Sunspots today

The sunspot count has dropped to 106 (stable) but 20-30MHz propagation is "normal". We should expect decent F2 DX today again on 10m. Yesterday was very good.

UPDATE 1535z:  The 20-30MHz propagation forecast has been upgraded to "good" from "normal". Since sorting out my issue (soundcard settings) with WSPR-X I am seeing lots of USA stations decoding now.  My best DX spot from the USA currently is WA7HL (8508km) in DM51ck square which is Arizona.   In"the old days" WA7 would have been Washington state or nearby.  No longer!

Time to QSY to 472kHz WSPR

Having been spotted in ZL this morning on 10m WSPR, I think it is time to QSY dowm to MF for the evening. At the moment, there are 56 stations active on 472kHz WSPR, which is a lot. It gives my 5mW ERP a chance of being copied by some new stations.

In the last 2 weeks I have been spotted by 14 unique stations as follows:

Unique WSPR spots of my 5mW ERP in last 2 weeks on 472kHz

I don't know how to check 472kHz spots received for the whole of this year as WSPRnet only allows me to look back for a maximum of 2 weeks. I can do it manually but would prefer an automatic way if one exists. Anyone know how to do this please?

UPDATE 1820z:   DH5RAE (995km) already spotted very early evening.  G4XRV (87km) is an all time new reporter (I think) since the table above was created, making 15 unique reporters of my 5mW ERP in the last 2 weeks on 472kHz WSPR.

UPDATE 1940z:  G8ALS (126km) is the 16th unique reporter of my 5mW ERP 472kHz WSPR in the last 2 weeks. 

UPDATE 2135z: Most of my 472kHz WSPR transmissions this evening are receiving 4-6 spots per 2 minute TX burst, which is not bad for a genuine 5mW ERP

10m WSPR - locals compared

G4KPX (14km away) seems to be using the same power as me (I suspect another FT817?) but I am not sure what antenna he is using. I know Richard is very keen on magnetic loops. Looking at his spots sent and received he seems to be getting quite a few more than me.

I know my antenna could be better, but in my present poor health think it unlikely it will be changed.  It seems clear to me that I am missing some stations because of my antenna on 10m.

G0LRD (25km) seems to get fewer spots than Richard, but usually gets better results than me.

UPDATE 1325z: The first USA spot with me was at 1226z whereas with G4KPX was 3 hours sooner than me!  Antennas matter if you want first class results on 10m. Presumably whatever antenna G4KPX is using has a lower take-off angle and is more efficient.

Receiving the Russian ZEVS transmissions on 82Hz (yes Hertz!)

See http://www.vlf.it/zevs/zevs.htm .

Quite a few VLF/ELFers attempt to copy the Russian ZEVS transmissions to deeply submerged nuclear subs at around 82Hz, yes, you read right, Hertz. At these frequencies even a few watts ERP penetrate deeply in the sea. The Americans used a similar system called Project Sanguine at around 76Hz , but this has now gone QRT. I think they use green lasers now?

The ZEVS data rate is low and usually there are a couple of transmissions a day. Usually Spectrum Laboratory software is needed for long term stability. Several people have been successful, although I have still to try.

I hope the transmissions are just tests these days!

ZL - my best ever 10m WSPR spot on TX

This morning on 2W 10m WSPR at 1044z I was spotted in New Zealand by ZL1RS (18047km) at a relatively strong -17dB S/N. He was in RF64vs square, which is in/near Kirikiri on North Island. Years ago I worked ZL on 10m QRP SSB just before heading to work. The 10m band is in great shape today.

Today's ZL report suggests, if he has a quiet location with a low noise floor, he might  have copied me with 20 times less power i.e. around 100mW ERP.

UPDATE 1135z:  South America is putting in an early appearance with PU2UIB (9524km) spotting my 2W WSPR as early as 1052z this morning at -22dB S/N.

Unique 10m WSPR reports of my 2W this morning

Sunspots and 10m conditions like Saturday?

Sunspot count today remains at 128 (as yesterday) and 20-30MHz propagation is again "normal".  I guess it depends on how stable things are, but already 10m WSPR is open to LA1IC (1044km). No real DX outside Europe seen yet though on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 0930z:  Guess who spoke too soon?  VK7AB (17342km) near Hobart and FR5ZX (9740km) both spotted on 10m WSPR at 0918z.  LOTS of Europeans being copied from across the continent.

GB3MCB (144.469MHz)

You may recall I had not copied this 2m Cornish beacon, even on MS pings here in East Anglia and was wondering why.  Well, it turns out it is off air because it interferes with a local repeater.  I was actually quite pleased to read this - my kit was not deaf after all. On 2m I use the FT817ND with a 3el beam.The QTH is on an East Anglian "hill" i.e. a small bump. In UKAC Tuesday evening contests I can usually work 200km+ with 5W from home.  In the last UKAC 2m contest I worked a /P station in Scotland, which was much further.

UPDATE 5.10.14 0932z:   According to the beacon keeper, they plan to turn the 2m beacon back on at GB3MCB when coax has been replaced and antennas re-sited. It is a small group though and funds are tight.

472kHz WSPR this afternoon

It has been interesting to see who spots me in the daytime on 472kHz WSPR. Only 3 stations spotted me (2 quite locals - G0LRD (25km) and G3XIZ (46km), plus G8HUH at 250km, who receives people well).

On RX, I copied 3 stations - G4KPX (14km), G8HUH (250km) and PA3ABK/2 (306km). I shall stick with 472kHz WSPR this evening. No doubt range will increase at night.

UPDATE 1636z:  29 stations currently active on 472kHz WSPR of which G4KPX, G3ZJO and myself are in the UK and transmitting.  I think we are all 3 of us are very QRP ERP stations. I know Richard G4KPX was running 1mW ERP (or less) to an indoor TX loop in a spare bedroom on 472kHz. He gets out very well.

UPDATE 1820z:  DH5RAE (995km) and DJ0ABR (983km) now being spotted here on 472kHz WSPR.

UPDATE 2000z:   G8LCO (58km) situated between Stevenage and Welwyn has copied me 6 times so far this evening. No great DX, but nice to be seen by someone relatively new (I think?) on the band.

UPDATE 2200z: G8LCO has now spotted me 12 times tonight so far. My best DX report so far is from PA0A (417km).

Now QSYed to 472kHz WSPR

Even with 500mW out on 10m I was being spotted in Cameroon by TJ3TS (5478km), so I have QSYed down to 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP) to see what daytime propagation is like. Initially just a spot from local G0LRD (25km) but I am hopeful of others too. Activity is not yet high (27 stations, many RX only) on MF.

The rain is just arriving here and not expected to clear through until 1600z.

Sunspots 128 and 10m conditions

Sunspot count today is a respectable 128 and 20-30MHz propagation "normal".  Already been swapping 10m WSPR spots with 4X1RF (3519km) several times since around 0700z and at 0948z VK7AB (17342km) near Hobart in Tasmania was coming through weakly.  No other Australians seen yet on 10m but the band is clearly open by F2 to some very distant places.

Nearer to home G0LRD (25km) is running 100mW and being copied OK here. I have just dropped down to 500mW from the FT817.