Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number has risen to 63 but 10m propagation is again expected to be "poor".

Pixie (40m) build completed this evening

Completed 40m Pixie assembly

This evening, I completed the build of the 40m Pixie PCB assembly. It will get checked over for dry joints or shorts in the morning and air-tested shortly.

A very half-hearted attempt at the 6m UKAC this evening was aborted because of my poor voice but I only worked 3 locals in the short time I was on with my V2000 vertical.

I really wanted to crack on with the Pixie build, although I was not expecting to finish the built today.  The small PCB based kit does represent very good value.

Return to 472kHz WSPR

Since returning to 472kHz WSPR at teatime, 6 unique spots so far received this evening.  No new stations logging me but on the whole decent reports being received. I'll probably remain on 472kHz overnight, but go QRT again on 28MHz (10m) WSPR as I think I've missed any DX for today.  Still using the earth-electrode "antenna" and about 5mW ERP (or less).

Unique 472kHz WSPR spot in first 2 hrs this evening

UPDATE 2300z:  Now 12 unique spots of my 5mW WSPR this evening with best DX report from F59706  (560km).

50MHz UKAC this evening

Starting at 2000z, the monthly UK activity contest takes place on 6m. I only have a vertical for 6m and my voice is still poor.  However, I'll come on briefly to see what I can work before my voice says stop. I may be only able to give a few points out to the locals.

10m - too late?

I turned on my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon just after 1700z, but only local G4IKZ spotting me. If the band did open to the USA I missed it today!

40m WSPR

For the last day (nearly) I have been WSPRing on 40m using about 2-2.5W from the FT817 into the low Par triband 10/20/40m end fed antenna. On 40m this is far too low, although on 10m it is probably just high enough. Despite the low height on 40m I have received 31 unique spots with best DX being K3BXO (7190km). Since about 20 minutes ago I have gone back on 472kHz (earth-electrode "antenna") and 28MHz (10m) WSPR on the Par end-fed.

Unique WSPR spots on 40m today/yesterday

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number has fallen again to 44 and 10m propagation is "poor". For the first time since way back last year (summer?) I have NOT been on 10m today yet, as I needed the triband antenna for some 40m WSPR tests.

BTW, in the end I have ordered a 10m President Lincoln Mk2 (V3) from Nevada Radio here in the UK. The Pixie (40m) should be finished tomorrow as I had no opportunity yesterday and today. I also need to find my small rechargeable 12v battery and charge it. I suspect 50Hz hum would be a problem on the shack PSU.

President Lincoln Mk2 (V3) - 2 year warranty period

Not only has the price of this 10m transceiver dropped to £199, but John Gordon of Nevada has confirmed that the warranty period on these transceivers is 2 years. I am seriously tempted.

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number today is 49 and 10m propagation is described as "poor". Despite this, my little 10m 500mW WSPR beacon was being copied in W.Australia earlier this afternoon.

10m conditions are changing

This afternoon,VK6DF (13606km) in West Australia spotted my 500mW WSPR signal at 1404z. The band opened to the USA,WB5B (8248km) but very late at 1550z.

10m conditions do seem to be changing.

UPDATE 1844z:  The last USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon was KD6RF (7547km) 1736z.