Sunspots and 10m - Sun Nov 8th 2015

With a decent solar flux, sunspot number of 79 (K=2) we could be in for some decent propagation on 10m WSPR today despite a "poor" 10m forecast.

I decided to stop on 472kHz (630m) WSPR today and give 6m a miss. Of course, Sod's Law will ensure there are some excellent 6m conditions today as I am not on!

472kHz WSPR RX and TX

 For the last hour or so I have been on 472kHz RX (no preamp) and TX (5mW ERP) with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I went QRT on 10m and 6m WSPR at the same time. So far this evening best DX with 5mW ERP is 223km and 995km on RX. It be interesting to see if I can spot EA5DOM without the preamp.

UPDATE 2024z: Best DX on TX with 5mW ERP and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is PA3ABK (306km). At the moment, most stations are only just copying my weak 5mW ERP signal. I think copying this weak signal is quite challenging for most MF people.

Leaves - NOT amateur radio

The back garden looks more autumnal by the day. In the last few days our silver birch has lost most of its leaves. With heavy winds and rain, I think the remaining deciduous trees will lose theirs in the next few days.

Portuguese AM Day

Southgate Amater Radio News reports that the Portuguese national society is promoting AM on HF and VHF bands on Sunday Nov 8th. The link shows where to look for others on AM. There is plenty of space for AM on 10m where the frequency recommended is 29.075MHz. On other HF bands there is less space for AM normally, although AM is popular on 160m and 80m.

See www.southgatearc.org/news/2015/november/portuguese_national_am_day.htm#.Vj3oyGtEd80

Sunspots and 10m - Sat Nov 7th 2015

This could be another bad day on 10m. So far, just early spots on 10m WSPR from G4KPX (14km). Sunspot number is 75 (K=6) and the forecast for 10m propagation is "poor". So far today, no spots given or received on 6m WSPR.

UPDATE 1335z:   So far only those early spots and one at 1222z from G4KPX on 10m. I think we are going to have a quiet day on 10m based on the results so far.

472kHz WSPR RX

I have just gone QRT on 10m and 6m and am now active on 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground and with a preamp in circuit.

UPDATE 1952z:  G8VDQ (93km) was spotted a couple of times on 6m WSPR before I went QRT on that band. On 472kHz (630m) I have already spotted several DX stations including EA5DOM (1525km).

Another UK rally

Sunday 8 NOVEMBER : WEST LONDON RADIO & ELECTRONICS SHOW (Kempton Rally)
Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5AQ. TI, free CP, OT 9.50/10am. TS, FM, B&B, SIG, C, DF, WIN, LEC. Paul, M0CJX, 08451 650 351, info@radiofairs.co.uk. www.radiofairs.co.uk.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

OFCOM consulting on white space devices

See http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/wireless_telegraphy_white_space_devices_exemption_regulations/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Proposed-regulations-allowing-white-space-devices-access-to-unused-frequencies-in-the-UHF-TV-band&utm_term=TV%2C%20white%20space%2C%20Devices%2C%20Licence%20exemption%2C%20UHF

OFCOM are consulting on the regulations relating to so called "white space" devices.

10m WSPR - USA spots

KC1AWS (5308km) spotted me first at 1346z. It is good to see USA spots again although conditions seem "subdued".

UPDATE 1802z:  After a slow start on 10m WSPR there been spots from lots of different USA stations.

UPDATE 1825z:  All is very quiet on 6m WSPR.

UPDATE 1938z:   The last spot by a USA station seems to have been WB2TQE (7097km) at 1722z. No further spots from the USA after this time.

No real DX DX on 10m WSPR

4L1QX (3299km) is the best DX spot on 10m WSPR so far today. One Russian spotted me early on and quite a few nearer Europeans, but nothing further afield, as yet. I hope to be spotted in the USA today, but only  time will tell. When 10m is open it is usual to get WSPR spots about now from the USA.

UPDATE 1314z:  SP9LJE (1261km) is the most common spotter of my little W5OLF "stand alone" 10m 500mW WSPR beacon.  As yet, no 10m WSPR spots from stations in the USA.