[Moon] de VK3UM .. Conditions 23 and 70cm

[Doug McArthur]

Hi .. Further to Gunter DL4MEA and Peter G3LTF comments on conditions.

I also experienced the fading on Eu 23cm signals as reported but 
rarely below thresh hold . I also had Libration only on JA's.
On 70cm, my polarity was aligned through out and signals were 
remarkably stable. All Eu, US and JA signals received here were 
predominately horizontal and I transmitted horizontal all of the 
time. (usually I Tx vertical for US).  W8TXT (and most others) signal 
had the spectral purity as if it was coming direct from an AF signal 
generator! ... Most most unusual.

Fascinated to read earlier from Paul WA6PY re the secondary echos. 
Years ago (late 80's) I too (and many others as well at the time) 
experienced ~1 second primary
echos for about 20 minutes during an ARRL Contest. I was in QSO with 
Al K2UYH when I first noticed it. Something big was present between 
us and the Moon at the time but 'no body new nutting' at the time!

Unfortunately gale force winds for all of Saturday and most of Sunday 
prevented me coming on for just under 3 hours total. After half an 
hour on US window wind returned with avengence whilst just starting 
to chat with Jay. I just got the dish stowed (even with the 2x12 ton 
rams) in time. The noise of >80kph through the mesh was most unnerving.

I regret my limited operating time (especially to the US) but 
hopefully luck will be better in November. Worked 49 stations total 
at an average of 3.7 minutes/operating time.
Well it leaves plenty of guys to work next time .. If you wish a sked 
at a reasonable hour (mine) on either band before the next Contest 
weekend please let me know..
note ..this is not a typo!

My enthusiasm is fast diminishing as its getting to be just too hard 
a slog. Our limited windows (even without the wind!) and the current 
activity (CW of course)  leaves little hope of getting to everybody. 
A bit like the sport I used to play .. I knew I would be hard work 
beforehand and I would be sore afterwards! I am even thinking of 
dropping the niceties of names and greetings that I try to embed in 
our QSO's.  I always felt that was the nice part of any EME Contest. 
I have always deplored the wham bam thank you Mam QSO!

73 till next time
Doug VK3UM