Plans for Sunday

In a few moments, I expect to again go on 10m WSPR with my 10mW ERP. After lunch I shall probably  try the 22m (HiFer) band with ISM conditions. I shall probably use my G3XBM call still as I know that works with WSPRnet.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

In all, 22 stations  have spotted my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 630m in the last 24 hours. No astounding DX, but a good haul.

Sunspots - Sunday February 4th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 123 . A=3 and K=1.

Crab apple jelly - NOT amateur radio

Each autumn, I try to make crab apple jelly with the crab apples on our one tree. Last autumn was pathetic. Looking around the shops, we found it impossible to buy.

In the end we turned to Amazon who had some. We ordered it and it was delivered next day. Some are dead against online shopping. There is little doubt our shopping habits are changing. Having things delivered to the door next day is very convenient!

Having used them for many years, I have never been disappointed.

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

 My 10mW ERP WSPR was turned on about 1855z.

UPDATE 2145z: 10 stations have spotted me in the last 12 hours.

Clunch cottage - NOT amateur radio

Many of the older cottages in our village are made of clunch. This is a kind of chalk. 

On the way to the shops today, we noticed this cottage that had been stripped of its rendering. It looks really good. 

Clunch is quite strong, but needs to be protected to stop weathering.

10m 10mW ERP WSPR (Saturday)

 

Yet again, I am trying 10m with 10mW ERP. 7 stations have spotted me at 1257z. Every day for several days now DX spots have been obtained.

UPDATE 1450z:  It seems 10mW 10m WSPR gets me spotted in the USA daily!

Birdwatch - NOT amateur radio

This was last weekend in my shack counting birds in the garden. No small birds, yet there were plenty this morning!

22m ISM band

WSPRnet includes the 22m ISM band. In the last couple of weeks, there are plenty of reports, mostly from stations using a few milliwatts. I have never tried this band. I guess if you have a 20m antenna it will work just below the band.

Personally, I find this sort of propagation research far more rewarding than chatting on 80m about carrots with commercial gear. If legal, I shall give it a try next week with the call probably 22M3ISM.

UPDATE  1055z:  Reading IR2030 /1,/2 it would appear it is legal to run a device with an output less than 42 dBµA/m at 10 m in the 22m band. Does anyone know what that represents as an ERP please? In the EU the spec is EN300 330. I think if you later intend to place a product on the market (only) then you have to submit a product for type approval. Otherwise I think you can self-declare compliance.

UPDATE 1440z: According to Rik Strobbe ON7YD, this is equivalent to 7.5mW EIRP.

UPDATE 1444z: Starting tomorrow, I shall try WSPR beaconing in the 22m ISM band (so called HiFer band). Need to find out the best frequency for WSPR beaconing. 

UPDATE 1515z: It would appear 13.5539 MHz USB dial is the setting for 22m ISM WSPR. I shall start beaconing properly on Sunday, but it is on now.

UPDATE  1550z: See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_radiated_power.

Sunspots - Saturday February 3rd

 Solar flux is 143 and the SSN 131. A =3 and K=1.