10m - often open

Although we are currently enjoying decent F2 long distance propagation on 10m, we must not forget that the 10m band is FREQUENTLY open by Es (sporadic-E) propagation.

The best months in the northern hemisphere are between late April and early September but the propagation can occur at any time of the year. This is very much a case where WSPR will be useful to winkle out brief periods of Es propagation. Sometimes multi-hop Es allows real DX to be workable.

Often Es signals can be very strong, but sometimes openings can be very, well, sporadic open briefly to one place with signals inaudible just tens of miles away.   In many ways Es is a more fascinating mode than F layer and one of the reasons 10m is my favorite band of all. Don't also forget inter-G propagation. In RSGB contests a few years ago it was possible to work out to around 100 miles with 10W SSB to dipole antennas. Imagine what the inter-G range will be with WSPR.

Beach 40 - a 40m DSB rig

Andrew,G6ALB, has introduced me to this simple DSB project. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siSgeljr4HE and similar links for pictures and build instructions. See also http://www.spencerweb.net/Ian_and_Julie/Hobbies/Amateur_Radio/Beach_40/beach_40.html .

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The schematic above does not show the simple PA,

K1SEA - amazing 10m signals

In the middle of my 10m WSPR reports of other stations I noted K1SEA (5234km) whose 5W was peaking an amazing +8dB  S/N. At this level, 2-way SSB QSOs should be well possible at 5W or less.

10m WSPR - excellent results

As my building skills are still poor because of my stroke, I have been sticking mainly to WSPR mode, today on 10m. Results on 10m have been excellent copying stations from S.Africa, USA, Finland, Israel and central Asia,with my own 2W getting reports from all over the place including  Israel, Canada  and the USA. A sunspot count of 245 no doubt helps! It will be fascinating to  see what 10m spots are possible when the sun is very quiet again. 4X1RF manages to spot me most days when I am on. For me, 10m DX propagation closed at around 1640z.

Unique WSPR reports on 10m (2W) up to 3pm

10m QRP homebuilt

With my posts about low cost ways of getting on to the 10m band don't forget homebrew. On my www.g3xbm.co.uk main pages there are details of several simple 10m rigs including the incomplete DSB transceiver for the band that I MUST complete  when my health  (and soldering ability) returns. Look for 10m Simple Sideband. My plan was either a VXO controlled rig or a mixer-VFO rig covering 28.4-28.55MHz where most sideband activity is.  It could also switch to the CW and beacon bands. At the moment my "build" projects are on hold because of my poor health.

£150 10m radios

There are several varieties of 10m radios available for just under £150, brand ne

w, nowadays. One example is the Alpha 10 Max and this (CB oriented) video is a walk-through of the radio. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFK20rmQayg . See also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw7Qjrk01Vc . If you are only interested in 10m (28/29MHz) this sort of radio may be a low cost way of getting on the band although they are basically CB radios.

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 Image on G0IYA's blog.

Many years ago I used a Lincoln President multi-mode 10m 10-20W radio and I was able to work the world using it. One of the best QSOs with it was a solid QSO from the car whilst actually  driving around the outskirts of Cambridge one evening with an SSB station in India. The antenna was just a base loaded whip on a  mag mount. It was a very good little radio. Sorry I sold it really. For a video of the Lincoln President see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDUyLwFc2Pc .

There is a newer,smaller, version of the President Lincoln will be available for around £249 from mid-January. See eBay for details of suppliers.

6m WSPR at a quiet time

Path G3XBM-G4IKZ 6m

 

After a brief outing on 40m I have QSYed to 6m WSPR in the hope of getting a few European spots by wintertime Es or even some tropo. In  the last few hours my 2W has only reached G4IKZ who is 18km west of me. Signal reports are (expectedly) consistent within +/-2dB but I'm not sure if Nick is using a vertical antenna (like my V2000) or a horizontal beam. This evening I spotted G8EPA at 61km. Judging by how poor my report was compared with G4IKZ, I think we must be cross-polarised.

40m WSPR - instant success to Australia

Keeping at 1W from the FT817 into the Par end-fed I got instantly spotted in Australia at over 17200km this early evening. WSPR really is amazing. Reports from VK now both on 40m and 20m with the low wire antenna. Lots of other spots followed. More spots from VK7BO followed. Nearest station was G4IKZ just 18km away.

First 40m WSPR results with 1W to my Par end-fed

20m WSPR - too easy

Late this afternoon I have been on 20m WSPR with 1W RF to my compact Par end-fed antenna. Best received signal was from the USA west coast but all the reports of my signals, so far, have been from this side of the pond.

Really 20m is too easy on WSPR at this level of QRP power. I should  be running 50mW or less.

20m 1W reports late this afternoon

Home at last

This morning, Jan 3rd, I was discharged from hospital after 3.5 months due to to a bleed on the brain.I am far from well  still and have lots of work (exercises)  to do to to regain  my health,  which I hope to do in the coming months. I know it will be a hard slog.

My 2W 10m WSPR session over New Year was very successful with plenty of USA spots in the log. I hope to get back in the shack again soon.