Transequatorial Propagation — Six Meter Magic

Yesterday, April 11, provided some real six meter excitement working FT8 QSOs with several stations in Argentina via Transequatorial Propagation (TEP). It was interesting, as is often the case on six meters, that most of the stations were near Buenos Aires — with almost a pipeline into Dallas.

The Sporadic E opening started with V31MA followed by TG9AJR. It was nice to finally work Juan, TG9AJR on six meters. We’ve worked on amateur radio and Scouting initiatives in the past.

Next the TEP opening started with LW2DAF first into the log with a +03 signal. That was followed by LU9DO, LU7FIN, LU9FVS, and LU8ADX. A little while later I found CE2SV and completed the QSO. He’s located along the same latitude as the LU contacts. I did hear a CX station but wasn’t able to make the QSO.

Later that evening there was an opening into Mexico, Cuba, and Florida with very loud FT8 signals, I checked SSB and CW but heard nothing. I guess it’s all FT8 these days.

After all that excitement, I found that I hadn’t worked any new grids. Most of the QSOs were confirmed in Logbook of the World this morning.

You can read about my previous TEP experiences at these posts:

• Transequatorial Propagation — Wow! from September 2014 using mostly CW and one JT65 QSO.
• ZL1RS to K5ND 6 Meter QSO from December 2014 my all time record, CW.
• Six Meter Magic from February 2015 with PY, ZP, CE, LU on CW.
• MS + TEP — Added Magic on 6 Meters from October 2017 on FT8.

Right now I’m running an IC-9100 into a TE Systems amplifier with 150 watts into a 3-element Yagi at 20 feet on a push-up mast. For my first TEP contacts in 2014 I was running a dipole in the attic with 100 watts.

You, too, can experience the Magic Band. Get started.