{"id":569,"date":"2013-09-25T14:53:18","date_gmt":"2013-09-25T14:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/?p=569"},"modified":"2016-07-20T06:00:22","modified_gmt":"2016-07-20T06:00:22","slug":"an-exceptional-tropo-opening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/?p=569","title":{"rendered":"An exceptional tropo opening"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>There had been much anticipation of a decent tropo opening around the 23rd September with a large, stable area of high pressure forming over north west Europe. In the end it turned into something that people will remember for a long time, with some fabulous contacts made. I can&#8217;t wait to see reports from the likes of GI4SNA, <a title=\"OM2VL JN87WV 144 MHz TR\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ok2kkw.com\/tropo\/230913\/23sep2013_om2vl.htm\" target=\"_blank\">OM2VL<\/a>, S51ZO, and others, which I&#8217;m sure will be amazing!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s my own story, with apologies for the length&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>The Hepburn forecast map was looking good with a nice yellow\/orange area predicting long-distance potential:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_570\" style=\"width: 458px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Hepburn_TR230913.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-570\" class=\" wp-image-570 \" src=\"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Hepburn_TR230913.png\" alt=\"Hepburn 23\/06\/13\" width=\"448\" height=\"336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Hepburn_TR230913.png 800w, https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Hepburn_TR230913-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Hepburn_TR230913-624x468.png 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 448px) 100vw, 448px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-570\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hepburn&#8217;s tropo prediction for 06z on 23\/09\/13<\/p><\/div>\n<p>On the morning of 22nd September things started to look promising, with a few reasonable contacts over 800km to the east and south &#8211; not huge signals, but it was something:<\/p>\n<pre>22\/09\/2013 06:30 DG0VOG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO60QU\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0 1496km\r\n22\/09\/2013 06:35 PA3GGI\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO21TV\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 947km\r\n22\/09\/2013 06:38 DL6YBF\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO31OX\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0 1054km\r\n22\/09\/2013 06:42 F4EGA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO10QK\u00a0 54\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 823km\r\n22\/09\/2013 06:47 PA2CHR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO32DB\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 991km\r\n22\/09\/2013 06:53 PA4VHF\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO32JE\u00a0 57\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0 1024km\r\n22\/09\/2013 07:05 ON4KHG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO10XO\u00a0 58\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 56\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 858km\r\n22\/09\/2013 07:11 ON4KBE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO20BI\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 877km\r\n22\/09\/2013 07:49 DK3EE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO41GU\u00a0 54\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 41\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0 1146km\r\n22\/09\/2013 08:12 PE9GG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO33NA\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0 1043km\r\n22\/09\/2013 08:19 PA5MS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO21RQ\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 54\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 938km\r\n22\/09\/2013 08:31 DF0MU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO32PC\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0 1058km\r\n22\/09\/2013 08:34 PA1VW\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO22IN\u00a0 549\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 881km\r\n22\/09\/2013 08:42 ON4BR\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO20SW\u00a0 549\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 439\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 958km\r\n22\/09\/2013 08:47 PA2DW\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO22GD\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 871km\r\n22\/09\/2013 09:02 PD0HCV\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO31FW\u00a0 57\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 57\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0 1003km\r\n22\/09\/2013 09:17 DK1FG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN59OP\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 319\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0 1384km\r\n22\/09\/2013 10:42 EA1DHB\/P\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 IN83FD\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 52\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0 1038km\r\n22\/09\/2013 10:44 EA2TO\/P\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 IN83FD\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2 m.