SM7UCZ QRP projects

Dom M1KTA's blog mentioned a simple 160m AM transmitter on SM7UCZ's website. Looking at SM7UCZ's website I see there are lots of ideas there. Be sure to use Google to translate into English.

Interferer to 10m WSPR

David G0LRD is seeing the same interferer that I am. Looks like it is coming in from some distance perhaps by Es.

Hi Roger,
The interferer in the 10m WSPR segment came back again this evening. It's rather odd. It is a very stable carrier modulated at about 0.0875Hz (7 tones every 80 seconds). It exhibits signs of long-distance propagation (fading, no doppler). The frequency of the pulsed carrier is precisely 28.126031 Hz.

It is rather annoying - I hope it doesn't persist.

David G0LRD

Enforced QRT

As my younger granddaughter (2) is now occupying a cot in my shack, I have been forced to go QRT for the night. This is much earlier than I would normally close down, but I have no choice. They are staying 3 nights, so it will be the same situation until Wednesday night. I should still be able operate WSPR during the daytime.

Before going QRT on 10m WSPR, most stations copied were locals with a smattering of Eu Es.  I may be missing South Americans this evening by N-S F2. I shall have to check WSPRnet.org to see what I'm missing on 10m and 6m.

There are storms currently over Belgium that may reach the UK later.  I think we will miss them here in Burwell though. See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en .

My last 10m WSPR report was from G4KPX (14km) at 1750z at -14dB S/N.

6m seems to be open with Es from across the continent, according to WSPRnet.org, but I don't seem to be missing any intercontinental DX. On 10m HS1 was being copied in EA on WSPR and LU in W2.

No F2 today (yet)

Today has surprised me: not a single F2 signal yet copied on 10m so far. It is now around 1650z.  Sunspot count is quite good and 20-30MHz conditions suggested that N-S F2 would be possible. It may just be there were no stations active on WSPR in the right areas today.

There are now more USA stations (east coast) on 10m WSPR, which is encouraging.

Yet more 10m Es transatlantic!

This morning around 1100z KZ8C (6290km) in EM88 square was spotted for the 8th time (I think) this Es season. I think this is the earliest time in the day I have copied 10m Es transatlantic. It means the USA station was on very early local time.

UPDATE 1611z:  CT1PT (1685km) was spotted on 10m WSPR at 1604z.

UPDATE 1613z:  PD0OHW (459km) was copied mid afternoon. I think this was by Es. All storms seem to be well away from the UK currently. See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . Sadly I must go QRT early this evening because of guests, not because of storms.

10m unique WSPR spots so far today

Current set-up for WSPR, JT65 and JT9-1

This is a photo of the kit currently used. The top FT817ND is used mainly for 2m and 70cms (local FM net, SSB and CW, beacon hunting) and the lower FT817 for WSPR, JT65 and JT9-1 mainly on 6m and 10m. The lower rig is set at 2.5W, but the cable run to the V2000 vertical is lossy on 6m. I use a SignaLink USB audio interface to the PC.  This works well. For all digital modes I use the FT817 on DIG setting via the rear connector.   Sometimes I use the Z817 ATU, which I find very good. With this, I can get onto 5MHz and some other bands.

Best DX (on WSPR) is Australia at 1W out on 40, 20 and 10m and Israel on 6m WSPR (1W ERP).

Not shown (on shelf above) is the 472kHz homebrew transverter, the 15m MFJ Cub and the Mizuho 200mW 2m SSB rig. Also out of sight are a 136kHz beacon, the 2m Fredbox, the 6m Sixbox, the VLF 8-9kHz beacon, and optical rigs. I am waiting for better health to be able to use these again. Currently my operating is all from home and mainly modes not requiring me to talk, although I have ventured onto our Monday night FM net and the odd 2m and 70cm contest.

10m WSPR - early Sunday

10m WSPR was turned on quite early today and the band is already lively with EU Es signals (LB, I and EA). I shall stay on 10m all day all being well, but may have to close early this evening if the shack is being used as a bedroom for our granddaughter.

There is a local (?) interferer low down in the WSPR sub-band pulsing on and off every 5 seconds or so - any idea what this is? It does not seem to be doing anything bad to decodes,which is a relief. It was there last night too I noticed.

Sunspot count today is 178 (good) with blackouts. 20-30MHz forecast is "normal". I'd expect N-S F2 today on 10m.

UPDATE 1045z:  No 10m F2 propagation seen yet.

6m - QRT soon

After over 4 hours now with just reports from local G4IKZ, I think I shall go QRT soon.  I'll leave the kit running WSPR until bedtime, then disconnect and switch everything off. Knowing my luck, 6m WSPR will then open strongly to the USA!

UPDATE 2110z:  Eventually, after 5 hours G6AVK (78km) spots my 1W ERP on 6m as well as G4IKZ (18km).

UPDATE 2220z:  Now going QRT.

Nevada deal on Alinco DR-135UK 28MHz transceiver

Steve G1KQH has found a good deal!

This 28MHz transceiver is available for £159.95 from Nevada. It looks like a useful rig at a good price. No doubt a few wire cuts will allow full CB coverage (illegally) for those who desire this.

http://images.nevadaradio.co.uk/large/alinco2/DR135UK-Banner3.jpg

Back on 6m WSPR at 1604z

Now gone back to 6m WSPR. So far, just being seen strongly by local G4IKZ (18km). No GDX or Es seen yet.

There is a storm coming this way from the Gloucester area but it will be a few hours yet and might miss us? See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . Currently it is over the Milton Keynes area. and seems to be tracking E/SE-wards.

UPDATE 1710z: The storm is moving NE. It may get us after all. Currently it is in Northamptonshire. We'll see soon where it goes next.

UPDATE  1727z: Still just G4IKZ (18km) spotting me.  No Es, no GDX seen here on 6m WSPR (yet). Will abort proceedings if the storm gets dangerously close.

UPDATE 1807z:  The storm appears to be fading away before it gets here. Good. This means I can stay on 6m WSPR for longer. So far, there is distinct lack of Es DX being seen by any reporters.

The ONLY 6m WSPR spots here in the last 2 hours - local G4IKZ

UPDATE 1820z:  Still no DX on 6m. Storm HAS died out.

UPDATE 1922z:   Still no 6m DX. The storm over the North Sea is now moving south and there is lightning at Cromer. Watching this carefully in case it comes our way tonight.