28MHz WSPR reports today |
Whilst doing other work I left the 10m WSPR beacon system running today. Some decent DX about with the best being reports from FR1GZ and the two Israeli stations.
Simple QRP projects, 10m, 8m, 6m, 4m, FT8, 160m, WSPR, LF/MF, sub-9kHz, nanowaves and other random stuff, some not related to amateur radio.
28MHz WSPR reports today |
One dazed little goldfinch with a headache! |
Tim Lapthorn at Ronnie Scotts |
"Current prediction for the next sunspot cycle maximum gives a smoothed sunspot number maximum of about 58 in July of 2013. We are currently over two years into Cycle 24. The predicted size would make this the smallest sunspot cycle in nearly 200 years."
DK7FC's 8.97kHz grabber showing 4 stations active! |
DJ8WX on 8.970022kHz VLF (645km) |
G3XIZ received on VLF |
UPDATE: Paul Nicholson in Todmorden Yorks has confirmed he received Chris at a distance of 218km, a new record for a UK VLF ham station."You've re-awakened my enthusiasm which I must confess was fading. You are absolutely correct - I checked the transmitter about 02.30 and found that the aerial current had dropped off, maybe due to a change in loading coil inductance with temperature. I increased the drive and brought it back to the initial level of 0.18 A. You and I seem to be at the extreme range with my current set up and if the new loading coil is more efficient we must try the experiment again. I am pleased that the OCXO seems to stable enough for our purposes. Once I've cured my off air standard of losing 'lock' I'll use that as the frequency source. My TX input power was 120 watts giving an output RF of about 80 watts. This should automatically be increased with the better loading coil."
SRC X80 multi-band vertical |
M0AFJ's 4m CW at 75km tonight |
70MHz (4m) 1W pep transverter |
My wife Lis with the snowdrops and aconites |
G3XBM 4m transverter - finished (for now) with 2-3W pep |
GB3BAA 4m as received |
4m QRP transverter (so far) |
"Dear LF/VLF group and further VLF watchers :-)
After another very successful, exciting and fascinating /p VLF experiment i want, as usual, thank all the many (>=24) receiving stations who took the time to arrange a suitable antenna/receiver, PC and to watch the experiment and take some interesting captures. The transmissions took place on 2 VLF bands, 33km (8970 Hz) and 58km (5170 Hz).
So, thanks to TF3HZ, SQ5BPF, G4WGT, G3KEV, Daniele Tincani, G3WCD, G3XDV,M0BMU, G3XBM, OK2BVG, OE3GHB, G4AYT, IK1QFK, DL3ZID, F4DTL, OE5ODL, PA3CPM, PA3FNY, DL4YHF, DF6NM, DJ2LF, DD7PC (bold = 1st positive reception on VLF).
Special thanks to Halldor/TF3HZ who wasn't member of this group before but set up a very sensitive VLF receiver and even a most intersting grabber just by my email request. This is the first VLF detection between DL and TF. My signal appeared at up to 15 dB SNR in 4.5 mHz in 2404 km. This helps a bit to get some imagination how far a transatlantic detection is away.
Sorry to those who tried without success this time, like 4X1RF. The next experiment will come soon, maybe in about one month.
So, see you in the 11th experiment. :-)
Vy 73, Stefan/DK7FC'
How HamSphere works |
4m converter breadboard (2N3904 oscillator and NE602) |
G3XBM E-field probe for 8-9kHz |
Spectran trace of G6ALB on 8.76kHz at 3km |
Breadboarded 137kHz 8W transverter (ERP 50uW from antenna) |
Simple 137kHz QRP transverter - click for larger image |
These bluebells and forget me nots were at Cambridge Botanic Garden last week.