[PVRCNC] IARU Expectations

[Howard Hoyt]

I've been monitoring band condx all week and here are my expectations
for this weekend:

Condx on the higher bands have been 'unremarkable'. Barring solar
assistance the beginning
of the contest might largely be US to US.  Presently http://pvrc.org
"last 25 dx spots" shows zip
for 10/15M.

We seem to be in the typical summer pattern of bands opening late. 20M
has been really lousy
until 1500 local.

You cannot hold back 40M ! Expect good openings there.

80M should offer some rewards, signals from Europe have been generally strong.
Keep in mind the HQ stations in Eu will be tough to work on the
lowbands as you will
be competing with Eu single hop callers. IMO, if you cannot get thru,
mark the mult
and come back later.

160M (and 80) are dependent on QRN. There is some hope it will not be excessive.
Good signals from DL were heard on Wednesday night. Check 160 early and at
Eu sunrise. I typically let 80M be my guide: if 80M sounds good, it is
worth checking the
top band.  You can probably work W1AW and NU1AW down there.

Even if you only have a couple of hours, it should be fun chasing the
HQ mutlipliers, most
are identifiable by their call, but there are also some ES9A dark
horses and, of course, new
zones.

If you have limited time, sunset may well be the most productive.

73, Howie N4AF


-- 
http://n4af.blountscreek.org