630m QRPP WSPR overnight

Well, either the internet was not working here from the shack or there was an issue with WSPRnet. Although I was spotting DX on 630m WSPR and was sending all night, no spots at all. I shall probably try again tonight.

6m 10mW FT8 (Monday)

My QRPP 6m FT8 has been on since about 0815z. No spots.

UPDATE 1601z:  32 spots of my 6m 10mW FT8 (see map). This proves that very little power is needed when Es is good.

Sunspots - Monday May 27th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 148. A=10 and K=1.

Is there a problem with WSPRnet?

 At the moment I am on 630m WSPR with my usual 10mW ERP. I am seeing no spots on RX or TX. This could be that I cannot connect to the internet or there’s a problem with WSPRnet. I shall leave it on overnight.

Distant thunder - NOT amateur radio

Between the showers, we were trying to do some gardening. 

The photo (yet again!) is of the windmill next door with storm clouds behind just now.

Low cost 70cm QRPP modules

Before anyone tells me I know Baonfeng and Quansheng handhelds are available at very low cost, but I wonder if any experimenters are experimenting with low cost modules designed to send digital signals at short range?  

Many are available on Amazon.

500uW 10m WSPR (Sunday)

Quite surprised to see my 500uW QRPP 10m WSPR had been spotted this morning by GM4WJA (624km). I suspect this is Es as I have been spotted in N.Ireland when I was running just 10mW FT8 on 6m.

6m 10mW FT8 (Sunday)

My 10mW 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on, but no spots at 0858z. 

UPDATE 0950z:  Spotted by GI0OTC (560km) in Northern Ireland. I suspect this is Es as I have also been spotted running just 500uW in Scotland on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1459z: No more spots of me on 10mW 6m FT8 surprisingly. No further Es reports of my QRPP. Perhaps later?

UPDATE 1735z: Some Es now. 4 spots of my 10mW 6m FT8 so far.

Es (Sunday)

At the moment Es looks quite promising in Eastern Europe. Let's hope this spreads west.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

QMX+ from QRP Labs

Yesterday evening I heard that QRP Labs had received my payment, although I do not know what the delivery date will be for my QMX+.

See https://qrp-labs.com/qmxp.html .

Near where I come from - NOT amateur radio

This is Blackpool Sands in Devon (not THAT Blackpool!!). It’s near where I come from in South Devon. 

It is a private beach with restricted access.

6m 10mW FT8 overnight

 Although I (accidentally) left my 6m QRPP on overnight, no spots.

Sunspots - Sunday May 26th

 Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 106. A=6 and K=1.

POTA with the Elecraft KH1

In the USA POTA seems very popular. Amateur Radio Weekly reports on a POTA activation pedestrian portable with the KH1 and a small whip by K4SWL. 

I don't think the tiny KH1 is available in Europe.

6m 10mW FT8 in the Es season

At the start of the Es season, I started with 10mW 6m WSPR. It worked, so I changed to 6m 10mW FT8, which in theory needs a better S/N to decode.  

Every day, 10mW 6m FT8 has been very successful.  Some reports suggest some margin too. 

I think the fact that FT8 only needs a 15 second TX period compared with 120 seconds for WSPR helps to catch very brief Es openings. 

When I return to 8m, I think I shall try 10mW ERP FT8 instead of WSPR.

23cm activity session

Well over a year ago I bought a 2W 23cms transverter that I intended to use /P in the 23cm activity sessions. As it has been so wet, I have yet to do this. Perhaps later?

I was only going to go out very locally, but on higher ground.

10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR (Saturday)

My 500uW 10m QRPP WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0830z.  European Es looks quite promising, so I am hopeful. 

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

UPDATE 1117z:  No spots.

UPDATE 1738z:  Just a single spot of my QRPP by DK6UG (633km). 

6m 10mW FT8 (Saturday)

Es map of Europe

My 10mW 6m QRPP FT8 was turned on at about 0830z. No spots yet.  European Es looks quite hopeful. 

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

UPDATE 1026z:   5 spots of my 10mW 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1731z: 10 stations have spotted me.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Last night I went on 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP. In all, 7 stations spotted me, which was better than I was expecting. Best DX was GM3YXM (425km). 

ISWL

Back in the 1960s I first joined the International Short Wave League. 

It produces a magazine called "Monitor" which is probably unique in that it supports both amateur radio (RX and TX) and broadcast band listeners. 

They are currently offering a generous package to attract old members back.

See https://www.iswl.org.uk/ .