9 Jun 2014

10m DX

Did not go on this morning but this afternoon I decided to go on 10m rather than 6m.  Sunspot count is 144 and the 20-30MHz forecast "normal" so I was hoping for some F-layer propagation.

My hunch was right as I exchanged WSPR spots with FR1GZ at 1238/1240z. FR1GZ  is 9724km away on Reunion Is in the southern Indian Ocean. At 1330z CX2ABP (11127km) was spotted in Montevideo.  Both definitely F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1352z:  Now a couple of German stations by Es. Also a spot from IZ1034SWL. 10m tends to be more productive than 6m.

UPDATE 1613z:   No more F2 DX this afternoon (so far) but spots from Italy and Spain and I have spotted stations in Italy and Germany by Es. Will stick with 10m this evening to see what turns up.  More from S.America would not surprise me.

UPDATE 2000z:  CX2ABP has been spotted very many times this evening at up to -15dB S/N. I suspect he is currently on TX only as no spots in the other direction.

8 Jun 2014

Evening Es on 6m

Just CN8LI (2113km) at 1724z at -6dB S/N this evening via 6m Es. Otherwise very quiet on 6m.  Most spots were by G4IKZ (18km) who has been spotting me all day. A few spots from G4KPX (14km) too.

Why I like WSPR

 These are some of the reasons I like WSPR mode:
  • About 100 stations (or more) can co-habit in a 200Hz wide WSPR sub-band on each band, time and frequency sharing. In reality, usually far fewer stations on worldwide per band.
  • Low power is all you need 1mW to 5W is quite fine. I tend to use 1-2W, but have been spotted at DX distances with a few mW. Some even use uW power levels!
  • If there is an opening everyone has a fair chance (anyone can be spotted at great ranges)
  • Simple antennas work. No need for beams on HF.
  • Can monitor activity (your own and that of others) in the lounge by visiting website www.WSPRnet.org on any PC or tablet.
  • Speaking not needed (saves my stroke damaged voice).
  • Highly sensitive (12-14dB better than 12wpm CW?).
  • Can do other things whilst WSPRing.
  • Automatic - requires no manual intervention once running.
  • Ideal for accurate comparative measurements (e.g antennas, rigs).
  • Ideal for propagation experiments.  
  • About QRSS10 equivalent.
  • Works from VLF to UHF (watch stability on higher bands).
  • A QRP man's dream mode.
  • For 2-way QSOs use JT9-1 (about 2dB worse than WSPR).
Disadvantages:
  • Needs accurate timing (usually sync'd to internet time).
  • Need good frequency accuracy.
  • Usually needs a PC (not always e.g Hans Summers Ultimate 3 and similar kits).
  • Needs careful interfacing to rig to avoid loops and 50, 100Hz sidebands.
Download WSPR software at http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wspr.html .

First 6m Es today

Just exchanged WSPR spots around 1144z on 6m with CT1GVN (1798km) This is the first 6m Es seen here in a couple of days. Signals are strong both ways.

UPDATE 1251z:  Exchanging strong (Es) 6m WSPR spots with DL4MFC (916km). 9 spots exchanged so far by 1320z.

UPDATE 1304z:  Currently 44 WSPR stations active on 6m worldwide (same as active on 10m). 6m is a good band at this time of the year - Magic Band!

UPDATE 1422z:   No more 6m Es here since 1354z.  Probably will have to wait until teatime for more?

UPDATE 1655z:  Still no more 6m Es here since 1354z. 

VHF/UHF beacons

In the next few days I must continue my search to find out which beacons will be good propagation indicators. I am surprised how well some (long way away) beacons can be copied nearly all of the time.

Access to the shack will be more limited these next few days as I have to walk through the guest bedroom to get there and we have visitors staying. I have still to hear the GB3MCB 2m beacon in Cornwall and I am wondering if it is operational? By ow I would have expected the odd MS ping, at least.

I am looking forward to a more complete 70cm beacon network again. At the moment there are very few operational 70cm beacons in the UK. GB3UHF at Fairmile in Kent should be very useful when it becomes operational as I can peak the beams using the 2m GB3VHF beacon first.