\u00a0\u00a0 1038km<\/pre>\n<p>Later that evening and into the morning of the 23rd September a few more signals appeared:<\/p>\n<pre>22\/09\/2013 22:32 DG0VOG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO60QU\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1496km\r\n22\/09\/2013 22:46 DM7RM\/P\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN48JC\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1283km\r\n23\/09\/2013 06:50 DL8MAI\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN57FV\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1405km\r\n23\/09\/2013 07:06 DF1CF\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN57FP\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1417km\r\n23\/09\/2013 08:05 HB3YAT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN47JM\u00a0 RO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 RO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1313km\r\n23\/09\/2013 09:18 DF1CF\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN57FP\u00a0 57\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 52\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1417km<\/pre>\n<p>Once again the signals were not too strong, but the distances were very good: This usually indicates there&#8217;s a good high-level (mid-tropospheric) duct somewhere along the path, but it is almost certainly extended at one or both ends by a local low-level inversion. There was certainly one at my end of the path, if the thick fog here was anything to go by.<\/p>\n<p>After the QSO with DF1CF @09:18z things started to go downhill very rapidly as the local inversion lifted, to the point where the band seemed absolutely dead more-or-less everywhere. This was disappointing, because it showed that few, if any, people were able to directly access the mid-tropospheric duct at this time &#8211; probably because it was at too high an altitude (indications are it was then &gt;1400m above sea level). Over time there was no doubt the high-level duct would descend, as it always does, but of course the high pressure system itself would also move. There was plenty of nail-biting at &#8216;3KD, hoping the duct would come directly into range at some point!<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, this is where well-sited beacons show how useful they are: <strong>HB9HB (JN37qf\/1226km)<\/strong> is located at 1395m asl and was a constant signal even when everything else had faded, confirming the duct was still present. Indeed it grew in strength, thus raising hopes&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Then, at around 12z, the first &#8220;properly ducted&#8221; signal suddenly appeared, from <strong>OE2XRM (JN67nt\/1589km)<\/strong>! It took a few calls to attract his attention through the instant pile-up, but a nice QSO resulted. I didn&#8217;t have the audio recorder running at the time, but made this recording just a few minutes later:<\/p>\n<div class=\"flagallery jq-mplayer_skin\" > <div id=\"flag_musicplayer_r586649341\"> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery(function(){ var settings = {\"maxwidth\":\"0\",\"autoplay\":\"0\",\"loop\":\"1\",\"buttonText\":\"Download\",\"downloadTrack\":\"0\",\"tracksToShow\":\"5\",\"moreText\":\"View More...\",\"key\":\"\",\"name\":\"\"}; var content = [{\"id\":568,\"mp3\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ei3kd.73tu.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/TR230913_OE2XRM_1.mp3\",\"cover\":\"\",\"title\":\"OE2XRM JN67nt 1589km\",\"text\":\"<p>\\\"OE2XRM JN67nt 1589km\\\" from 2m tropo by ei3kd.<\\\/p>\",\"button\":\"\"}]; jQuery('#flag_musicplayer_r586649341').data('uid', 'r586649341').flagMusicPlayer(content, settings); }); <\/script> <\/div> <\/div>\n<p>Soon after, more and more signals started to appear from a similar direction, characterised by good signal strengths disturbed by very deep and rapid fading. The distances were great, varying from 800 to over 1500km:<\/p>\n<pre>23\/09\/2013 12:15 OE2XRM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN67NT\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1589km\r\n23\/09\/2013 13:05 F0FYP\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN37LO\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1188km\r\n23\/09\/2013 13:30 F6DCD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN38RQ\u00a0 569\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 569\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1167km\r\n23\/09\/2013 13:35 DJ9EV\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN49SC\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 52\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1290km\r\n23\/09\/2013 13:50 DK1FG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN59OP\u00a0 58\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 58\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1384km\r\n23\/09\/2013 14:00 OK1ES\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO60RN\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 419\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1510km\r\n23\/09\/2013 14:09 HB9SLU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN36MU\u00a0 54\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1236km\r\n23\/09\/2013 14:42 DF9RJ\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN68GS\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 53\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1508km\r\n23\/09\/2013 14:48 DK3XT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN49FE\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1213km\r\n23\/09\/2013 14:51 HB9BNI\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN37WB\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1278km\r\n23\/09\/2013 15:13 DL2GPS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN48CD\u00a0 54\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 41\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1242km\r\n23\/09\/2013 15:25 F5BLD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN38WS\u00a0 