Weak signal modes

This has been said here many times, but weak signal modes like WSPR and JT65 are ideal running  "in the background" modes for bands that seem dead but that may not be. At the moment and for the coming years 10m is in this category for many months of the year.

If it is SSB contacts you are after, then move down a few bands. If, like me, you are interested in "pushing the boundaries" then I recommend JT65 or WSPR is left running in the background on 10m. Both modes are ideal for beaconing and there are usually plenty of monitors. On JT65 I send "B callsign locator" when busy or not looking for 2-way QSOs and this then shows up on PSKreporter if I am copied. On WSPR the standard format is used. Both modes only need low power. JT65 seems to get more results than WSPR,even though not quite as good theoretically. The 1 minute TX period may also help.

No, I am convinced that 10m is "open" far more often than was previously thought. It is just we have not had such effective weak signal modes in the past. As we go down cycle 24 and into cycle 25 modes like JT65 and WSPR will really "come good" on 10m.

Join those of us out to prove the experts wrong!

UPDATE 1704z:  In the last week alone 19 countries have been spotted here on 10m JT65. Sunspot count is low or very low and South America as been copied most days, as have stations in Europe. There is still life on 10m for those prepared to look, even with very simple gear and antennas.

UPDATE 1836z: Best DX on 10m JT65 RX is LU3VCC (12470km).  So far this evening, 4 South American stations spotted here as well as Canary Is and several Europeans.