472kHz experiments (continued)

As mentioned in an earlier post, for the last few days I have been using the 15m earth-electrode and not the same antenna with the far end as a capacitive connection to ground as used previously.  So far, I have spotted 14 unique stations (best DX DK7FC at 669km) and my own signal has been spotted so far by 10 unique stations (best DX F59706  at 570km) using WSPR.

Overall, my impression is the "proper" earth-electrode antenna is a few dB down, and more directional (?), compared with the similar arrangement but with the capacitive ground connection for the far electrode.

In the coming days I shall extend the baseline and repeat with the capacitive far ground connection. Based on results to date I would expect it to perform quite well, despite what theory might say.

Nevada - they clearly don't want my business!

Having asked again for a good deal on the President Lincoln 2 mono-band transceiver for 10m, this was their second reply:

Dear Sir,
Thank you for your email. I can confirm that the warranty is 12 months from the date of purchase. Unfortunately however, at this time we are not able to reduce the price but wish you well with your purchase.

Regards

Helen Wells

Nevada

Not even discount for a fully upfront cash sale! Clearly this dealer is not interested in my business. A 12 month warranty is also pathetic these days. A 3 yr Square Deal warranty on eBay is only 34 pounds. As a main dealer I was expecting a decent response from Nevada, especially as the similar Anytone rig is over 100 pounds less to buy.

All I can say is others offer a better deal, even without negotiation. Nevada, YOUR loss, sorry.

Had you offered a 2yr warranty and 20 pounds cash discount the sale would have been yours.

President Lincoln 2 - Nevada prices

Today I received a disappointing reply from Nevada:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your email. We can confirm that we currently have this radio available for immediate despatch with a total cost (including UK Mainland delivery of 265.90.

The warranty period is 12 months from the date of purchase.

If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards

Helen Wells

Nevada

Unit 1 & 12 Fitzherbert Spur

Farlington

Portsmouth PO6 1TT

This is a far worse deal than available from others. I have expressed, to Nevada, my disappointment. At the very least I was expecting a better discount for cash and a much better warranty. I have suggested they reconsider if they want my business. I can wait or go elsewhere.

15m earth-electrode

Well, because of my stroke and bad weather, a few days ago was the first chance I had to go into the garden to inspect the far grounded electrode. To my great surprise I discovered  my wire was not connected to the ground rod at all and was as my son had left it last September - the wire was just connected to  a rolled up piece of coax laying on the ground, in effect a capacitive ground connection: that was why I needed series inductance then! The feed wire is about 1.5m off the ground along a fence. Since the start of the weekend I have been using the far end grounded (as I thought it was originally) to the ground stake. Impedance is still very high (around 200-300 ohms) but I no longer need the series inductance. As for results, it seems perhaps more directional and (maybe) a few dB down on the  previous (unintentional) arrangement. Whether the antenna was working as an NVIS wire is not clear but at the old QTH running the wire back through the grass made little or no difference to performance of the earth-electrode antenna, confirming the " loop in the ground" behaviour at MF/LF.  I may next try extending the poorly grounded wire further along the fence top to compare performance. The maximum run possible is about 30-35m.

Burwell Hobbies and Interests Weekend

This weekend, our local church hosted a very successful Hobbies and Interests Weekend aiming to raise money of the "Building to Serve" fund to pay for improvements to the church interior so it is better suited for more general use by the community.

Had I been fit, I might well have taken some amateur radio gear along as I did some years ago at another occasion in the village. As it happened a church member Rob G4PZW was running a special event station GB1BHW and was working plenty of 10m stateside SSB stations when I arrived mid-afternoon. My walking is still very wobbly and I need support for longer walks. I had not met Rob before, a really nice guy, who lives down the other end of the village.

This coming Tuesday evening the ex-archbishop of Canterbury is speaking at the church and I am being taken along. The ex-archbishop now works in a Cambridge College, St Johns I think.

