Strong Tropo Tonight 8/31/07

[kg4kww]

According to the live tropo map there is a solid red area of strong tropo from Hartford CT to Santa Fe NM.

This means dudes in the West point those beams east and call CQ

Live Tropo Map (http://www.mountainlake.k12.mn.us/ham/aprs/path.cgi?map=na)

[WA9SVD]

On what frequencies? Propagation isn't the same on all bands. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Now, if you were talking about 6 Meters, we could get excited, and on 2 Meters, REALLY excited! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[kg4kww]

We are talking 144 mhz and 50 mhz.

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (kg4kww @ Sep. 02 2007,21:05)]We are talking 144 mhz and 50 mhz.
Well, OK, true "Tropo" propagation occurs on all bands. "Tropo ducting" is usually a VHF and higher phenomenon, but is unusual on 6 Meter, but more prevalent on 2 Meters and higher in frequency.

Could this perhaps been some sort of "Sporadic E" event?
The distance from CT to NM however is a bit unusual for 2 Meters. A double E skip could explain that, at least on 6 Meters, but perhaps there is another explanation. Were there any E openings between CT and NM (not necessarily FROM CT TO NM, perhaps a more E-WE path?) prior to the period of "enhanced" propagation?

I'm not trying to give you a hard time or argument; just trying to understand the mechanism. CT to Santa Fe NM is a long haul for 2 Meters, but certainly not impossible. The point is, that if there is some other propagation mechanism at work, simply pointing an antenna at the desired location may NOT yield the best results!

Actually, it IS observations such as yours that have allowed Amateurs to identify new propagation phenomena. E-skip on 6 Meters, on your path, probably a double hop, would not be unusual or even particularly noteworthy. On 2 Meters, it IS much less common.

Follow the "VHF and above" column in QST. If this is an unusual occurence, it will be reported by many others and a comment is likely to be made. It should appear in QST by about November, considering publishing deadlines.

[k9kjm]

That map is good for two meters ONLY. #But a VERY accurate map for two meters! # It is taken from the APRS reporting system, Which is mostly two meters. Sometimes you will see what appears to be a real glitch in it. I suspect that may be from a few APRS HF links that are operational..........

I have never seen such great 2 meter conditions for such a long period of time as this summer here in the upper midwest!!!!!!! # # A real shame more people are not listening on 2 meter SSB and .52 simplex! #

For accurate 6 meter conditions check:
http://www.vhfdx.net/spots/map.php?Lan=E&Frec=50&Map=NA

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (k9kjm @ Sep. 04 2007,00:05)]That map is good for two meters ONLY. But a VERY accurate map for two meters! It is taken from the APRS reporting system, Which is mostly two meters. Sometimes you will see what appears to be a real glitch in it. I suspect that may be from a few APRS HF links that are operational..........

I have never seen such great 2 meter conditions for such a long period of time as this summer here in the upper midwest!!!!!!! A real shame more people are not listening on 2 meter SSB and .52 simplex!

For accurate 6 meter conditions check:
http://www.vhfdx.net/spots/map.php?Lan=E&Frec=50&Map=NA
Without reviewing the weather pattern in your part of the country for the past week or so, the weather HAS been so weird that a tropo duct may have formed, providing the propagation you report.
Are you making actual contacts, or just observing the maps?
I DO agree, I wish there were more, much more SSB activity on 2 Meters. I'm convinced there are occasions of enhanced propagation that go unrecognized due to lack of operators on the band. Lots of operators now have radios that will work on 6 and 2 Meters, but they seem to forget about those bands once they try HF. Their loss.

[k9kjm]

I have been making 200 plus mile contacts EVERY DAY for close to three weeks now on 146.52 FM SIMPLEX!!!!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif