[MiQP-Mail] Lettuce Pray for a few sunspots for April 19

[David Pruett]

I don't think there is any doubt that in-state QSOs on 40M will be 
difficult after the first couple of hours, as the sunlight charges up 
the D-layer, which absorbs high angle 7 MHz signals.

This statement is based on my experience the past three years as one of 
the 40M operators at K8MQP, with a good station in Cheboygan County.  
That would cover 2005-2007, and in 2004 I was the 40M op at W8MJ, a 
multi-op effort from a very good station in Livingston County, when 40M 
in-state QSOs were challenging, but not impossible.  In 2003, 'MJ and I 
were mobiling across the southern tier of Michigan counties and 40M was 
usable for in-state QSOs.

The experts seem to be telling us that we've just recently seen the 
first sunspots of Cycle 24.  Somebody here on the reflector recently 
reported that a solar flux of 70 was reported for MiQP weekend.  When 
you consider that zero sunspots results in a flux number of 62, a flux 
of 70 isn't going to make much difference.  I have no doubt that 80/75 
will be the best band for in-state QSOs next weekend.

If you haven't read it, go back and re-read the 2007 MiQP article, which 
pointed out that number of 80M QSOs made in the first half of the 2007 
MiQP quadrupled from 2006.  I see no reason why this trend won't 
continue in 2008.

It's likely that no one single band will be "best" in MiQP 2008.  Short 
distance QSOs will most likely come on 80/75, day or night.  Longer 
distance QSOs will be better on 40, although 80/75 will be good at night 
as well.  20 will likely be the best for multipliers from out west, 
particularly during the day although 40 is certainly possible at night.  
The astute MiQP operator will need a strategy to utilize the "best" band 
at a given time to maximize their score.

73,

Dave/K8CC


Todd Fonstad wrote:
> Hank, n8xx, posted "If things are as bad next week as this week, 40 will be
> an almost complete bust for in state Q's.  I've been dabbling in the Georgia
> QSO party this afternoon, and many mobile signals are just at the noise
> level on 40, and nil on 20.  I haven't checked 80 yet."
>
> I also dabbled in the 'test today and found identical conditions here in
> eastern WI. However, 80M has been humming this evening. The good news on 80
> is that not only are the GA fixed stations and mobiles reasonably good copy
> (and there are hordes of callers on the rovers), but close-in stations are
> very strong as well. Heard were K8DD, n8xx, N8MR, and numerous IL and WI
> stations. That bodes well for 80 and 75 in the evening as local and
> 'distance' bands, as well as during the day for local contacts. Best get a
> wahr up for 80!
>
> 73
> Todd
> N9NE
> Oshkosh
>
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