President Lincoln II prices

Today I emailed Nevada to see what their best cash price is for a delivered President Lincoln II 10m transceiver. I have seen it for £234.95 on eBay, but this is with just  a 12 month warranty. I did not ring Nevada because of my breathlessness due to the stroke after-effects. As yet, they have not responded. Other people have recommended the (less expensive) Anytone series which are available under a range of brand names for around £149.

President Lincoln 2 Transceiver

Some years ago I owned a 10m band (only) President Lincoln multi-mode rig.  Many bought this rig to convert it  to CB use.  As a 10m rig it performed very well with plenty of DX QSOs in the log including a real mobile mobile SSB QSO with a VU (India) stastion one evening when driving in the outskirts of Cambridge (Fulbourn).   Power was a maximum of 20W PEP.

Now there is a new version of this rig available from Nevada and others. The new version, President Lincoln 2, has a maximum SSB power of 31W and includes USB/LSB/AM/FM and CW modes, lots of nice features and a 2 year (maybe 3 year?) warranty.  It is basically a high class, multi-mode CB radio, designed and made in China  and selling for around £250.  The Nevada price is very slightly higher. It is reported to have been 3 years in the design and well made.

I am very tempted to buy the new version if I can negotiate a good deal as 10m remains my very best band. Running it at 10-20W, the rig should be reliable and well capable of decent DX.

Sunspot count over 200, VLF earth-mode, and my stroke

Today I have taken a day off from 10m, but I see the sunspot count is 202 and the transatlantic path is well open with lots of EU stations being spotted in the USA and Canada, and vice versa. There are good spots from Europe to S.America too and the band was open EU to Australia again this morning.

VLF  earth-mode beacon TX

Later today, if my energy levels improve (very low currently because of my stroke after-effects) I want to match my 8.97kHz VLF earth-mode TX  into the earth-electrodes better. At 472kHz they look quite a bit different here compared with at the old QTH (here more like 200-300 ohms with some capacitive reactance whereas at the old QTH it was more like 40-60 ohms resistive. At VLF it might be a lot different, of course. My initial earth-mode VLF results from this new QTH last August/Sept (before my stroke) were disappointing and this may have been due to poor matching?

If I can get more power into the ground I may ask my wife to help me with some drive tests locally to check earth-mode VLF performance. This is where I REALLY miss my health and fitness. I tire SO easily at present, but have been told this should improve given time and more healing.

Guess I have to slow down and let things take their time and not expect instantly to get better. Apparently I was VERY poorly last autumn - my heart stopped at one point and the first 4-6 weeks in hospital are just a blur -  and feel I am almost living a new "second chance" life. Certainly I have never seen a more beautiful springtime.

UPDATE 2045z:  In the end the VLF work will have to be later as I am too tired right now. The simplest way of increasing the output impedance is probably to reduce the PRIMARY turns on the 3C90 output toroid s long as the frequency response is OK. This is currently set for a 4:50 ohm step up. Reducing by a few primary turns may be all that is needed. We'll see tomorrow.

VLF transatlantic

In recent weeks a number of amateur tests have been running from the USA to Europe around 74kHz and at 29.499kHz using several hundred watts to large antennas.  74kHz has been well copied , but the surprise is 29.499kHz with SWL Paul Nicholson and Marcus DF6NM, and others, copying the test signals, for example,  at over 15dB S/N in  424uHz bandwidth.  As far as I know, these 29.499kHz VLF signals are the first amateur VLF ones to span the Atlantic - fantastic results by well equipped stations using suitable RXs and good software.

10m WSPR - first Japanese spot of my signal

Although I have copied 10m WSPR signals from Japan before, this morning I received the first WSPR spot of my 2W signal.  JH1GYE (PM96mi) at 9380km spotted me at 0858z. 10m is clearly in good shape again today.

