Even more on 80m QRP - 15m baseline earth-electrode antenna

I decided to leave my 2W 80m WSPR station running a little longer and the tally has now jumped to 24 spots of my own signal and 45 spots of other stations. The earth-electrode antenna is no " also ran" - it performs well on both TX and RX.

OFCOM reply re: sub 8.3kHz and around 73kHz

A precis of the following is basically you need an NoV to operate below 8.3kHz and (maybe can get one for) low powered experiments around 73kHz with MoD aproval for 6 month periods. Above 3000GHz (e.g. optical) the wireless telegraphy act does NOT apply. Earth-mode or utilities assisted earth-mode (through the ground) can be used without a licence (is my reading) but not if signals are essentially radiated.  No real surprises.  "Spectrum Licensing
to me

Your ref: 1-641-1681

Dear Roger,

Thank you for your email and apologies for the delay in responding.

There is no lower limit for the definition of ‘wireless telegraphy’ in the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, only an upper limit* and we unaware of any order changing that. Transmissions below 8.3 kHz would still be covered by the WT Act and would need the relevant authorisation, even if there is no Allocation available in the UK FAT.  As you are most likely wanting to do this under the authorisation of your amateur radio licence, you would need to apply for a variation.

Unfortunately, the UK amateur radio licence does not authorise use of 73 kHz and we do not note it in any relevant exemption regulations, such as The Wireless Telegraphy (Testing and Development Under Suppressed Radiation Conditions) (Exemption) Regulations 1989. So any intended operation(s) would also have to be the subject of a variation.

If you wish to approach Ofcom for a NoV we would need you to provide as much information as possible. Information required would be things like radiated power, frequency, bandwidth, antenna type, height, NGR, whether directional (and, if so, direction), elevation, class of emission and purpose of use. We may be able offer a variation, but initially this would likely be for a temporary period e.g. six months. However, there is no guarantee that we can authorise this use.  We also note that the 73 kHz band is UK2 and that means prior approval from the MoD would need to be sought. 

*“116     “Wireless telegraphy”.

(1)        In this Act “wireless telegraphy” means the emitting or receiving, over paths that are not provided by any material substance constructed or arranged for the purpose, of energy to which subsection (2) applies. .

(2)        This subsection applies to electromagnetic energy of a frequency not exceeding 3,000 gigahertz that— .

(a)        serves for conveying messages, sound or visual images (whether or not the messages, sound or images are actually received by anyone), or for operating or controlling machinery or apparatus; or .

(b)        is used in connection with determining position, bearing or distance, or for gaining information as to the presence, absence, position or motion of an object or of a class of objects. .

(3)        The Secretary of State may by order modify the definition of “wireless telegraphy” by substituting a different frequency for the frequency that is for the time being specified in subsection (2). .

(4)        No order is to be made containing provision authorised by subsection (3) unless a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House”

We hope the above information helps.

Regards

Ash

:: Ash Gohil

   Team Leader

  Spectrum Licensing

  Spectrum Operations

  020 7783 4425

  ash.gohil@ofcom.org.uk

:: Ofcom

    Riverside House

   2a Southwark Bridge Road

   London SE1 9HA

   www.ofcom.org.uk

"

Great success -80m WSPR with15m earth-electrodes

Last evening and overnight I left the 80m WSPR running using just the 15m E-W earth-electrode "antenna" and was well rewarded: best reception (here) was of a Canadian station and the best report of my own 2W was from Finland. In all, I received 20 unique spots in 9 countries with my best DX report from OH6GAP at 1852km. Reports are rarely what I would call marginal ones too.

80m 2W TX WSPR spots with 15m baseline E-W earth-electrode antenna

On RX here, I spotted 34 unique stations in 12 countries with best DX VA3SK (running 2W from FN06jf) at 5514km. A decent distance on 80m.

The antenna certainly works OK on 80m as well as 630m. Next try will be on 160m, probably starting after lunchtime today.

80m WSPR with 15m earth-electrode "antenna"

Since lunchtime, I have been using the 15m E-W earth-electrode "antenna" on 80m.  On RX it has netted me 17 unique spots with best DX OH8GKP in Finland at 1994km.  With 2W on TX best DX so far is OZ7IT at 853km. The antenna current with 2W RF from the FT817 is lower than on 474.2kHz. This is the status at 1925z.

