QSYed to 630m (472kHz) WSPR

A few minutes ago I went QRT on 6m and 10m WSPR. I am now active on 630m (472kHz) WSPR with 5mW ERP on TX from the earth-electrode "antenna" On RX (80%) I am not using the preamp. For the avoidance of doubt, I am also using the earth-electrode "antenna" on RX too.

UPDATE 2225z:  In the last 2 weeks my 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" has been copied by 23 different stations. This evening it was copied by F1AFJ (607km) in JN06HT. I am sure my earth-electrode "antenna" is not the best antenna for the band by a long way, but it shows large areas of real estate and big antennas and ground systems are not necessary to achieve decent results on WSPR on the 472kHz band.

6m WSPR

G8VDQ (93km) was again spotted on 6m WSPR. A few days ago M0ICR was copied on 6m WSPR despite only using 200mW from North London.  I am sure people don't use the band thinking it useless outside the Es season. As WSPR has again shown, paths are often possible when the band seems dead. Modes like JT65 and JT9-1 should allow 2-way QSOs. With just less than 1 minute TX time, Doppler should be less of an issue than with WSPR using these modes. On 6m I only use a V2000 vertical fed with lossy coax. With a small beam, more power, and an antenna with gain, just imagine what would be possible.

Recommendation - give 6m WSPR a try! You may be surprised.

UPDATE 1034z: It looks like WSPRnet is struggling again this morning.

UPDATE 1036z: G8VDQ (93km)  spotted 4 times so far this morning on 6m WSPR.

UPDATE 1640z:  No spots all day on 10m WSPR, but G8VDQ (93km) has been spotted 9 times so far today on 6m WSPR.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Dec 17th 2015

Sunspot numbers are falling and today SN is 49 (K=1) but solar flux is still good at 125. The 10m propagation forecast is still "fair". Yesterday was disappointing although 10m WSPR did open late morning to central Europe.

That 472kHz preamp

Well I was on 472kHz WSPR RX overnight with the preamp in circuit so at good sensitivity. Sadly, not a single new station received, although (maybe?) the S/N of those received was a little better. To be honest, with QSB it was hard to be sure.  So, in future I may use the preamp at times although I am pretty sure I have copied most of the active stations that my current system is going to copy.

UPDATE 1014z: Since before breakfast I went QRT on 630m (472kHz) WSPR. I am now active on 10m and 6m WSPR again until this evening.

472kHz WSPR - RX only now with preamp

Since 2055z I am on 472kHz RX only with the preamp in circuit. I shall stay on overnight to see if any new stations are copied. Up to now the conclusion is the preamp improves the sensitivity and S/N of stations, but I have copied the same stations without the preamp. What I need are a few new (to me) stations right on the threshold of copy.

Interest rates - NOT amateur radio

It has started.  Gradually rates will rise across the world. People had better get ready for life when borrowing costs more. I can remember when interest rates hit 15% and mortgages were very expensive.  At the moment borrowing (and being in debt) is very cheap, but history tells us these days will not last.

See  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35117405

SLOWLY declining solar activity

The slide down from a solar maximum is (usually) slower than the climb from the minimum to the maximum. Very gradually, the sun is going "off the boil" and solar activity is slowly falling away. With each year for several years to come things will get progressively harder on the higher bands. Some are predicting the next maximum may be a "damp squib", so enjoy the conditions while they last. It is quite possible that 10m will never be as good again in the lifetimes of many of us. Certainly 10m is already not as good as a year ago. Although Es is good at any part of the cycle in late spring and summer, F2 DX is best around the peak of solar activity. In the past 6m has supported worldwide DX at times, but I think those days are sadly over.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .

Pruning - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, it is unseasonably mild for December here in the UK. Often at this time of the year it is very misty and cold but at the moment it is about 14 deg C and every chance of it getting even warmer. The grass is still growing.  I cut it 2 weeks ago and it could really do with cutting yet again. Normally I stop cutting at the end of October.

Today, in between bursts of total exhaustion (stroke after-effect), I pruned two bushes in the garden. Working outside it felt more like April than December. I also noticed quite a few bulbs pushing through. Unless we get a really cold January we will soon have daffodils in bloom in the garden. Another 2 weeks? The ornamental cherry in the lawn needs a trim. This will have to wait.

More WSPRnet issues

Like many, I monitor WSPRnet to see who I am spotting and who is spotting me.  In my case I often do this from the comfort of the lounge, whilst doing other things.  I notice that WSPRnet is very slow again today. In fact, the last few times I tried it failed to connect at all.

UPDATE 1525z:  WSPRnet seems to be working at the moment with a 472kHz spot of my 5mW ERP by M0LMH (223km) a short while ago. Sadly if WSPRnet is not reliable it rather ruins the "near instant feedback" of WSPR.

UPDATE 1652z:  If WSPRnet really is just done by volunteers for free I am amazed it is as good as it is. I for one just use it and milk it. Like many, as anonymous says below, I'd happily chip in some cash to help provide a reliable service. Not all can afford to do so, but I use WSPRnet each and every day just about. Without WSPRnet, WSPR would not be a quarter as good as it is.

10m winter Es?

With several 10m WSPR spots received from Italy and Germany, I am wondering if this is winter Es? It is the right time of year and the right time of day.  The main Es peak is May, June, July but there is often Es around Dec/Jan too. The peak is smaller, but it does happen. So far, no DX spots from further afield by F2 propagation.