Also spotting me was R0AU in central Siberia at 5579km. Of course 4X1RF spots me whenever I appear on WSPR for some reason - he must have a very low noise floor and good system there in Israel. Isn't it amazing that G8KNN just 12km west of me gets me at about the same S/N as the station in Japan!

Also worth noting is the high level of European activity. In my log this morning  are OH, SM. OZ, DK, F, HB9, PA, CT1, LZ  and G for starters. This could be Es or more probably F layer including some back-scatter. Come next month the regular summer Es season will bring consistently strong EUs in.

Late morning ZP5BAB copied my 2W WSPR signal at 10333km in Paraguay and at 1848z I was spotted by PY4XX at 9252km.

As before, lots of transatlantic spots both ways again today.

10m - best yet tonight

At 2100z, way after darkness fell here, my 2W 10m WSPR signal was spotted by K3ZV at 5692km. At 2108z this was bettered by KB9AMG  at 6300km. This is the latest spot of my 10m signal yet and the band is STILL open transatlantic!  I  had planned to stop 10m WSPR for now, but conditions remain SO good I feel compelled to continue. The band is closing later and later in the evenings. Transatlantic conditions remain brilliant on 10m.

UPDATE 2130z: The band appears to have closed transatlantic just after 2108z,much later than last night which was late.

Tomorrow I shall try JT9-1 instead.

Simple gear

A reminder of my current station: recently I bought an FT817ND to add to the FT817 I have owned for YEARS. I also bought a Z817 LDG auto-ATU. These are the "workhorses" of my station feeding either the Par 10/20/40m end-fed, the V2000 6m/2m/70cm vertical or the 2m halo. Via the 472kHz transverter they also feed the 15m spaced earth-electrode antenna on 630m MF. The FT817ND and LDG auto-ATU were supplied by Martin Lynch and Sons and they were a pleasure to do business with. I can recommend them for price, speed and good customer relations.

I also own an Elecraft K1 CW transceiver (40, 30, 20, 15m), a Mizuho 200mW pep MX2 2m SSB handheld, tiny Yaesu VX1 and VX2 FM hand portables and an MFJ Cub for 15m CW. These are hardly used, although all have worked some decent DX. My Elecraft T1 ATU is in need of repair as it operates intermittently. The FT817s are used at 500mW to 2.5W maximum and I have been spotted in Australia at 2W or less on 10, 20 and 40m this year. This power is quite enough.

I also have simple beacons for sub-9kHz and 137kHz QRSS3 as well as kit for optical comms to use /P.  I  neither need nor want QRO gear, preferring to work QRP.

To be built is a GPS locked, stand alone (no rigs or PC needed) Ultimate 3 WSPR beacon TX for 10m, but I am waiting until my stroke is somewhat better before starting this as I am still a bit too clumsy and tire very quickly.

The VLF and LF beacons, the 472kHz transverter and various other QRP rigs (e.g. the WISPY, Fredbox and Sixbox) not listed are homebrew and much fun too.

Very early start on 10m

Overnight I left my 2W 10m WSPR running and was surprised to exchange spots with 4X1RF just after 0700z. I was exchanging WSPR spots with FR5ZX very early too and have spotted several Japanese stations such as JE8GSV and JH1GYE (both running 5W) around 0900z. The band looks wide open and very early too. There is plenty of other activity too.

At 1212z a single 10m 2W WSPR transmission resulted 6 spots with  3 N.Americans, 1 S.American (CX2ABP at 11127km) and the rest EUs. 10m is fair humming.

UPDATE 1650z: a couple of stations in S.California (KD6RF and N6RY - the latter 8756km) have just spotted my 2W WSPR signal.

More 10m JT9-1 and WSPR success today

On 10m, UR5LOS responded to my QRP CQ call on JT9-1 this morning and my signal was also being copied in Greece. There were also 10m JT9-1 signals coming through from Brazil and all around Europe.

