In addition to the recent Trans-Equatorial Propagation (TEP) openings at 144 MHz from Namibia to Europe, there have also been similar openings from the far south of Japan to the north of Australia.
The map above shows the paths reported on the PSK Reporter website for the 3rd of April 2024.
In fact, there have been almost daily openings reported from at last the start of March. Here are a few of the spots from the DX-Cluster...
JA6DJS 144460 VK8AW 12:26 01 Apr 24 FT8 CQ Australia
JA6DJS 144150 VK8ZMX 12:55 31 Mar 24 SSB TNX! Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8AW 12:49 22 Mar 24 FT8 -03dB Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8VTX 11:39 20 Mar 24 FT8 CQ Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8VTX 12:59 19 Mar 24 FT8 CQ Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8VTX 1:17 18 Mar 24 FT8 CQ Australia
JA6DJS 144150 VK8AW 12:34 17 Mar 24 SSB Australia
JA6DJS 144150 VK8DNT 13:04 16 Mar 24 SB TNX QSO! Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8VTX 12:01 12 Mar 24 FT8 CQ -10dB Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8VTX 12:13 11 Mar 24 FT8 CQ Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8VTX 12:09 10 Mar 24 FT8 CQ Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8AW 11:27 08 Mar 24 FT8 CQ Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8NAH 11:27 08 Mar 24 FT8 CQ Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8AW 11:41 06 Mar 24 FT8 Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8AW 12:04 05 Mar 24 FT8 TNX QSO! Australia
JA6DJS 144460 VK8AW 12:21 04 Mar 24 FT8 TNX QSO! Australia
Most of the signals are FT8 with no mention of the Q65 mode. There have been a few SSB contacts as well.
The distances are in the region of 4,900kms and the southern end of the path seems to be determined by the fact that most radio amateurs in that region are clustered around the city of Darwin.
There seems to be very little activity from Japan despite the sea path to the south with possible tropo extensions. I wonder if VHF stations in Japan are aware of these TEP openings to the south?
