472 kHz WSPR

This autumn, I intend to try 472 kHz WSPR again. I had a problem last season which prevented me TXing. Once again I shall be using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Probably RX only at first to check activity. I might try RX only tonight.

UPDATE 1925z:  When using the shack PC WSPRnet asked me to log in again and enter my password, which I cannot recall, so I am getting a new one.  I may try 472 kHz WSPR RX tomorrow night instead.

UPDATE 1956z:  It works! I had the wrong username (now corrected), so I am monitoring 472 kHz WSPR.  So far, G1GKN (54km) spotted using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2013z: Furthermost on 472 kHz WSPR RX is DC0DX (467km).

UPDATE 2037z:  3 unique stations spotted so far this evening. 

UPDATE 2130z: After late evening in previous years 472kHz WSPR has not been productive. As this is my first time on the band for some time, I may let the RX stay on overnight to see what is spotted. 

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

All morning I have been on 40.680 MHz FT8 with my 2.5W and dipole. At 1133z no spots on RX or TX.

UPDATE 1434z: Still no spots.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)

Since about 0830z, my QRP 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on the air.

UPDATE 1130z: 4 stations have spotted me. The DX stations look like F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1952z:  10 stations spotted my 500mW WSPR beacon today with the furthermost in Antarctica.

Sunspots - Thursday September 21st 2023

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 159. A=16 and K=2. 

1980s "shack"

Whilst trying to find something else, I came across this old photo of my radio gear. It must be about 1985. My shack was just a desk in our bedroom!  The grey handheld is a 2m SSB MX2 and the CB radio was converted to 10m FM. The black vertical radio is a 2m ICOM IC202 used on 2m and 10m QRP via a homebrew 1W transverter.

8m QRP FT8

My 2.5W to the dipole was turned on at 0854z. No spots after 25 minutes. 

UPDATE 1748z: Disappointing, with no spots on TX or RX all day.

10m QRP WSPR TX

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at 0854z. After about 20 minutes just spots from local G4KPX (14km). 

UPDATE 1015z:  4 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE  1613z: 5 stations have spotted me today.

Training ship - NOT amateur radio

We saw this last week in Porto Montenegro (Tivat) on holiday. 

Sunspots - Wednesday September 20th 2023

Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 143. A=49 and K=3 .

Wednesday plans

 Assuming the storms keep away, I intend to go on 10m QRP WSPR TX and 8m QRP FT8. 

Montenegro blog - NOT amateur radio

Last week we enjoyed a holiday in Montenegro. As it is easy to forget, I created a blog to help me remember what we did!  

See https://montenegro2023.blogspot.com .

Back home - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we flew home from Montenegro. It more or less on time. It was a good holiday, but too many steps! 

10m QRP WSPR TX

As I am back home I am on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon. Just G4KPX (14 km) spotting me. 

UPDATE 1144z: 8 stations have spotted me today (see table).

UPDATE 2025z: 14 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR.

Back on 8m

As I am now back home, I am back on QRP FT8 on 8m.

UPDATE 1136z: Spotted by WESSEXSDR (266km). It looks like this is aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 1558z: Also spotted by EI4GNB (445km). This is an odd distance, so most probably aircraft, although I cannot rule out random MS, or even tropo.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 19th 2023

Solar flux is 155 and the SSN 139. A=30 and K=6.

More countries on 8m?

It is rumoured that E51 (Cook Is) is trying to gain access to the 8m band. 

I very much hope that many more countries will try (and be granted) limited access to the band. We are approaching sunspot maximum and if more countries asked for, and were given, access even for a limited time, we could really contribute to radio science.

There will be times in the next few years when the MUF will just exceed 41 MHz. If you are asking your PTT for limited access, these are my suggestions:

• 40.680 - 40.685 MHz (just 5 kHz in the ISM band)
• 10W ERP
• Narrow digital modes (e.g. FT8, WSPR, CW) only 
• Secondary only
• By NoV or equivalent (i.e. you have to ask for access)
• Aim is mainly for propagation research.
• Access for 12 months (around sunspot maximum)
• Strictly no interference.
  

It is my view that by asking for modest things we are more likely to be successful. In the end I am sure that most users are almost exclusively interested in propagation research.

Sunspots - Monday September 18th 2023

Solar flux is 145 and the SSN 94. A=16 and K=4. 

National Park in Montenegro - NOT amateur radio

This morning we visited this pristine lake surrounded by a wealth of different trees. 

My 100mW 10m WSPR beacon in 2012

A very long time ago, I built a tiny QRP WSPR beacon for 10m. These were the results. I think it is still in a drawer somewhere. As I recall this was at this time of year on the climb to the peak of solar cycle 24.

Truth? - NOT amateur radio

 I am concerned that we are fed a line by the media that may not be the truth. This we know happens in Russia, but it also happens in the west too. Often we don't realise.