During the last solar peak I remember copying a 6m beacon in NW Canada on just a whip antenna!

Sunspots and HF conditions

Today the sunspot count is 155 (good) but 20-30MHz conditions are expected to be poor. Mind you they were meant to be poor yesterday yet CX2ABP was a decent signal on 10m WSPR last evening.

So far this morning 6m has been disappointing with just locals spotting me and no Es seen, as yet.  It was quiet on 6m yesterday , which was why I spent most of the day on 10m.

We are now in basically summertime conditions so we can expect F-layer DX to be mainly N-S with fewer E-W openings on 15, 12 and 10m. Of course Es livens the summer months and some quite exceptional DX is possible on rare days. This is one of the pleasures of summertime DXing, you can never be sure, even on 6m or even 4m. The latter is band I've rarely used.

7 Jun 2014

Late return to 6m tonight

After 10m, I have returned to 6m hoping for some GDX or even very late Es. However, it looks like I am the only G station transmitting WSPR so I am unlikely to copy any GDX unless a few more G stations come on. I shall leave the kit running so we'll see who copies me. In some evenings I have copied Gs to around 200km away by a mix of tropo and aircraft reflection when Doppler is favourable.

UPDATE  2214z: G4IKZ copying me still, but no-one else so far.

UPDATE 1135z (next day): G4IKZ(18km) and G4KPX (14km) only spotting me this morning. No GDX, No Es.

Back on 10m again for an evening look

CX2ABP(11127km) in Montevideo (GF15wc) has just been spotted here at -25dB S/N on 10m WSPR even though propagation is supposed to be "poor" and he is using 5w.

10m really is my favorite band of all. Propagation supposed to be "poor" yet here is a South Anerican 11127km away on QRP! Now he is -21dB S/N and getting better!

UPDATE  2015z:  Weak highly Doppler shifted signals near the bottom of the WSPR band suggest there is some 10m GDX about too.  With luck, this may decode before too long? It needs a period with low Doppler.

UPDATE 2050z:  CX2ABP has now been spotted 4 times in the last 38 minutes and he is now -18dB S/N which is 7dB stronger than at first. Again, it may be just co-incidence but his best signal corresponds with when Doppler on his signal is lowest. It is as if ALL stations with any drift or Doppler are best when Doppler (or is it drift?) is lowest.

UPDATE 2111z::  Nothing seen since 2038z, so I suspect the band has died out for the day (or the software has ceased working again!).  Maybe I should go back on 6m looking for GDX again? I'll leave it on 10m for another 20 minutes just in case.

UPDATE 2132z:  Gone back to 6m GDX hunting.  All quiet here so far this evening. 

Back on 6m

After most of the day on 10m (lots of Es around Europe) it has been back on 6m since about 1708z. So far only G4IKZ (18km) spotting me.
6m early evening WSPR spots 1W ERP
Last night there were some new 6m GDX WSPR spots including G3ZJO (79km) so I am hopeful of some more GDX and maybe Es this evening on 6m.  Eddie G3ZJO is more often seen on 472kHz running 1mW ERP.  I have not tried 472kHz for some months now because of my health issues (stroke). Sticking to the higher HF bands and VHF (6m and 2m) have been easier. I need a better antenna for MF.

UPDATE 1950z: Been on 6m for over an hour and a half and not even the  briefest hint of a signal seen yet. Just the spots from G4IKZ proving the kit is on and working. Very disappointing so far this evening. No Es or GDX at all.

UPDATE 2000z:   Decided to go back to 10m even though 20-30MHz propagation is now forecast to be "poor".

President Lincoln V2 transceiver CW bugs

Potential buyers beware if you want to use the rig on 10m CW.  Hopefully, later versions/shipments will correct "early adopter" bugs. I can wait!

Doug says the Nevada ones are the most recent.  Some other suppliers are selling older versions (more bugs), hence lower unit prices.
Hi Roger,
You may be interested in my findings on the above radio. See http://gm0elp.blogspot.co.uk/

Cheers
Doug GM0ELP (fellow 10m enthusiast)

A Yaesu FT817 replacement coming?

