Back on 10m JT65

As is my usual pattern, I was on 630m WSPR last night but returned to 10m JT65 at breakfast time.

Overnight the best DX on 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX was LA8AV (1035km) and on 630m WSPR TX (5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna") was PI4THT (448km) in JO32 square.

UPDATE 1042z: No spots as yet on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1902z: Another very quiet 10m day with just G4CJC (73km) spotted and no DX.

SAQ (17.2kHz) VLF

Southgate News reports that there was a successful transmission this last Christmas. There was some doubt due to a fire earlier in the year. I did not try to copy them this year. My VLF converter may be used to copy them. I have a QSL card from them from years ago.

See http://alexander.n.se/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SUMMARY-REPORT-ON-SAQ-TRANSMISSION-CHRISTMAS-2016-12-24-1.pdf for a summary report.

See also https://sites.google.com/site/sm6lkm/saqrx/ for a very good software RX. On my You Tube channel (G3XBM) there is a video of this in use.

AAA Screening - NOT amateur radio

AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) screening - this available free in the UK to all males in their 65th year or older. I did not know and was not screened until today. All clear.

If you are male and in this category then get checked. Ring your nearest AAA clinic (in Cambridge this is 01223 256909). If you do have an issue it can be fixed with a stent.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday January 16th 2017

Solar flux is 78 today.  Sunspot number is 23. A=5 and K=1 .

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous report (January 15, 2017)
Visitors of the week: UR7VT, DK1HW, RV3GM, RA1M, UY1IF, SM7RYR, US3EN,
UR0ET,  EW1CY,  UA0SBQ,  DH0DK,  EA6BB, RU3NJC, R1CAF, UA1CEG, RA7RA,
RW3AA,  G3XJS,  UR5EFD,  US5ERQ,  LZ1IC,  DL3XZ, ON6KZ, LZ2RS, OM6TC,
DL4HG, UW5EKR, OH6NPV, RU7KD
Comments...
see full WQR report on the blog page - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please.

Surprise on 472kHz

Late yesterday, I turned on the shack PC's SMPSU and went on 472kHz WSPR TX as well as receive. I was NOT expecting to copy much as my PC's SMPSU is noisy. However my best DX on 472kHz RX was after turning on the SMPSU.

On 472kHz WSPR TX the best DX (5mW ERP) from the earth-electrode "antenna" was LA3EQ (769km). On 472kHz RX the best DX (best so far this season too) was LA1TN (1269km).

Overall last night I was spotted by 9 unique stations in 3 countries on 472kHz WSPR. In the tables below are the unique station spots. Many were copied many times over.

 

472kHz WSPR TX last night

472kHz WSPR RX last night

Return to 472kHz WSPR RX

After another dismal day on 10m JT65, I  am about to go QRT and return to 472kHz (630m) WSPR RX with the shack PC on battery power and hence a low noise floor. I shall switch to 472kHz WSPR  TX (5mW ERP) later tonight and overnight.

As usual, I am still using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground for MF. It seems to work pretty well even though the FT817 is a bit deaf on MF. Last year adding the preamp may have helped a little, but made surprisingly little difference, to my surprise.

472kHz WSPR RX this evening so far

The UK, Saudi Arabia and Yemen - NOT amateur radio

We happily trade with corrupt regimes like Saudi Arabia selling them arms so they can fight our wars by proxy. It seems we are just interested in their money. Does the UK government think this is right? Yes, I know Yemen is supposed to be a failed state and a home to dangerous terrorists.

British bombs are falling on Yemen as 1.5 million children face starvation. This must stop. There's a line that must never be crossed - and it’s called the Arms Trade Treaty. By refusing to stop British bombs falling on Yemen, the UK government has crossed that line. Please write to your local MP: po.st/RedLineYemen and urge them to draw a #RedLineForYemen.

Back on 10m JT65

Since breakfast time, I have been back on 10m JT65 after spells on 630m WSPR last night and overnight. I was on 630m RX most of the evening and on 630m TX (5mW ERP) overnight.

UPDATE 1118z: So far just G4NUA (12km) spotting me on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1240z: G8ZZL (78km) and G4CJC (73km) both in N. London spotted on 10m JT65 but no DX yet.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday January 15th 2017

Solar flux is 76 today and sunspot number 25. A=4 and K=2.