At 1710z approximately I closed down the 6m WSPR station and returned to 630m WSPR (TX 5mW ERP 20% and RX 80%, using the earth-electrode "antenna").
UPDATE 1722z: No spots exchanged yet on MF.
UPDATE 1730z: At the moment I am still on 10m WSPR too.
UPDATE 1908: GW0EZY (251km) has spotted my 5mW ERP 472kHz WSPR several times this evening. Signals are clearly "marginal", so I guess he has a quiet location. Best DX on 472kHz WSPR RX, so far this evening, is DH5RAE (995km). EA5DOM has not put in an appearance yet.
UPDATE 1946z: PA3ABK (306km) is my best DX on my 5mW ERP so far tonight.
UPDATE 2120z: I went QRT on 10m WSPR a little while ago.
22 Nov 2015
10m WSPR TX beacon
 |
| WISPY 10m TX |
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/wispytx.
Although I also built a simple WSPR RX for 10m, I never got around to combining both the TX and RX into a single unit. Sadly, my stroke got in the way.
Tiny APRS transceiver for PC
See http://unsigned.io/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2
6m WSPR so far today
As well as spotting G8VDQ (93km) several times, I have been spotted by G4APB (88km). No DX outside the UK on 6m WSPR, well so far at least.
UPDATE 1705z: More spots of G8VDQ but no-one else today.
 |
| 6m WSPR so far today |
First USA 10m WSPR spot today
KK1D (5455km) was the first USA station to spot my 10m WSPR today at 1258z. There will be plenty more today! FR1GZ has spotted me 4 times already. K9AN (6505km) was the next USA station to spot me on 10m WSPR. Today, 10m is in very good shape.
UPDATE 1605z: VE3GEN (5593km) has been spotted several times.
UPDATE 1605z: VE3GEN (5593km) has been spotted several times.
No longer tell XYL about DX reports on 10m
As I get so many DX reports with my 500mW WSPR, I no longer tell my XYL. An Australian station was spotting my 10m WSPR again today. I think this is the 6th or 7th time this autumn. With WSPR and a very modest, low, wire antenna I find DX easy. With SSB or CW you are competing against the "big boys".
10m has been good now for about 4 years. This time next autumn things are likely to be much harder. Sunspots are still high but this time next year they are likely to have fallen a fair bit. Somewhere I read that a solar flux of over 100 equated to "good conditions". It is more likely solar flux will be in the 70-80 region next autumn.
The greatest danger is low activity on 10m as people leave the band for lower frequencies. Many times I have said this will be when 10m WSPR should be really useful winkling out those elusive DX openings. Please, still use 10m WSPR even when the band seems dead. I am convinced it will be "open" far more often than people realise. WSPR is so much better than SSB or CW. Using WSPRnet, you can instantly see who is copying your WSPR signal. Low power is all that is needed.
UPDATE 1254z: I see that FR1GZ (9724km) has spotted me on 10m WSPR. This is no longer remarkable! WSPR really is amazing - just 500mW to a low wire antenna. On SSB it is a battle against those using big beams and high power. On WSPR just a few milliwatts and you can find out how your signal gets around the world.
UPDATE 1530z: VE3GEN (5593km) was spotted several times today.
10m has been good now for about 4 years. This time next autumn things are likely to be much harder. Sunspots are still high but this time next year they are likely to have fallen a fair bit. Somewhere I read that a solar flux of over 100 equated to "good conditions". It is more likely solar flux will be in the 70-80 region next autumn.
The greatest danger is low activity on 10m as people leave the band for lower frequencies. Many times I have said this will be when 10m WSPR should be really useful winkling out those elusive DX openings. Please, still use 10m WSPR even when the band seems dead. I am convinced it will be "open" far more often than people realise. WSPR is so much better than SSB or CW. Using WSPRnet, you can instantly see who is copying your WSPR signal. Low power is all that is needed.
UPDATE 1254z: I see that FR1GZ (9724km) has spotted me on 10m WSPR. This is no longer remarkable! WSPR really is amazing - just 500mW to a low wire antenna. On SSB it is a battle against those using big beams and high power. On WSPR just a few milliwatts and you can find out how your signal gets around the world.
UPDATE 1530z: VE3GEN (5593km) was spotted several times today.
Loft trawl - lost amateur gear
It is now 22 months since I was discharged from hospital following my stroke. I have yet to get into the loft to properly explore the things I put there when we moved QTH over 2 years ago. My problem is ladders, although I am getting close to getting up there to have a good rummage around the boxes!
