This is always worth a look as there is usually something of interest.
See http://www.amateurradio.com/ .
4 Feb 2017
Norway spot (again) on 472kHz WSPR TX
For the third evening in a row my 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground has been spotted in Norway by LA2XPA (1310km) on 472kHz WSPR. Tonight has started well. PA7EY (306km) has also spotted me on 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 1912z: LA2XPA has already spotted me 3 times on 472kHz WSPR this evening.
UPDATE 2145z: LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted despite my S8 noise floor when the PC is on the SMPSU. He must be a very good signal. BTW, LA2XPA (1310km) has now spotted me 4 times this evening on 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 1912z: LA2XPA has already spotted me 3 times on 472kHz WSPR this evening.
UPDATE 2145z: LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted despite my S8 noise floor when the PC is on the SMPSU. He must be a very good signal. BTW, LA2XPA (1310km) has now spotted me 4 times this evening on 472kHz WSPR.
Winter cheer - NOT amateur radio
472kHz WSPR yesterday evening and overnight
Although LA2XPA (1310km) copied me lots of times again, I don't think conditions were quite as good as the previous night. In all, I was spotted in 4 countries on 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP) by 10 unique stations. In all, I spotted 14 unique stations in 6 countries on 472kHz WSPR RX in the last day.
Sunspots and 10m - Saturday February 4th 2017
Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number 39. A=18 and K=3.
3 Feb 2017
First daffodils - NOT amateur radio
Back on 472kHz WSPR
After the great successes of last night, I have gone QRT on 10m JT65 and started up on 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP). At the moment I am on battery power, so the noise floor on RX is very low. I doubt I can repeat the successes of last night, but you never know.
UPDATE 1950z: LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted 3 times already at up to -13dB S/N. There is a chance he could copy me.
UPDATE 1954z: Despite the FT817 being a bit "deaf" on 472kHz, I still hear most of what is going on. I think this proves sensitivity on this band is limited by external noise, so S/N is more important than basic rig sensitivity.
UPDATE 2000z: LA2XPA (1310km) in Kristiansund, Norway has already spotted my 5mW ERP. Promising again this evening.
UPDATE 2238z: LA2XPA (1310km) has spotted me 5 times so far this evening. At the moment conditions on 472kHz seem similar to last night.
UPDATE 2315z: Judging by the spots this evening and yesterday from Norway, I can only conclude that those receiving me up there must have a very low noise floor.
UPDATE 1950z: LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted 3 times already at up to -13dB S/N. There is a chance he could copy me.
UPDATE 1954z: Despite the FT817 being a bit "deaf" on 472kHz, I still hear most of what is going on. I think this proves sensitivity on this band is limited by external noise, so S/N is more important than basic rig sensitivity.
UPDATE 2000z: LA2XPA (1310km) in Kristiansund, Norway has already spotted my 5mW ERP. Promising again this evening.
UPDATE 2238z: LA2XPA (1310km) has spotted me 5 times so far this evening. At the moment conditions on 472kHz seem similar to last night.
UPDATE 2315z: Judging by the spots this evening and yesterday from Norway, I can only conclude that those receiving me up there must have a very low noise floor.
QRP and QRP Club
More from Oleg:
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
just reminder about Snowman QRP Game this weekend. February 4 and 5 both in period of 9 to 13 UTC. Not competition, just for enjoy. Every QRPers can operate in Home or Field or both categories. Declare QSOs results separately for Home or Field positions. Each gamer become
Winner and get certificate. Also there are lot of nominees for special marks. See details and last years results on the Club 72 page - www.club72.su
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.
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
just reminder about Snowman QRP Game this weekend. February 4 and 5 both in period of 9 to 13 UTC. Not competition, just for enjoy. Every QRPers can operate in Home or Field or both categories. Declare QSOs results separately for Home or Field positions. Each gamer become
Winner and get certificate. Also there are lot of nominees for special marks. See details and last years results on the Club 72 page - www.club72.su
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.
Rally this weekend
32nd CANVEY RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY, Feb 5th (Sunday)
The Paddocks Community Centre, Long Road, Canvey Island, SS8 0JA.
Doors open at 8.30am for traders and 10.30am for the public. There is free parking and the venue has disabled facilities including space outside main doors for disabled visitors. There will be trade stands, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Refreshments, including Mark's famous bacon baguettes on site. Details from Vic Rogers, G6BHE, 0795 746 1694 or Dave Speechley, G4UVJ, 01268 697 978, g4uvj@btinternet.com.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
The Paddocks Community Centre, Long Road, Canvey Island, SS8 0JA.
Doors open at 8.30am for traders and 10.30am for the public. There is free parking and the venue has disabled facilities including space outside main doors for disabled visitors. There will be trade stands, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Refreshments, including Mark's famous bacon baguettes on site. Details from Vic Rogers, G6BHE, 0795 746 1694 or Dave Speechley, G4UVJ, 01268 697 978, g4uvj@btinternet.com.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
HF conditions - use the higher bands
For about a day, I went on 20m JT65. It was too easy, with spots all across Europe and the USA even with 2W and a poor antenna on 20m.
HF conditions are not as good as at the sunspot peak, but they are often better than people realise: of late the sunspot number has been in the 40s or higher and the solar flux has been above 80. Even 10m is capable of supporting DX, although few realise as they leave the higher bands and go for easy pickings on 20m or lower.
My strong recommendation is try digital modes on 10m. OK, it is not as easy as a few years ago, but DX still pops up. 10m remains "open" far more often than is realised, even in the quiet solar years What is needed is activity!
Amateur radio is about self training and exploring the boundaries. If you just want to speak across the planet you can video conference for free with Skype on the internet. 10m with digital modes and QRP is much more fun.
HF conditions are not as good as at the sunspot peak, but they are often better than people realise: of late the sunspot number has been in the 40s or higher and the solar flux has been above 80. Even 10m is capable of supporting DX, although few realise as they leave the higher bands and go for easy pickings on 20m or lower.
My strong recommendation is try digital modes on 10m. OK, it is not as easy as a few years ago, but DX still pops up. 10m remains "open" far more often than is realised, even in the quiet solar years What is needed is activity!
Amateur radio is about self training and exploring the boundaries. If you just want to speak across the planet you can video conference for free with Skype on the internet. 10m with digital modes and QRP is much more fun.
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