The bottom of the band was normal to just slightly less than normal.
When WVON was coming in nicely, I checked 670, 720, and 890 (I skipped 780 as we have local 5kW KUOM on 770 with 20 kHz bandwidth, so I didn't bother). These lower Chicago stations were just barely coming in. Above the noise level, but not by much, yet 1690 at times was as strong as a local. When I first saw 1690 lit up on the SDR, I thought it was the local pirate that plays the True Oldies Channel. However, it clearly was not that one since WVON ID'd several times, programming lined up with their sked, and eventually signal started to fade in & out.
Fun.
This is the latest example why I try to DX during the day. Down on the DGPS band, I have had very surprising DX during the daytime. At midday (US Central Time), I've received a few stations from the east coast. Its not frequent, but has happened. And now with WVON at the top end booming in.
Dear USCG, can we get another DGPS band from 1720-1770? Then we can study propagation between the two bands.