As I recall there were quite a few boxes with odd pieces of amateur gear, although these were mainly wires, SMPSUs and the like - nothing of value. You could well argue that if I have managed without these for over 2 years then they need a new home and certainly I don't need them. Maybe the next junk sale or rally?
As I recall there were quite a few boxes with odd pieces of amateur gear, although these were mainly wires, SMPSUs and the like - nothing of value. You could well argue that if I have managed without these for over 2 years then they need a new home and certainly I don't need them. Maybe the next junk sale or rally?
Sunspots and 10m - Sun Nov 22nd 2015
Sunspot number has risen a little to 59 (K=1) but solar propagation predictions for 10m have improved to "fair". Solar flux today is 121, which is not at all bad.
UPDATE 1000z: VK2KRR (16789km) has already spotted my 500mW WSPR beacon 3 times on 10m. Today is going to be a good day on 10m WSPR. I feel it in my bones!
UPDATE 1006z: All quiet so far on 6m WSPR here with no spots yet given or received.
UPDATE 1010z: As the above reports indicate, I went QRT on MF at breakfast time and am now active on 10m and 6m WSPR for the day.
UPDATE 1000z: VK2KRR (16789km) has already spotted my 500mW WSPR beacon 3 times on 10m. Today is going to be a good day on 10m WSPR. I feel it in my bones!
UPDATE 1006z: All quiet so far on 6m WSPR here with no spots yet given or received.
UPDATE 1010z: As the above reports indicate, I went QRT on MF at breakfast time and am now active on 10m and 6m WSPR for the day.
21 Nov 2015
QRP on Wikipedia
This link has been posted before but it is worth repeating. This is the Wikipedia link all about QRP.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QRP_operation .
I am a firm believer in QRP. Simple gear can span the globe, although rising noise floors are making it tougher for some, especially in cities and towns. In theory, 5W is just a few S-points down on a 100W rig, but these days the limit is more likely to be man-made noise sources at the receiver especially on LF, MF and the lower HF bands. Up to now, I have been blessed with a low RX noise floor here. I am still lucky.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QRP_operation .
I am a firm believer in QRP. Simple gear can span the globe, although rising noise floors are making it tougher for some, especially in cities and towns. In theory, 5W is just a few S-points down on a 100W rig, but these days the limit is more likely to be man-made noise sources at the receiver especially on LF, MF and the lower HF bands. Up to now, I have been blessed with a low RX noise floor here. I am still lucky.
A second chance - NOT amateur radio
A very moving, and uplifting, account from a Paris hostage.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34889539 .
"We've been given a second chance - we have to live life to the full!"
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34889539 .
"We've been given a second chance - we have to live life to the full!"
USA spots on 10m
K9AN (6505km) was the first USA station, and so far the only one, to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR this afternoon at 1418z.
UPDATE 1540z: Still just K9AN spotting me on 10m in the USA this afternoon.
UPDATE 1715z: In the end I got spots from 4 different USA stations on 10m WSPR. I have now gone QRT on 6m (where G8VDQ at 93km was spotted a few times) and on 10m WSPR and am back on 630m (472kHz) WSPR for the evening and night (5mW ERP TX 20%, 80% RX no preamp). So far, on 630m G7NKS (46km) has been copied at -11dB S/N. Still using the earth-electrode "antenna". G7NKS copied me at -22dB S/N. Also copied on 630m WSPR was DK7FC (669km) at -25dB S/N.
UPDATE 1540z: Still just K9AN spotting me on 10m in the USA this afternoon.
UPDATE 1715z: In the end I got spots from 4 different USA stations on 10m WSPR. I have now gone QRT on 6m (where G8VDQ at 93km was spotted a few times) and on 10m WSPR and am back on 630m (472kHz) WSPR for the evening and night (5mW ERP TX 20%, 80% RX no preamp). So far, on 630m G7NKS (46km) has been copied at -11dB S/N. Still using the earth-electrode "antenna". G7NKS copied me at -22dB S/N. Also copied on 630m WSPR was DK7FC (669km) at -25dB S/N.
No snow - NOT amateur radio
We seem to have missed the snow. Although there is a biting cold north wind, it is dry and the sun has come out. It would not surprise me if we got a frost tonight. This would be the first time this autumn. Up to now it has been very mild.
