ZL to Europe dark path assessment

ZL6QH is intending to transmit for all hours of ZL darkness, using 137.7898 kHz with + and - 0.2 Hz frequency shift, on 1 December 2001. ZL sunset is 0800 UTC and sunrise 1658 UTC. A time sequence for European countries can be assessed from the list below, which shows nominal sunrise times in the first list, and nominal sunset times in the second list. Obviously it is a simplification to give a single time for any country, and individuals can make specific assessments of dark time windows with ZL for their particular QTH.

 Sunrise time in European country

UTC

Greece 0539

Italy 0635

Czech Rep. 0658

Finland 0721

Germany 0731

Sweden 0740

Netherlands 0748

Portugal 0752

Spain (west)  0753

ZL sunset at 0800 (no DX before this?)

England 0807

Ireland 0837

Scotland 0844

(then all of Europe is in daylight, so no LF DX until sunset?)

Sunset time in European country

=========================

Finland 1318

Sweden 1354

Czech Rep. 1505

Greece 1511

Germany 1532

Netherlands 1532

Italy 1544

Scotland 1549

England 1600

Ireland 1612

Spain (west)  1653

ZL sunrise at 1658 (no DX after this?)

Portugal 1720

Comment

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The the direction of a "grayline" across Europe for sunrise is quite different than for sunset. The antipode region for ZL is Portugal.

There appear to be two dark path opportunities for the British Isles, before local sunrise and after sunset on Saturday 1 December. Northern Scotland may be the "best" place.

Most of mainland Europe appears to have only one opportunity, at and after sunset on 1 December.

In any case, and whatever path is taken, it is a rather long shot.

73, Bob ZL2CA