The path from VK.

As part of the long-running analysis of long path signals from Ian Williams, VK3MO and his associated VK3QN call, I had a good listen overnight, now just three weeks or so from the autumn equinox.

Already, the 14MHz band is very weak in the very early, dark morning hours, with few DX stations heard during that period.  

VK3QN low angle, long path fixed array. Image (C) and with permission of Ian Williams, VK3MO.

 

Here's how VK3QN, fixed on a 130 degree, long path heading towards Europe, was heard by my vertical delta loop and SDRPlay RSP1a:

When compared with the output predictions of VOACAP, the long path circuit actually seen agrees very well, except for the real peak signal being received about an hour later than predicted in the evening, but earlier by a somewhat smaller amount of time in the morning:

VOACAP long path prediction, VK3-Wales, 26-27 August 2020.

When compared to the short path prediction, it's clear that Ian's beam is indeed pointing LP, and that the SP route plays very little or no part in propagation, except for the small peak at around 01UT, where weaker radiation from the back of his beam seems to 'leak' along the SP route to my antenna:

VOACAP short path prediction VK3-Wales, 26-27 August 2020.