630m WSPR RX last night

 Last evening and overnight I was on 630m WSPR using my coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna via an ATU and a mains earth.

In all, 5 stations were spotted with the best Norway. See table, and map by Phil VK7JJ.

UPDATE 1036z:  My darn Windows PC wanted me to "finish setting up my PC" and turned off WSPRnet and WSPR-X so was probably off through much of the night.

630m WSPR with a different antenna

Last evening and overnight I tried 630m WSPR RX using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 

There were fewer stations received and the reports were weaker than the night before when I was using the coax up to my 2m big-wheel via an ATU.

It is hard to be categorical as conditions might have been different, the antennas better in some directions, etc..

My overall conclusion, with these caveats, is that the earth electrode was, at worse, about 1 S point inferior to the antenna used on the night before. I would expect this to be somewhat down on an antenna optimised for the band. So, maybe just 2 S points down. Considering the total lack of hassle, it is far from bad.

630m WSPR RX - with a different antenna

 This evening and overnight I am on 630m WSPR RX with the Zachtek RX using instead my earth electrode "antenna" in the ground to see how this compares with the coax to my 2m big-wheel via an ATU

630m WSPR RX overnight

Last evening and night I was monitoring 630m WSPR with my Zachtek WSPR RX using the outer of the coax up to my 2m big-wheel antenna via a ferrite rod ATU and a mains plug ground. 7 different stations were copied. The RX certainly works with DX over 1000km with this poor setup.

Although more expensive, I preferred to buy from Zachtek in Sweden although I know there is a Chinese copy of the Zachtek TX and probably the RX now.

630m WSPR RX overnight

Overnight I monitored 630m WSPR. Again, 5 stations were spotted with the best OH1LSQ (1733km) and an LA.

630m WSPR RX overnight

 Overnight I stayed on 630m WSPR RX.  

UPDATE  0940z:  Overnight 5 stations spotted. See table.

630m WSPR RX (Tuesday)

The impression I am getting is the IC705 is a few dB more sensitive than my Zachtek WSPR RX. At the moment I am monitoring 630m WSPR RX using my IC-705.

UPDATE 1909z: 3 stations spotted with the best F6CWA (950 km). Using the coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna (via an ATU) and a mains earth.

630m WSPR RX

Overnight I left my IC705 on 474.2kHz WSPR RX again using just the outer of the coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna and mains earth. In all, 11 stations spotted.

630m WSPR RX (Sunday evening)

It is ages since I tried 630m WSPR RX. I connected my coax up to my 2m big-wheel via a ferrite rod ATU as the antenna and a mains plug ground. All this is very far from ideal! Judging by results, it certainly works.

630m (474.2kHz) WSPR RX

For a total change, I am on 474.2kHz WSPR RX using the coax up to my 2m big-wheel antenna tuned via a ferrite rod ATU and a mains plug earth.

UPDATE 1826z:  DC0DX (467km) spotted. This rubbish set-up works!

UPDATE 1916z:  Back on 472kHz WSPR RX. DC0DX copied 5dB stronger.

11 years ago

 Looking back I came across this photo from 2014 showing my loading coil for use at 472kHz.

630m (472 kHz) QRP WSPR

For a few years I have not been on 472 kHz. This video was made some years ago and shows the results using just my earth-electrode "antenna" in the garden.

630m WSPR RX last evening

5 stations were spotted with the furthermost LA3EQ (769km) in Norway. No further stations were spotted overnight. 

630m WSPR RX overnight?

Once again I may try 630m WSPR RX overnight. It will be interesting to see if any new stations are spotted.

UPDATE 1808z:  My 630m WSPR RX was turned on.  G1GKN (54km) spotted.

630m WSPR RX overnight

My 630m "ad hoc" antenna (coax to my 2m big-wheel via ferrite rod ATU) was left on overnight. In all, 5 stations were spotted with the furthermost OH1LSQ (1733km) who was spotted 12 times! It may be "ad hoc", but it very definitely works.

This was originally shown as FT8 spots. Keith (thank you!) pointed out my mistake that I have now corrected!

630m WSPR RX overnight

Using the coax up to my 2m big-wheel antenna via an ATU I was on 630m WSPR RX. 5 stations were spotted with the furthest SM2DJK (1720km) in the north of Sweden. It was good to see 630m WSPR well used.

Map from WSPRrocks by Phil  VK7JJ

630m WSPR receive (Monday)

As my earth-electrode "antenna" is not connected and  my Tigertronics SignaLink USB interface is faulty, I am RX only using the IC-705 and the coax up to my 2m big-wheel via a ferrite rod ATU. 

So far this evening, 2 stations spotted on WSPR with the furthermost DC0DX (467km).

UPDATE 2230z:  Just 2 stations spotted this evening. I shall leave the RX on overnight.

630m WSPR RX

For the first time this season I am on 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX using my coax outer to my 2m big-wheel antenna via a ferrite rod ATU. I intend to remain on until breakfast.

At the moment I cannot TX on the band because of a fault with my Tigertronics USB interface or lead.

If you can TX WSPR on 630m I would appreciate a signal to test all is working.

UPDATE 1805z:  No spots.

472kHz transverter

The photo shows me testing my 472kHz (630m) transverter in the back of the garage at the old QTH. Later it featured in a QST article. It is still used now producing about 10W into a 50 ohm load and about 10mW ERP with my earth-electrode “antenna “ in the ground.

630m QRP WSPR tonight?

It is very unusual for me to try 630m QRP WSPR at this time of year. Assuming things work, I might well give it a try this evening. 

The noise floor will be higher at this time of the year on MF and that might mask my QRPP signal. It's an experiment, so the worst is nobody spots me! 

I wonder if people have moved to different modes on 630m and I should try a different mode?

UPDATE 2030z:  Initial tests were not successful. It is probably something dead simple, so I shall try and find out what is wrong tomorrow.