One of the amazing things about the Magic Band (6m) is that for Es (sporadic-E) propagation, and I suspect for F-layer, almost any antenna will work. For years I have used just a V2000 VHF triband vertical with excellent results including the USA, Azores, North Africa, Ukraine and Israel worked with low power SSB/CW or spotted on WSPR. Polarisation often gets twisted so a beam is NOT needed.Yes, for tropo DXing a horizontal beam might well help but many GDX paths involve aircraft reflection where polarisation is also twisted.
A simple half wave vertical for 6m is at http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/schemas/on6mu_6meter_verticalantenna.htm .
29 May 2014
6m - May 29th
Later starting on 6m WSPR today - first transmission 1044z - although so far just G4IKZ (18km) spotting me at +9dB S/N, but I don't think I've missed any Es. Es usually peaks lunchtime and teatime.
Sunspot count is lower than of late at 72 with 20-30MHz propagation forecast to be "normal" whatever than means. I suspect that 10m will not be great for F-layer DX today, although with luck both 6m and 10m will be livened with Es propagation. I am also looking for GDX on 6m.
UPDATE 1107z: G4FFC (45km) spotted at -10dB S/N, a very decent consistent signal, when running 2W. There is just the smallest hint of Doppler (aircraft reflection) so I think this signal is pure tropo.
UPDATE 1510z: CN8LI (2113km) spotted my 1W ERP WSPR signal at 1328z for the first Es opening noted here today. 3 spots from him by 1428z.
UPDATE 2050z: A couple of 6m WSPR spots of Italians around teatime, otherwise quiet Es, with just local G4IKZ for 3 hours.
Sunspot count is lower than of late at 72 with 20-30MHz propagation forecast to be "normal" whatever than means. I suspect that 10m will not be great for F-layer DX today, although with luck both 6m and 10m will be livened with Es propagation. I am also looking for GDX on 6m.
UPDATE 1107z: G4FFC (45km) spotted at -10dB S/N, a very decent consistent signal, when running 2W. There is just the smallest hint of Doppler (aircraft reflection) so I think this signal is pure tropo.
UPDATE 1510z: CN8LI (2113km) spotted my 1W ERP WSPR signal at 1328z for the first Es opening noted here today. 3 spots from him by 1428z.
UPDATE 2050z: A couple of 6m WSPR spots of Italians around teatime, otherwise quiet Es, with just local G4IKZ for 3 hours.
28 May 2014
6m Es: good today
WSPRing on 6m got off to a good start with a three spots of SQ9SIM (1325km) around 1012z. G4IKZ is also spotting me well as usual over our 18km local path.
Sunspot count is 96 with "normal" 20-30MHz conditions. I shall probably stick on 6m , looking mainly for Es and GDX, but may go back to 10m if 6m is very very quiet. This week I have been spotted twice in South America (Brazil and Uruguay) on 10m WSPR with 2W.
So far, SQ9SIM has spotted my 6m 1W ERP weakly just once on WSPR at -29dB S/N.
UPDATE 1040z: Very strong spot from DK8NE (755km) just now of my 1W ERP on 6m. Looks like a good day for 6m Es.
UPDATE 1050z: G4ENZ (176km) in IO81vv being spotted quite well on 6m GDX. Doppler (2Hz) suggests aircraft reflection, at least on some transmissions?
UPDATE 1100z: 4X1RF (3519km) spotted my 6m 1W ERP at 1058z at a respectable -22dB S/N. Also, even more spots by German stations. This is a VERY good 6m day!
UPDATE 1230z: Es from SQ9, DL, F, I and 4X1 so far plus GDX. A good day so far on 6m QRP.
UPDATE 1620z: All quiet here this afternoon on 6m apart from 20+ spots from G4IKZ. Still amazed at spots from Israel - that is SOME distance on 6m, especially with 1W ERP from a small V2000 vertical.
UPDATE 1717z: At 1648z a surprise +3dB S/N spot from CN8LI (2113km) in Morocco of my 1W ERP 6m WSPR signal.
UPDATE 1945z: Quite a lot of spots now being exchanged with CN8LI (1830-1918z ish). 6m open in that direction.
Sunspot count is 96 with "normal" 20-30MHz conditions. I shall probably stick on 6m , looking mainly for Es and GDX, but may go back to 10m if 6m is very very quiet. This week I have been spotted twice in South America (Brazil and Uruguay) on 10m WSPR with 2W.
So far, SQ9SIM has spotted my 6m 1W ERP weakly just once on WSPR at -29dB S/N.
UPDATE 1040z: Very strong spot from DK8NE (755km) just now of my 1W ERP on 6m. Looks like a good day for 6m Es.
UPDATE 1050z: G4ENZ (176km) in IO81vv being spotted quite well on 6m GDX. Doppler (2Hz) suggests aircraft reflection, at least on some transmissions?
UPDATE 1100z: 4X1RF (3519km) spotted my 6m 1W ERP at 1058z at a respectable -22dB S/N. Also, even more spots by German stations. This is a VERY good 6m day!
UPDATE 1230z: Es from SQ9, DL, F, I and 4X1 so far plus GDX. A good day so far on 6m QRP.
UPDATE 1620z: All quiet here this afternoon on 6m apart from 20+ spots from G4IKZ. Still amazed at spots from Israel - that is SOME distance on 6m, especially with 1W ERP from a small V2000 vertical.
