Since around 1500z I QSYed back to 6m from 10m. 6m activity levels from DX stations are still disappointingly low: only last evening PE4BAS was working WP4 (Caribbean) with just an FT817ND (QRP) and V2000 vertical using JT65 digital mode. See http://pe4bas.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/magic-on-magic-band.html .
At the moment WSPR is not the best mode to get DX, which is a great pity, as it is probably the mode that works best with very weak signals.
Since 1500z only G4IKZ (18km) and G0OQK (98km) spotting me on 6m WSPR. No sign of any Es.
UPDATE 1855z: a short while ago G6AVK was spotting me at -26dB S/N at 78km. Still no Es here.
UPDATE 1900z: Sunspot count is 87 and 20-30MHz propagation forecast now only "fair". It was "normal" earlier in the day, so conditions for HF F2-layer propagation have deteriorated.
18 Jun 2014
New Chinese multi-mode HF rig - Xiegu X108
Steve, G1KQH has sent this link about a new Chinese multi-mode transceiver. See http://www.brickolore.com/ . Prices start at 2800 Yuan apparently. It is called the Xiegu X108. There is a video and some pictures of the rig.
To my mind, this still looks like a "back shed" radio, rather than a mature, well engineered and thoroughly well tested radio. I may be wrong. I am still waiting to see when the Chinese launch a proper Yaesu or Icom competitor. These will come but I've not seen one yet. Maybe in the next 12 months?
To my mind, this still looks like a "back shed" radio, rather than a mature, well engineered and thoroughly well tested radio. I may be wrong. I am still waiting to see when the Chinese launch a proper Yaesu or Icom competitor. These will come but I've not seen one yet. Maybe in the next 12 months?
10m WSPRing again
In view of the poor level of DX activity on 6m WSPR, I have started today on 10m. Near immediate success with 3 spots of OE6PWD (1230km) around 0900z. This is clearly Es. Looking at my spots, I think I caught the tail end of an Es opening (reports are getting worse over time).
Sunspot count today is 87 and 20-30MHz conditions are "normal", so we may see some long distance F2-layer propagation on 10m. May try 6m later, if some DX stations (esp. USA and Canada) are active. Otherwise I'll stay on 10m.
FR1GZ (9724km) was spotted at 0922z for the first signs of F2 propagation. The band is clearly open N-S for real DX.
UPDATE 1411z: FR1GZ has spotted me a couple of times and he has been a consistent F2-layer signal all day with around 13 spots in the log today. OH6GKW (1839km) is now being spotted on Es.
Sunspot count today is 87 and 20-30MHz conditions are "normal", so we may see some long distance F2-layer propagation on 10m. May try 6m later, if some DX stations (esp. USA and Canada) are active. Otherwise I'll stay on 10m.
FR1GZ (9724km) was spotted at 0922z for the first signs of F2 propagation. The band is clearly open N-S for real DX.
UPDATE 1411z: FR1GZ has spotted me a couple of times and he has been a consistent F2-layer signal all day with around 13 spots in the log today. OH6GKW (1839km) is now being spotted on Es.
17 Jun 2014
6m - all quiet here at 2015z
It is now 2015z and 6m WSPR has only been good for locals and GDX here today.
I hear 6m was open to South and Central America earlier (but this was NOT the case on WSPR - no stations active!) and there have been transatlantic openings on SSB/CW. In the past (summer 2007) I have worked the USA on 6m real QRP CW, but I'd really like to spot, or be spotted by, USA or Canadians on 6m WSPR this season. As mentioned before, power is unlikely to be the issue. The main issue will be active WSPR stations in the USA and Canada.
I hear 6m was open to South and Central America earlier (but this was NOT the case on WSPR - no stations active!) and there have been transatlantic openings on SSB/CW. In the past (summer 2007) I have worked the USA on 6m real QRP CW, but I'd really like to spot, or be spotted by, USA or Canadians on 6m WSPR this season. As mentioned before, power is unlikely to be the issue. The main issue will be active WSPR stations in the USA and Canada.
Super DX on 6m WSPR - a lost cause?
Yet again, there are ZERO stations active on 6m WSPR in the north eastern USA and eastern Canada. There have been decent 6m transatlantic openings on 6m today but without participating WSPR stations WSPR is a dead loss!! I shall give 6m WSPR a few more days before I give it up in disgust.
6m WSPR should be the ideal mode to seek out such openings but only if stations bother to use the mode. Please, please give it a try if you are on the east coast of the USA and Canada.
Set to 50.293MHz USB dial.
6m WSPR should be the ideal mode to seek out such openings but only if stations bother to use the mode. Please, please give it a try if you are on the east coast of the USA and Canada.
Set to 50.293MHz USB dial.
Ten-Tec Argonaut VI
See http://www.tentec.com/argonaut-vi-qrp-1-10-watt-transceiver/
Despite missing some key bands, all reports are this is a very good QRP radio from Ten-Tec. However at $995 in the USA (similar in £ in the UK with import duty and VAT tax) it is simply too expensive to ever consider.
All I can say is are Ten-Tec in financial trouble? The true market price here in the UK must be less than £700, so they are about £300 adrift in my estimation.
