I think there is some predicting of Top Band propagation; When everyone (mostly) is rejoicing at the sunspot cycle peak and 20-10m are running great, 160/80 is poor. We lowbanders want low sunspots!
Years ago I responding to Tad Cook (ARRL Propagation Bulletin) about his bias: 02/24/2012 We don’t know if this is a significant trend, but solar activity has really leveled off recently. But not everyone is unhappy about this. During the recent long minimum, 160 and 80 meter operators sang the praises of great conditions. In response to my “we hope it isn’t true (prediction for a low solar cycle) comment in *last week’s Solar Update* <https://www.arrl.org/news/the-k7ra-solar-update-205>, Ken Meinken, WA8JXM, of Aberdeen, Ohio wrote: “Why would that be badYou are showing your 20-15-10 meter bias. To those of us who prefer 160, 80 and 40 meters, the lower the sunspots, the better. Personally, I prefer the low part of the sunspot cycle to the peak. Of course I understand that other hams have various different opinions.” Ken WA8JXM On Fri, Jul 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM David Raymond <[email protected]> wrote: > Based on my history on Topband, I'm not sure there is such a thing as > predicting conditions on 160. The only thing I can offer is conditions > could not be much worse than they've been the past couple of seasons! A > far cry from 2008 and 2009 when we land locked mid-westerners were > working Zones 17, 18, and 19 both morning and night. > > 73. . . Dave, W0FLS, in Iowa (on CW) > > On 7/25/2025 10:15 AM, Paul Christensen wrote: > > Does anyone have an idea as to 160m DX conditions for the fall and > winter? Conditions have been terrible for the last two DX seasons in North > Florida. > > > > Each year, I deploy 100 radials for a "T" top in October, then take them > up in April as the farmer who owns the land tedders the tall field grass > into hay bales. Frankly, I'm loath to do it again this year if conditions > remain the same. > > > > Paul, W9AC > > > > _________________ > > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > > _________________ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