UPDATE 1717z: At 1648z a surprise +3dB S/N spot from CN8LI (2113km) in Morocco of my 1W ERP 6m WSPR signal.
UPDATE 1945z: Quite a lot of spots now being exchanged with CN8LI (1830-1918z ish). 6m open in that direction.
6m unique spots today |
27 May 2014
QSY to 10m WSPR
UPDATE 1700z: So far, only European Es on 10m today. I shall keep looking, but chances of South America or further, are now reducing.
UPDATE 1745z: Still just EU Es on 10m WSPR. Mainly, but not totally, in direction of Spain.
UPDATE 1830z: Sometime between 1736z and a few minutes ago my WSPR program just stopped working. I have reset the internet clock and restarted the WSPR software. No idea what I have missed, but my Win 8.1 PC wants to do this from time to time, for no apparent reason. It also lost 10m settings. It is working now and I am still being spotted by EA6URL. Still no real DX.
UPDATE 1915z: Still just EU Es on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 2000z: It was worth the wait: CX2ABP (11127km) in Montevideo spotted my 2W WSPR at 1946z. Real DX at last. Signal report was weak at -31dB S/N and I wonder if it was Es (to Spain) + F2 layer for the rest of the path? I wonder if there will be other South Americans later? There seems to be a distinct lack of South American stations on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 2145z: No more Es since 2004z. Going QRT shortly.
UPDATE 2215z: QRT.
Unique 10m WSPR spots today (to 1840z) |
472kHz transverter
It is always very satisfying to see when someone has taken one of my designs and taken it on to the next stage. In the case of M1GEO, he has made a PCB for a design based on my transverter. It looks so much better than my original! Dead bug build style is fine for "one offs" mind you.
See http://www.george-smart.co.uk/wiki/472_kHz_Transverter
It is quite a while since I was last on 472kHz. I really should try loading up the feeder to my 2m/70cm antenna to see how this performs.
See http://www.george-smart.co.uk/wiki/472_kHz_Transverter
It is quite a while since I was last on 472kHz. I really should try loading up the feeder to my 2m/70cm antenna to see how this performs.
Labels:
472khz,
transverter
Good start on 6m Es today
IK1WVQ was spotted at 0924z and I was spotted by OE1MSB (1220km) as early as 0824z on 6m WSPR. This is a promising start on 6m WSPR.
Sunspot count is 110 and 20-30MHz conditions described as "normal". This is of no relevance to 6m Es propagation (at least not directly), but suggests half decent DX conditions on 10m. I may QSY to 10m later for a change.
UPDATE 1210z: No more 6m Es here since 0928z. Got to be patient!
UPDATE 1420z: Still no more 6m Es here, so will probably QSY to 10m shortly. G4IKZ spotting me lots (a local).
Sunspot count is 110 and 20-30MHz conditions described as "normal". This is of no relevance to 6m Es propagation (at least not directly), but suggests half decent DX conditions on 10m. I may QSY to 10m later for a change.
UPDATE 1210z: No more 6m Es here since 0928z. Got to be patient!
UPDATE 1420z: Still no more 6m Es here, so will probably QSY to 10m shortly. G4IKZ spotting me lots (a local).
26 May 2014
QRP calling frequencies
Although currently I spend most of my time on WSPR or other digital modes (saves my voice - stroke) here is a list of QRP calling frequencies which may be useful.
See http://www.njqrp.org/data/qrp_freqs.html . It shows European frequencies as well as USA ones.
My usual technique with QRP is "listen and pounce". I rarely call CQ on QRP and find this the more successful approach. Often the other station has no idea I am using very low power.
See http://www.njqrp.org/data/qrp_freqs.html . It shows European frequencies as well as USA ones.
My usual technique with QRP is "listen and pounce". I rarely call CQ on QRP and find this the more successful approach. Often the other station has no idea I am using very low power.
Labels:
calling frequency,
qrp
6m Es today
At 1504z OE1MSB was being spotted here on 6m WSPR using 2W RF. So far, this is the first Es I have seen today. Maybe there will be others around teatime?
I am beginning to wonder if 4X1RF, who spotted me recently, was 6m by F-layer. He spotted me no less than 7 times that afternoon, but has not spotted me since, even once.
At 1542z and 1602z G4VXE (136km) was spotted by tropo (maybe some aircraft reflection?) - a good GDX distance - when Tim was using 5W. Tim spotted my 1W ERP at 1558z.
UPDATE 1750z: CN8LI (2113km) has just spotted me twice. Decent Es.
I am beginning to wonder if 4X1RF, who spotted me recently, was 6m by F-layer. He spotted me no less than 7 times that afternoon, but has not spotted me since, even once.
At 1542z and 1602z G4VXE (136km) was spotted by tropo (maybe some aircraft reflection?) - a good GDX distance - when Tim was using 5W. Tim spotted my 1W ERP at 1558z.
UPDATE 1750z: CN8LI (2113km) has just spotted me twice. Decent Es.
Full QTH locator
QTH locator (10m digit version) |
As an example, on the 25km path to G0LRD the error using 6 digits is around 1km. The actual path (using the full 10 digit locators at each end) is 26.516km. Sometimes the error is such that paths appear longer with 6 digits. It all depends on where in the 6 digit square one sits.
Labels:
qth locator
6m quiet so far today (to 1130z)
Just the usual local spots on 6m this morning- G4IKZ, G4KPX and GOLRD copied and no Es as yet. Sunspot count is 133 and 20-30MHz forecast is "normal" today.
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