472kHz RX last evening using the active Wellgood loop

Only 3 Gs copied on 472kHz WSPR last night as the table shows. In the past I have spotted much further with this antenna on this band. Might try again this evening.

472kHz WSPR RX with the active antenna

For about 40 minutes I have been monitoring 472kHz WSPR  RX with the Wellgood active loop stuck on the shack window. So far, 3 unique stations spotted.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

As my earth-electrode antenna was broken, I used the coax outer to my 2m big-wheel via a ferrite rod as the antenna. 15 different stations were copied with the furthermost OH1LSQ (1733km). In all, 7 countries spotted. 

This proves that for RX nothing special is necessary. BTW the only ground was the mains plug! I guess the coax to the big-wheel is about 10m long and only 5m above the ground at its highest. The coax is just 0.5m above the ground near the shack. As I said nothing special at all! 

472kHz WSPR RX

As my son managed to cut my earth-electrode "antenna" return wire, I may try the coax outer to my 2m big-wheel antenna via a ferrite rod ATU on 472kHz WSPR this evening. I shall stay on until late tonight.

472kHz ATU

There is a common misconception that 472kHz ATUs have to be big. With low power this is not the case. With my 5W I have had no problems at all with a tapped ferrite rod as the photo shows.  With the outer of a coax this makes a very simple 472kHz station. The 50 ohm connection is very low down and the wire will be much further up the rod.

Night Off

472kHz WSPR RX beckoned this evening, but I decided to watch TV instead. Funny how it suddenly seems to have gone dark at night and we have moved into "winter mode".

Yesterday evening on 472kHz WSPR RX

 

Most of yesterday evening, I was on 472kHz WSPR RX using the FT817ND and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. In all, 8 different stations were spotted with the furthermost IZ3QQG (1155km).

472kHz (630m) WSPR RX

At 0700z I went QRT on 10m FT8 RX and QSYed to 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Furthermost is SM6NOC (1056km).

472kHz transverter fault

Years ago, finding a fault would have been easy. Now, even in small steps, it is exhausting and hard. 

I think the issue is that the oscillator has stopped for some reason: I can detect nothing at 3.2MHz on a nearby RX.  I shall look again at the weekend as now I am so so tired! Just a few minutes is so taxing now. 

This may be as simple as a dry joint. I guess the first thing to try is retouching all the solder joints in the oscillator. It is most likely to be this. I had a diode probe, but I have not seen it for years! I guess I should check the DC volts around the oscillator before doing this.

In the end, the aim is to TX again on 630m QRP. Before the fault arose my measured ERP was just under 10mW. This regularly was spotted on WSPR in Norway.

472kHz WSPR QRP TX

 I really should try to find the fault in my 472kHz transverter. 

At first, I thought it was my earth-electrode antenna, so I completely replaced the wire. The output FET was replaced. 

If my brain was less foggy I am sure I could get to the bottom of it and find what is wrong. With 10mW ERP (measured) it was regularly making it to Norway. 

There are a lot of people monitoring, but few on TX.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/630m-472khz-transverter .

472kHz WSPR RX

At 1814z, I QSYed from 10m FT8 RX to 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX. So far, nobody spotted. I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 1943z:  Still no spots.

Last evening on 472kHz WSPR RX

The map shows the stations spotted last evening on 472kHz WSPR RX. 

472kHz WSPR RX

Since about 1805z I have been on 472kHz WSPR RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 4 spots so far this evening.

UPDATE 1946z:  Swapped to the Wellgood active loop RX antenna to compare against the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.  The active loop is only 1m across and just stuck to the shack window.

UPDATE 2103z: After an hour on the active loop without spots, I have gone back to the earth-electrode "antenna" and immediately spotted G8HUH (250km) and 2 French stations. My conclusion is the ground-electrode "antenna" is somewhat better. By how much is not clear. With the active loop optimised in position and direction I think the difference might be smaller.

UPDATE 2118z:  More spots, suggesting the earth-electrode is several dB better than the active loop in its present configuration.

UPDATE 2218: 7 unique stations spotted this evening. The latest is EI0CF (602km).

UPDATE 2240z:  QRT. 

472kHz (630m) WSPR RX

Since about 1930z, I have been on 472kHz RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far, 3 unique stations spotted with the furthermost EI0CF (602km). I am just using the earth-electrode straight into the FT817ND with no attempt at matching.

UPDATE 2020z:  6 unique stations spotted with the furthermost SM6NOC (1056km).

472kHz (630m) WSPR TX activity levels lower?

 Maybe people are using different modes or it is still too early in the season, but the impression I have is there are plenty of monitors on WSPR RX, but fewer people on TX. Usually I am on QRP WSPR TX, but am not yet.

472kHz (630m) WSPR RX last evening

Just 2 unique stations spotted on RX last evening, both in Germany. Disappointing. 

UPDATE 0730z: Doh!! It helps if you connect the correct antenna! The above were with the 10m antenna connected by mistake! I shall try again this evening to see how I get on - this time with the correct antenna!

472kHz WSPR RX

This evening I am on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. It is now 0755z and I have been on for about 15 minutes, but nothing yet spotted.

UPDATE 21020z: So far, just DC0DX (467km) spotted several times At the moment he was the same strength (roughly) as on the active loop. Does this mean they are similar in gain?

630m (472kHz) WSPR RX using the indoor active loop

 At the moment, I am on 630m WSPR RX with the Wellgood active loop. So far no spots.

UPDATE 2136z:  Still no spots this evening. I have to turn things off soon too and go QRT.

472kHz WSPR RX

 As last night, I am on 472kHz WSPR RX with the Wellgood active loop with the 1m diameter loop indoors on the shack window. It is now 1857z and, so far, no spots.

UPDATE 2136z:  No spots this evening. Very disappointing. I may QSY.

472kHz WSPR RX with the Wellgood active RX loop

Last evening I was active on 472kHz WSPR RX using the Wellgood active loop RX antenna. This is very similar to the Wellbrook active loop. I swapped my X80 HF vertical for one. 

In all, just 1 station was spotted - DC0DX (467km) - with the 1m diameter wire stuck to the window indoors. Noise levels are low. This is my first outing on 472kHz RX for some while.

I may try again this evening.

See https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood_loop/ .  George designed this as he was trying to mend his Wellbrook loop.