First 70 MHz Es opening this year

I was working from home this afternoon and unfortunately, whilst I was on a call, there was a 70MHz opening to Finland! I managed to catch ES3RF on 50MHz after I finished the call.

I kept an eye on 70MHz though and a bit later, I heard my neighbour G4BRK calling something. Switched the 70MHz aerial onto the FT847 and I could hear some weak SSB on 70.200. It got louder and proved to be Ivan, S51DI! A few stations worked him in front of me, but in typical ES style, the signals built up to S9 and I was able to complete the QSO.

I’ve worked Ivan plenty of times on 70MHz of course, but it’s always great to get the first Es QSO on the band for the year in the log.

Down in the beacon band on 70.059 I heard the HG1BVC beacon for the first time.

Tim Kirby, G4VXE, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Oxfordshire, England. Contact him at [email protected].

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