QSY to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

At about 1900z I QSYed from 28MHz FT8 to 472kHz WSPR using 10mW ERP (20% TX) from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far, the usual stations spotted and spotting me.

Build project?

Although my health is less than brilliant, my XYL insists that building something would be good for me. Now you know how it is! These commands have to be obeyed!

Somewhere in a drawer, I have an unbuilt 20m Rockmite kit, although I do not have a very good 20m antenna. A few years ago (after my 2013 stroke) I managed to build a 40m Pixie transceiver kit and it worked.

The Rockmite really does not enthuse me. If you have any ideas for simple projects I could build, let me know. At one time almost anything was possible. These days even simple things are hard.

Plymouth Argyle - NOT amateur radio

OK, I am a fireside football fan and it is very many years since I attended a real soccer match. However, I do keep and eye on some teams of interest and one of these is Plymouth Argyle, which was my local team many years ago.

At the moment they are likely to be relegated to League 2 in the UK. This is the lowest tier. They have just sacked their manager. If they survive it will be by the skin of their teeth. At the moment this seems unlikely.

Ferns - NOT amateur radio

Ferns are fascinating. Those in the photo were seen at Anglesey Abbey earlier today. They are about to unwind.

10m FT8 again

Yet again, I am on 10m FT8, mainly RX. Yesterday there was plenty of Es propagation on the band and it remains to be seen how things work out today. If there is any "real DX" i.e. South Africa or South America, I don't expect to spot these until after lunch.

An initial CQ call today just after 0800z was spotted by no-one! Let's hope things here improve.

UPDATE 0915z: No spots yet on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1415z: So far today, 54 EU stations spotted, presumably Es. As yet, no "real DX" spotted here on 10m FT8 RX.

Stations spotted here today so far on 10m FT8 RX

UPDATE 1850z: 59 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. Most are via Es. It seems unlikely there will be any "real DX" via F2. I shall shortly QSY to 472kHz WSPR.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Not a bad night (for the time of year) with 5 stations spotting my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with the best being DL/PA0EHG (493km). I spotted 4 stations here. I think the Norwegian stations were not active.

472kHz WSPR here overnight

433MHz superhet modules - dirt cheap

Although my health precludes doing much RF design and construction these days, I see you can buy TX and RX module pairs for 433MHz for about £3 with free postage on eBay.  I guess a half capable designer could build a useful pair of transceivers for local 70cms AM comms for under £10. There may already be designs published, although I've not seen these. If you have, please share a link.

Try looking on eBay for "433MHz RF modules". To a capable designer, these could be quite useful. No doubt with a bit of digging you can get these for even less!

UPDATE 1345z: Check out the YouTube videos by VK3YE who has done some interesting tests with similar modules. It appears you can get FM or AM with these and some useful ranges.

Sunspots - Monday April 29th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number is again zero. A=6 and K=1. Pretty poor!

472kHz WSPR

A few moments ago I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground). As usual, I am 20% TX with the remainder of the time on RX.

So far, 1 station has spotted me and 1 station spotted here.

Maggie - NOT amateur radio

Maggie is now a very old horse. She has been a favourite with grandchildren who like to find her grass to eat.

She is in a new paddock. I'm sure she loves attention from children. She is part of our lives.