The database query form has been taken down so the owner (W1BW) can try to fix it. I hope he succeeds. Like many, I'd happily pay something if this would help reliability. WSPRnet is so useful when it works, allowing almost instant feedback of propagation. In my current state of health it has been wonderful.
UPDATE 2152z: At the moment, the database seems to be working. I am QRT on all bands until after breakfasttime.
31 Jan 2016
Looking forward a few years
I just spotted this image from the last solar minimum. See http://www.solan.info/solar for the latest info. By comparison, things are still good. Note months without sunspots and the low solar flux. 2020?
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| http://www.solan.info/solar |
Now on 10m WSPR
For just under an hour now I have been on 10m WSPR. WSPRnet is still unreliable so I am unsure who has copied me. I have copied G4KPX (14km) but I need to check WSPRnet!
UPDATE 1340z: WSPRnet is back again (for now) and I see I was spotted on 10m WSPR by VK2KRR (16789km) at 1140z. Who said 10m was "poor"? Don't believe all you read!
UPDATE 1552z: W1VR (6965km located in Florida) has been spotted several times this afternoon, as well as CX5BBF (11123km). Today has been another good 10m day. There is still plenty of life left in the band. It is just a pity some just don't bother.
UPDATE 1340z: WSPRnet is back again (for now) and I see I was spotted on 10m WSPR by VK2KRR (16789km) at 1140z. Who said 10m was "poor"? Don't believe all you read!
UPDATE 1552z: W1VR (6965km located in Florida) has been spotted several times this afternoon, as well as CX5BBF (11123km). Today has been another good 10m day. There is still plenty of life left in the band. It is just a pity some just don't bother.
60m WSPR overnight
I stuck with 60m WSPR overnight, although all attempts to access WSPRnet before breakfast were unsuccessful. This service definitely needs help, both financial and practical. If WSPRnet cannot be relied on, WSPR is dead. The unreliability of WSPRnet is one reason I want to do more with JT9-1 and JT65 this year. PSK Reporter seems very reliable.
On 60m I was being copied in the USA by KK1D (5409km) well before midnight despite 2W and a very poor antenna. A few stations were spotted here too, despite the high local noise floor. At the moment I am still on 60m with plenty of Europeans spotting me.
60m looks useful.
On 60m I was being copied in the USA by KK1D (5409km) well before midnight despite 2W and a very poor antenna. A few stations were spotted here too, despite the high local noise floor. At the moment I am still on 60m with plenty of Europeans spotting me.
60m looks useful.
Sunspots and 10m - Sun Jan 31st 2016
Both solar flux and sunspot number are lower today. Solar flux is 104 and sunspot number is 30 (K=3). The forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor". I think 10m will not be great today.
UPDATE 1625z: I have been wrong about 10m so many times! Today turned out to be another cracking day on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1625z: I have been wrong about 10m so many times! Today turned out to be another cracking day on 10m WSPR.
30 Jan 2016
60m WSPR
I have QSYed to 60m WSPR, RX only at the moment. I may go on TX later. Although I went on 60m some time ago, it is a long time since I last used the band. As we approach poorer solar conditions, I expect I'll use this band far more. It is a pity that the international allocation coming is so small. I hope CEPT countries decide to allocate a larger contiguous secondary amateur allocation. I always have to check the sub-bands I can legally use. It would end a lot of confusion if we had a contiguous allocation.
UPDATE 2036z: I am now on TX (2W 20%) on 60m. Although I have not (yet) spotted others, my 2W has been spotted by stations in Switzerland and Germany on 60m WSPR. The antenna is only my tri-band Par resonated with my ATU. For 60m it is very low.
UPDATE 2255z: My best DX, so far, with 2W on 60m WSPR is a spot by SV8RV (2269km). I shall leave the kit running through the night. As yet, I have still not copied others on this band tonight. I must have a bad noise problem on this band? It is bad on 80m.
UPDATE 2036z: I am now on TX (2W 20%) on 60m. Although I have not (yet) spotted others, my 2W has been spotted by stations in Switzerland and Germany on 60m WSPR. The antenna is only my tri-band Par resonated with my ATU. For 60m it is very low.
UPDATE 2255z: My best DX, so far, with 2W on 60m WSPR is a spot by SV8RV (2269km). I shall leave the kit running through the night. As yet, I have still not copied others on this band tonight. I must have a bad noise problem on this band? It is bad on 80m.
20m WSPR, so far
K3SC (5869km) spotted me at 1654z. This is the best DX so far on 20m WSPR. I expect I'd get further on 20m, but I may QSY to another band overnight.
10m winter Es again?
DK6UG (633km) spotted me before lunch on 10m WSPR. Was this wintertime Es on 10m again? G4KPX (14km) was spotted here but did not make it onto WSPRnet.
UPDATE 1440z: Several spots by/of G4KPX (14km) now getting through to the WSPRnet database. No USA 10m WSPR spots as yet.
UPDATE 1526z: WSPRnet seems very flaky today. I am having great problems with it. No USA spots today or is it WSPRnet?
UPDATE 1620z: I have now QSYed to 20m WSPR, although WSPRnet is still flaky.
UPDATE 1440z: Several spots by/of G4KPX (14km) now getting through to the WSPRnet database. No USA 10m WSPR spots as yet.
UPDATE 1526z: WSPRnet seems very flaky today. I am having great problems with it. No USA spots today or is it WSPRnet?
UPDATE 1620z: I have now QSYed to 20m WSPR, although WSPRnet is still flaky.
Stroke: not a good week - NOT amateur radio
Some days are like this. This week has been a bad week and I have felt particularly giddy and very tired. Hopefully next week will be better.
Unlike "pre-stroke" days, things exhaust me far more and I seem to stress more easily. Despite this, we have still managed to get out and about. Maybe I am pushing myself too hard and my body is screaming "slow down"? Oh, how I wish I was well again.
For most of the last 2 years I have been living a hell interspersed with better days. I have felt giddy now for more than 2 years. Will it never get better?
When I am seated or resting, I'm fine. The main issues are when I am on my feet, walking and active.
Unlike "pre-stroke" days, things exhaust me far more and I seem to stress more easily. Despite this, we have still managed to get out and about. Maybe I am pushing myself too hard and my body is screaming "slow down"? Oh, how I wish I was well again.
For most of the last 2 years I have been living a hell interspersed with better days. I have felt giddy now for more than 2 years. Will it never get better?
When I am seated or resting, I'm fine. The main issues are when I am on my feet, walking and active.
Sunspots and 10m - Sat Jan 30th 2016
Solar flux is 114 today. Sunspot number is 49 (K=1) but 10m propagation is again expected to be "poor". It will be interesting to see how 10m WSPR actually is today. Solar flux is good, sunspot number not bad and conditions not very disturbed. Judging by yesterday, I'd expect 10m to open to the USA this afternoon, although 10m can be fickle!
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