From Steve G1KQH:
As its based around the 817, I guess rumour will be rife that it will soon be replaced?


Eligible FT-897D/DM/DS
June 2014 production end time

FT-897D series was popular for many years will be discontinued at last. (Successor model no immediate plans) will be limited stock. And as soon as possible please the person of your choice

FT-897D
http://www.cqcqde.com/shop/82_2230.html

73 Steve

http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/
Does this mean a replacement for the FT817 is coming?  We can only hope Yaesu will do the FT817 replacement as their next product.  For the life of me I cannot understand why they have not replaced it 2 years ago on the UP part of the solar cycle.  Here we are now on the slide to a probable quiet few cycles. Not the best time to launch a new all-mode transceiver unless they plan to add some VHF/UHF bands like 70 and 1296MHz?  That would be nice. Personally, I'd buy it if it covered 10m-23cms. That would be a CLASS selection of bands especially for Es (10, 6, 4 and 2m). 70cms and 1296MHz would be good for tropo. As a multi-mode mainly VHF/UHF transceiver with 10m thrown it, it would be a neat new radio with a good market worldwide.

A morning on 10m

For a change, this morning I went on 10m rather than 6m. I had to disconnect the antennas early on because of a passing thunderstorm, but these are the results up to now with 2W out.  Basically a fair scatter of 10m Es WSPR spots given and received from across Europe. No DX from outside Europe seen (yet).  Hopefully will see some South Americans later.

Sunspot count today is 132 (quite respectable) and 20-30MHz propagation is "normal".
10m unique WSPR spots (2W) this morning


Southern Europeans are exchanging WSPR spots with S.Africa (TEP?) at around 8400-8500km, but N.Europeans are missing out.

6 Jun 2014

Stateside 6m stations - where are they on WSPR?

Forgetting F-layer propagation - now unlikely this autumn on 6m - the best chances of 6m transatlantic propagation are the next 6 weeks by multi-hop Es.

For a decent chance we need lots of stations active on 6m WSPR on both sides of the Atlantic. Generally there are quite a few active stations in Europe (including the UK) but very few in the eastern USA. I find this hard to fathom.

Not much power should be necessary. Even a few watts ERP should be enough. 6m is a fascinating band and WSPR the ideal mode to "sniff out" short-lived openings.

Please, if you are in the Eastern USA or Canada , come on to 6m WSPR for June and July to help us see if the 6m band opens "across the pond". Without stations in the right place we are wasting our time.

Tempted to 10m tomorrow?

Knowing my luck, if I QSY to 10m tomorrow then 6m will be in excellent shape, possibly with some long distance multi-hop Es! Despite this, I may start on 10m on Saturday morning and see what happens.   I could QSY back to 6m later I guess. Today on 6m has been mixed: some reasonable Es and quite a few locals and semi-locals spotted and spotting me.

6m Es and GDX

6m Es, with my 1W ERP WSPR signal, started today at 1216z here with spots of my QRP signal by IK1WVQ (1084km) followed by DL4MFC (916km).  A better start on 6m than yesterday! A little later IK1NET (981km) was spotting me at 1244z..

I spotted both IK1WVQ and DL4MFC around 1238z.  I am now hopeful of more Es during the day.

UPDATE 1315z:    DL4RU (879km) spotted me at 1304z.

UPDATE 1830z:    No more Es her since 1654z with OK2RO (1282km). Since then just locals and GDX -  G4IKZ (18km), G8KNN (12km), G3ZJO (79km), G8EPA (61km), G0LRD (25km). Earlier in the day G4KPX (12km) and G4FFC (45km).

UPDATE 1940z:   Still no more 6m Es (here at least) after OK2RO, just Gs.

UPDATE 2030z:  Just 6m G locals and semi-locals.
6m locals and semi-locals this evening on WSPR
UPDATE 2122z:   G6AVK (78km) is now spotting me too.

Sunspots,10m and 6m

Sunspot count is 102 today (higher than of late) and 20-30MHz propagation is forecast to be "good", so better than of late. 10m could be better for F-layer propagation today.