I then switched to 10m WSPR and already at 1120z my 2W was being spotted in Eastern Canada by VE1MDO at 4651km and at 1144z by WG2Z at 5600km. You can tell we are at sunspot maximum alright. Most days the transatlantic path is wide open in the afternoons.   At 1252  FR5ZX in S.America spotted my 2W WSPR at 9740km and later so did CX2ABP at 11127km.  Later still TI3/AB4AW (Costa Rica, Central America, WJ89au) at 8752km copied my 2W 10m WSPR.

At 1812z I got 9 spots off just one transmission and ALL the reports were from transatlantic stations with DX from 4561km up to 8664km.  Even at 2016z I am getting 5 posts per transmission on 10m and ALL these are transatlantic, several hours after local dark here. I am still spotting a 5W Californian WSPR station KD6RF at 8553km at 2022z.

In all, a good day on 10m.

UPDATE 2110z: The transatlantic path appears, finally, to have closed here at 2042z, which is late.

Ultra-simple 50MHz rigs and a spectrum analyser

Some years ago G6ALB and I did some tests with a QRP handheld 49MHz rig re-crystalled for 50MHz. As I recall we had a QSO over about 3km.

Here is a schematic of a typical 3 transistor QRP AM transceiver for 49MHz that would easily work on 50MHz. Because the RX has a super-regen detector and no isolating  RF amp, QRM could be caused to nearby weak signal band users, so any tests done should consider this. Simply replace the crystal and re-peak the tuned circuits to 50MHz. I have a couple of such rigs and should retune them into the 6m band. This schematic is from the YO3DAC/VA3IUL site at www.qsl.net/va3iul .

49MHz 3 transistor transceiver - suitable for 50MHz conversion

Also on the same site is a neat 0-100MHz spectrum analyser. See http://www.qsl.net/va3iul/SA/spectrum_an.html

CW, PSK31, JT65 and JT9-1 QSOs

As I have more or less fulfilled my aims with WSPR until I get my longer baseline earth-electrode antenna laid out (stroke - so need help),  the aim is now to amass a decent number of digital QSOs using the above modes, thereby saving my poor voice. Already I have worked W4 on JT65 and an  RA4 on  PSK31. The RA9 on JT9-1 should be the first of many QSOs using this narrow band and sensitive mode. It is only a couple of dB worse than WSPR but is a proper 2-way QSO mode. I shall have to try this mode on 160m and 630m.

JT9-1 success

Whatever I did I could NOT get version V1.3 of K1JT's latest software to work on my PC. No decodes, zilch.

Reverting to V1.1 and success was sweet and immediate with a nice 20m JT9-1 QSO with RA9KT at 4309km.  I still don't understand the problem with V1.3, but V1.1 is nearly the same and allows me to have JT9-1 QSOs on any HF/MF band I want.

UPDATE 1840z: In my ignorance I forgot to close the JT9-1 software and as a result my signals were spotted until a few minutes ago on both sides of the Atlantic on PSK Reporter. I have now closed the program and my apologies.

WSJTX help!

I am still struggling with the latest JT9-1 and JT65 combined software (V1.3 from the Princeton University site) and getting absolutely NO decodes, despite good signals in the waterfall. Requests for help have been answered by a few, without success so far.

Again any help will be appreciated. I am using an FT817ND set on USER-U option in menu 26 (works fine with JT65HF and WSPR) , normal SSB filter, have internet  time set every few minutes, a SignaLink USB audio interface and a windows XP laptop.

What am I doing that is so wrong? I can see my JT65 CQs are getting out all over the place on PSK Reporter, but until I can decode stations, I cannot have QSOs.

Help!

Help please! JT9-1 and JT65HF

Today I downloaded the latest  V1.3 JT9-1 ( and JT65) software from the Princeton University site. Although I can see my digital CQ calls are being received all over the place (looking at PSK reporter) I get ZERO decodes on the JT-9 screen although I can see plenty of JT9-1 signals at good strength on the waterfall. I cannot work out why no callsigns are decoded at all.

