In spite of the rosy solar numbers from NOAA (solar flux 211), the bands certainly weren't all that great for many.  Here in New Mexico, propagation was there, but very short on both 15M and 20M.  IA and VE7 were my DX!  Somehow, we all still seem to have fun.  I worked quite a few calling QRPTTF.  Also worked some POTA stations and the state QSO parties.  Several of my CQ TTF calls were answered by SKCC members.  I asked them to go QRP, which they did, then sent them my number.  They were amazed 5 watts worked, so that was fun a few times.

 

Only 20 Summary Sheets received so far, so feel free to submit yours soon, even if only a handful of QSOs.  Many QRP events are experiencing low turn out past year or so.  During the solar minimum, it was these QRP events that allows one to QSO with fellow QRPers.  Now, with a more active sun, finding QSOs is plentiful and there is less need for QRP events to get on the air.

 

Another phenomenon receiving little attention or research is our power grid.  I was involved in some experimentation a few years ago at work before I retired.  Every day U.S. power plants generate a bit over 4 trillion KWh of power,of course producing large EMF fields along the distribution lines.  Some of this power propagates upwards and gets trapped between the ionospheric layers, which apparently acts as waveguides to propagate noise across the continent, the possible reason for high QRN on what otherwise should be good conditions.  Not much we can do about that.

 

For those who participated, hope you all had fun.  Summary Sheet comments suggest most did. Scores certainly show the serendipity of who you worked.

 

— 72, Paul NA5N