549\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1191km\r\n23\/09\/2013 15:33 DL2OM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO30SN\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1104km\r\n23\/09\/2013 15:36 DL5MCG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN58KH\u00a0 53\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 58\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1414km\r\n23\/09\/2013 15:39 DL8NP\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN58SC\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 569\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1468km\r\n23\/09\/2013 15:44 DL0SA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN58SC\u00a0 549\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1468km\r\n23\/09\/2013 15:48 OE5RBO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN68OB\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1583km\r\n23\/09\/2013 15:55 F5SE\/P\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN19XH\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 905km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:02 F5SE\/P\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN19XH\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 905km (70cm)\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:07 F6IHC\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO10OQ\u00a0 58\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 804km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:09 F5JNX\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN37PV\u00a0 589\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1194km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:11 F6ACU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN38FC\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1128km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:17 DJ3OS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN49FL\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 57\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1202km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:19 F1NPX\/P\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN29DH\u00a0 57\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 927km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:22 F5MFO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN19IB\u00a0 579\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 834km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:29 DF7RG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN68HG\u00a0 569\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 569\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1534km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:30 OK2BY\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN69JJ\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1501km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:34 DK1KW\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN58RE\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1459km<\/pre>\n<p>I even had a QSO with F5SE\/P (JN19xh\/905km) on 432MHz &#8211; but more about my 70cm exploits later&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>At 16:35z, I glimpsed a comment from Pista, <strong>HA1FV (JN87jj\/1858km)<\/strong> in the ON4KST chat that he could hear me &#8211; but I already knew because, to my amazement, I could hear him calling! The signal was quite weak but an easy QSO resulted, most certainly via tropo from the duration and &#8220;sound&#8221; of the transmission &#8211; unfortunately I didn&#8217;t have the audio being recorded at the time, so no clip.<\/p>\n<p>Some minutes later I was still getting over the shock of working Pista, and struggling to receive a French station who&#8217;d faded into the noise, when I heard &#8220;S51ZO S51ZO?&#8221; being sent on CW. I had half a mind that it was a wind-up, but went on to work Joze, <strong>S51ZO (JN86dr\/1856km)<\/strong> very easily &#8211; I was amazed when he confirmed the QSO later in the KST chat! This time I remembered to turn the audio recorder on right at the end of the contact, so got a brief clip that indicates how good a signal it was:<\/p>\n<div class=\"flagallery jq-mplayer_skin\" > <div id=\"flag_musicplayer_r632683079\"> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery(function(){ var settings = {\"maxwidth\":\"0\",\"autoplay\":\"0\",\"loop\":\"1\",\"buttonText\":\"Download\",\"downloadTrack\":\"0\",\"tracksToShow\":\"5\",\"moreText\":\"View More...\",\"key\":\"\",\"name\":\"\"}; var content = [{\"id\":566,\"mp3\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ei3kd.73tu.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/TR230913_3_S51ZO.mp3\",\"cover\":\"\",\"title\":\"S51ZO JN86DR 1856km\",\"text\":\"<p>\\\"S51ZO JN86DR 1856km\\\" from 2m tropo by ei3kd.<\\\/p>\",\"button\":\"\"}]; jQuery('#flag_musicplayer_r632683079').data('uid', 'r632683079').flagMusicPlayer(content, settings); }); <\/script> <\/div> <\/div>\n<p>Conditions were getting better all the time and I was very pleased, shortly after S51ZO, to work Frank <strong>OE3FVU (JN78ve\/1754km)<\/strong>. Signals were slightly down during our contact, although it was easy enough, but I made this recording of Frank very soon after:<\/p>\n<div class=\"flagallery jq-mplayer_skin\" > <div id=\"flag_musicplayer_r2169248758\"> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery(function(){ var settings = {\"maxwidth\":\"0\",\"autoplay\":\"0\",\"loop\":\"1\",\"buttonText\":\"Download\",\"downloadTrack\":\"0\",\"tracksToShow\":\"5\",\"moreText\":\"View More...\",\"key\":\"\",\"name\":\"\"}; var content = [{\"id\":567,\"mp3\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ei3kd.73tu.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/TR230913_OE3FVU_1.mp3\",\"cover\":\"\",\"title\":\"OE3FVU JN73ve 1754km\",\"text\":\"<p>\\\"OE3FVU JN73ve 1754km\\\" from 2m tropo by ei3kd.