630m WSPR overnight

The big question for me was, "did the additional earth make any difference?". Well, with 6 spots of my QRPP 630m WSPR I think the answer is, " yes probably". It may have only raised the ERP a dB or so, but this could be the difference between being detected and not.

The next thing to try is some better grounds near the shack and some radials down the garden that can be rolled up when grass cutting.

UPDATE 1220z: 13 unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR last night.

10m FT8

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far, the only spot was of PA0O (440km) near Groningen about 30 minutes ago. Aircraft reflection?

UPDATE 1210z: Lots of Europeans spotted on 10m FT8 rc2. I am told that WSJT-X V1.8.0 rc3 will be available soon.

UPDATE 1246z:  At the last count, 20 unique Europeans spotted on 10m FT8. This mode really is good.

UPDATE 1327z: XT2AW (4446km) in Burkina Faso (W.Africa) is currently the most distant station spotted today on 10m FT8. I have lost count of the Europeans! Maybe tomorrow I should give 6m a go on FT8?

UPDATE 1356z: Now the best DX is ZS2CR (9893km) in S.Africa.

Sunspots - Monday October 16th 2017

At last some sunspots!

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 12. A=26 and K=3.

Switched to 630m WSPR

Even though 10m FT8 is still good, I have switched to 630m WSPR. So far just G4GIR (53km) spotted at -14dB S/N. I am keen to see if I can see any differences since I changed the grounding.

UPDATE  1838z:  Initial indications are things are better. Already I have had 4 unique spots of my QRPP 630m WSPR signal.

630m ground improvements

Just before lunch I made a "temporary" fix to my earth-electrode "antenna". I have still to solder the joints. My secondary antenna current went from 17uA to 22uA. It remains to be seen if this makes any difference in real use. I'll try it tonight.

UPDATE 1304z:  I have now soldered the joints, so the repair is permanent.

UPDATE  1530z: Any slight improvement might be seen tonight. I am not expecting much.

North America (and more) on 10m FT8

A few minutes ago VO1NE (3898km) was spotted on 10m FT8. This is my first North American spotted on 10m this autumn. WSJT-X V1.8.0 rc2 was loaded this morning.

UPDATE 1238z: Not sure if WSJT-X V1.8.0 rc2 made a difference, but lots of 10m FT8 spots from Europe. It is supposed to be more sensitive.

UPDATE 1305z: I notice a spot from an FR5 that was not uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps.

UPDAT.E 1358z: First South American on 10m FT8 today was PY5JAP (9903km) a few minutes ago.

UPDATE 1532z: 14 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 so far.

UPDATE 1712z: Now over 30 unique 10m FT8 spots of South Americans.

UPDATE 1830z: 41 unique 10m FT8 spots of South Americans today when I went QRT on 10m.

630m WSPR overnight

In all 3 unique stations copied my QRPP WSPR signal (about 10mW ERP) overnight.

I managed to spot 10 unique stations including a couple of LAs. Best DX spotted overnight on 630m WSPR was IW4DXW (1190km).

Sunspots - Sunday October 15th 2017

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A= 31 and K=5.

Back on 630m WSPR

Even though 10m FT8 was still in great shape, I decided to QSY to 60m WSPR transceive for the evening and overnight (20%TX. 10mW ERP).

UPDATE 2044z: So far this evening, 6 unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR, but no spots of my signal yet.

UPDATE 2112z: Still 6 unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR, but no spots of my signal yet. Best DX on 630m WSPR RX remains LA8AV (1035km). I am wondering if the rising noise floor is becoming a real issue copying weaker signals in the UK and rest of Europe for many stations? Perhaps those that manage to spot my QRRP signal only do so when the noise floor drops or if they are fortunate to live in a very quiet area?

UPDATE 2156z: Now spotted 8 unique stations so far this evening on 630m WSPR, but still no spots of my signal. I shall be on overnight.

Mending my 630m earth-electrode "antenna"

630m transverter

Back in the spring, my brother managed to cut my 630m earth-electrode "antenna" whilst staking a tree for me. I have not got around to repairing it. If the weather is good tomorrow, I might get the extension lead and soldering iron out in the garden and try to mend it. I could use it as an "antenna" or as a ground for my current vertical Marconi (very poor!) to see if it raises the ERP a bit.

I noticed that the coax to my 2m big-wheel (used as a Marconi via an ATU on 630m) is barely 0.5m above the ground for half its length, so I am surprised it radiates anything, especially with just a mains plug earth.

630m ATU

If you want to see 630m on a shoestring, look at this setup! There should be 2 pictures attached showing (1) my transverter and (2) ferrite rod ATU.