Propagation and DXCC's

We would be going into Cycle 24...but still we are hanging inbetween.Propagation in 2009 is one from ups and downs.Still some very nice openings on long distance are possible.
Also we are in the start of the sporadic E season,so also bands like 20M stays open longer.Also the effect of the longer hours of daylight causes this.
Now we hope that the 10M will open up as well.For me,as a Novice HAM,this would mean 1 extra band to work at,as we are just allowed on 10 , 20 and 40M.

Still with this low sunspots...or better moslty no spots at all,i am able to work some nice DX and also new DXCC's as well.Worked in the weekend AH0BT (Mariana Islands OC-086) and yesterday TL0A (Central Africa).This brings my worked DXCC's now at 253 in all modes.
I am actice in phone,but also digimodes.Also i try to work CW via my computer.Can't make a QSO then,but workes ok for quick reports and also for contesting.

Every year i try to work again all DXCC's.This year the counter stands already on 169 DXCC's in all modes.On modes and bands is it:
10m - 7 DXCC's all modes
20M - 162 DXCC's all modes
40M - 64 DXCC's all modes
SSB - 115 DXCC's
CW - 77 DXCC's
Digi - 114 DXCC's (RTTY,PSK,HELL,etc)

Still looking out for VK9LA (Lord Howe Isl.),but till now i only had a small signal from them on RTTY,almost one week ago.I think that they are having a bad path to Western Europe,from the place where they are.If i think back at VP9DWX (Willes Isl.),i could hear them every day and also managed to work them.But still few days to go for VK9LA,so we keep our eyes and ears open :)
Also VK9GMW (Mellish Reef) started,after some delay due bad weather.