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| Early morning on 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP earth-electrode "antenna" |
9 Feb 2015
472kHz WSPR this morning
I am being spotted well by G8HUH (250km) this morning. I know he has a good system as he has even copied me on 136kHz from the old QTH. If I can succeed on 472kHz with no antenna in the air, then I am sure anyone can! Mine is a far from optimum set-up.
Sunspots and 10m
Sunspot number has risen to 94 today and 10m propagation is expected to be "good".
I have only just switched on my 10m 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon, so it is still stabilising. My first spot (still showing stabilisation) was at 0916z from local G4IKZ (18km). To avoid drift and interference, the beacon is on TX 100% but the frequency is randomised to avoid warm-up drift and the risk of sitting under a stronger signal all day. This works well. Even on my 10m version there is no drift after the first 20 minutes..
UPDATE 0954z: Surprisingly, no spots yet from Israel, Russia or continental Europe and only a single spot (so far this morning) from G4IKZ.
UPDATE 1008z: Spots are coming thick and fast now with best report so far from VK6XT (14719km) in Western Australia at 1002z.
UPDATE 1012z: OH7AZL (2000km) was spotting me at 1006z at an enormous -2dB S/N. I think this was F2 propagation. Such strengths suggests he might still have spotted me at the uW power level rather than the 500mW I was using. So far today, he has spotted me 5 times already. Other stations in Finland are also spotting me very strongly.
I have only just switched on my 10m 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon, so it is still stabilising. My first spot (still showing stabilisation) was at 0916z from local G4IKZ (18km). To avoid drift and interference, the beacon is on TX 100% but the frequency is randomised to avoid warm-up drift and the risk of sitting under a stronger signal all day. This works well. Even on my 10m version there is no drift after the first 20 minutes..
UPDATE 0954z: Surprisingly, no spots yet from Israel, Russia or continental Europe and only a single spot (so far this morning) from G4IKZ.
UPDATE 1008z: Spots are coming thick and fast now with best report so far from VK6XT (14719km) in Western Australia at 1002z.
UPDATE 1012z: OH7AZL (2000km) was spotting me at 1006z at an enormous -2dB S/N. I think this was F2 propagation. Such strengths suggests he might still have spotted me at the uW power level rather than the 500mW I was using. So far today, he has spotted me 5 times already. Other stations in Finland are also spotting me very strongly.
8 Feb 2015
Stroke update
I went for more blood tests last week. Results should be back late this week.
I still have trouble speaking, swallowing thin liquids, feel drunk when walking and I tire easily with any physical activity. Although I am still mending it is taking much longer than I was expecting. To be honest, I am frustrated at the slow progress. My wife and I want the old "me" back.
I still have trouble speaking, swallowing thin liquids, feel drunk when walking and I tire easily with any physical activity. Although I am still mending it is taking much longer than I was expecting. To be honest, I am frustrated at the slow progress. My wife and I want the old "me" back.
472kHz WSPR puzzle
Last night and overnight more stations copied me than I copied. Since 1030z today I have copied lots of WSPR stations on 472kHz but no-one has copied me!
About 20 minutes ago I re-set the clock to internet time and changed frequency about 20Hz lower. I also closed and re-opened the WSPR software. Still I am copying plenty but no-one has so far copied me still since 1030z.
The 5mW ERP TX to the earth-electrodes will remain on overnight.
I checked frequencies and power into the ground loop. All looks the same as yesterday. Odd.
UPDATE 2237z: Panic over: G6AVK (78km) is copying me at -20dB S/N.
About 20 minutes ago I re-set the clock to internet time and changed frequency about 20Hz lower. I also closed and re-opened the WSPR software. Still I am copying plenty but no-one has so far copied me still since 1030z.
The 5mW ERP TX to the earth-electrodes will remain on overnight.
I checked frequencies and power into the ground loop. All looks the same as yesterday. Odd.
UPDATE 2237z: Panic over: G6AVK (78km) is copying me at -20dB S/N.
Wellbrook RX loop review
See http://medxr.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/review-wellbrook-ala1530s-loop-antenna.html .
Some stations have splashed out on this RX only loop in an attempt to overcome man made noise sources. This is a review of one person's results with this 1m diameter loop. Like many, this Australian was well satisfied. In Australia it is even more expensive as the shipping costs from the UK are high.
I have wondered about the LF loop as a possible RX only antenna for 136 and 472kHz. I believe the loop is balanced and being a loop, it has directivity. It has to be positioned some distance for any TX antenna and ideally rotated.
Some stations have splashed out on this RX only loop in an attempt to overcome man made noise sources. This is a review of one person's results with this 1m diameter loop. Like many, this Australian was well satisfied. In Australia it is even more expensive as the shipping costs from the UK are high.
I have wondered about the LF loop as a possible RX only antenna for 136 and 472kHz. I believe the loop is balanced and being a loop, it has directivity. It has to be positioned some distance for any TX antenna and ideally rotated.
