QSO in the log: TX5SPA (FO/A) on 80m SSB !!!!!!

Hi all,

This is what we call a long path opening on 80m, and also a short one (1 hour of possible opening from here).
But this morning, I QSO'd with TX5SPA on 80m. They were coming in with a real S5 sgnal, without to many callers.
I was first surprised to hear them (this is a long polar path !), and I decided to take my chance and call them.

I got into the log after a few calls only (remember, I'm only using a HF2V with 48 buried radials, and about 500W PEP from my AL811H amp). What a thrill, what a surprise,to make ths QSO. Propagation was definitely with us, the timing was perfect (W6ELprop S/W said that 05:30z was THE time for this QSO).

Needless to say this is a new one for me on 80m, HI ! I was certainly helped by the fact the guys are using a 4-square there !

Well, getting Austral islands on both 40 and 80m makes me say that the HF2V is still running very fine (I've never heard Austral islands so far until those 2 QSO's ! ). It made a long time since I hadn't done some "DX" on 80m, and getting this area of the world on this band is always a challenge for us in W-EU.
This time, the low-band season has definitely started !

Ronan, F8AFC