This afternoon, a walk is called for, although we will have to dress in warm clothes!
UPDATE 1540z: We walked around the village.
This afternoon, a walk is called for, although we will have to dress in warm clothes!
UPDATE 1540z: We walked around the village.
Sunspots and 10m - Sat Nov 21st 2015
Sunspot number is 52 (K=1) and 10m conditions remain "poor" according to the forecasts. Solar flux is a respectable 111. Often I find I get good 10m WSPR spots when conditions are supposed to be "poor". Not sure why this is!
UPDATE 1204z: So far, just spots from Russia and nearby areas on 10m WSPR. No great DX on 10m WSPR as yet. All quiet on 6m WSPR.
UPDATE 1204z: So far, just spots from Russia and nearby areas on 10m WSPR. No great DX on 10m WSPR as yet. All quiet on 6m WSPR.
In praise of Jay W5OLF's WSPR beacon
I received this email from Jay W5OLF:
"Hi Roger,
I was catching up on your blog and saw the comment about how much you
like the 10M beacon. That warms the heart. We all try and make a
contribution to the hobby and guess I at least made one.
Cheers, Jay, W5OLF"
To which I replied, with great pleasure:
"Hi Jay,
I can honestly say I have had more fun from your 10m WSPR beacon than from ANYTHING in all my time in amateur radio. Thank you!
73s
Roger G3XBM"
I was an SWL in 1961 and had a licence since 1966. The beacon needs no PC and is totally self contained. As a routine I reset to internet time every day but you could use a radio for this and once a day is probably far more frequently than necessary. As you can see, it is very small. The last time I looked there were 1W beacons for 30m and 20m and a 0.5W one on 10m. If you enjoy this mode, I can recommend these. It never fails to amaze me how something so small to a small, low, wire antenna regularly gets spotted around the planet.
See http://w5olf.com/2014/12/18/new-wspr-axe-cw-beacon/ .
"Hi Roger,
I was catching up on your blog and saw the comment about how much you
like the 10M beacon. That warms the heart. We all try and make a
contribution to the hobby and guess I at least made one.Cheers, Jay, W5OLF"
 |
| W5OLF WSPR beacon |
"Hi Jay,
I can honestly say I have had more fun from your 10m WSPR beacon than from ANYTHING in all my time in amateur radio. Thank you!
73s
Roger G3XBM"
I was an SWL in 1961 and had a licence since 1966. The beacon needs no PC and is totally self contained. As a routine I reset to internet time every day but you could use a radio for this and once a day is probably far more frequently than necessary. As you can see, it is very small. The last time I looked there were 1W beacons for 30m and 20m and a 0.5W one on 10m. If you enjoy this mode, I can recommend these. It never fails to amaze me how something so small to a small, low, wire antenna regularly gets spotted around the planet.
See http://w5olf.com/2014/12/18/new-wspr-axe-cw-beacon/ .
Late QSY
Much later than usual, I have closed down on 630m (472kHz) WSPR and am now active on 10m and 6m WSPR for the day. I did the QSY at around 1040z, which is much later than normal. Overnight I was on 472kHz RX only with the preamp in circuit. 472kHz is definitely suffering this autumn from a lack of transmitting stations in Europe. The is no shortage of stations on receive. Tonight I shall be on 472kHz TX again. Last night I copied all the usual 472kHz WSPR stations in range. We could do with some new stations!
20 Nov 2015
472kHz WSPR - now RX only with preamp
Since 1954z, I have gone RX only on 472kHz WSPR with the preamp in circuit, so the FT817 is running at maximum sensitivity. This will be on overnight all being well.
Sunshine - NOT amateur radio
Even if it is very quiet so far on the amateur radio front, at least the sun is shining. We have friends joining us for lunch. The wind is turning and it is definitely getting colder. Not that I have much faith in the weather forecasts, but there is an outside chance of snow this weekend here.
All quiet on 10m and 6m WSPR here so far today
As yet, not a single spot on 10m or 6m WSPR here. By now, I would have expected to have got some spots. Solar conditions don't look bad. Patience!
There are regular, strong, traces on the 6m WSPR screen, but these have too much Doppler to decode. I suspect this is G8VDQ (93km). If there was a WSPR mode with 1 min TX period, I suspect he would decode. JT65 or JT9-1 would probably work.
UPDATE 1715z: There were USA 10m WSPR spots this afternoon. The last USA spot was at 1600z.