Digital repeaters
As I have mentioned before, I am a rare repeater user, partly because my voice is so poor currently and I don't find operating through repeaters that satisfying. Each to his/her own and if this helps you enjoy the hobby go ahead!
At the moment it is far from clear which form of digital repeater will win: there are several competing digital standards and all have their advocates. For now I shall sit back and wait. A bit like the video standards war in the 1980s, the best system may not win. Let's see. Up to now I have only used FM repeaters.
When I do use voice I use SSB, FM and AM. All modes have their places on our bands. SSB is good on the crowded HF bands, FM useful for nets on VHF, and AM rigs simple to build and there is space on all bands from 10m upwards for all analogue voice modes. A well designed AM rig should occupy less than 6kHz, far less most FM transmissions on our bands. 10m AM, just above 29MHz, is a great mode. I have worked quite a few stateside stations on 10m AM. And I have only used QRP AM. Let no-one tell you AM is a dead mode!
At the moment it is far from clear which form of digital repeater will win: there are several competing digital standards and all have their advocates. For now I shall sit back and wait. A bit like the video standards war in the 1980s, the best system may not win. Let's see. Up to now I have only used FM repeaters.
When I do use voice I use SSB, FM and AM. All modes have their places on our bands. SSB is good on the crowded HF bands, FM useful for nets on VHF, and AM rigs simple to build and there is space on all bands from 10m upwards for all analogue voice modes. A well designed AM rig should occupy less than 6kHz, far less most FM transmissions on our bands. 10m AM, just above 29MHz, is a great mode. I have worked quite a few stateside stations on 10m AM. And I have only used QRP AM. Let no-one tell you AM is a dead mode!
USA 10m WSPR spots and MF today
The first USA station to copy my 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW WSPR beacon on 10m today was K3ZV (5692km) at 1214z. I have been spotted by lots of USA stations all afternoon on 10m.
UPDATE 2015z: The last 10m USA WSPR spot today was K3EA (5657km) at 1846z
Whilst on 100% TX on 10m (500mW) I am still active on 472kHz (630m) WSPR (5mW ERP) and the earth-electrodes on both RX and TX. Unlike yesterday, I have mainly been spotting others today. These are some of the MF spots today.
UPDATE 2015z: The last 10m USA WSPR spot today was K3EA (5657km) at 1846z
Whilst on 100% TX on 10m (500mW) I am still active on 472kHz (630m) WSPR (5mW ERP) and the earth-electrodes on both RX and TX. Unlike yesterday, I have mainly been spotting others today. These are some of the MF spots today.
Sunspots and 10m - Sunday Feb 8th 2015
Sunspot number is much the same as yesterday at 80 today although 10m is expected to be "good", which is better than yesterday when the forecast was only "fair".
UPDATE 1050z: Best 10m DX report (this morning so far) of my 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon by Jay W5OLF is 4X1RF (3519km) although I have had quite a few spots from European and Russian stations this morning on 10m.
UPDATE 1050z: Best 10m DX report (this morning so far) of my 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon by Jay W5OLF is 4X1RF (3519km) although I have had quite a few spots from European and Russian stations this morning on 10m.
7 Feb 2015
472kHz WSPR today
I am still active on 472kHz WSPR with 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" My best DX reports today has been from PA0RDT (243km) and G8HUH (250km). On RX my best spot so far is of PA0A (417km).
Interestingly today more stations were copying me than I copied on MF. Although the FT817 is a little deaf on 472kHz, it has not stopped me copying most active stations. I do sometimes wonder if a few more dBs of front end gain (with good large signal handling) would allow me to receive any more MF stations?
UPDATE Feb 8th 1053z: My best 472kHz DX report overnight with 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" was by PA00 at 440km. G8HUH (250km) has spotted me very many times today.
Interestingly today more stations were copying me than I copied on MF. Although the FT817 is a little deaf on 472kHz, it has not stopped me copying most active stations. I do sometimes wonder if a few more dBs of front end gain (with good large signal handling) would allow me to receive any more MF stations?
UPDATE Feb 8th 1053z: My best 472kHz DX report overnight with 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" was by PA00 at 440km. G8HUH (250km) has spotted me very many times today.
FT817 sensitivity
Today I checked the sensitivities of my FT817 and FT817ND using a loaned signal generator. Although about 10dB deaf at 472kHz (expected) both were easily able to copy down to -127dBm on CW on all bands to 70cms. -127dBm is as low as the generator would go. I could have added a 10dB attenuator, but did not. I also managed easy access of GB3PY and GB3OV 70cms repeaters at the 500mW level into the V2000 vertical. My conclusion is things are OK at my end and I wonder if G6ALB has some additional cable loss at 70cms at his end (water in the feeder?). My antenna has been up for about 2 years whereas his has been up for around 20 years.
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