136kHz WSPR RX

Thanks to the great kindness of an individual who shall remain nameless, I am looking on 136kHz WSPR with better sensitivity. This amateur did not want me to pay, but gave it in the true spirit of amateur radio. There are some very kind people out there. In my experience, the true spirit of our hobby is alive and well - thank you.

At some point in the future I hope I can be as generous to someone as many people have been to me in recent years. A great many people have shown me kindness and I am so grateful for their help in so many ways.

Mag-mount 136kHz E-field probe picture

This is a photo of the E-field probe used some years ago to receive my very low ERP 136kHz QRSS3 signal on the far side of Cambridge (20km?).  It was mounted in the middle of the car roof.  As you see, the whip was very small!

UPDATE 1550z: Well, I found the EFP in a drawer, but the coil and cap in the drain had been removed years ago. If I want to resurrect this, I shall have to rebuild this part. A nice small project over the spring or summer.

Results of 630m WSPR RX experiment with earth-electrode "antenna" in ground.

A couple of Gs came on. G3XIZ (46km) was 2-3dB better S/N on the earth-electrodes than on the compromise vertical. He is end-on to the "loop" in the ground. G6AVK was not copied at all. He is orthogonal to the "loop" in the ground. I was quite surprised not to spot him at all though.

Conclusions? The earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is quite effective at 136kHz, but more directional.

136kHz WSPR RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

At about 1915z I started up on 136kHz WSPR RX using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. The nearby (in frequency) commercial station is stronger on this than on my compromise vertical. It will be interesting to compare results.

136kHz WSPR RX

Even with my unbelievably poor system, I managed to spot 4 unique stations on 136kHz WSPR RX in the last day. WSPR is a wonderful mode.

Next season I really must try a miniwhip on 136kHz and 472kHz RX.

Many years ago I received 136kHz QRSS3 (sent from home) on a miniwhip mag-mounted on my car. Despite the very low ERP, it was clearly copied the far side of Cambridge (20km?) and I stopped. Much further would have been possible.  I am pretty sure this was using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground as the TX antenna. As far as I am aware, I used this E-field probe on RX on the car roof. This fed the deaf (at 137kHz) FT817.

136kHz WSPR RX - trying again

I have optimised my settings and may have gained a few dB. My RX is currently monitoring 136kHz WSPR with the shack PC on internal batteries so the noise floor is pretty low. As someone said in a comment to an earlier post, I'd definitely be better with a miniwhip on RX. Maybe for next season?

UPDATE 1337z: No spots.

UPDATE 1432z: G3XIZ spotted! Not strongly, showing how poor my system is on 136kHz.

UPDATE 1445z: Now G4GIR spotted too.

UPDATE 1600z: Soon be time to charge the shack PC. I'll leave things running, but my noise floor is likely to rise. Back on battery power later.

UPDATE 1815z: G8HUH (250km) is now my best DX on 136kHz WSPR. Spotted at 1742z.

136kHz WSPR RX last night

As an experiment, I tried 136kHz WSPR RX last night with my useless antenna and deaf (at LF) FT817. Well, it was a dismal failure with not a single spot!

I was not really expecting to spot anyone, but hoping nonetheless. There were very few this side of the Atlantic on TX and it was extremely unlikely I would copy any USA stations.

So, I tried and failed.

136kHz WSPR RX

Even though my FT817 is deaf on this band and my antenna far from ideal, I was considering taking a peek at this band. Sadly, it looks like there are very few active TX stations in Europe. I know WSPRnet does not show unreported stations, but I think my chances of spotting anyone are slim. We'll see.

If I do go on, it will be the first time at this QTH and my first 136kHz outing for almost 5 years.

UPDATE 1718z: Well I am monitoring 136kHz WSPR RX. If I spot anyone it will be a miracle!

UPDATE 1852z: Nothing spotted.

136kHz noise

As an experiment I used my earth-electrode "antenna" on 136kHz RX last night. My attempts were hindered by very few active stations within range until 2E0ILY (209km) came on. There was a strong station on OPERA early, but I was unable to ID this station as I caught it way through the transmission. I suspect this was G3XDY.

One interesting thing was the noise floor and S/N of 2E0ILY through until now. If anything he was stronger on the earth-electrode "antenna". Noise seemed to peak around breakfast time, perhaps as locals turned on their appliances before setting off to work?

Nothing was IDed on OPERA on 136kHz last night.

I suppose tonight I shall try 472kHz WSPR with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

136kHz WSPR RX overnight

Last night, just 2E0ILY (209km) spotted on 136kHz WSPR. His signal is pretty consistent at -17 to -21dB S/N using my poor antenna and deaf receiver.

136kHz WSPR RX

As it is now dark, I have decided to QSY to 136kHz (USB dial) WSPR RX. As you know, my antenna is poor and my RX deaf on 136kHz and I am unable to TX on that band currently.

UPDATE 2140z: There is only a single station shown active in Europe on 136kHz WSPR TX this evening, so my chances of spotting anyone are low. At the moment no spots. I shall be on RX overnight. You never know!

Overnight on 136kHz WSPR RX

Despite my very poor system on 136kHz WSPR (poor antenna and deaf receiver) I managed to copy a couple of UK stations. To be honest it was amazing that anyone was copied.

136kHz WSPR RX

For the last few minutes I am looking on 136kHz WSPR with my very poor antenna and deaf RX. So far 2E0ILY (209km) spotted.

UPDATED 1955z: 2E0ILY (209km) has now been spotted 4 times this evening, but no-one else.