So far, it has been quiet on 6m again with just locals spotting me on WSPR  - G4IKZ (18km)  and G4KPX (14km). No sign of Es yet at 1040z.

5 Jun 2014

HAARP to be saved?

The (controversial) HAARP project in Alaska is closing and the facility being dismantled, but scientists are trying to save it. See http://www.adn.com/2014/06/03/3500302/scientists-make-last-ditch-effort.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1 .   There have been all sorts of conspiracy theories. One of the objectives was to generate uW or mW level ELF signals (to communicate with submerged nuclear submarines) by heating the ionosphere with AM modulated HF signals.
http://media.adn.com/smedia/2014/05/14/19/42/1qEGYg.AuSt.7.jpeg
"What a shame if they have to tear it down, they just finished the build out to the full array a couple of years ago!
I was fortunate to get a tour of the site about 10 years ago as my friend Steve W4YHD was the Chief Engineer, quite impressive! I have some photos (35mm film, not digital) which I need to scan.  The HAARP transmitters were true AM transmitters as they were used to heat the ionosphere and generate e.l.f. waves by modulating the carrier with low frequency audio tones, very inefficient (but all elf transmission schemes suffer from lack of efficiency),many megawatts of HF energy used to excite milliwatts (or perhaps microwatts?) of elf radiation from the ionosphere.


    I recall that they had a Radar on site and were supposed to shut down in case an aircraft flew through the beam. They also had an ICOM R72 receiver so they could listen before transmitting so as not to cause QRM !  The whole lashup was powered by a series of 5 generators driven by diesel locomotive engines.   The transmitter was actually a bunch of final amplifiers, solid state driver and a 3cx5000 PA tube, housed in trailers below the antenna array, each trailer housed a number of 3cx5000 PA's - the PA's were fed by an HP synthesizer (don't recall the model #, might be in one of my photos) and fed with equal lengths of coax so all PA's would be in phase. There was a method to shift the phase across the array so as to change the shape and direction of the beam. The antennas were bow-tie dipoles broadband from 3-10MHz.  The whole thing was controlled by Sun Sparc workstations from a master control room.  Just for fun I tuned up one of the transmitters on 7.290 MHz AM to see if I could strap Ashtabula Bill W8VYZ, of course it was daytime and I don't think anybody was affected!

   Was hoping to make a return trip to see the fully built out site but its looking very questionable at the moment.

73 Warren K2ORS"

6m - results so far this spring

Just seen how many spots I have had of my 1W ERP 6m WSPR signal so far. 28 unique reports in 3 continents with best DX 3519km from 4X1RF.

Not bad with an FT817 set to 2.5W, V2000 vertical and coax with a loss of more than 3dB.

6m unique spots with 1W ERP this Es season so far.

Anytone and Wouxun Chinese radios

Steadily, the Chinese are entering the amateur radio market. In addition to the "back shed" HF radios, there are now several neat looking VHF/UHF dual band radios and a quad band mobile (Anytone AT5888UV) for 10, 6, 2m and 70cm. See http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/11197  for reviews of the quad bander.

See also the Wouxun KG-UV8D 5W dual band handheld with a  large screen available from UK dealers for under £100.  This is even cheaper on eBay.

Anytone also offer a couple of 28MHz radios at bargain basement prices. They are around £199 or less.

The Chinese are coming. Watch out Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu! Your easy ride is nearly over.

I give the Chinese less than a year to come up with a good FT817 replacement at a decent price. Yaesu seem totally uninterested, so I bet the Chinese will be. The market for a good FT817 replacement is certainly measured in hundreds of thousands of transceiver units.  Enough to wake anyone up, apart, it seems, from Yaesu.

IF Yaesu is working on a replacement for the FT817 it had better be quick about it as the "window of opportunity" is rapidly closing. Band conditions are slipping, the KX3 is selling widely (but expensive over here in the UK as is the Argonaut VI) and the Chinese are coming up fast on the outside.

Doppler on locals and a VERY quiet day on 6m

Today, so far, it has been exclusively local G4IKZ (18km) on 6m WSPR  One thing I have noticed both on his spots and those by G4FFC (45km) yesterday is that when there is a lot of Doppler my reports are poorer. I assume the aircraft reflections sometimes result in destructive interference and an effective drop in S/N.

