Editted for rewriting on 15-12-2017.
After the success of all different trans-oceanic S2S events we’ve seen so far, I’m willing to organise a SOTA event for exploring and experimenting on the TEP Trans-Equatorial Propagation.
For those unfamiliar with this kind of propagation, have a look at this, please:
This is a very interesting one: VK2KFJ TEP
My idea is organising an event for contacts between SOTA activators and either regular chasers or non SOTA player hams either base, mobile, maritime mobile or where ever they want to be in, as well as between SOTA activators with each other (S2S).
The event will take place twice a year on the week of the equinnoxes, i.e. March 21st and September 21st. Running this event over a whole week will give everybody the chance to take part on the days that best suit each one preferences, either week or weekend.
It may not seem an optimum moment to start such thing due to the low solar activity period we are in right now, but given the fact that I’d like this event to take place year after year in order to explore the evolution of this type of propagation over the years of a complete solar cycle, let’s say that any time will be a good time to start.
The 1st event will take place on the week 12 of 2018, starting March 19th (Monday) and ending on the 25th (Sunday).
The ideal times for afternoon TEP (aTEP) will be from 15h00 to 19h00 (local time) and the bands to play 15, 12, 10 and 6m. Any allowed mode at the operators wish.
For those liking V-UHF and night activations there will also be a chance to explore the evening TEP (eTEP) for which ideal times will be from 20h00 to 23h00 (local time). Again, any allowed mode at the operators wish.
There won’t be any problem with contacts made out of the mentionned bands and time window. This is not a contest with strict rules, so total freedom for anyone trying whatever is wished, as long as it respects the others and the Country regulations.
Since I want it to be a worldwide week event, there will be 3 sub-events in each day of that week:
Zone #1 sub-event: for those starting the day first, we’ll have JA/HL contacting via TEP with VK/ZL and viceversa. Other trans-equatorial areas may be reached as well. Activators will also be allowed and are encouraged to S&P to make contacts with any other Country across the Equator, even if they do not yet have set up a SOTA association.
Zone #2 sub-event: for the next ones seeing the Sun rise, we’ll have 4X and all EU contacting via TEP with ZS/ZD/FH/FR. Other trans-equatorial areas may be reached as well. Activators will also be allowed and are encouraged to S&P to make contacts with any other Country across the Equator, even if they do not yet have set up a SOTA association.
Zone #3 sub-event: for the Westernmost hams in our World we’ll have VE/W/XE contacting via TEP with CX/VP8. Other trans-equatorial areas may be reached as well. Activators will also be allowed and are encouraged to S&P to make contacts with any other Country across the Equator, even if they do not yet have set up a SOTA association.
See this as an example of trans-Equatorial and trans-Oceanic paths:
An identical week event will take place on the week 38-2018, starting on September 17th (Monday) and ending on the 23rd (Sunday).
This is going to be an exciting start and I’d like to have the support of the different Country and Area managers for advertising well in advance this event in order to give the activator the time to prepare their rigs and antennas and make of this another participation success.
The specific Country managers I’m thinking on and asking for collaboration are:
For Zone #1:
JH0CJH for Japan
@HL4ZFA for Korea
All different VK area managers for Australia
ZL2AJ for New Zealand.
For Zone #2:
@4Z4DR for Israel
All different European Country and Area managers for EU
@ZS6AA for South Africa
@ZD8V for UK South Atlantic,
@F5HTR for Isle of Guadeloupe,
@FR4PV for the Isle of Réunion.
For Zone #3:
All VE Area managers for Canada
All W Area managers for USA
@XE2N for Mexico
@CX1FU for Uruguay
@VP8DMM for the Falkland Islands.
We have plenty of time to discuss, make plans and prepare rigs, antennas, etc, so let’s go for it and have lots of fun.
Best regrds,
Guru