<\\\/p>\",\"button\":\"\"}]; jQuery('#flag_musicplayer_r2169248758').data('uid', 'r2169248758').flagMusicPlayer(content, settings); }); <\/script> <\/div> <\/div>\n<p>More nice contacts followed, including many to the south of Germany and Austria:<\/p>\n<pre>23\/09\/2013 16:37 HA1FV\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN87JJ\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1858km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:43 F5LEN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN38BO\u00a0 54\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 54\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1081km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:45 F2GL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN17ST\u00a0 549\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 569\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 957km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:50 S51ZO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN86DR\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 579\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1856km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:53 DK2HZ\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN48RW\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1291km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:55 DL2DN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN48MX\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1261km\r\n23\/09\/2013 16:56 F6AFC\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN38CM\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1091km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:00 OE3FVU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN78VE\u00a0 52\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1754km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:01 DL8SCQ\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN48RV\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1293km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:02 F6GYH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN27TS\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1092km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:04 DK2RY\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN59KN\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 57\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1364km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:05 F5FIM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN38IA\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1149km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:06 F4ABV\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN39FD\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 56\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1079km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:07 DL6SDH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN48RW\u00a0 56\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 56\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1291km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:08 DL4NC\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN59KO\u00a0 54\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 52\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1362km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:09 F2LU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN38UH\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 58\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1201km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:46 DL8FL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN48XS\u00a0 579\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 579\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1332km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:48 DL6YBF\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO31OX\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1054km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:49 DL5FDP\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN49LP\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1230km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:52 F6DZS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN18EV\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 821km\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:55 DL5MAE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN58VF\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1480km 5 watts!\r\n23\/09\/2013 17:57 DL5MAE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN58VF\u00a0 579\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1480km (70cm)\r\n23\/09\/2013 18:12 DL6WU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN49HT\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1201km\r\n23\/09\/2013 18:14 DL5GAC\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN47UT\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1359km\r\n23\/09\/2013 18:36 LX2LA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN39CP\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1043km\r\n23\/09\/2013 18:46 OE5XBL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN68PC\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1587km\r\n23\/09\/2013 18:48 OE5XBL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN68PC\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1587km (70cm)\r\n23\/09\/2013 19:04 OE3DSB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN78FA\u00a0 52\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1670km\r\n23\/09\/2013 19:07 LX1DB\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN39CO\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1044km\r\n23\/09\/2013 