SEQP 2024

[James Jordan]

  Solar Eclipse QSO Party - 2024

Call: K4QPL
Operator(s): K4QPL
Station: K4QPL
Class: Single Op HP
QTH: NC
Operating Time (hrs): Yes
Summary:
 Band  CW Qs  Ph Qs  Dig Qs  Grids
-----------------------------------
  160:    1     0       0       1
   80:    8     0       0       8
   40:    9     0       0       9
   20:   54     0       0      45
   15:    3     0       0       3
   10:    0     0       0       0
    6:    0     0       0       0
-----------------------------------
Total:   75     0       0      66  Total Score = 9,900
Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club
Comments:

I hate to call this a contest, but sure was a heck of a fun operating event with
the chance to participate in the eclipse without any risk to the eyes. I didn't
list time because I was spending a lot of time band hopping and listening. There
were some really interesting propagation anomalies. As the eclipse rolled north
towards Ohio, NA8V, EN82, came in at a solid S6-7 fluttery signal on 160M at
almost 1900Z. So when else does that happen? I saw some others spotted, and saw
some RBN spots from my CQ's but only 1 QSO.
80M also picked up "as darkness fell" with 8's and 9's. I also had a
long QSO on 80 with Ted, WA3AER, FM19, after working him on 20 and 40 earlier.
We tried both 160 and 15 but no circuit and then 80 started receding as daylight
returned. I was initially excited when a 6 answered my CQ on 40, but his grid
turned out to be midwest as well.
20M carried the QSO total load, mostly ahead of the eclipse, but nothing unusual
about midday Q's on 20M so I actually spent more time going up and down the low
bands trying to determine how much the relatively localized darkness path could
create night time conditions.
While several friends and contesters showed up, I was amazed at how many uniques
I worked in the short time. I guess this event had a pull not found in regular
contests, even bringing in a QSO or two on CW with genuine no-code licensees. My
repeated requests for a grid at under 20 wpm got a repeated response of
"name is nnn in  state, and finally 73, TU. I was beginning to expect
another canned response of "rig is xxx, antenna yyy...." Mustn't be
too hard, at least he was on the air.
The graphs from HAM-SCI should be very interesting once all the logs and
RBN reports are processed.
I'm looking forward to the next one in 2044. At 101 it may have to be from ABOVE
the ionosphere if I mend my ways. HI
73,
Jim K4QPL


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