Sunspots today

Sunspot numbers are down a bit at 92 (disturbed) and 20-30MHz forecast is just "fair". I think it is unlikely we'll see F2 propagation on 10m today, but you never know on 10m.

Yet again, there seem to be few stations at F2 ranges active on 10m WSPR today. At the time of writing (1302z) there are 32 stations active worldwide on 10m WSPR. FR1GZ is on and he is at classic F2 range.

472kHz WSPR - more on the earth-electrode antenna

Overnight I continued using the earth-electrode antenna on 472kHz. I don't think it is any better than the short Marconi, but it certainly works pretty well, even with a short baseline of less than 15m.

Unique 472kHz WSPR spots this summer on TX

The number of unique spots of my 472kHz WSPR signal has now reached 15 and I have spotted 19 unique stations with my best DX being DH5RAE (995km) using the earth-electrode antenna last night.

Unique 472kHz WSPR spots this summer on RX

The earth-electrode antenna seems far more directional. Several stations orthogonal to the system did NOT copy me (or me them) overnight.

ERPs on 472kHz

I am pretty confident of my "just less than 5mW ERP" on 472kHz (with the very short Marconi) and am a bit suspicious of the claimed ERPs of some stations,, which, judging by the reports exchanged, may be lower than some people think. I think a lot more stations are less than 500mW ERP than they think. Perhaps losses are much higher than they think?

472kHz - earth electrode antenna

Since about 1930z I have been using the (short) earth-electrode antenna on 472kHz.  Baseline is at most 15m, probably less and it runs roughly E-W.  On RX I am seeing F5WK (436km) for the first time and reports exchanged (both ways) with G3WCB (101km) seem to be slightly stronger. Semi-local G0LRD (25km) is spotting me at much the same strength.  PA3ABK/2 is similar on the earth-electrode antenna and the Marconi.   I have yet to spot or be spotted by other stations.

I am matching the loop with a tapped 3C90 transformer and a few turns on a 110mm diameter former, although the Q is so low that this coil is probably not necessary. Antenna current is about 0.4 that with the "short" Marconi vertical. It is probably acting as a loop and I have still to try to work out the ERP.  At this QTH, the earth-electrode antenna looks like a higher resistance than at the old QTH, hence the need for a step-up transformer between transverter and "antenna". At some point, when fit again, I want to try a longer baseline earth electrode antenna and a better Marconi vertical. When fit again - oh please!

I suspect the earth-electrode antenna to be directional, so in some directions it may be better and others worse than the Marconi.  I'll leave it running overnight to see how results compare with the very short Marconi. I suspect results will be worse overall on the earth-electrode antenna, but I may be surprised.

Sunspots today

Sunspot count today is 111 and the 20-30MHz propagation forecast is "normal".

No F2 DX was seen when I was monitoring 28.078MHz JT9-1 all afternoon, although I would expect there to have been F2 propagation on 10m. V53ARC was copied in by CT1JTQ in Portugal on WSPR several times, but not further north as far as I know.

472kHz WSPR this afternoon

After an afternoon monitoring JT9-1 on 10m this afternoon, I have returned to 472kHz WSPR.  To my surprise, at the time I switched on I find I am the only station in the world transmitting on 472kHz WSPR.  Hopefully, this will soon change. G0LRD has already spotted me though.

UPDATE 1605z: Still the only station TXing WSPR on the band but there are now 9 stations monitoring (was 7).

UPDATE 1611z:   Still just me on TX and now only 3 stations monitoring.

UPDATE 1636z:   Just spots from G0LRD so far.

UPDATE 1655z: All spots so far from G0LRD (25km) and I am still the only European TXing on 472kHz at this time.  Maybe more will appear after tea when people get back from work?

UPDATE 1730z:   M0PPP has now spotted me 3 times too. Now 3 Europeans on WSPR TX with 16 stations active (TX and monitoring).

Digital modes this morning

This morning I have been using digital modes JT65 and JT9-1.

I did see one station on JT9-1 on 10m but it did not decode, so I have been on 20m where I've had some success, albeit around Europe.  As well as using WSJTX for QSOs, I'm also monitoring who is copying me with PSK Reporter on JT65 and JT9-1 modes. So far, I have just been seen around Europe today.

So far, solid 5W QSOs with EA7AH (JT9-1) and IW4DBY (JT65) both on 20m.  Presently, I am monitoring 10m JT9-1 but no stations received here over lunchtime.

I may go back to 10m WSPR shortly.

472kHz WSPR "uniques"

472kHz unique stations reporting me this summer so far on WSPR.

My "scores" have now gone up to 16 unique station WSPR reports given and 14 unique station WSPR reports received so far this summer. The latest was Richard G4KPX on both 472kHz WSPR RX and TX.  He is a local (14km) and I thought he'd already seen me on 472kHz, but this must have been on 10m. Richard uses an indoor 472kHz loop on both RX and TX and 1mW ERP. There are some decent ranges here on both TX and RX.  GM4SLV must have a nice low noise RX set-up as he misses very little.

472kHz unique stations copied on WSPR so far this summer.

JT65 and JT9-1

Tomorrow, I may give these modes a better go. In recent days I have reverted to WSPR (which I can monitor in the lounge) but feel the urge for more 2-way QSOs, which is very hard on SSB and CW currently as a result of my stroke.  Hopefully my normal voice will gradually return.  At the moment speaking is very tiring as I get breathless. and forming words is hard going.   CW is also not so easy.  JT65 and JT9-1 are perhaps the best 2-way modes for me right now. They require limited keyboard skills which I can manage.

472kHz WSPR - early evening

Since returning from our younger son and family in Kent, I have turned on 472kHz WSPR both TX and RX. Just some of the regulars on. Otherwise pretty quiet this evening. These are the spots in the first 40 minutes or so.

Early evening on 472kHz WSPR