80m Long Path is definitelly done for... 40m still running

 So, it is 26th Feb 2026 and I can safely assume that 80m long path to west coast USA is over since more than 145 minutes of daylight exist between my point on the map and "their" point on the map hi.

It has been sort of success story, but season been average. I haven't seen openings like on 17th jan 2025, and actually 17th jan 2026 was one of the best openings, the signal strenghts never reached levels of 2025.

Quick summary:

First QSO was on 1st afternoon of CQ-WW SSB Leg with Bob N7UA, initilly I heard him 34-44 and had to call him CW to let him know I am there, but in 10 mins we made proper SSB contact.

About 2 days after CQWWSSB ended I worked Bob and AL K7MV along Mike OE6MBG and PA7A, whom couldn't quite believe me I worked Bob so early so I persuaded them to try and specially Toon, being 60mins to his sunset....speaks what a machine Toon has got. What a station!

Last QSO I had las year was end of JAN. People claimed to wokr Bob to about 2nd FEB. This year we exteded that to 19th FEB,that was obviously with little extra effort tken, but specially one day, around 10th DEB stands out, as Bob was copyable for over 70mins with no changes to signal strenght.

So yes, this season has been good, logged in total close to 150Qs and unfortunatellt only usual suspects with few new for me. 

So here it goes:

N7UA,K7MV,N7RY,NR6Q,WA6DON,W7WA,N6TR,N6TR/7,K6RO.

Yep, thats it in 2026. No more to be worked and they are getting rare breed.

CU Later