[SADXA] 40-meter DX SOLAR NOON Obervations -with some 40m AM DX

[W7EXG (Bill)]

TO: SADXA Members
RE: 40m Solar Noon DX Observations

I have recently been critically listening for 40m DX from about 1815z to
2015z, since SN in Tucson NOW is 12:17pm or 1917z.  

I typically listen [with my 3 ele 40m Yagi] between 7000-7050 kHz, and
7125-7160 kHz. I am prepared to call a DX station I hear, using my DRAKE L7
Linear. 

I still have not heard any 40m DX within 1 hour of SN. Perhaps someone else
has? We still have about 9 days till Dec. 21 Solstice, when SN terminator is
furthest South (1100 miles from US N Border).  I have, however, heard DX
within 25 Min. of the 1 hr. window, as some others have reported. My time
has been somewhat limited, however. 

One of the 40m DX Paths is expected in the late morning with bearings of
about 310 deg +/-.  

40M AM DX @ SN

Today, I noted STRONG AM QRM Stations across the 40m BAND region both inside
[and outside] the 40m Ham Band -- within 1 hr of SN. I was actually amazed
at how many AM DX carriers I could hear across the 40m spectrum at or about
SN. 

After careful observations and documentation, I determined these stations
were CHN, or from China -- using a Short Wave Freq Web site. 

BELOW are the 1750z AM CHN Station Frequency and Strength, with 40m Yagi
pointed about 310 deg.  All Broadcasts are Time Dependent (Typically, only 1
hour on a given freq). 

1750z -- PRIOR TO 1800z 
(RECEIVER ON AM)(3 ELE)

7203 kHz S8
7220 kHz S9+10db 	
7245 kHz S8
7275 kHz S8
7305 kHz S9+10db
7335 kHz S9
7355 kHz S9+20db 
7365 kHz S9+10db

BELOW: China AM Station logged on 40m at 1917z (exactly SN). 

SN 40m AM Stations
7365 kHz S9+20db @ 1917z
CHINA RADIO INTERNATIONAL
Beijing CHN
Transmission: 19:00-19:57z
Language: Portuguese
Data Says PWR 500 (kW I am guessing)

WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?

This says there is currently a viable 40m DX path from Tucson into Beijing--
AT SOLOR NOON!  

All you need is 500KW to get a 20/9 Signal report @ SN in Beijing. But,
there is NO QUESTON, the MUF path is there. It is just a question of PWR,
Gain and Attenuation. 

I suspect that in the coming days it may be possible to hear lower power
stations from that approximate bearing after 1815z. I plan to start
listening to that bearing about 1800z for a possible QSO 1 hr. within SN. 

When you hear all that AM QRM on 40m tomorrow around the noon
hour,(especially just prior to 1800z), realize this is AM DAY DX for reasons
cited in my 40m DAY DX Presentation. [It is not John [KD7F] on 40m with many
spurious AM sidebands!! Hi Hi]  You will never hear this AM QRM at SN during
the June Solstice. 

I hope some of you are still in the 40m SN chase, as I am. 

Its not easy, but I think doable. There is still time to achieve this SN 40m
DX goal! 

I hope somebody does, EVEN IF ACHIEVED WITH FT8, which might be the most
plausible.  (Listen up you FT8ers!!)

73's
Bill W7EXG