UPDATE 1720z: G8VDQ (93km) was decoded on 6m a couple of times around lunch, presumably aided by aircraft reflection.
UPDATE 1725z: I have gone QRT on 10m and 6m WSPR and am now QRV on 630m (472kHz) with 5mW ERP again (20% TX, 80% RX, no preamp,earth-electrodes). M0LMH (223km) has copied me on 472kHz WSPR and DK7FC (669km) has been spotted.
There are regular, strong, traces on the 6m WSPR screen, but these have too much Doppler to decode. I suspect this is G8VDQ (93km). If there was a WSPR mode with 1 min TX period, I suspect he would decode. JT65 or JT9-1 would probably work.
UPDATE 1715z: There were USA 10m WSPR spots this afternoon. The last USA spot was at 1600z.
UPDATE 1720z: G8VDQ (93km) was decoded on 6m a couple of times around lunch, presumably aided by aircraft reflection.
UPDATE 1725z: I have gone QRT on 10m and 6m WSPR and am now QRV on 630m (472kHz) with 5mW ERP again (20% TX, 80% RX, no preamp,earth-electrodes). M0LMH (223km) has copied me on 472kHz WSPR and DK7FC (669km) has been spotted.
Terrorist attacks - NOT amateur radio
The FTSE 100 is recovering but it would only take a successful terrorist attack in the UK or USA to send both the FTSE 100 and the Dow into downward spirals.
Back on 10m and 6m WSPR. QRT on 630m (472kHz) WSPR.
As is my normal routine these days, I have QSYed from 630m to 6m WSPR and turned on my 10m WSPR beacon and synced it to internet time.
UPDATE 1015z: No spots on 10m or 6m as yet.
UPDATE 1015z: No spots on 10m or 6m as yet.
Sunspots and 10m - Fri Nov 20th 2015
Sunspot number has risen to 51 (K=3) but 10m propagation remains "poor" according to the forecast. Solar flux is 107 which is still respectable. Yesterday was another day without USA spots of my 10m WSPR beacon.
19 Nov 2015
QSY to 472kHz (630m) WSPR
10m and 6m WSPR were closed down at 2030 and I have now moved to 630m (5mW ERP 20% and RX 80% without the preamp). Still using the earth-electrodes.
UPDATE 2205z: All the usual 472kHz "suspects", i.e. the active stations in western Europe, are being copied including lots of spots of EA5DOM (1525km) on the barefoot FT817 without the preamp. I think I'd spot him more often and at better S/N with the preamp in use.
UPDATE 2205z: All the usual 472kHz "suspects", i.e. the active stations in western Europe, are being copied including lots of spots of EA5DOM (1525km) on the barefoot FT817 without the preamp. I think I'd spot him more often and at better S/N with the preamp in use.
Smart Meters - NOT amateur radio
This amused me as my energy supplier contacted me to arrange an appointment to fit smart meters but failed to turn up! I asked for a human being to contact me, but months have passed and they don't do humans. It seems their computers don't communicate!
This came via Steve G1KQH:
This came via Steve G1KQH:
"Why
they really want you to have a SMART Meter:
A
Smart meter is NOT compulsory:
5MHz amateur band - it is now official
WRC-15 has ratified the first new HF amateur allocation since 1979. Although only 15kHz wide it was agreed internationally. I hope that CEPT allows a wider contiguous allocation. I am sure I cannot be alone in finding all these non-contiguous 5MHz allocations very confusing.
From the RSGB report on WRC-15:
"Z8 has now officially been agreed as the prefix for South Sudan and will be formally entered into the Radio Regulations. Meanwhile the revised Radio Regulations from WRC-15 will officially come into effect from the 1st January 2017. "
From the RSGB report on WRC-15:
"Z8 has now officially been agreed as the prefix for South Sudan and will be formally entered into the Radio Regulations. Meanwhile the revised Radio Regulations from WRC-15 will officially come into effect from the 1st January 2017. "
Another UK Rally
I've been notified of the following UK rally this weekend:
Saturday 21 NOVEMBER : ROCHDALE & DISTRICT ARS TRADITIONAL RADIO RALLY
St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Rd, off Edenfield Rd (A680), Norden, Rochdale OL12 6BU. OT 10.15/10.30, £2.50 (concessions U12 & seniors), TI S22, C. Pitches £5. Dave, G0PUD, 0161 285 1600, dave.shaw1@sky.com. www.radars.me.uk.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Saturday 21 NOVEMBER : ROCHDALE & DISTRICT ARS TRADITIONAL RADIO RALLY
St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Rd, off Edenfield Rd (A680), Norden, Rochdale OL12 6BU. OT 10.15/10.30, £2.50 (concessions U12 & seniors), TI S22, C. Pitches £5. Dave, G0PUD, 0161 285 1600, dave.shaw1@sky.com. www.radars.me.uk.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Back on 10m and 6m WSPR
As the previous post showed, I am back on 10m and 6m WSPR. I went QRT on 630m (472kHz) around breakfast time. G8HUH (250km) was copied on 472kHz WSPR at 0830z a few minutes before closing. This path was in daylight.
Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Nov 19th 2015
Sunspot number is 36 today and K=2. Solar flux is 107 but the forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor".
UPDATE 1020z: Just Russian and Sweden spotting me on 10m WSPR and no spots given or received yet on 6m.
UPDATE 1020z: Just Russian and Sweden spotting me on 10m WSPR and no spots given or received yet on 6m.
18 Nov 2015
Getting fun from amateur radio
My current operating is almost exclusively WSPR. I go on the 8pm East Cambs net on 144.575MHz FM on Mondays and Tuesday UKAC contests (especially on 2m) but my voice struggles. I tend to go on MF WSPR at night and 10m and 6m WSPR during the day.
On all bands I do not use very good antennas. I quite like the way I operate: it is a "low intensity, low cost" way of enjoying the hobby. I miss my field work but I am just too wobbly still.
On all bands I do not use very good antennas. I quite like the way I operate: it is a "low intensity, low cost" way of enjoying the hobby. I miss my field work but I am just too wobbly still.
QSYed to 472kHz
I have now gone QRT on 10m and 6m and am active on 630m (472kHz) WSPR instead for the evening and overnight. As for last night, I am on 472kHz WSPR TX 20% 5mW ERP and RX 80% without preamp. I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna".
So far G4KPX (14km) has spotted me several times, M0LMH (223km) has spotted me once, PA7EY (306km) has spotted me once but I have copied no-one yet. It is nice to be copied by 3 different stations before 1900z.
UPDATE 1855z: DH5RAE (995km) has just been spotted.
 |
| Early evening 472kHz WSPR |
UPDATE 1855z: DH5RAE (995km) has just been spotted.
10m USA WSPR spots
KK1D (5455km) was the first station in the USA to spot my 10m WSPR beacon at 1420z.
Australia (again) on 10m WSPR
As well as spots from Brazil and Russia there are spots from 2 different VKs this morning of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon. As expected, today is another good 10m day, despite the 10m forecast being "poor".
472kHz - an analysis of EA5DOM with and without RX preamp
The night before last EA5DOM (1525km) was copied 45 times on 472kHz with the preamp in circuit, so the FT817 was at maximum sensitivity. My best report of him was -16dB S/N.
Last night he was copied again but without the preamp. Last night I copied him 35 times with a best sensitivity of -19dB S/N.
Although conditions may have been different, I think the 472kHz preamp is worth having. It allows signals too weak to copy to be successfully decoded. Incidentally, EA5DOM was copied as late as 0740z today at -26dB S/N without the preamp on 472kHz WSPR.
Last night he was copied again but without the preamp. Last night I copied him 35 times with a best sensitivity of -19dB S/N.
Although conditions may have been different, I think the 472kHz preamp is worth having. It allows signals too weak to copy to be successfully decoded. Incidentally, EA5DOM was copied as late as 0740z today at -26dB S/N without the preamp on 472kHz WSPR.
Sunspots and 10m - Wed Nov 18th 2015
Solar flux is 106, which is quite good still. Sunspot number is 33 (K=2) and the forecast for 10m remains "poor". Since turning on the 10m WSPR beacon before breakfast, no spots yet received. On 6m I have spotted G8VDQ (93km) twice but nothing else as yet.
With relatively undisturbed 10m conditions it would not surprise me if this turns out to be another quite decent day on the band.
With relatively undisturbed 10m conditions it would not surprise me if this turns out to be another quite decent day on the band.
17 Nov 2015
QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (TX and RX)
 |
| 472kHz station. Transverter is box with yellow LED on top shelf. |
UPDATE 2200z: The best DX reports of my 5mW ERP are from Holland PA3ABK and PA7EY (both 306km). On receive the best DX is (again) EA5DOM (1525km).
