There as been Es on both 10m and 6m WSPR today. More on 10m (unsurprisingly) with just OH5RM (1860km) at 1000z this morning spotting my 1W ERP on 6m WSPR by Es. Apart from G0OQK I have not spotted anyone on 6m WSPR so far today.
UPDATE 1848z: I see that OZ7IT (853km) has spotted me at 1830z on 6m WSPR. There is still Es around. There have been more 10m WSPR spots this eveing on 10m too.
15 Aug 2015
Early morning on 10m and 6m WSPR
The first 10m Es on WSPR was a spot by HB9CQK (819km) at 0846z this morning. So far on 6m, just spots exchanged with G0OQK (98km) and no Es seen as yet on 6m WSPR. On 6m WSPR I remain (as always) 20% TX and 80% RX.
Sunspots and 10m - Sat Aug 15th 2015
Sunspot number as fallen again to 46 (K=2) and 10m propagation is yet again expected to be "poor". Es remains the main hope on 10m and 6m.
14 Aug 2015
2m big wheel arrives
In the past this would have been trivial for me, but sadly not in my present state of health. Anything above head height and I feel giddy. Work on ladders is impossible. I hate being like this.
Back on the air
In the last 30 minutes I have reconnected the rigs, antennas and PC and am back on 10m and 6m WSPR. So far only G4KPX (14km) spotting me on 10m and 3 spots on 6m WSPR of G0OQK (98km). No signs yet of Es on either band. Of course, this is on WSPR where activity tends to be low on 10m and 6m. You may have better luck on SSB or CW. On 6m I am on RX 80% of the time.
At the moment the storms are well to the east but I'll continue to monitor the situation and go QRT if necessary again.
UPDATE 1245z: A couple of Es spots on 10m WSPR from LA3JJ (1020km) this lunchtime, but otherwise quiet. On 6m just G0OQK (98km) spotted so far. He has yet to spot me and I suspect he is RX only at present.
UPDATE 1630z: EA6GF (1428km) spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon this teatime. The definitely is some evidence that Es peaks around lunch and teatime. Sadly, no Es to report here (yet) on 6m WSPR.
UPDATE 1738z: ON7KO (295km) has spotted me on 10m WSPR. I think this was tropo rather than Es as the distance is too near. If this was Es I'd expect Es on 2m or even higher.
At the moment the storms are well to the east but I'll continue to monitor the situation and go QRT if necessary again.
UPDATE 1245z: A couple of Es spots on 10m WSPR from LA3JJ (1020km) this lunchtime, but otherwise quiet. On 6m just G0OQK (98km) spotted so far. He has yet to spot me and I suspect he is RX only at present.
UPDATE 1630z: EA6GF (1428km) spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon this teatime. The definitely is some evidence that Es peaks around lunch and teatime. Sadly, no Es to report here (yet) on 6m WSPR.
UPDATE 1738z: ON7KO (295km) has spotted me on 10m WSPR. I think this was tropo rather than Es as the distance is too near. If this was Es I'd expect Es on 2m or even higher.
Sunspots and 10m - Fri Aug 14th 2015
Sunspot number has dropped back to 51 (K=1) and 10m is expected to remain "poor" again. Once again, I suspect Es will be our best hope on 10m and 6m. Before long though we might start to get F2 openings again to the USA. I suspect we'll have one more decent autumn and winter on 10m before we lose the good conditions for very many years.
13 Aug 2015
Mobile phone coverage checker - NOT amateur radio
OFCOM have just released a mobile phone coverage checker tool that helps you see what sort of coverage you can expect.
See http://ofcom.cmail1.com/t/i-l-jdurlyd-ptjmldl-k/ .
See http://ofcom.cmail1.com/t/i-l-jdurlyd-ptjmldl-k/ .
On 10m and 6m - for a few hours this evening
As the thunderstorm risk seems low enough for now, I am returning to WSPR on 10m and 6m for a few hours. In all likelihood I shall disconnect rigs, antennas and the PC later this evening so I shall not be on in the overnight period.
UPDATE 1806z: So far no reports on 10m WSPR, but spots exchanged both ways (TX and RX) with G0OQK (98km) again on 6m WSPR. This is usually tropo and aircraft reflection.
UPDATE 1830z: EA6ZL (1485km) spotted me on 10m WSPR at 1808z by Es.
UPDATE 1857z: As the storms are getting ever closer I shall soon have to go QRT and disconnect things!
UPDATE 1900z: All rigs, antennas and the PC now disconnected, unplugged and off. No thunder audible yet, but the storms are getting closer. The operating session was shorter than I had intended.
For thunderstorm tracking see http://www.blitzortung.org/Webpages/index.php?lang=en&page_0=12 . At the moment, the storms are to the south of us but moving north.
UPDATE 1806z: So far no reports on 10m WSPR, but spots exchanged both ways (TX and RX) with G0OQK (98km) again on 6m WSPR. This is usually tropo and aircraft reflection.
UPDATE 1830z: EA6ZL (1485km) spotted me on 10m WSPR at 1808z by Es.
UPDATE 1857z: As the storms are getting ever closer I shall soon have to go QRT and disconnect things!
UPDATE 1900z: All rigs, antennas and the PC now disconnected, unplugged and off. No thunder audible yet, but the storms are getting closer. The operating session was shorter than I had intended.
For thunderstorm tracking see http://www.blitzortung.org/Webpages/index.php?lang=en&page_0=12 . At the moment, the storms are to the south of us but moving north.
136kHz test?
Between tomorrow and Sunday I have 2 major aims.
Firstly I need to test my 40,30,20 and 15m K1 rig as someone wants to buy it. It should be fine. I have not used it at this QTH but has worked some good DX on all bands in the past. As "surplus to requirements" I shall be really pleased that someone else will enjoy using it.
Secondly, I want to try my QRSS3 136kHz beacon using my E-field probe on the car on RX. I have managed to get the E-field probe back together again and will test things on RX in the lounge first using the EFP, FT817 and PC. I have still to match my beacon to the earth-electrode "antenna" on TX but this should be easy.
Firstly I need to test my 40,30,20 and 15m K1 rig as someone wants to buy it. It should be fine. I have not used it at this QTH but has worked some good DX on all bands in the past. As "surplus to requirements" I shall be really pleased that someone else will enjoy using it.
Secondly, I want to try my QRSS3 136kHz beacon using my E-field probe on the car on RX. I have managed to get the E-field probe back together again and will test things on RX in the lounge first using the EFP, FT817 and PC. I have still to match my beacon to the earth-electrode "antenna" on TX but this should be easy.
Sunspots and 10m - Thursday August 13th 2015
Sunspot number is 68 today (K=2) and 10m is still expected to be "poor". Currently I have been off the air on both 10m and 6m because of nearby thunderstorms.
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