The morning backscatter paths from both Remi FK8CP and Bob VK9N/ZL1RS continued today... both stations heard on every CQ but the path didn't extend across the Pacific!

Here's an interesting 'grab' from Spectum Lab. Both Remi FK8CP and Bob VK9N/ZL1RS CQn in CW together @ 2059z today.. just ~70Hz apart. There's a very noticeable MS ping on Bob's signal.

I have had little time to be in the shack the last two months... assisting in nursing my mother in palliative care, caring for my elderly father and now arranging for my mothers funeral.

Yet, over the past week and on days I have been situated in a hospital, I was made aware that someone (information obtained to date indicates a VK resident) has chosen to impersonate myself, and also Remi FK8CP by making false, misleading and defamatory posts on the DX Summit under our respective call signs.

I have made Remi FK8CP aware that the comments made that were represented as coming from me were in fact maliciously created.

Whilst this behavior is in its own right deplorable, their actions are also illegal and as investigations continue to uncover their identity, if it proves to be a prior offender (as this hasn't been the first occurrence), I will be pursued them for defamation.

If you are aware of the person involved, suggest to them that they need to seriously reconsider their actions. It would also serve them well to reconsider their right to continue to hold a amateur radio license - as the behavior is not consistent with the privilege bestowed.

Wow! What more is there to say. Brian VK4DDC successfully completed with Fernando EA8AK.. best I heard was "A8_K". Brian's yagi QTF was 130 degrees. I had my yagi QTF 90.... a missed opportunity!

Seems the band is shifting about... and propagation contracting. But interesting to listen to the last of the 49.750MHz TV Video carriers coming out of China and Russia... and this screen shot from Spectrum Lab shows one that is warbling all over the place...

Congrat's Bob ZL1RS on his contact with A92IO at 0840z this evening. Straight over my head.. just a weak trace of A92IO on Spectrum Lab!

Supported by:

Well perseverance paid off! The 6m band opened across the Pacific to TI again.

Worked were:

2323z TI7/N5BEK 50.1107 RST519 (RXed 559)
2334z TI7/N5BEK 50.110 RS51 (RXed 55)
0027z TI5KD 50.110 RS54 (RXed 55)

Another day with potential for 50MHz prop across the Pacific... Bob ZL1RS has already completed with Phil TI7/N5BEK!

As yet only Remi FK8CP on backscatter, and the DVK CQn on SSB by VK4TUX every two minutes heard on 50.110 as shown below.

What will the day bring? The TEC map is showing some signs of building (below), and Remi FK8CP is already a good signal at times on b/scatter (below)!

TEC as at 2000z:

Spectrum Lab trace of FK8CP CQn at 2127z:

Today could have been best described as uneventful, with only a few contacts were made with a DX stations on 6m. The best of these was with E51WL was worked at 0158z.

Haven't been able to spare time in the shack the last few days... with only RX report of note here the 50MHz E51WL beacon @ 0239z today (UTC). But awoken this morning to a TEC map full of potential. Lets see what the day brings.

Spent the day helping prepare VK4KW for a big attack on WPX this year as a M2.. Two towers erected with 6 el 10m and 5 el 15m yagi's installed to be co-phased with existing yagi's.

Come into shack after dinner to find the 6m band has been in fantastic shape with JA, HL, BY and 9M6 worked from QG62! Listening to loads of unusual video carriers.. a very wobbly collection on 49.754, 49.755 and 49.755.5.

A huge thank you to the WIA and those directly involved in negotiating the new 1KW trial provision for Advance licence holders in VK... my paperwork has been processed by ACMA and the revised licence received.

Whilst the 6m band may be a little dead at present, it's nice to receive reminders of recent openings. RX'ed this QSL card from Terry K4RX for our contact on February 8, 2012.

When I look back over the last month, and whilst the occurrence of TEP to JA has been reasonably consistent, February was surprisingly quiet from a 6m DX perspective. The only a few 'long haul' openings worked are summarised below.

February 8 was the most productive day with the following stations worked:

01:51z  N5DG  50.102 CW

02:03z  K5RK  50.098 CW

02:13z  K4RX  50.096 CW

23:44z  ZK2C  50.110 CW

The only other trans-Pacific DX worked was on February 22:

22:47z  TI7/N5BEK  50.110  SSB