Blog visits - NOT amateur radio.
It puzzles me who visits my various blogs. Already today, the number of people visiting this blog is more than for the whole day a few days ago. I try to include items that appeal to others, although I confess it is as much a diary for me: it records what I have done and the things that matter to me.
Anyway, thank you for visiting and reading this and my other blogs. If you find any postings not to your liking you have some choices. One is to not read similar posts in future or you can tell me! I cannot please everyone but I hope, on the whole, you approve of the things posted.
For the record, my other blogs are:
East Anglian Churches - usually updated every few weeks. East Anglian churches we have visited.
Miscellaneous Musings - updated several times a week. Miscellaneous thoughts.
Anyway, thank you for visiting and reading this and my other blogs. If you find any postings not to your liking you have some choices. One is to not read similar posts in future or you can tell me! I cannot please everyone but I hope, on the whole, you approve of the things posted.
For the record, my other blogs are:
East Anglian Churches - usually updated every few weeks. East Anglian churches we have visited.
Miscellaneous Musings - updated several times a week. Miscellaneous thoughts.
More on 5MHz
This is on the RSGB's WRC-15 pages:
"Progress is slow but steady…
5MHz: The 5 MHz item has cleared another hurdle and hopefully it will be tabled at a Plenary meeting scheduled for Wednesday, when it will receive two readings. The approval of the last reading is a key milestone, subject of course to the final signing and national administration processes.
50MHz: The revised future agenda proposal for 50-54 MHz has been resubmitted and may be considered at a meeting of Working Group 6B during Tuesday afternoon.
47GHz: It seems that the Primary amateur and amateur satellite service band at 47-47.2 GHz is strongly being considered as a candidate band for IMT (5G) for the next WRC study period, although opinions differ over the definition of ‘candidate’. We are closely following this development.
Small Satellites: Meanwhile the focus has now shifted to the subject of identifying Space Operations Service spectrum below 1 GHz for small satellites in Non Geo-Stationary Orbit (NGSO). Needless to say this is generating a considerable amount of discussion, especially where frequencies around 144 MHz and 430 MHz are concerned.
73
Colin, HB9/G3PSM
NB: Further background and updates are at rsgb.org/wrc-15 and in our news"
A 15kHz wide allocation across the world! Well, I suppose it is a start assuming it is finally approved. It is great pity this is not a 200kHz wide band. 15kHz is very very small. Let us hope that in CEPT countries, at least, they let us use more contiguously. Some countries have already allowed wider contiguous secondary amateur allocations.
"Progress is slow but steady…
5MHz: The 5 MHz item has cleared another hurdle and hopefully it will be tabled at a Plenary meeting scheduled for Wednesday, when it will receive two readings. The approval of the last reading is a key milestone, subject of course to the final signing and national administration processes.
50MHz: The revised future agenda proposal for 50-54 MHz has been resubmitted and may be considered at a meeting of Working Group 6B during Tuesday afternoon.
47GHz: It seems that the Primary amateur and amateur satellite service band at 47-47.2 GHz is strongly being considered as a candidate band for IMT (5G) for the next WRC study period, although opinions differ over the definition of ‘candidate’. We are closely following this development.
Small Satellites: Meanwhile the focus has now shifted to the subject of identifying Space Operations Service spectrum below 1 GHz for small satellites in Non Geo-Stationary Orbit (NGSO). Needless to say this is generating a considerable amount of discussion, especially where frequencies around 144 MHz and 430 MHz are concerned.
73
Colin, HB9/G3PSM
NB: Further background and updates are at rsgb.org/wrc-15 and in our news"
A 15kHz wide allocation across the world! Well, I suppose it is a start assuming it is finally approved. It is great pity this is not a 200kHz wide band. 15kHz is very very small. Let us hope that in CEPT countries, at least, they let us use more contiguously. Some countries have already allowed wider contiguous secondary amateur allocations.
Terrorism - NOT amateur radio
One of the answers to the recent spate of terrorism is to work on the false certainty of those willing to die as "martyrs". In any religion, anyone who sets out to kill innocents would not be a martyr at all. No, they face hell or nothingness and their cause is reduced to pure criminality. We need to understand what really motivates these individuals. They have a grievance that must run very deep.
Yes we need fair societies in all countries but violence is not the answer.
Yes we need fair societies in all countries but violence is not the answer.
