HI ERIC, GREETINGS FROM SALEM, NH. WITH PRESENT BAND CONDX IT'S THE "LUCK OF THE DRAW" YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE SUCCESSFUL QSO'S DURING THE PRESENT BAND CONDITIONS HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE POLARIZATION OF YOUR ANTENNA SYSTEM, THE GROUNDING SYSTEM AND WHAT EVER THE OTHER STATION IS USING. RECENTLY, WITH THE BAND CONDX, I HAVE HAD GREAT SUCCESS WORKING FOLKS THAT HAVE A VERTICAL ANTENNA. MY ANTENNA SYSTEM IS A HORIZONTAL LOOP. ALSO,I RUN APPROX 500 WATTS AT ALL TIMES. I OPERATE MOSTLY ON 40 METERS. ONCE A WEEK, ON WEDNESDAY I GO TO 20 METERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WEEKLY CWT EVENTS.
