Sunspots and 10m - Jan 17th 2015

Sunspot number today is 89 and 10m propagation forecast to be " good". SN seems to be falling in recent days. Maybe, on average, we are seeing the start of the slide?

Various modes compared

Comparisons were recently posted on the RSGB LF reflector. I am sorry but I cannot recall the author, although I think it was by a Dutch station.  Basically it showed (using 2500Hz bandwidth) that WSPR2 (2 minute WSPR) is some 29dB better than SSB and 12wpm CW some 15dB better than SSB. Of course there are all sorts of provisos and caveats, but it goes to show why WSPR is so very good with very weak signals although only basic data is usually exchanged with WSPR.

472kHz WSPR

Again, I stayed on MF rather than going on 6m today. The PC turned off in the early hours to load Windows updates so I rebooted the PC and reset the PC clock to internet time after breakfast. Only spots by G7NKS (46km) and G8LCO (58km) so far today. PA0O (440km) is my best spot today on MF on receive.

10m WSPR spots by USA stations

The first USA spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today was by KC1AWS (5308km) at 1316z. At the moment, the last WSPR spot by a USA station was KU4PY (6991km) at 1748z.

Best DX today was AE7YQ (8533km) late afternoon. No DX further than the USA today.

Sunspots and 10m WSPR

Sunspot number today has fallen to 93 but 10m propagation is again forecast to be "good".

So far, my 500mW 10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon has been spotted by the usual scatter of Europeans, but no further. The band may open to the Indian Ocean, Africa and South America. I confidently predict it will open to North America this afternoon.

Time to go QRT on 10m WSPR but leave 630m (472kHz) on

As it is just local G4IKZ (18km) spotting me now, I shall go QRT on 10m WSPR.

I'll leave 630m (472kHz) WSPR running to see what tonight and overnight brings. Last night my best MF DX on receive was LA (Norway) on the earth-electrode "antenna". Spots have been exchanged both ways this evening with G3WCB (101km) but not further so far on MF today. Best DX on 630m (472kHz) RX today is PA0O at 440km.

UPDATE 2238z:  On 472kHz WSPR the best DX received here this evening is F1AFJ (607km). My best DX on TX, again using the earth-electrode "antenna" with 5mW ERP is currently G8HUH (250km).

UKAC contest - 70cms

This evening being the second Tuesday of the month is the first 70cm leg of the monthly UKAC activity contests. The contest runs from 2000z to 2230z   However, I have a problem. My antenna  (5 el) is stuck aiming SW. I'll give the contest a brief go, but with 5W, being unable turn the antenna and my poor voice I don't think I shall be on too long!

70cm QSOs this evening

UPDATE 2130z:   I was on for only 1 hour (poor voice!) but, at this time of year, most activity was from fixed stations. Even with a beam fixed in a SW direction, I managed to work 5 stations with 5W on 70cms. Best DX this evening was G3MEH (84km) in IO91QS although I was copying further. By next month the beam should be rotatable again and there may be more /P activity I hope. One of the stations heard (but not worked) was my old university colleague G3XBY who was giving a JO02 locator, so I am wondering if Dale has retired not too far from here?

10m USA spots today

The days are getting slightly longer now.  The very first USA spot of my 10m 500mW beacon today was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1204z. The openings seem to be getting slightly longer? Several spots by 4X1RF (3519km) in the 10m log too today.

UPDATE 1835z: at the moment, the last spot from the USA was WG2Z (5600km) at 1824z.

UPDATE 1925z: WG2Z does seem to have been the last USA station to spot me today. Only local spots since 1824z.

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number has fallen back a little to 111 (still respectable) but 10m propagation is forecast to be "good" today. Getting spotted by the usual Europeans (LZ,OH, UR).

10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon, no PA

I turned on my 10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon and resync'd the clock at 1007z this morning. Up to that time the PA had been off since yesterday. Imagine my surprise to see 3 spots in the log before that time from CT1JTQ (1843km). These were about 16-18dB down on normal levels but would have been at the low milliwatt level - whatever the beacon power is with the PA off. Even though reporting I was running 500mW (this is hard programmed in) I was using very low power indeed. Seasoned WSPR users will not be amazed.

I have now turned the PA on again, so am using close to 500mW again on 10m WSPR. This now seems like high power!