Huge 6m opening

Yesterday there was a massive geomagnetic solar storm, knocking out the lower bands like 40m. However, the higher bands were enhanced, with 6m opening up in a big way. In the morning worked several US stations, including some new states such as Arizona and New Mexico. In the afternoon it opened up to Asia. As well as the usual hordes of Japanese stations managed to work some new ones, a couple of Chinese stations, a couple of South Korean stations and a surprise contact with Kazakhstan. PSK reporter map of stations that received me, although may not have been worked.

Stations received by me. Note I received Hawaii, but they didn't hear me. Also heard a US station on the East Coast, but unable to be heard there. I was only using a tuned 40m dipole on 6m and 100w.

Picked up an award for working 2 stations in Korea on 6m.

6m contact to USA

After turning on the radio this morning I checked the FT8 frequencies in memories for activity. Hearing signals on 6m started up WSJTX. Much to my surprise there were signals coming in from the USA!

Called CQ and managed to work W6TMD Darrel in Los Angeles California

12,335 Km away in Los Angeles, a new record for me. This was on a 40m dipole loaded up on 6m!

Some of the signals received. Mainly California, with some Nevada and Arizona stations

The band closed shortly afterwards, these openings are rare and do not last long.

75 Australian stations on 6m Award

The 6m band has been good recently for summer short skip around Australia, worked several new stations. Managed to work 75 stations and applied for the ERC, European ROS Club award.

 

6m FT8 DX

 Today was quite good on 6m FT8 for DX around VK/ZL, here is how it went. 

Started by working the following ZL stations, in the South Island

ZL3RJ, ZL4JW, ZL4AS

Then worked several VK4s

VK4TUX, VK4EM, VK4SSB, VK4TLA. All very strong signals

It then opened to VK6...

VK6RO, VK6RZ, VK6CPU, VK6AKT

Then worked another ZL, in the North Island, ZL1RS. Worked another VK6, VK6RK.

Skip then shortened into VK3! 

Worked VK3ALB, VK3BOB.

I also briefly went to 6m SSB and worked a very strong VK3ZSJ Simon South of Melbourne.

Saw 3D2TS on from Fiji, so worked him also

Made a contact with VK2QV in Sydney, probably some back scatter

Map of my contacts, from www.qsomap.org