Failed 136kHz QRSS3 test

Well, I optimised my 136kHz QRSS3 beacon match into my earth electrode "antenna" used on 472kHz and tested it in the house and right outside. All looked promising, so I headed for my local car-park about 1.8km  away. I was quite confident that with an E-field probe on the car I'd get a decent result. From the old QTH I got to the far side of Cambridge before I gave up as copy was so good!

Not a dicky bird - nothing at all, indeed I only got copy again when I entered our close at a range of a few hundred metres. As at VLF, the earth electrode "antenna" at this QTH is useless.

Not only that but at the end of the test I realise how poorly I still must be as I was totally exhausted. In my fitter days this test would have been totally trivial, but not any more. I think my trees and short baseline make this "antenna" totally out of the question at this QTH at LF. I need a better antenna for LF and MF use.

So, 136kHz was bad. A poor result and quite a lot worse than I was expecting. I was hoping for an encouraging result, but none was to be had.

136kHz test?

Between tomorrow and Sunday I have 2 major aims.

Firstly I need to test my 40,30,20 and 15m K1 rig as someone wants to buy it. It should be fine. I have not used it at this QTH but has worked some good DX on all bands in the past. As "surplus to requirements" I shall be really pleased that someone else will enjoy using it.

Secondly, I want to try my QRSS3 136kHz beacon using my E-field probe on the car on RX. I have managed to get the E-field probe back together again and will test things on RX in the lounge first using the EFP, FT817 and PC.  I have still to match my beacon to the earth-electrode "antenna" on TX but this should be easy.

136kHz QRSS3 test

Well, I have found most of the bits needed for my 136kHz QRSS3 test including the E-field probe (EFP) to mount on the car roof. I need to solder 1 short BNC to free end coax in the E-field probe and charge up a PP3 battery (for the EFP) and the FT817.  I also need to match the beacon to the earth electrode "antenna" at 136kHz.  I shall start copying the beacon in the lounge first before venturing out in the field.

Although I now have a preamp for the (deaf) FT817 thanks to a very very kind person, I'll not use this as I did not use one on the last test 2 years ago from the old QTH.

A few years ago this would have been so easy to do. Now it is a major exercise! Life is so much harder now since the stroke, but I remain determined to get better. Given time (maybe a lot more time) I hope things get back to more as they once were.

136kHz QRSS3

My big project for the week (this would have been trivial a few years ago) will be to rebuild my E-field probe for 136kHz and do a fairly local test with it on the car roof on QRSS3. I have the TX beacon, although it has not been used for over 2 years and never from this QTH. I think I have the RX bits somewhere but need to find these first!  For the TX antenna I am going to use my earth-electrodes which will need rematching for 136kHz.

136kHz QRSS3 field test maybe?

If I can manage it (health worries) I want to try a test with my 136kHz QRSS3 beacon and earth-electrode antenna from my current QTH. Last time, several years ago, from the old QTH, I managed to copy my signals quite well on the far side of Cambridge using an E-field probe on the car roof. This time my aims are far more modest: I just want to see if I can copy the signal at all in my usual carpark test site about 1.8km away. If I can copy the signal, I might ask others to take a look. It is so long since I used this kit I have forgotten what is inside the box!

My biggest challenge will be reassembling the RX kit as I am still very wobbly. 15-20 minutes and I am normally "done in", especially if this involves physical or mental effort. I wish so much I was fit and well again.

I know I have to be patient, but at the same time I need to get the most from my body as it is now. Although I still get tired, I seem to regain a more normal  state more quickly than I did, which is hopeful.

Although I am hopeful of a full recovery, given more time, I am beginning to think I shall always have some level of disability. I need to know my absolute limits. If this is the end of field work it will be a very sad day.

2200m and 630m in the USA a step closer?

Southgate News reports that the FCC is, at last, supporting USA amateurs being given access to the 2200m and 630m bands. I sometimes complain that OFCOM here in the UK needs a kick up the backside, but the FCC seem an order of magnitude worse. I do hope that the USA gets these bands. I've had an article of mine on 472kHz approved by the ARRL now for nearly 2 years, awaiting the release of the 472kHz band over there! I am amazed just how slow the FCC seems to be. In many ways the USA takes a far more "grown up" attitude to the use of the radio spectrum, but the unbelievable slowness over the release of these 2 bands just beggars belief.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2015/april/fcc_proposes_to_permit_amateur_access_to_2200_and_630_meters.htm#.VUKSWpNQqPc

10m, 630m and 2200m WSPR

My little WSPR-AXE-CW beacon has been on 10m about 30 minutes. So far just G4IKZ (18km) spotting me but it is very early still. We are now approaching the Es season so there should soon be lots of Europeans on the band.

No new 472kHz stations overnight.

UPDATE 1026z:  Just G4IKZ so far today with zero DX on 10m o far. A disappointing morning so far on 10m WSPR. Of course, things may improve but the absence of even stations on the edge of Europe suggests a USA opening today is less probable.

UPDATE 1032z:   Only G3THQ (88km) spotting me on 472kHz WSPR and this was hours ago. All very quiet. I think there are fewer stations active on this band and mode than before? This certainly seems to be the case in daytime.

UPDATE 1325z:  Only 1 spot from EA8BVP (2986km) on 10m WSPR all day apart from local G4IKZ. So far a totally dismal day on 10m WSPR!

UPDATE 1800z:   Several spots from EA8BVP (2986km) but still no spots at all from the USA. Conditions across the Atlantic seem far worse now than a few months ago.

Maybe I need to try a new band? I fancy trying 136kHz (2200m) WSPR from this QTH as I think my earth electrode will be more efficient (bigger "loop in the ground") as I go lower in frequency. My best 136kHz WSPR DX from the old QTH was 250km. Some locals and semi-locals might copy me on 136kHz WSPR, although activity is very low on this lower band in the UK. I think some skeds would be needed.