I noted this incredible opening on Twitter/X.com when it happened, but it might be prudent to document it here since there have been at least several million or perhaps a billion X posts since then.

Japan Magic Band QSO History

My six-meter QSOs with Japan have numbered just a few over the years. That began in June 2017 using JT65’s minute-long sequences to put JE1BMJ and JA1UAV in the log. That was followed an incredible five years later, in July and August 2022, adding JH4IUO, JL8GFB, JH4UYB, JA7QVI, and JA7EVP in the log with FT8.

Japan June 2024 Extravaganza

I was pleased to add JA7CSS and JH0HZO to my six-meter log on June 16, 2024. It was a short opening, and I felt lucky to get a couple of stations in the log and to be able to add two new grids. That also prompted me to watch for openings every afternoon and early evening.

I was rewarded on June 21, making 19 QSOs and adding eight new grids, bringing my total new Japan grid count for the month to 10. What’s more impressive is that I could have added more stations and grids if the opening had lasted. From my station, it lasted from 22:24 to 23:03 UTC. You can see my coverage of Japan from the nearby screenshot of those who received my signal on PSK reporter.

Update 8 July 2024: Originally, I thought this might be F2 propagation, but Jon, N0JK, provided additional information to note that this was a spotlight effect on long-distance E-layer propagation. He also quoted Frank, W3LPL, from his presentation on Sporadic-E:

Above-the-MUF Partial Reflections via Chordal Hops between Es patches 2,200 km (1400 miles) to 15,000+ km (9000+ miles) Occurs frequently from early June to mid-July.

Footprints can be as small as 50 km north-south patch width – 500 km east-west patch length at times.

If you’re interested in learning more about 6-meter propagation, I recommend this video on YouTube: Long Haul Ionospheric Propagation on 50 MHz – Roger Harrison, VK2ZRH.

Get On The Air

It’s been a pretty quiet Sporadic-E season this year. I’m told this is often the case during sunspot peak. Perhaps there’s a spotlight coming to your neighborhood. Get on the air and find out.