Overnight on 472kHz WSPR

In a word - disappointing.

In all, my 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was spotted by 4 stations with best DX DK2DB (685km). On RX, I spotted 10 stations with best DX LA2XPA (1310km).

 

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP) overnight

472kHz WSPR RX here overnight

Sunspots - Thursday March 7th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number 14. A=8 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

For over an hour now, I have been on 472kHz WSPR (20% TX, 80% RX, 10mW ERP). What surprises me is how few UK stations appear to be active on 472kHz WSPR TX. At the moment it appears there are only two of us!

Surely my ultra-simple system proves that with WSPR you do not need big antennas or high power. Several spots already on RX and TX. I shall be on overnight. As usual, I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Amateur radio survey

You may be interested in this survey: http://www.radiosoth.org/ .  I believe it has been done for several years. Obviously, the more people that are surveyed, the better.

It took me about 5 minutes to answer the questions. Most are tick boxes, so simple to fill in.

New Zealand wines - NOT amateur radio

Next week, my wife and I are giving a talk at our local wine group on New Zealand wines. We are certainly no wine experts and, to be honest, we are "winging it" on NZ wines.

We visited the country in 2009, not long after we retired.  It is without doubt the most beautiful place we have ever been to, helped by having a population way smaller than the UK. If you can go, I recommend it.

I think they had 4M people when we went. They speak English and drive on the left like in the UK. With Skype video contact with one of our sons it felt like just next door.

We were in Christchurch exactly 2 years to the very day before the big earthquake struck the city. New Zealand is a great place to visit, although perhaps not to live if you like old churches and culture.

Greylag Geese - NOT amateur radio

In the UK, greylag geese are the geese of farmyards. These two were spotted yesterday at Stow-cum-Quy near Cambridge.

10m WSPR TX (500mW beacon)

As yesterday (when I got no spots!) I am again on 10m WSPR TX (500mW, 100%, randomised frequencies) as the antenna is available. If I get any spots it will be a miracle. I am not expecting much. First TX period was at 0740z.

UPDATE 0905z: No spots.

UPDATE 1827z: Well there's a surprise! Still no 10m WSPR TX spots today. Soon time to QSY, but I am not sure (yet) where to, either 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) or 1.84MHz FT8 RX.

2m FT8 RX

At the moment, I am still monitoring 2m FT8 RX. So far, 6 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX spotted GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 0908z: Now 7 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1057z: Now 11 stations in 7 countries spotted today so far.

UPDATE 1412z: Now 26 stations in 7 countries spotted so far today on 2m. Best DX is DK1FG (815km).

UPDATE 1820z: Now 43 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

Sunspots (at last!) - Wednesday March 6th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 14 (yes some sunspots!). A=5 and K=1.

OFCOM Communications Monthly - February 2019

OFCOM has updated it monthly report on communications.