19:13 DJ0QZ\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN49LM\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1234km<\/pre>\n<p>Did you notice the two 70cms contacts in the log, with <strong>DL5MAE (JN58vf\/1480km)<\/strong> and <strong>OE5XBL (JN68pc\/1587km)<\/strong>, and earlier with <strong>F5SE\/P<\/strong>? The FT857d I use can run about 20 watts on 432MHz but I don&#8217;t have an antenna for 70cm. However, I know from past experience that 2m Tonna antennas, such as my 11el, are not too bad a match on 70cm &#8211; So these QSOs were made with the barefoot FT857d into the 11el 2m antenna! It&#8217;s a slightly complicated process to switch bands, because I have to disable the 2m masthead preamp and apply an offset to the antenna azimuth because the pattern is skewed on 70cm, but it worked \ud83d\ude00 Here&#8217;s the audio from the &#8216;MAE and &#8216;XBL QSOs with us QSYing from 2m up to 70cm:<\/p>\n<div class=\"flagallery jq-mplayer_skin\" > <div id=\"flag_musicplayer_r1832812999\"> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery(function(){ var settings = {\"maxwidth\":\"0\",\"autoplay\":\"0\",\"loop\":\"1\",\"buttonText\":\"Download\",\"downloadTrack\":\"0\",\"tracksToShow\":\"5\",\"moreText\":\"View More...\",\"key\":\"\",\"name\":\"\"}; var content = [{\"id\":584,\"mp3\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ei3kd.73tu.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/TR230913_4_DL5MAE_2701.mp3\",\"cover\":\"\",\"title\":\"DL5MAE JN58vf 1480km 2m\\\/70cm\",\"text\":\"<p>\\\"DL5MAE JN58vf 1480km 2m\\\/70cm\\\" from 2m tropo by ei3kd.<\\\/p>\",\"button\":\"\"},{\"id\":564,\"mp3\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ei3kd.73tu.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/TR230913_4_OE5XBL_270.mp3\",\"cover\":\"\",\"title\":\"OE5XBL JN68pc 1587km 2m\\\/70cm\",\"text\":\"<p>\\\"OE5XBL JN68pc 1587km 2m\\\/70cm\\\" from 2m tropo by ei3kd.<\\\/p>\",\"button\":\"\"}]; jQuery('#flag_musicplayer_r1832812999').data('uid', 'r1832812999').flagMusicPlayer(content, settings); }); <\/script> <\/div> <\/div>\n<p>At around 19:15z I was tuning around the band and came across a CW signal that sounded a bit &#8220;DX-ey&#8221;. I was astonished to hear, very clearly, &#8220;OM2VL OM2VL OM2VL&#8221;, but was so excited I <em>a)<\/em> immediately forget his call, and <em>b)<\/em> initially forgot to switch the rig from SSB to CW. It was a brilliant QSO with Laci, <strong>OM2VL (JN87wv\/1909km)<\/strong>, but the chaos is adequately heard in the following clip \ud83d\ude00 About ten minutes later I could hear Laci very clearly on SSB, and on telling him that in the KST chat he asked me to call again for a very nice SSB QSO:<\/p>\n<div class=\"flagallery jq-mplayer_skin\" > <div id=\"flag_musicplayer_r2622538523\"> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery(function(){ var settings = {\"maxwidth\":\"0\",\"autoplay\":\"0\",\"loop\":\"1\",\"buttonText\":\"Download\",\"downloadTrack\":\"0\",\"tracksToShow\":\"5\",\"moreText\":\"View More...\",\"key\":\"\",\"name\":\"\"}; var content = [{\"id\":563,\"mp3\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ei3kd.73tu.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/TR230913_OM2VL_CW.mp3\",\"cover\":\"\",\"title\":\"OM2VL JN87wv 1909km (cw)\",\"text\":\"<p>\\\"OM2VL JN87wv 1909km\\\" from 2m tropo by ei3kd.<\\\/p>\",\"button\":\"\"},{\"id\":562,\"mp3\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ei3kd.73tu.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2013\\\/09\\\/TR230913_OM2VL_SSB.mp3\",\"cover\":\"\",\"title\":\"OM2VL JN87wv 1909km (ssb)\",\"text\":\"<p>\\\"OM2VL JN87wv 1909km\\\" from 2m tropo by ei3kd.<\\\/p>\",\"button\":\"\"}]; jQuery('#flag_musicplayer_r2622538523').data('uid', 'r2622538523').flagMusicPlayer(content, settings); }); <\/script> <\/div> <\/div>\n<p>This was the peak of the opening for me and conditions very slowly started to drop off, although a number of great contacts followed for the rest of the evening through to the following morning, including a fantastic CW QSO with Zvonko,\u00a0<strong>9A1CAL (JN86dm\/1867km)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><em>I heard a little later from Moma, <strong>YU1EV (KN04cn\/2246km)<\/strong>, that he had heard me 539 during my QSO with 9A1CAL &#8211; it&#8217;s such a shame I didn&#8217;t hear him call!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The rest of the log is here:<\/p>\n<pre>23\/09\/2013 19:17 OM2VL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN87WV\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1909km\r\n23\/09\/2013 19:20 OE5HSN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN68PC\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1587km\r\n23\/09\/2013 19:28 OM2VL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN87WV\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1909km\r\n23\/09\/2013 19:48 9A1CAL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN86DM\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 519\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1867km\r\n23\/09\/2013 19:49 DL8MFL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN58OA\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1450km\r\n23\/09\/2013 19:52 DH1VY\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN39KF\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1104km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:01 DF6MU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN58WF\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1485km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:06 DD7PC\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN49AX\u00a0 