Settings for external audio and PTT VOX are as for WSPR, so interfaces to the SignaLink USB are fine. The FT817 is set to DIG with same settings as for WSPR (USB -U on  PSK settings as for WSPR)  and PSK31 works OK as I am getting QSOs.

Anyone care to suggest what (simple) things I may be doing wrong with JT9-1? It MUST be something VERY basic.

More 160m QRP WSPR with 15m baseline earth-electrodes

Last evening and overnight I left the 160m 2W WSPR system running with the 15m baseline earth-electrode "antenna" to see what happened. The number of UNIQUE station spots of my signal has climbed to 17 in 8 different countries, with the best DX still just over 1000km to Sweden.On RX I have now spotted 11 uniques.

17 unique spots in 8 countries with 2W and 15m earth-electrodes on 160m WSPR

Having more or less completed all the WSPR tests I want to do for now with the present antennas, I shall now concentrate on 2-way modes that don't involve speaking (to save my poor voice) such as CW, PSK31, JT65HF and JT9-1.

Top Band on the 15m baseline earth-electrode "antenna"

Running the 2W  from the PA (ERP not known but mWs likely) I received 12 unique spots overnight of my 160m WSPR signal with best DX report from SM6WZI  (JO67mp) at 1007km, not at all bad going. At my end, I copied just 6 unique stations including SM6WZI as my best DX spot. My reports (of others) are not as good as their spots of me, suggesting my noise floor is higher than theirs?

At this point I am running out of WSPR "experiments" that I can do with the antennas already in place. You may recall my stroke is preventing ladder and antenna work outside presently. I could give 137kHz a go but will need a preamp building first. "Down the road" at the old QTH G8HUH was regularly able to copy me on 137kHz WSPR QRP to my 20m earth-electrode"antenna" at 250km. Main issue on 137kHz is there are few WSPR stations active usually.

Maybe I shall try some 2-way HF QSOs using CW, PSK31, JT65HF or JT9-1 instead? All the while I am trying to avoid speaking to save my poor voice!

160m on 15m earth-electrode "antenna"

I have just started WSPR on 160m with the 15m baseline earth-electrode system, matching the "antenna"  with just the Z817 auto-ATU. First TX burst resulted in 5 spots in 5 countries and best DX 633km. The system will run through the night and I'll report on results more fully tomorrow.

New FT817ND with 250Hz CW filter

Today I fitted the 250Hz CW filter (bought at a competitive price from Greece on eBay) and have been using the new FT817ND on 40m and 10m WSPR. Everything seems to work well with the Z817 auto-ATU. What is amazing is that a single WSPR TX burst can give me up to 21 spots.

Even more on 80m QRP - 15m baseline earth-electrode antenna

I decided to leave my 2W 80m WSPR station running a little longer and the tally has now jumped to 24 spots of my own signal and 45 spots of other stations. The earth-electrode antenna is no " also ran" - it performs well on both TX and RX.

OFCOM reply re: sub 8.3kHz and around 73kHz

A precis of the following is basically you need an NoV to operate below 8.3kHz and (maybe can get one for) low powered experiments around 73kHz with MoD aproval for 6 month periods. Above 3000GHz (e.g. optical) the wireless telegraphy act does NOT apply. Earth-mode or utilities assisted earth-mode (through the ground) can be used without a licence (is my reading) but not if signals are essentially radiated.  No real surprises.  "Spectrum Licensing
to me

Your ref: 1-641-1681

Dear Roger,

Thank you for your email and apologies for the delay in responding.

There is no lower limit for the definition of ‘wireless telegraphy’ in the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, only an upper limit* and we unaware of any order changing that. Transmissions below 8.3 kHz would still be covered by the WT Act and would need the relevant authorisation, even if there is no Allocation available in the UK FAT.  As you are most likely wanting to do this under the authorisation of your amateur radio licence, you would need to apply for a variation.

