J. Mc Laughlin wrote:
The intentional interference has been frequent and often effective - if that
is the right word. On various of their frequencies, the use of a continuous
carrier that is within 2 Hz of 3Y0X's frequency is heard. It appears not to
be from NA or SA. It would be interesting, though little more, to hear a
psychologist's analysis of what causes persons deliberately to cause
interference.
I landed another QSO on 15 CW this afternoon. Intentional QRM was
nearly non-existant and general behavior good but not perfect.
Miraculously, I heard 3Y0X on 8o meters CW last night and appear to have
worked them. I have gone over the propagation predictions again that
suggest the unlikelihood of such a contact. I will wait for the geophysical
parameters to be posed and look again. However, my guess is it was a
combination of about 100 Hz effective BW, exceptionally low noise at both
ends, a vertical reflecting off of salt water at their end, a tall antenna
at this end, and (most important of all) the use of CW. I also heard them
very weakly on 24900 about Noon.
I've learned not to put too horribly much credence in propagation
predictions on polar paths. Reality seems to have a way of trumping
theorygrin.
I also heard them weakly on 24900 about the same time - not strong
enough to work. It almost appeared they had better propagation to
California than they did to here. They were fair on 15 SSB at the same
time (and the pileup was surprisingly well-behaved) but they announced
an operator change before I could work them & the new op never showed
up. (unless he was the one who took them to CW!)
The place with the worst propagation path from here is VU4.
Agreed. (not sure where in 8-land you are but I'm probably not much
more than 1000km from your QTH) When the VU4 was on a bit over a year
ago, I heard them an entire once, and again not strong enough to work.
I hear there's going to be an Indian national amateur radio convention
on VU4 later this year & operations will be permitted. Hopefully
propagation will cooperate!
Guys at Peter I have shown how to do it. Only criticism I have is that
they could profit from providing us with some idea of how long they will
work only (fill in the blank). To say EU for one hour and then Region 2
for an hour and then Region 3 for half an hour - or some such - would
benefit many.
I might guess they figure that dynamically based on propagation & other
duties. But that's just a guess.
--
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66
http://www.w9wi.com
Ham stuff for sale:
http://www.w9wi.com/articles/4sale.htm