9 Jul 2014
9H5G on 6m WSPR
Most of the day I've been out, with rigs and antennas disconnected. Since getting home again just after 1520z, I've been on 6m WSPR and see I've been spotted by 9H5G (2116km) by Es. I am amazed this is just a tiny bit further than Morocco from here. Also spotting me is local G4IKZ (18km).
Early morning on 10m WSPR
Overnight, I was on 10m rather than 6m hoping to catch any early morning and overnight activity. FR1GZ (9724km) was spotted very early at 0554z on Reunion Island in the southern Indian Ocean. My QRP WSPR signal has (so far) been spotted on Es by Scandinavian stations.
Sunspot count today is 209 (good) with blackouts and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". The early morning appearance of FR1GZ proves there is N-S F2 propagation around on 10m. This remains my favourite band. Of course, with high sunspot numbers and stable HF conditions it is a very good band. In the quiet years things get MUCH harder on 10m.
There was also GDX around on 10m with G8JNJ/A (184km) and G6NHU (78km) spotted during the night.
In the last few minutes, IK1WVQ has been spotted.
Sunspot count today is 209 (good) with blackouts and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". The early morning appearance of FR1GZ proves there is N-S F2 propagation around on 10m. This remains my favourite band. Of course, with high sunspot numbers and stable HF conditions it is a very good band. In the quiet years things get MUCH harder on 10m.
There was also GDX around on 10m with G8JNJ/A (184km) and G6NHU (78km) spotted during the night.
In the last few minutes, IK1WVQ has been spotted.
8 Jul 2014
70cm contest
Having missed VHF NFD at the weekend (I forgot and we had a visitor) I went on the 70cm UK activity contest from home this evening with 5W and the hand-rotated 5 el beam. Conditions were very flat but best DX was 183km. After 10 QSOs I had to stop because of my voice was so poor.
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| 70cm - stations worked with 5W and 5 el |
VC1T copied in the UK on 2m
If you can access the ARRL pages see http://www.arrl.org/news/view/brendan-quest-team-s-2-meter-signal-copied-in-the-uk .
G4SWX copied the Canadian group VC1T for 4 hours, but was unable to complete a 2-way QSO. The Canadian's ERP was around 150kW from a beam 100 foot long. The mode was FSK441 and this was on July 6th 2014. A 2m 2-way terrestrial QSO will happen across the Atlantic sometime, maybe this summer?
My thanks again to Steve G1KQH for this news.
G4SWX copied the Canadian group VC1T for 4 hours, but was unable to complete a 2-way QSO. The Canadian's ERP was around 150kW from a beam 100 foot long. The mode was FSK441 and this was on July 6th 2014. A 2m 2-way terrestrial QSO will happen across the Atlantic sometime, maybe this summer?
My thanks again to Steve G1KQH for this news.
Ultimate 3 kit build
I thought my hands and eyes were good enough to make a start on this kit, which I have only just unpacked, having had it for months. I was waiting until I was less clumsy. When built, this will make a really useful WSPR beacon.
The packing is wrong as I had asked for a GPS module, which is missing, but there is a surplus relay board in the box. I was very careful unpacking the kit. and have left in packets those parts not yet needed. Some are anti-static.
Sadly, my eyes and hands are not really good enough: I started on the 10m LPF PCB and, frankly, this was a real struggle both for my eyes and hands. Tomorrow I shall test this with my generator and 50 ohm load.
Two people have very kindly offered their help building the kit. I fear I shall have to admit defeat and ask them to help me. This is a great pity as I was so hoping I'd be fit enough to build this. Sadly, this seems unlikely any time soon. My stroke is taking its toll on my abilities. WSPR is OK, but I am struggling with building still. Talking in tonight's contest will be hard.
The packing is wrong as I had asked for a GPS module, which is missing, but there is a surplus relay board in the box. I was very careful unpacking the kit. and have left in packets those parts not yet needed. Some are anti-static.
Sadly, my eyes and hands are not really good enough: I started on the 10m LPF PCB and, frankly, this was a real struggle both for my eyes and hands. Tomorrow I shall test this with my generator and 50 ohm load.
Two people have very kindly offered their help building the kit. I fear I shall have to admit defeat and ask them to help me. This is a great pity as I was so hoping I'd be fit enough to build this. Sadly, this seems unlikely any time soon. My stroke is taking its toll on my abilities. WSPR is OK, but I am struggling with building still. Talking in tonight's contest will be hard.
6m WSPR and 70cm UKAC
So far today, 6m WSPR is running to form: most spots are from local and semi-locals, a smattering of Es (but nothing like the Es on 10m) and no "super-DX" to be seen here. If I QSY back down to 10m I am almost guaranteed S.American F2 propagation, but "sod's law" says I'll miss a stronking great big opening to the Caribbean on 6m. I am bound to do the wrong thing! For now , I plan to stay on 6m. We'll see.
This evening is the 70cm UK activity contest. I plan to operate for the first hour or so, as long as my voice holds - I am not good at SSB contests because of my stroke damaged voice - it is really hard work. About 10 QSOs is my very limit. At least I can WSPR on 6m at the same time as I use different rigs and antennas (both FT817s). WSPR saves my voice.
This evening is the 70cm UK activity contest. I plan to operate for the first hour or so, as long as my voice holds - I am not good at SSB contests because of my stroke damaged voice - it is really hard work. About 10 QSOs is my very limit. At least I can WSPR on 6m at the same time as I use different rigs and antennas (both FT817s). WSPR saves my voice.
Another Pixie
Yet another variation on the Pixie arrived by email today from Sverre Holm in Norway who has LM386 mods to reduce BCI, provide mute and add sidetone.
See http://la3za.blogspot.no/2003/04/using-pin-7-of-lm386-to-reduce-bci-and.html .
This looks a very useful mod to this simplest of circuits. Sverre also added a much wider tuning range that helps to get contacts. Low power does not seem to be the main handicap.
See http://la3za.blogspot.no/2003/04/using-pin-7-of-lm386-to-reduce-bci-and.html .
This looks a very useful mod to this simplest of circuits. Sverre also added a much wider tuning range that helps to get contacts. Low power does not seem to be the main handicap.
6m WSPR
After a very brief spell on 10m WSPR before 0808z, I QSYed back to 6m WSPR very early today. 10m was very busy with Es coming through from right across Europe.
On 6m, in the early morning, a couple of Germans were spotting my 1W ERP WSPR signal, but since then just locals and semi-locals.
On 6m, in the early morning, a couple of Germans were spotting my 1W ERP WSPR signal, but since then just locals and semi-locals.
7 Jul 2014
10m tomorrow?
Tomorrow morning, I think I am going to take a look on 10m WSPR rather than 6m. I may go on to 6m lunchtime onwards. 6m (apart from some Es, GDX and locals) seems pretty quiet. Later in the day there is still a chance of some super-DX across the Atlantic, but I'm not holding my breath!
Polyakov Pixie
Peter DL3PB has sent details of his version of the Pixie transceiver. He claims no broadcast breakthrough by using this configuration and lots of QSOs.
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| Peter DL2PB's Polyakov Pixie |
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