Unfortunately, the UK amateur radio licence does not authorise use of 73 kHz and we do not note it in any relevant exemption regulations, such as The Wireless Telegraphy (Testing and Development Under Suppressed Radiation Conditions) (Exemption) Regulations 1989. So any intended operation(s) would also have to be the subject of a variation.

If you wish to approach Ofcom for a NoV we would need you to provide as much information as possible. Information required would be things like radiated power, frequency, bandwidth, antenna type, height, NGR, whether directional (and, if so, direction), elevation, class of emission and purpose of use. We may be able offer a variation, but initially this would likely be for a temporary period e.g. six months. However, there is no guarantee that we can authorise this use.  We also note that the 73 kHz band is UK2 and that means prior approval from the MoD would need to be sought. 

*“116     “Wireless telegraphy”.

(1)        In this Act “wireless telegraphy” means the emitting or receiving, over paths that are not provided by any material substance constructed or arranged for the purpose, of energy to which subsection (2) applies. .

(2)        This subsection applies to electromagnetic energy of a frequency not exceeding 3,000 gigahertz that— .

(a)        serves for conveying messages, sound or visual images (whether or not the messages, sound or images are actually received by anyone), or for operating or controlling machinery or apparatus; or .

(b)        is used in connection with determining position, bearing or distance, or for gaining information as to the presence, absence, position or motion of an object or of a class of objects. .

(3)        The Secretary of State may by order modify the definition of “wireless telegraphy” by substituting a different frequency for the frequency that is for the time being specified in subsection (2). .

(4)        No order is to be made containing provision authorised by subsection (3) unless a draft of the order has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House”

We hope the above information helps.

Regards

Ash

:: Ash Gohil

   Team Leader

  Spectrum Licensing

  Spectrum Operations

  020 7783 4425

  ash.gohil@ofcom.org.uk

:: Ofcom

    Riverside House

   2a Southwark Bridge Road

   London SE1 9HA

   www.ofcom.org.uk

"

Great success -80m WSPR with15m earth-electrodes

Last evening and overnight I left the 80m WSPR running using just the 15m E-W earth-electrode "antenna" and was well rewarded: best reception (here) was of a Canadian station and the best report of my own 2W was from Finland. In all, I received 20 unique spots in 9 countries with my best DX report from OH6GAP at 1852km. Reports are rarely what I would call marginal ones too.

80m 2W TX WSPR spots with 15m baseline E-W earth-electrode antenna

On RX here, I spotted 34 unique stations in 12 countries with best DX VA3SK (running 2W from FN06jf) at 5514km. A decent distance on 80m.

The antenna certainly works OK on 80m as well as 630m. Next try will be on 160m, probably starting after lunchtime today.

80m WSPR with 15m earth-electrode "antenna"

Since lunchtime, I have been using the 15m E-W earth-electrode "antenna" on 80m.  On RX it has netted me 17 unique spots with best DX OH8GKP in Finland at 1994km.  With 2W on TX best DX so far is OZ7IT at 853km. The antenna current with 2W RF from the FT817 is lower than on 474.2kHz. This is the status at 1925z.

80m WSPR unique RX spots using 15m E-W earth-electrode "antenna"

27 spots on 474.2kHz QRPP TX with15m earth-electrodes

After about 10 days, my total number of spots received has risen to 27 now with best DX report still from F1JBB in SW France. On RX I have copied EA, I and LA as best DX and loads and loads of stations. ERP 5-10-mW.  Performance  is at least as good as on the 20m spaced electrodes at the old QTH.

27 WSPR spots with 10mW ERP and 15m spaced earth-electrodes

Time now to concentrate on another band with the earth-electrodes? 160m is the next obvious choice.

OFCOM - are they ALL automatoms?

Having now contacted OFCOM very many times in the last month I am getting heartily fed-up with the auto-response email system advising me to wait 5 days for a reply. So far, it is more like 5 WEEKS and I have still to hear from a single human being as opposed to that damn machine!  You may recall my inquiries related to sub-8.3kHz operation and operating with very low power around 73kHz and both queries should require straightforward quick answers.