This month, so far, sunspot numbers have been lower (70 today), although 20-30MHz propagation is described as "normal". I think the slide downwards is starting, sadly. But, even next autumn 10m should still be good though - we are a LONG way from the minimum yet. I think long distance 6m F-layer propagation openings will be few unless one is lucky enough to be closer to the equator and may catch TEP openings. CN8LI and stations in Israel were managing to catch 6m TEP openings quite recently, as were some VK and JA stations.

UPDATE 1700z:   Just G4IKZ (18km) spotting me since I switched on 6m WSPR at 0556z - a very very quiet day on 6m so far today: no Es and no GDX seen here, so far. There is at least one "wandering" signal that has been seen several times drifting across the band but with too much drift to decode. Strong, but no Doppler. At one point it was stable enough to decode but the signal faded out after 1 minute. I think this was an Es signal. May never know though. I am tempted to QSY to 472kHz WSPR this evening unless things markedly improve on 6m.

UPDATE 1808z:  another new local(ish) station has just appeared on 6m spotting me:   M0MVB (30km) up in the Fens.  Still no 6m Es here.I presume M0MVB is just in from work and just turned the gear on.

UPDATE 1925z:   Still no 6m Es here today. Tomorrow can only be better.

UPDATE 2050z:  I stuck with 6m, but only locals today. Very disappointing indeed.

4 Jun 2014

Quiet 6m evening

Apart from G4IKZ (18km) and G4FFC (45km) all has been quiet on 6m WSPR since the 14 spots exchanged with CN8LI (2113km) - last spot 1558z.

On 2m late afternoon stations were calling "CQ sporadic" on SSB, although when I listened no DX was heard from Europe.  I think the Es MUF must have exceeded 144MHz briefly.

Quiet 6m morning

Apart from G3RCE (GDX tropo) there has been no EU DX here on the band all morning. There is some doubt that OZ7IT, in the early hours, was Es, but if it was Es it was indeed very early at 0438z. I shall stick with 6m for a while to see what happens.

UPDATE 1328z:  Right out of the blue CN8LI (2113km 5W) was spotted at a strong -11dB S/N . Magic Band does it again!

UPDATE 1420:  Now CN8LI spots my 1W ERP  at a massive +5dB S/N! During the afternoon we exchange spots 14 times at colossal strengths even though I run 1W ERP only.

2m UKAC results

Last night I went on 2m SSB with 5W in the monthly UKAC activity contest. After 1 hour and 40 minutes I had to stop as my voice was gone (stroke).  Best DX missed was GI6ATZ in N.Ireland. I called him a few times without success.

In all 16 QSOs were completed showing that modest power and antenna from the home QTH is enough to enjoy the contest. Had I stayed on longer I'm sure I would have worked more squares. Quite a few stations in northern England worked too on the small, hand rotated, 3el beam, from the home QTH.

Looking at the map, I should have turned the beam towards the SW.  Hardly likely I'll come other than close to the bottom, but that was not the point - it was good fun taking part.
2m stations worked with 5w/3el UKAC June 3rd 2014

Odd start on 6m today

As 0438z OZ7IT (853km) spotted my 1W ERP 6m WSPR signal by very early morning Es I assume. Then, just spots from local G4IKZ (18km) until I spotted G3RCE (185km) a little while ago, presumably by tropo with some aircraft reflection (2Hz Doppler). Interesting that a lot of the local spots by G4IKZ had a fair bit of Doppler too.

3 Jun 2014

eQSLs

Today, whilst checking my eQSLs I noticed one from an HA station for a 2m SSB QSO. This QSO never took place!  This would have to be Es and I have never worked Es on 2m.   It may be a band error or someone just hoping I would not check the log so he would get a credit for G on 2m SSB.   Please note DO NOT try to claim for QSOs that did not take place. I check and this is FRAUD.  I'll have no part in this.