G8VDQ spotted on 6m WSPR
G8VDQ (93km) been spotted several times this morning on 6m WSPR at good strength. As yet, no DX from outside the UK and no-one has spotted me on 6m.
UPDATE 1600z: G8VDQ's signals (often not decoded) have lots of Doppler on them, suggesting multi-path and aircraft involvement. There is a direct signal too but I think the multi-path causes WSPR decodes to fail. If the 'planes are moving in the right direction then decodes occur. The direct (tropo) signal is much weaker and subject to heavy QSB.
UPDATE 1600z: G8VDQ's signals (often not decoded) have lots of Doppler on them, suggesting multi-path and aircraft involvement. There is a direct signal too but I think the multi-path causes WSPR decodes to fail. If the 'planes are moving in the right direction then decodes occur. The direct (tropo) signal is much weaker and subject to heavy QSB.
Australian spots (again) on 10m WSPR
VK2EMA (16558km) spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 1028z. This is (I think) the 5th day this autumn that my little WSPR beacon has been copied in Australia. So much for the "poor" 10m propagation! As long as conditions are not too disturbed, WSPR seems to get through on 10m.
UPDATE 1107z: VK2KRR (16789km) has also spotted my little 10m WSPR beacon several times this morning. So far, 5 spots from Australia on 10m WSPR ths morning.
UPDATE 1205z: I think the 10m opening to VK has ended as I am only being spotted in Russia at present. Things look hopeful on 10m WSPR for South and North American WSPR spots later. On 6m I guess there is an outside chance of some nearer Europeans by tropo and some more Europeans via Es, although we are well "out of season" now. I seem to average a single European about once every 2 weeks on 6m WSPR currently.
UPDATE 1225z: Almost as I was writing the above, my 10m 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon was spotted on 10m WSPR in Brazil. I have the feeling today is going to turn to be quite a good day on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1230z: I cannot begin tell you how much pleasure this tiny little 10m WSPR beacon has given me. Apart from syncing the beacon time, no PC is needed as the beacon is fully stand-alone. For the timing, I could use the pips on the radio. There is no doubt at all that this has given me more fun than anything in all my years in the hobby and that goes back 53 years. It is excellent value and is very small. It still amazes me that with a low wire antenna this is copied on the far side of the planet.
UPDATE 1345z: My little 10m WSPR beacon has been copied 6 times already in Brazil today. No USA spots yet.
UPDATE 1458z: First USA spot was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1444z, which is quite late.
UPDATE1808z: There have been no USA 10m WSPR spots of my signal since 1500z.
UPDATE 1107z: VK2KRR (16789km) has also spotted my little 10m WSPR beacon several times this morning. So far, 5 spots from Australia on 10m WSPR ths morning.
UPDATE 1205z: I think the 10m opening to VK has ended as I am only being spotted in Russia at present. Things look hopeful on 10m WSPR for South and North American WSPR spots later. On 6m I guess there is an outside chance of some nearer Europeans by tropo and some more Europeans via Es, although we are well "out of season" now. I seem to average a single European about once every 2 weeks on 6m WSPR currently.
UPDATE 1225z: Almost as I was writing the above, my 10m 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon was spotted on 10m WSPR in Brazil. I have the feeling today is going to turn to be quite a good day on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1230z: I cannot begin tell you how much pleasure this tiny little 10m WSPR beacon has given me. Apart from syncing the beacon time, no PC is needed as the beacon is fully stand-alone. For the timing, I could use the pips on the radio. There is no doubt at all that this has given me more fun than anything in all my years in the hobby and that goes back 53 years. It is excellent value and is very small. It still amazes me that with a low wire antenna this is copied on the far side of the planet.
UPDATE 1345z: My little 10m WSPR beacon has been copied 6 times already in Brazil today. No USA spots yet.
UPDATE 1458z: First USA spot was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1444z, which is quite late.
UPDATE1808z: There have been no USA 10m WSPR spots of my signal since 1500z.
EA5DOM (1525km) on 472kHz overnight
EA5DOM (1525km) was spotted 45 times through the night at up to -16dB S/N. He must be well equipped to have such a good 472kHz WSPR signal. My conclusion is the preamp does help with weak signals. Although EA5DOM would definitely have been copied last night without the preamp, having it in circuit meant I could still copy him when he was weak. There were at least 3 times (maybe more) when he would not have been copied without the preamp.
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