I have always considered that it is advisable to try to save the maximum information of the contacts that we make in order to study it later on.
With the WSJTX we have a record of all the signals we receive, so we can save it and work through spreadsheets, to be able to investigate everything that happened, compare them with the predictions and learn from errors or deficiencies that we have made.
During August 27 and 28, once the first QSO with Puerto Rico was made, my main objective was to try to document everything that happened in the following hours, so I did not delete anything from the WSJT-X, nor did I turn off the radio while the tropo opening lasted. A month later, I have decided to export all the data regarding the signals received from the Caribbean during the two days into a spreadsheet. There are 4216 lines of text, so to work comfortably I have purge all non-DX stations or all those that were not on West azimuth.
I have made some graphs that assist on a quick interpretation of the characteristics of the tropospheric duct that we could enjoy those days.
The following graphs are based on signal strength.
On the horizontal axis, we find the time line, while on the vertical axis the signal intensity in db.
It should be noted that some stations were doing TX for long periods, so I have divided them into two days, so that the results are reflected a little more clear.
Studying the signal strengh carefully, I can see that I could have made more contacts on SSB, as is the case with NP4BM, KP4EIT and WP4G. For this, it is necessary to use digital systems to be able to monitor the behavior of the duct, the use of the WSJT-X in this mode is of vital importance to be able to complete the QSO on FT8 and SSB and carry out small studies or comparisons to improve our station or operational practices.
It is also clear that free time is an important factor, many intervals with positive signals were received when I was out of shack.
Of the stations that I only received for a short period of time I cannot draw conclusions, but of those that were received during the entire two days, it is noteworthy that the signal intensity was quite stable, the duct with Puerto Rico and Guadalupe has been exceptional
I hope that these conditions will be repeated over time, to be able to experiment in other bands and make comparisons with the data shown above.