630m WSPR RX this evening

For most of the evening I have been on 630m WSPR RX. So far, 15 unique stations have been spotted, which is quite good for this time. As the shack PC battery is almost fully charged, I shall be looking almost until breakfast. I am surprised not to have spotted a single USA station when most EU stations are being copied on the earth-electrode "antenna".

630m WSPR RX overnight

In all, 17 unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR in the last day. Nothing outside of EU, but a couple of new countries for me in the form of 9A3KB (1290km) and HF7A (1294km).

630m (472kHz) WSPR RX

If I can successfully download the latest version of WSPR-X (V1.9) I may give 472kHz WSPR a go this evening and overnight.

UPDATE 1422z: Well, it looks like WSJT-X V1.9 rc2 has successfully downloaded and installed. Currently, I am on 472kHz WSPR RX, but no spots yet.

UPDATE 2115z: 10 unique stations spotted so far this evening including 9A3KB (1290km) which is a new country for me on this band. Best DX so far is LA2XPA (1310km). The shack PC is on battery power.

UPDATE 2155z: The shack PC battery is charging until about 2300z. Thereafter, I shall be on 472kHz WSPR RX through the night with the shack PC on battery power. The PC usually stays working until about 0600z.

UPDATE 2310z: Everything is now set up for an overnight look on 472kHz WSPR. Yet again, I am hoping for some USA spots. Well, I can hope. After about 10 minutes, 5 uniques spotted.

Overnight on 630m WSPR RX

Last night I was on 630m WSPR RX. In all, 14 unique stations spotted, all European. Not brilliant.

472kHz WSPR RX

This evening I am back on 472kHz WSPR RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far 10 unique spots with best DX EA5DOM (1525km).

UPDATE 2252z: Shack PC battery now charged, so PC on battery power for the night. 6 stations spotted at 2248z and 10 uniques in the last 8 minutes!

Last night on 472kHz WSPR RX

Overnight I was on 472kHz WSPR RX, this time on my compromise Marconi vertical. In all, 13 unique stations were spotted. This is fewer than on the earth-electrode "antenna" and not altogether unexpected.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

17 uniques spotted last night. All EU stations and none from the USA again.

It seems I am destined not to spot USA stations with my earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz. This is odd, as I am hearing plenty of EU stations well off the best directions. I would have thought I'd have spotted USA stations as they are off the end of the "loop", so in the best direction.

Perhaps I should revert to my compromise Marconi, which is less good than the earth-electrode "antenna" with most stations. Mind you, the only time this season I have copied the USA on 472kHz was with the Marconi. Honestly, this is a very bad antenna!

Back on 472kHz WSPR RX

At the moment, I am back on 472kHz WSPR RX. So far, 4 unique stations spotted.

UPDATE 1908z:  Best DX is currently LA8AV (1035km).

UPDATE 2051z: Now 5 uniques. Slow start.

UPDATE 2126z:  EA7HPM (1726km) now the best DX with 9 uniques spotted.

UPDATE 2207z: Now 11 uniques. Soon be time to go QRT temporarily whilst the shack PC battery charges.

UPDATE 2220z: Now charging the shack PC battery, so temporarily OFF. It says it will be fully charged in 47 minutes, so I'll probably go back on battery power around 2300z. My intention is to go back on battery power overnight.

472kHz WSPR RX

Last night, I was on 472kHz WSPR RX again. In all, 14 unique stations spotted, which was the same as the night before, so rather disappointing. All EU only.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

With 14 unique stations (all EU) spotted on 472kHz WSPR last night, it was a slightly disappointing session. I'll try again tonight.

Last night on 472kHz WSPR RX

With 20 unique stations spotted last night, it was an average night. Again, all EU stations.

Good night on 472kHz WSPR RX

Last night was the best yet on 472kHz WSPR with 24 unique stations spotted plus one false decode. In all, 4 unique Norwegian stations spotted, but again nothing outside of Europe.

Now back on 472kHz WSPR RX

A few minutes ago, I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX. The shack PC is again on battery power. I'll recharge the batteries later so I can be on RX throughout the night.

UPDATE 1926z: Plenty of unique spots already this evening. Promising.

UPDATE 2005z: I seem to have got one false decode. The distance, locator, and power look all wrong.

2018-02-14 19:46

DH1WVK

0.475672

-28

0

LR02

200

G3XBM

JO02dg

3596

228

472kHz WSPR RX overnight

The shack PC lasted on battery power until after 0500z this morning, which is impressive. In all, 21 unique stations spotted, again all EU and none from the USA.

472kHz WSPR RX

At about 2110z, I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX from 6m. The shack PC is on battery power which should be OK until breakfast. If there are any decent USA openings overnight, I have a reasonable chance.

UPDATE 2127z:  So far 11 uniques spotted, which is encouraging.

UPDATE 2208z:  Now 13 uniques.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

My best night yet this season with 21 unique stations spotted. Again, all were EU and not a single USA station. I have yet to spot a single station outside of Europe with the earth-electrode "antenna" at this QTH. The shack PC was on batteries and this stopped just after 0300z.

Back to 472kHz WSPR RX

About an hour ago I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX. So far, 9 unique stations spotted. I shall remain on until the shack PC battery turns off, which should be in the early hours.

UPDATE 2115z: Now 12 uniques spotted.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR RX

Last night, 20 unique stations spotted. This is quite a good number.  Again, all were EU stations with none from the USA.

472kHz WSPR RX

After a really disappointing day on 10m FT8 RX, I have returned to 630m WSPR RX. Already 8 unique stations spotted with best DX EA5DOM (1525km). I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2010z: Now 12 unique stations so far spotted this evening.

UPDATE 2306z: Now 18 uniques this evening.

472kHz WSPR RX overnight

With 20 unique stations spotted overnight (all EU) on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, this was a pretty decent evening and overnight session. I shall probably try again tonight.

Despite the wide spread of EU stations, I have yet to spot any USA stations on the earth-electrode "antenna" on this band. This surprises me as the earth-electrode "antenna" seems to out-perform my compromise Marconi.

Next season, I shall definitely be trying an E-field probe on MF and LF receive.