472kHz compromise antennas

Looking at nearby G0VQH's list of WSPR stations successfully decoded on 472kHz WSPR it is clear Jenny is copying far more stations than me. Even with my preamp in circuit and maximum sensitivity I am simply not copying, at all, some stations. I think it is time I tried an E-field probe on this band on RX. It is a combination of antenna (in)efficiency and directivity I think that is stopping me copying more on MF now.  I'm not sure what Jenny is using on MF but it clearly works well.

No JT9-1 TX today

We got home late after lunch so I did not get a chance to go on 20m JT9-1 TX. Tomorrow I am out much of the day on my U3AC course, so it may be Tuesday before I get another chance. For now, I have gone back to 630m (472kHz) WSPR.

East Anglian Churches - NOT amateur radio

Today we visited a couple of Suffolk churches and I have updated the East Anglian Churches Blog with one of them - Denston in Suffolk. Although small, it is a gem.

More JT9-1 on 20m TX later

At the moment I am on RX only on 20m JT9-1 but I hope to get back on TX later today.

Sunspots and 10m - Sun Jan 10th 2016

Solar flux is 106, sunspot number 84 (K=1) and the forecast for 10m remains "poor" today.  I am not expecting great things of 10m today.

Back on MF

As I don't have to be in the shack for WSPR (I can monitor in the lounge, or even in bed!) I have returned to 472kHz (630m) WSPR.  It takes a few seconds to pop in the shack if anything is amiss.  I am able to use a different PC in the lounge and my iPod Touch in bed.

UPDATE 1846z:  Nice no see I was spotted by a new reporter this evening M0TAZ (79km). DK7FC (669km) has been spotted as usual.

JT9-1 20m QSO

Photo thanks to Bas.

I had my first JT9-1 QSO of the year on 20m a little while ago working SM3HHI (1376km) with 2.5W from the FT817 and using the new baby shack PC running WSJT-X V1.6. It looks like this should be a good mode with my poor voice.  With this software it is very straightforward. QSOs take about 6 minutes to call CQ, exchange grids and reports and the confirmations.

UPDATE 1202z:  As interesting as the QSO, I see from PSK reporter that I was being received all over Europe.

UPDATE 1638z:  We have had visitors all afternoon, so I have not been TXing.  A couple of stations were lost (OK and RA9) on 20m JT9-1 just after lunch. These stations replied to my CQ but were lost before the QSOs could be finished.

UPDATE 1646z:  I left the 20m JT9-1 running on RX all afternoon. I see that I spotted N2LD (5645km) and OD5PY (3466km).

Sunspots and 10m - Sat Jan 9th 2016

Solar flux today is 109 and sunspot number 80 (K=2). 10m propagation is again expected to be "poor".

10m WSPR earlier today

EA8/DK5HH (2951km) spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon at 1202z today. I think this was single hop F2 propagation. Although not super-DX, it does show that there is still life on 10m. WSPR is ideal for "smoking out" short transient 10m openings.

Anglesey Abbey NT - NOT amateur radio

Anglesey Abbey - Jan 8th 2016

We visit the extensive grounds at nearby Anglesey Abbey, owned by the National Trust, most months.  There is always something to see whatever the season.  Everything is early this year because it has been so mild down here. Many snowdrops are out, some daffodils are already dying and lots of other flowers are in bloom.  The photo shows one of the lawns in winter with bare trees. The weather is expected to be much colder next week.