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!

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.

Overnight on 630m WSPR

Yesterday, for various reasons I did not venture on to 10m FT8. Overnight on 630m WSPR my 10mW ERP was spotted by 9 unique stations and I spotted 10 uniques. Not the best of nights.

This evening I may try 137kHz WSPR RX with my crap antenna and deaf RX to see if anyone at all can be spotted overnight. The trouble is there are few stations TXing on 2200m. Most are RX only.  It is like operating with no hands and legs, HI.  If I do go on 137kHz, this will be the first time at this QTH. We have lived here for 4 years.

I suspect my earth-electrode "antenna" will be better than my vertical on 137kHz. At 137kHz the earth-electrode "antenna" is probably quite an effective loop.

137kHz WSPR RX

At some point I intend to take a look at 137kHz WSPR. At present I can only receive and not transmit. Also, my RX is deaf and my antenna poor. Still, "nothing ventured, nothing gained" as they say. In other words, it is worth a go. If I copy anything on LF, that would be a bonus! I might copy the stronger  stations. Maybe later this week?

I should also try my coax outer, used as my antenna on 630m, on other bands.  I can TX on any HF band.

USA and LF/MF bands

According to Southgate News USA amateurs will at last get access to the LF and MF bands, with some reservations, from Oct 16th.

Not before time.  I honestly cannot believe how slow the FCC has been. It seems most of us have had access to these bands for ages! FCC please get a grip.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/september/630-220-meters-to-open-october-16-pre-registration-required.htm#.Wb4OwLpFzmQ

LF - 137kHz

In all the time I have been at this QTH (now over 4 years) I have never once used 137kHz. At the old QTH I did use the band occasionally. At various times I used a 137kHz QRSS beacon and WSPR using the TX transverter shown here. Best TX range was 250km. On RX I copied Sweden.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/mflf/137khz_tvrtr .

137kHz E-field probe mag-mount RX antenna

Some years ago I did some tests (in the car) looking to see where I could copy my low uW ERP 137kHz signal from home. Results surprised me, even with my deaf FT817.  I gave up on the far side of Cambridge (approximately 24km) with S/N still respectable.

This is all that you need to receive on the LF bands.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/137efp.

472 and 137kHz allocations in the USA nearer

The latest news from the FCC suggests the USA is nearer allocating the LF and MF bands to amateurs at last.

I used to think OFCOM was bad, but the FCC seems even worse. It is years since most countries had access to these bands. If the FCC was concerned about other users they could have set very low ERP levels and allowed amateur operation on a strictly "non-interference" basis.  Instead they waited and waited. They are still waiting!

The FCC seems, at least to me, to be a bunch of pen pushing idiots who know little about radio. Perhaps I am being unfair? In many ways I think of the USA as having fairly liberal policies on the use of the spectrum, but the FCC seems to do themselves no good at all over these bands.

See http://www.arrl.org/news/new-bands-fcc-issues-amateur-radio-service-rules-for-630-meters-and-2-200-meters

See also http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0329/FCC-17-33A1.pdf

Southgate News and CQ Magazine

Southgate News reports that CQ magazine in the USA is soon to host a 137kHz and 472kHz column.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/february/cq-to-introduce-mf-lf-column.htm#.WKX2zYXXLIU

Earth-electrode antennas at 472kHz

Some 4 years ago I posted this based on my results at 472kHz:

These were my conclusions in Jan 2013:

1. The earth-electrode antenna at 472kHz (2 earth rods in the soil 15-20m apart fed from the TX output) behaves like an H-field loop transmitting antenna. At the present QTH the spacing is less.
2. It has directivity, with strongest signals in the line of the loop and weakest signals at right angles to it.
3. It works as an effective RX antenna too.
4. In my environment the loop looks like about 50-60 ohms resistive, so a good match to my transverter directly without matching. At this QTH it looks a higher impedance, presumably because the soil and rock are different.
5. The structure works because much of the return current flows deep within the soil and rock beneath the earth-electrode antenna. In my case Rik OR7T calculated that the loop area in the ground is effectively 290m sq with a radiation resistance of 0.017 ohm and a loss resistance of 66 ohms.This is a BIG loop! I think the loop is smaller at this QTH.
6. Performance compared with my 9m high top loaded Marconi antenna averages only around 8dB down, not a bad figure at all, even with the connecting wire on the ground and not elevated at all.
7. Where no other antenna option is available, the earth-electrode antenna is well worth trying both on 472kHz and on 136kHz both for RX and TX. Although it works well here, your geology may be different and results not the same.

The SLOW road to 136kHz and 472kHz operation in the USA

Some things are just unbelievable. Take for example the USA which still has no general access to the 136 and 472kHz bands, which many nations have had for years. This is supposed to be the greatest nation on earth.  Not if the FCC has anything to do with it.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2016/march/2200_and_630_metre_operation.htm .

As my own limited tests with very low ERP have proved time and time again, even a very low ERP limit would be useful on these bands. No, the FCC has blocked all general access to these bands. I have had an article for QST accepted awaiting the release of the 472kHz band in the USA. At the last count, they have held this for 3 years already! No, I am not impressed with the FCC. Like OFCOM over here, they seem to be a bunch of bureaucrats who are afraid of doing anything.

Still life on MF and LF

It is some time since I was active on 137kHz and 472kHz WSPR, but there are still stations active I see. I shall return to 472kHz WSPR in the autumn and may even try some tests from this QTH on 137kHz. I do need a better antenna and earth system though. My earth-electrode "antenna" is remarkable, but I know I should be able to increase my ERP considerably with a loop or loaded long-wire. I managed 250km on WSPR with a loop at the old QTH on 137kHz and a vertical loop with similar loop area should be possible I think. I shall probably need help from locals with erection though in my present state. I might change to a 2m big-wheel stack at the same time?

VLF, LF and MF useful data

Wolf DL4YHF found this data that may be of interest to some blog readers

Snapped up from the VLF 'natural radio' group:
Interesting reading for long winter evenings ... about VLF, LF, and MF, a complete scanned book from 1972, descibing equipment, propagation, antenna theory, transmitter sites, etc.
The entire NAVELEX  handbook can be downloaded (chapter wise) from
 http://www.navy-radio.com/manuals/shore-vlf.htm
73,
Wolf  DL4YHF