Overnight on 10m and 6m WSPR

Although I am not expecting great things, I shall remain on 10m and 6m WSPR overnight tonight.   After this, I shall almost certainly switch to MF instead of 6m overnight. I am still hoping for transatlantic Es on 6m WSPR but I have not caught a single Es transatlantic opening in 2 years of trying! The ends just do not justify me continuing this venture as activity levels are too low on WSPR on 6m. In the last few months, apart from CN8 and 4X1, the WSPR spots have all been European.

Yaesu FT991 - first price drop

I see that MLS is selling the FT991 this weekend at around £150 discount. I think, with the favourable exchange rate, we will see further drops this year and I expect the price will be £999 or less before the year is out. This is a nice radio with lots of good features and I will almost certainly buy one when the price drops below £1000, but not before.

Sunspots and 10m - Fri July 31st 2015 (historic)

Sunspot number climbed to 83 (K=4) but 10m conditions remained "poor" yesterday. There was some Es on 10m, but not widespread.

Sunspots and 10m - Sat Aug 1st 2015

Sunspot number was 71 today (K=1) but 10m propagation is again "poor". Es is the only real hope for DX on 10m and 6m.

UPDATE 1827z:  There was some Es to Iberia earlier this morning on 10m WSPR and a brief Es opening to Scotland later, but not what I'd call spectacular.

UPDATE 1832z:  There was Es on 6m today, with SM0FUS (1383km) and EA1KV (1304km) spotted on 6m WSPR. No spectacular openings. G0OQK (98km) has been spotted very consistently through the day.

Yesterday's solar and 10m report

Although this was written it did NOT appear as I must have been distracted before pressing the  "publish" button.  My apologies.

Off air last night

Overnight I decided to go QRT on all bands.  I have now switched on 10m and 6m WSPR.

472kHz WSPR this evening

At the moment I am copying PA0A and G8HUH on 472kHz WSPR but, as yet,  no-one is copying my 5mW ERP signal. I shall remain on MF overnight.  At the same time I am on 10m WSPR (100% TX).

There was very little Es on 10m WSPR today with just DK6UG (633km) spotting me at teatime today on 10m WSPR.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday July 30th 2015

Sunspot number has climbed further to 66 (K=1) but 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor" today yet again.  Es will again be the main hope on 10m and 6m. The main Es season in the northern hemisphere usually last through until September but the peak months are May, June and July. Careful observers may see really sporadic openings at other times. This is where WSPR could really help. There is a smaller peak around Dec/Jan.

Return to 472kHz WSPR

I QSYed down to 472kHz at 2000z. So far, no-one has spotted me but I have spotted PA0A (417km) and G8HUH (250km). I'll stay on overnight to see who copies me. Someone is bound to. I am still using 5mW ERP (at most) and the earth electrode "antenna". 472kHz is  more productive than the 6m band at night.  PA0A and G8HUH are among the better equipped MF stations with good ERPs. This autumn I must get a better antenna for MF erected. It would be good to have an ERP of 100mW - QRO for me!

6m WSPR Es

LA1IC appears to have reported my 10m WSPR as 6m by mistake early teatime. I think he changed bands but still was reporting some 10m spots as 6m ones. OK1DX (994km) was genuinely spotted at 1914z. I am still on 6m but may QSY to 630m (472kHz) shortly.

UPDATE 2050z:  I QSYed to MF at 2000z approximately. See next post.