They really must be understaffed, or is it just that unlicenced stuff (i.e. no income stuff) automatically goes to the bottom of the piles? Personally, I am less than impressed.

At current rate of progress I am getting inclined to TX on ANY frequency as I doubt ANYONE at OFCOM is actually bothered unless anyone happened to complain. And I am one who likes to keep to the law!

Based on OFCOM's total lack of interest I assume sub-8.3kHz can be used freely in the UK. Surely they would have screamed," NO, NO WAY!", long ago if they had a serious issue? I do wish they would reply unambiguously, and soon.

Stroke progress

After several days when, frankly, I felt I was going backwards, this morning I awoke free from sickness and nausea and feeling quite a bit better. So far, I have chosen to take no pills at all. I still feel a lot better, still wobbly on my feet but 50% of my old normal self rather than 45%. For the first time in many weeks I feel a full recovery will come given time.

UPDATE 1730z:  Downhill after lunch. Drinking coffee (especially) and tea seem to be more problematic than they should be , even with thickener added. I felt worse again this afternoon, and after SUCH a promising start today. 

26 uniques on 474.2kHz

25 uniques on 474.2kHz WSPR with15m baseline E-W earth-electrode antenna and 5-10mW ERP

The total number of unique spots of my 5-10mW ERP 474.2kHz WSPR signal from the E-W 15m baseline earth-electrode antenna has now reached 26 stations with best DX last night of F1JBB way down in SW France, Nr Santes, at 722km. Since this table was created G4NRG has spotted me for spot no.26 at 58km.

I'll leave things running overnight tonight.  The earth-electrode antenna does not show pronounced directionality, which is a bit puzzling as it throws into doubt the "loop in the ground" theory. I would have expected reports from N-S to have been much weaker than E-W directions.

The ~15m baseline earth-electrode antenna has now exceeded ALL my expectations for it with DX reception at least as good as with the 20m baseline earth-electrode antenna at the old QTH.

Back on 472kHz

I have decided to go back onto 472kHz WSPR TX (and RX) with the 15m baseline earth-electrode antenna. Already I am getting spots from the usual UK local and semi-local (101km) stations. I shall leave the system running through the night in the hope of increasing the total number of unique spots of my signals to greater than 22.  On RX I think I need a preamp with the earth-electrode antenna as signals are weaker than with the PAR antenna "in the air".

2nd FT817 and a Z817 auto-tuner

 After a lot of consideration, this week I purchased a second FT817 (this time an FT817ND) as well as the LDG Z817 auto-tuner. One thing  to bear in mind is the Z817 is no longer supplied with a 0.5m long coaxial RF patch lead. It comes with the CAT cable only.

Current operating position with 2 x FT817s and a Z817 auto-ATU

My FT817ND has been widebanded so it covers 5MHz and I went on that band for the first time today and was spotted on WSPR in Holland with 1W to a totally non-resonant antenna matched with the Z817.

I must say from a QRP base station point of view the Z817 is a neater, and much cheaper, ATU solution. It matches the Par 10/20/40 end-fed on most bands and seems to do as good a job as the Elecraft T1, which I need to repair as it is intermittent.

The second FT817 means I can WSPR on one band and operate on another band at the same time. As I  have just bought the OLD version, you can be sure now that Yaesu will showcase a NEW version of the FT817 next month! Martin Lynch and Sons were very easy to deal with and thoroughly helpful suppliers. I can recommend them.

No stateside DX on 10m today but just exchanged spots with CX2ABP at 11127km on 10m with the new kit.

22 unique spots on 474.2kHz with 15m spaced earth electrodes

After one more night, the total number of UNIQUE stations spotting my QRP ERP WSPR signals has reached 22 with reports last evening from PA0WMR (351km). I am now going to try the 15m spaced earth-electrodes on other bands.