2m UKAC contest tonight

A reminder that the RSGB's 2m UKAC (activity) contest is tonight from 1900-2130z (i.e it starts at 8pm UK clock time).  Activity levels are good in these contests. Next Tuesday it is the 70cm contest, but I fear I'll miss that as we have visitors next week.

Not sure how long my poor voice will hold out this evening. Last month I managed 90 minutes (10 QSOs) before I had to stop because of my poor, stroke damaged, voice. We'll see this evening. Talking in a contest is very hard for me at present, which is one reason I use WSPR a lot.

I shall be running 5W to my small, hand rotated, 3 element beam from the home QTH (JO02dg). I doubt I shall come other than near the bottom, but it's fun nonetheless.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org .

More 6m Es today

This afternoon, no less than 3 spots (so far today) of my 1W ERP WSPR from CN8LI (2113km) in Morocco and, in the opposite direction, 3 spots from OH6GKW (1839km) in Finland.  Es is good on 6m today with an assortment of other countries on Es this morning.

No sign of 4X1RF though, so far at least. It is now 1527z.

Still hopeful of some transatlantic DX later - it IS the Magic Band and you never know.

UPDATE 1640z:  CN8LI has now spotted my 1W ERP no less than 5 times, so far, today.

SAQ - CW on 17.2kHz

About twice a year this heritage VLF transmitter puts out CW test transmissions. Usually the will QSL via the amateur QSL bureaus too. This is a video clip of the transmitter and antennas. The TX is a 1920s alternator TX, one of the last, if not THE last, in the world. Antennas are huge. SAQ is usually decent copy in Europe and it is often copied in the USA and Canada. Some copy it on just a software RX and a small wire in the mic socket of a PC. Next tests are on Alexanderson Day (Sunday June 29th) and near Christmas.

See http://alexander.n.se/in-english/saq-transmission/ for details of future transmissions.


Early start on 6m Es today

The first 6m Es WSPR reports were being received very early today from SQ9SIM at 0650z. This was followed by several reports from DL and OH (1757km Finland) . I am spotting SQ9, I and OZ (853km).  Looks like a "solid" Es day in prospect on 6m. I hope we see some multi-hop Es propagation on 6m today.

Sunspot count is 56 and 20-30MHz forecast is for "normal" conditions, which at this time of year are not good for real DX apart from N-S. What will happen on 6m and 10m via Es is anyone's guess, which is one reason the Magic Band (6m) is so magical.

So far, no GDX seen here today on 6m.

2 Jun 2014

QSY to 10m or stick on 6m?

I am tempted to QSY down a band to 28MHz from 50MHz, but fear that 6m will then promptly open to the USA by multi-hop Es. It would just be my luck! Maybe I'll just stay on 6m and see what happens.

6m conditions have been very good today. Early June is getting close to the best times for Es DX on 6m.

I seem to recall regular openings to Japan from western Europe on 6m about this time. There was some speculation about the mode as it is FAR too far for Es and there were thoughts that noctilucent clouds may be significant. Openings were usually morning weak affairs and a decent station was needed. Don't think WSPR has been tried but Doppler might be a killer as the path crosses the auroral oval. Whatever the mode, this is fascinating stuff. 6m yet again throwing up propagation puzzles. I also wonder just how many so called "multi-hop" Es openings are actually some other mode?   Some of the very long paths towards the Far East, Africa and the Americas make you wonder.

This sort of DX is still good in years of low solar activity. Just because the sunspot count can be VERY low does not mean low-VHF has no real DX. In many ways the quiet solar years are more interesting.

UPDATE 1900z:  No Es DX now since 1446z. Still hopeful the band might open across the Atlantic this evening.

6m - early June 2014

Not sure if this is "typical" but these are the unique WSPR spots on 6m today (so far) in both directions June 2nd 2014  Here using 1W ERP from a V2000 vertical triband antenna. Arranged in order of distance. Several stations spotted me many times during the day  (repeats not shown).

6m WSPR here today. Shows unique spots and arranged by distance
A good selection of Es and GDX on 6m today (so far - time now 1620z). Indeed the Magic Band!

UPDATE 1950z:   Out of the blue IK1NET (981km) with 5W is being spotted here at -20dB S/N - late Es. Magic band!