80m WSPR unique RX spots using 15m E-W earth-electrode "antenna"

27 spots on 474.2kHz QRPP TX with15m earth-electrodes

After about 10 days, my total number of spots received has risen to 27 now with best DX report still from F1JBB in SW France. On RX I have copied EA, I and LA as best DX and loads and loads of stations. ERP 5-10-mW.  Performance  is at least as good as on the 20m spaced electrodes at the old QTH.

27 WSPR spots with 10mW ERP and 15m spaced earth-electrodes

Time now to concentrate on another band with the earth-electrodes? 160m is the next obvious choice.

OFCOM - are they ALL automatoms?

Having now contacted OFCOM very many times in the last month I am getting heartily fed-up with the auto-response email system advising me to wait 5 days for a reply. So far, it is more like 5 WEEKS and I have still to hear from a single human being as opposed to that damn machine!  You may recall my inquiries related to sub-8.3kHz operation and operating with very low power around 73kHz and both queries should require straightforward quick answers.

They really must be understaffed, or is it just that unlicenced stuff (i.e. no income stuff) automatically goes to the bottom of the piles? Personally, I am less than impressed.

At current rate of progress I am getting inclined to TX on ANY frequency as I doubt ANYONE at OFCOM is actually bothered unless anyone happened to complain. And I am one who likes to keep to the law!

Based on OFCOM's total lack of interest I assume sub-8.3kHz can be used freely in the UK. Surely they would have screamed," NO, NO WAY!", long ago if they had a serious issue? I do wish they would reply unambiguously, and soon.

Stroke progress

After several days when, frankly, I felt I was going backwards, this morning I awoke free from sickness and nausea and feeling quite a bit better. So far, I have chosen to take no pills at all. I still feel a lot better, still wobbly on my feet but 50% of my old normal self rather than 45%. For the first time in many weeks I feel a full recovery will come given time.

UPDATE 1730z:  Downhill after lunch. Drinking coffee (especially) and tea seem to be more problematic than they should be , even with thickener added. I felt worse again this afternoon, and after SUCH a promising start today. 

26 uniques on 474.2kHz

25 uniques on 474.2kHz WSPR with15m baseline E-W earth-electrode antenna and 5-10mW ERP

The total number of unique spots of my 5-10mW ERP 474.2kHz WSPR signal from the E-W 15m baseline earth-electrode antenna has now reached 26 stations with best DX last night of F1JBB way down in SW France, Nr Santes, at 722km. Since this table was created G4NRG has spotted me for spot no.26 at 58km.

I'll leave things running overnight tonight.  The earth-electrode antenna does not show pronounced directionality, which is a bit puzzling as it throws into doubt the "loop in the ground" theory. I would have expected reports from N-S to have been much weaker than E-W directions.

The ~15m baseline earth-electrode antenna has now exceeded ALL my expectations for it with DX reception at least as good as with the 20m baseline earth-electrode antenna at the old QTH.

Back on 472kHz

I have decided to go back onto 472kHz WSPR TX (and RX) with the 15m baseline earth-electrode antenna. Already I am getting spots from the usual UK local and semi-local (101km) stations. I shall leave the system running through the night in the hope of increasing the total number of unique spots of my signals to greater than 22.  On RX I think I need a preamp with the earth-electrode antenna as signals are weaker than with the PAR antenna "in the air".

2nd FT817 and a Z817 auto-tuner

 After a lot of consideration, this week I purchased a second FT817 (this time an FT817ND) as well as the LDG Z817 auto-tuner. One thing  to bear in mind is the Z817 is no longer supplied with a 0.5m long coaxial RF patch lead. It comes with the CAT cable only.

Current operating position with 2 x FT817s and a Z817 auto-ATU

My FT817ND has been widebanded so it covers 5MHz and I went on that band for the first time today and was spotted on WSPR in Holland with 1W to a totally non-resonant antenna matched with the Z817.

I must say from a QRP base station point of view the Z817 is a neater, and much cheaper, ATU solution. It matches the Par 10/20/40 end-fed on most bands and seems to do as good a job as the Elecraft T1, which I need to repair as it is intermittent.

The second FT817 means I can WSPR on one band and operate on another band at the same time. As I  have just bought the OLD version, you can be sure now that Yaesu will showcase a NEW version of the FT817 next month! Martin Lynch and Sons were very easy to deal with and thoroughly helpful suppliers. I can recommend them.

No stateside DX on 10m today but just exchanged spots with CX2ABP at 11127km on 10m with the new kit.