Even in the USA $995 for a rig with no 60m, no 12m and no 6m is way over the top. Just compare with the FT817ND for example. Even the Elecraft KX3 is much better value, in my view.
Views?
Despite missing some key bands, all reports are this is a very good QRP radio from Ten-Tec. However at $995 in the USA (similar in £ in the UK with import duty and VAT tax) it is simply too expensive to ever consider.
All I can say is are Ten-Tec in financial trouble? The true market price here in the UK must be less than £700, so they are about £300 adrift in my estimation.
Even in the USA $995 for a rig with no 60m, no 12m and no 6m is way over the top. Just compare with the FT817ND for example. Even the Elecraft KX3 is much better value, in my view.
Views?
6m GDX today
G8JNJ/A (184km) and G0OQK (98km) were both spotting my 6m 1W ERP this morning and I have just spotted G4HBA (189km) on 6m WSPR. G4HBA's spots (several now) are with a fair bit of Doppler, so I am sure aircraft reflection is involved over this longish GDX path. G4HBA is using 10W.
No Es seen here on 6m so far today, but it is early still with Es peaks around lunch and teatimes usual.
UPDATE 1225z: No 6m Es here this lunchtime, at least not yet.
UPDATE 1246z: Still no Es today here on 6m. All seems very quiet with just GDX (9 spots of G4HBA so far today).
UPDATE 1945z: Still no 6m Es here today. Unless things change later this evening, I think that is it for the day - just GDX.
Apparently there have been good transatlantic openings on 6m today. But where are the USA/Canadian WSPRers?
UPDATE 2130z: Still no 6m Es here today. Will reset the internet sync'ed PC clock but not really expecting Es now, but on the "magic band" it is possible.
No Es seen here on 6m so far today, but it is early still with Es peaks around lunch and teatimes usual.
UPDATE 1225z: No 6m Es here this lunchtime, at least not yet.
UPDATE 1246z: Still no Es today here on 6m. All seems very quiet with just GDX (9 spots of G4HBA so far today).
UPDATE 1945z: Still no 6m Es here today. Unless things change later this evening, I think that is it for the day - just GDX.
Apparently there have been good transatlantic openings on 6m today. But where are the USA/Canadian WSPRers?
UPDATE 2130z: Still no 6m Es here today. Will reset the internet sync'ed PC clock but not really expecting Es now, but on the "magic band" it is possible.
Back to 6m WSPR
10m is becoming too easy: there was Es from early hours today, so I have decided to move back up to 6m again today. There will be no F2, just GDX and (hopefully) some Es propagation. As yet, just G4IKZ (18km) is spotting me at the usual strong level (+10dB S/N). Not sure if it is -1 to -2Hz Doppler (aircraft reflection) on my signal or just warm-up drift.
Early still: anything is possible on the "magic band".
Early still: anything is possible on the "magic band".
16 Jun 2014
10m Es - more and more
It is now 2015z and on 10m the Es keeps on coming. This is a good, solid and widespread Es opening.
UPDATE 2110z: 10m Es still going strong a few minutes ago.
UPDATE 2145z: Es seemed to have stopped (here) at about 2100z. Oh no it didn't! IK1WVQ was spotted at 2134z and 2142z.. HB9JOI spotted me at 2138z. The Es is still going strong.
UPDATE 2220z: Although Es has been good on 10m all day and F2 was good to FR1GZ earlier, there has been no F2 to South America on 10m WSPR at least not yet. This was surprising. EB3EPR is still spotting me at 2218z.
UPDATE 2232z: Bed time, but 10m WSPR still running overnight, unless the PC does an update and closes the software again!
 |
| Recent 10m WSPR spots this evening |
UPDATE 2145z: Es seemed to have stopped (here) at about 2100z. Oh no it didn't! IK1WVQ was spotted at 2134z and 2142z.. HB9JOI spotted me at 2138z. The Es is still going strong.
UPDATE 2220z: Although Es has been good on 10m all day and F2 was good to FR1GZ earlier, there has been no F2 to South America on 10m WSPR at least not yet. This was surprising. EB3EPR is still spotting me at 2218z.
UPDATE 2232z: Bed time, but 10m WSPR still running overnight, unless the PC does an update and closes the software again!
DK6UG, DC3RJ and EA1KV by Es on 10m WSPR
As teatime continues, yet more Es 10m propagation is evident.
DC3RJ (817km) is the latest who spotted me at 1754z. Earlier EB3EPR (1248km) spotted me twice. Now EA1KV (1304km) and DK6UG are spotting me at 1806z.
Some weeks ago I was questioning the propagation to a GM reporter on 6m, but realise now the distance is comparable with parts of Germany, so an easy Es single hop.
UPDATE 1840Z: HB3YHB (793km) was spotted at 1838z on 10m WSPR.
DC3RJ (817km) is the latest who spotted me at 1754z. Earlier EB3EPR (1248km) spotted me twice. Now EA1KV (1304km) and DK6UG are spotting me at 1806z.
Some weeks ago I was questioning the propagation to a GM reporter on 6m, but realise now the distance is comparable with parts of Germany, so an easy Es single hop.
UPDATE 1840Z: HB3YHB (793km) was spotted at 1838z on 10m WSPR.
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