' the distortion!  But I quickly remembered that I had heard it on other local stations, as well.  

Why was I hearing this anomaly?  The 5s and 7s didn't have it, nor the VA stations.  Just the locals.

Later, I tuned back in to N4AF ... and pointed the antenna actually AT him.  (It was elsewhere the first time.)

Gee!  That made an enormous difference!  Clear as can be.  

Turned the beam 30 degrees off ... towards KP4 ... N4AF signal still good, but warble-city.

Does anyone know what sort of tropospheric condition causes this phenomenon on this band?  Is it common?  

Curious minds ...

tnx  
73 Steve KZ1X/4
Chapel Hill





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