Now on 472kHz WSPR

At about 2010z I QSYed down to 630m (472kHz) from 10m. The first unique WSPR spots (given and received) this evening to 2230z are shown below. I run 5mW ERP on TX on 472kHz.

UPDATE 2110z: GW0EZY (251km) has been spotting me this evening and reports seem to be coming up.

UPDATE 2220z:   F6CNI (418km) has been spotting me on 472kHz at -30dB S/N. The total number of unique stations who have spotted me in the last 2 weeks is 29.

Last stateside?

The last North American seen here on 10m WSPR appears to have been VE3GEN (5593km) at -27dB S/N at 1810z. Since then, just G4IKZ, who is a local who has been spotting me. Time to QSY I think, probably to 630m (472kHz).

VLF, LF and MF useful data

Wolf DL4YHF found this data that may be of interest to some blog readers

Snapped up from the VLF 'natural radio' group:
Interesting reading for long winter evenings ... about VLF, LF, and MF, a complete scanned book from 1972, descibing equipment, propagation, antenna theory, transmitter sites, etc.
The entire NAVELEX  handbook can be downloaded (chapter wise) from
 http://www.navy-radio.com/manuals/shore-vlf.htm
73,
Wolf  DL4YHF

Useful info on Steve G1KQH's blog

Steve has some useful links to the new 2m extension NoV (on the RSGB website) and to the draft manual for the new LNR Precision HF rig. See http://g1kqh.blogspot.co.uk/ .

Early USA spot on 10m

WB1FIG (5304km) was spotting my 500mW very early on 10m WSPR today at 1116z.  As far as I recall, this is the earliest so far this autumn.  Conditions look pretty decent on 10m so far.

UPDATE 1547z:  My best DX WSPR spot on 10m so far with 500mW from the FT817 is WB5B (8238km) at 1526z.

Back on 10m WSPR

Yesterday I remained on 472kHz WSPR all day, but today I have moved back to 28MHz (10m) during the day running 500mW from the FT817. So far it has been all Europeans spotting me, but the reports are coming in from right across the continent. On RX here, I am copying as far as Australia.

All grandchildren have now gone home again. The house is very quiet and outside it is miserable: heavy persistent rain.

Sunspots and 10m propagation

Sunspot count today has climbed back to 138 but daytime 10m conditions are again forecast to be just "fair". Nonetheless, I was copying VK2EMA (16558km) at 1016z on 10m so the band is certainly supporting long distance F2 propagation.

472kHz today.

Today I decided to stop on 472kHz all day and not QSY up to 10m. PA3ABK/2 (306km) is yet again a decent daytime signal with me at around -9/-10dB S/N. Spotting me so far it has just been the usual locals and semi-locals. This will change after dark when more distant Europeans should copy me.

In the last 2 weeks 27 different stations in 7 countries have copied my 5mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR.  My all time list of reporters from this QTH on this band is even higher as GM4SLV  (896km) is not included, and possibly others too.

Unique  spots of my 5mW WSPR on 472kHz TX in last 2 weeks

Sunspot number dropping

Sunspot number dropped to 78 today and 10m daytime propagation is "fair". Checking on WSPRnet I see that 10m opened to the USA again today starting well before lunchtime for European stations, CX2ABP has also been copied in Europe. 10m is in decent shape yet again. I have not been on 10m today.

472kHz DX this evening

DX from EA3NE (1198km) and IW4DXW (1190km) is appearing very early on 472kHz WSPR this evening. F5WK (364km) is a consistent signal too.  On TX, just locals and relatively locals spotting me so far.