569\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1156km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:07 DJ5NE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN59LW\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1357km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:09 DL4NAC\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN59SV\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1398km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:11 DL2GWZ\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN49HQ\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1206km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:15 DK3IK\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN39JF\u00a0 549\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1098km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:17 DM5TI\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN68FF\u00a0 579\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1525km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:20 F4JVG\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN16NL\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1021km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:22 OK7GU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN69QT\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1526km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:24 OK1PGS\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN69JW\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1482km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:28 DL1NBM\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN49MV\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1227km\r\n23\/09\/2013 20:56 DL1MAJ\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN68AH\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 599\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1493km\r\n23\/09\/2013 22:00 DK3EE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO41GU\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 529\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1146km\r\n23\/09\/2013 22:47 HB9EOU\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN37JC\u00a0 52\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1205km\r\n23\/09\/2013 23:09 OE9MON\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN47VM\u00a0 57\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 57\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1379km\r\n24\/09\/2013 07:57 OK1TEH\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO70FD\u00a0 RO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 RO\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1590km\r\n24\/09\/2013 08:52 DL6NAA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO50VF\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1405km\r\n24\/09\/2013 11:18 OE2JOM\/2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN67NT\u00a0 58\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 51\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1589km\r\n24\/09\/2013 11:24 OE5XBL\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JN68PC\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1587km\r\n24\/09\/2013 11:44 ON4PS\/P\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO20KQ\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 918km\r\n24\/09\/2013 11:46 DJ5BV\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO30KI\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 569\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1064km\r\n24\/09\/2013 12:00 DK2EA\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO50UF\u00a0 419\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 539\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1399km\r\n24\/09\/2013 12:21 DL2AMD\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JO50VV\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 559\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1387km<\/pre>\n<p>Finally, my &gt; 800km QSO map for the period 22-&gt;24\/09\/13:<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_580\" style=\"width: 584px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/TR230913.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-580\" class=\" wp-image-580 \" src=\"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/TR230913.jpg\" alt=\"Tropo 22-24\/09\/13\" width=\"574\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/TR230913.jpg 717w, https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/TR230913-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/TR230913-624x487.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 574px) 100vw, 574px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-580\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tropo QSOs made from 22-24\/09\/13 by EI3KD &gt; 800km<\/p><\/div>\n<p>So that&#8217;s it, after 40-odd years of being a &#8220;2m addict&#8221;, the band is still capable of amazing and exciting things. Not many hobbies can do that, eh? \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There had been much anticipation of a decent tropo opening around the 23rd September with a large, stable area of high pressure forming over north west Europe. In the end it turned into something that people will remember for a long time, with some fabulous contacts made. I can&#8217;t wait to see reports from the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,12,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-144mhz","category-432mhz","category-tropo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=569"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1176,"href":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569\/revisions\/1176"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ei3kd.73tu.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}