More overnight 500kHz WSPR TXing tonight

Tonight I shall have another go at breaking the 1000kms barrier on 500kHz WSPR. If you decode me, be sure to upload your report to the WSPR online database please.

10m WSPR

This morning I've been WSPRing on 10m again. G4IKZ 18kms away is a good signal and he has been heard in Italy. G4IKZ is copying me, but no DX reports yet. There is a great deal of aircraft Doppler on local signals. We have the Mildenhall and Lakenheath airbases some 20-30kms away, so I expect it is because of aircraft taking off, circling and landing.

Transatlantic reception on 500kHz

This evening, early, the transatlantic WSPR stations are coming through well into Europe. So far I've only seen WE2XGR/6, running 100W, appear on the screen on 511.5kHz, which is above the UK allocation. This is a new transatlantic station for me. The signal is varying in QSB with around 8 minutes between peaks of signal.

UPDATE: I eventually moved off 511.5kHz at 8am this morning and WE2XGR/6 had been coming in all night until then. At best it reached -14dB S/N with me on one occasion but usually it was around -20 to -25dB S/N level. Also copied was WE2XGR/2 who was running 50W. He was audible until 0638am

10m WSPR

This afternoon, for a change, I loaded up my 5m vertical on 10m and have started to WSPR at 5W level. So far, only one report received from G4IKZ just 18kms away at -13 to -15dB S/N. He is running 10W and is about -4dB S/N with me.

So near but so far on 500kHz

Last night again produced some decent DX reports with the 1mW ERP 500kHz station, but still I'm 10kms short of the magic 1000kms target. Best was DL4RAJ at 990kms who spotted be many times during the night. A new reporter this morning was M0GNM in IO91 - thanks for the report.

Haiti appeal - our help is needed

It was good to hear that the GQRP club made a donation to the aid appeal for the survivors of the terrible earthquake in Haiti. The sheer scale of this is terrifying but, if we can afford to do so, we ALL need to give something to help these poor people. In the UK donations may be made on-line via the Disasters Emergency Committee website.

K4TWJ (the "One Transistor Marvel" man)

Yesterday I heard that Dave K4TWJ is in hospital having had a massive heart attack on New Year's Eve. His XYL Sandy, WB4OEE, reports that he is improving and getting stronger. Dave writes articles in several US magazines including CQ and his design for a very simple one transistor transceiver appears in the International QRP Collection book available from the RSGB.

Simple LF/MF QRP transmitter

VE7SL has a neat little LF/MF TX circuit on his website which is suitable for QRP 136 or 500kHz operation. Its original application was for 160-190kHz part 15 "lowfer" beacons in the USA. I used the same PA arrangement in my first 500kHz transverter and I can confirm it is very reliable and robust.

Overnight on 500kHz (1mW ERP)

21 unique stations reported hearing me on 500kHz WSPR last night, but still the 1000kms target has not been reached - so close but so elusive. On RX, I was able to copy LA3EQ, PA0A and SM6BHZ as well as the local Gs, but no transatlantics.

Latest sunspot predictions

The recent upsurge in sunspots has been a good sign that we are now strongly on the upward curve of cycle 24 at last: most days there are spots and the solar flux levels are climbing. However, this is in line with NOAA predictions and their latest table of expected sunspot numbers is unchanged, I think, with a peak smoothed sunspot number of 90 expected in  May 2013.