6m Trans-equatorial propagation (TEP)

4X1DA and 4X1RF have been copying FR1GZ (over 6200km) away on Reunion Is, Indian Ocean, on and off today on 6m. Signals can be very strong. CN8LI has done even better at over 8000km 2-way. Here in the UK we are normally too far north to catch these TEP openings so we need some Es as well to link up with such openings. I keep trying in vain on WSPR. Best so far is 78km, hardly in the same league!

http://www.amateur-radio-wiki.net/images/8/89/Vk4yeh_TEP_1.jpg

HF forecasts are pretty good with stable conditions and a high sunspot count. Of course Es (needed to reach the TEP propagation areas) is not that predicatable.

See http://www.amateur-radio-wiki.net/index.php?title=Trans-Equatorial_Propagation

6m TEP

I notice from WSPRnet that there is some TEP (trans-equatorial) propagation in Africa on 6m. I have now switched to 6m (2W) to see if there is any chance of this reaching the UK.  It is a long shot I know,  but worth a try. On 6m I only have a V2000 vertical with little 6m gain. I assume Es and TEP will twist polarisation.

Transequatorial 70MHz QSO

SV2DCD and ZS6WAB have had the first ever 70MHz transequatorial (TEP) QSO on 70 MHz. It has also been announced that Namibia now has access to the band. Watch the video.

Working REAL 10m DX at last!!

After calling for 15 mins I eventually worked LU1HF on 28.010MHz CW this evening by F2 or TEP. He had been calling CQ for over 15 minutes without getting a reply and then he heard my 10W to the wire halo and gave me 599. OK it was a contest exchange, so probably much weaker. I think my antenna must have quite a low angle take-off as working this station, against the rest of the world's competition, shows.This is my best 10m DX for some time at 11077kms. So who needs sunspots (the count was zero today).

A few minutes later I worked ZW5B in Brazil who got my callsign but he then lost me.

At 2138z I worked UU7J in the WPX contest.