Given more time I'd be assured of LOTS more spots especially from UK and Irish stations.

RSGB's Bennett Prize

This morning I received a total surprise in the form of a letter from Graham Coomber G0NBI, RSGB General Manager, to tell me they have awarded me the Bennett Prize, G8PF, to "recognise any significant contribution which furthers the art of radio communications" for my article last  year in RadCom on 472kHz earth-electrode antennas.  Sadly, my health will prevent me from picking up the award at the RSGB's AGM in Manchester next month. I was quite amazed and very humbled.

2nd FT817 and a Z817 tuner

Today I placed an order with Martin Lynch for the above. I was able to negotiate a decent deal both with MLS and with W+S, but decided on the former. Delivery should be this week. This should allow me to WSPR on one band and operate with other modes on different bands including 5MHz. My original FT817 has served me well and the FT817ND should serve me for years to come.

I have separately ordered a 250Hz CW filter for the new rig.

Hoping for more unique spots on 474.2kHz WSPR

474.2kHz shack set-up currently

At the moment (2215z) I have received 21 unique spots so far of my 474.2kHz QRP ERP WSPR signal from my resonated and matched 15m baseline earth-electrode "antenna". I shall leave things running overnight in the hope that other new stations will also spot me.  The system has been running only a few days at good efficiency.


UPDATE 1015z Thurs Feb 20th: no new spotters overnight, just the same ones as yesterday, so the total of UNIQUE spotters remains at 21 over the last week almost.  Will be leaving it running all day and overnight to see if anyone else spots me. May then try 160m.

21 unique spots so far on 15m baseline earth electrode on 474.2kHz

Incidentally, as you see, only a fraction of the coil is needed and this could have been on a ferrite rod, but I was unable to find one. The 3C90 matching coil is very small and runs cool, as does the transverter.

OFCOM - sub-8.3kHz and around 73kHz in the UK

You may recall that several weeks ago I contacted OFCOM to clarify (1)  the legality of no-licence operation in the UK below 8.3kHz (band is unallocated) and (2) operation around 73kHz with limited ERP (licence exempt). 3 emails later, I have STILL to receive a response. I wrote again today hoping for a reply this time.

The same issues are to be raised by the RSGB on March 13th at their OFCOM liaison meeting.

It now looks like the address I was given was a DEAD email address  Today I contacted Spectrum.Licensing@ofcom.org.uk  and hope, this time, to get an answer.

First Ultimate 3 kit package arrives

Yesterday, the first of my 2 orders from Hans Summers arrived from Japan.  I'll wait until they both come before opening and, depending on my health, may wait a while before building. I am still pretty clumsy, so it may be advisable to wait a while.

The kit, with GPS timing, is good value for money. It came well packed in a small cardboard box as you can see.

20 unique spots with15m baseline earth-electrodes on 474.2kHz WSPR

Since improving the match on the 15m baseline earth-electrode "antenna" on 474.2kHz WSPR, the number of UNIQUE spots of my transmissions has jumped to 20 from 9.  No further DX (yet) but my signals that were once below the noise threshold for some are now above it, so copyable. Signals are about 3-4dB stronger  generally.

UNIQUE WSPR SPOTS of my 474.2kHz signal using 15m earth-electrodes

So far,  I have been seen in 5 different European countries. Best DX remains DL-SWL at 701km. I expect the number of spots of my signal to increase further in the coming days. The earth-electrode "antenna" is now performing credibly now well matched.

I am beginning to wonder how the system will perform on 160m and 80m, and even 2200m  (137kHz).

Never let it be said you have no antenna for 474.2kHz - I think I have PROVED that a most basic system works!  As long as above -30dB S/N your signal should be copied, although you may have to be patient. The results above were mostly one evening only.

One of the advantages of the longer baseline earth-electrode "antenna" will be its new direction. It will be almost 90 degrees around from the current antenna so quite a different polar pattern.