6m - 4X1RF spots me yet again with 1W ERP (3519km)

At 1308z 4X1RF spotted my 1W ERP WSPR on 6m for the 9th time this season. I assume it is Es and not single hop F-layer. I am amazed that 4X1RF can copy me so often. There was no sign of  intermediate distance stations. On 10m Chris regularly copies me when I am using low milliwatts. He has very good ears and must have a quiet QTH.  3519km is a great distance on 6m and I am even more pleased as my antenna is just a V2000 triband vertical fed with lossy CB coax. My FT817 is on the mid-power setting only.

I am still hopeful of transatlantic multi-hop Es propagation with WSPR. Patience! I must stick with 6m and keep everything crossed. If, as I have, worked K1TOL on CW in the past on 6m (summer 2007), then WSPR should certainly be possible as long as there are stations active on WSPR in the USA.  K1TOL has a BIG antenna farm but with WSPR more modest antennas in the USA should be fine.

Julian - G4ILO?

Just wondering if anyone has news on Julian?

It is nearly 1 month since his " One foot in the grave" blog was last updated and his health seemed to be failing back then. I have emailed Julian, but had no response from Julian or XYL Olga yet. Julian has been fighting a brain cancer for a couple of years. I hope he is still fighting it.

UPDATE 1431z:   See https://twitter.com/g4ilo/status/466514524707643392/photo/1 .  I hope Julian enjoys using the new radio. Good news.

6m Es - a good today

It has been a very good morning for 6m Es today with spots (both given and received) from across Europe and Morocco. SQ9SIM was spotted as early as 0742z and other reports continued throughout the morning.

It has also been good for GDX as well. G3WKW is the best so far at 134km  with low Doppler (-1Hz).

In all, a good day so far.

Health update (stroke)

You may (or may not!) remember that last September I was very ill and needed an operation on my brain for a bleed. I was discharged from hospital Jan 3rd 2014 and have been recovering at home, albeit slowly.

Today I had to attend a neuro clinic at Addenbrookes Hospital as an out-patient. They seem very pleased with my recovery, which is good news.  I may be driving again in the next few months.

They are doing a further MRI scan June 30th to see if my remaining giddiness when walking/turning can be helped. In all, it was a good outcome - nothing dramatic to report. Giddiness should continue to improve given time - just be patient - as the brain learns to cope and rewires itself.

1 Jun 2014

Transatlantic 6m?

According to Steve's blog http://ve7sl.blogspot.ca/ there was transatlantic propagation on 6m today but here at least I copied nothing of this on WSPR.

I may have been unlucky but it was probably just that  there were no active WSPR stations where the propagation was reaching or my antenna is not good enough to catch weak, fleeting openings. I am leaving the kit running overnight just in case!

VE7SL's new blog

Take a look at this blog:
Hello Roger - just a note to let you know, and largely due to your inspirational postings over the past few years, I have also started a blog!

http://ve7sl.blogspot.ca/

I'm sure you can identify with today's post as well.

Hopefully I can keep up the publishing pace as you have over the years.... I can see it will be a challenge.

Hopefully you will enjoy mine at least half as much as I enjoy yours :-)

73 / Steve

WEB - "The VE7SL Radio Notebook":  http://members.shaw.ca/ve7sl

PLEASE VISIT MY NEW BLOG - "Homebrewing and Operating Adventures From 2200m to Nanowaves": http://ve7sl.blogspot.ca/

Es on 6m at last - CN8LI

It was a long time coming today, but at 1648 CN8LI (2113km) spotted my 1W ERP 6m WSPR signal at -16dB S/N. This was the first Es report here in 2 days. It is teatime and Es tends to have a second peak at this time. Es is pretty reliable at this time of year, but the last 2 days have been unusually quiet.  I see I am copying him now on 6m.

6m unique WSPR spots so far today
UPDATE 1950z:  All quiet on the Es front here since 1702z. Just locals and G4VXE (136km) GDX. The locals are G4IKZ (18km) and G0LRD (25km) both of whom are using horizontal beams I think.  Not sure what antenna Tim G4VXE is using.

UPDATE 2045z:   G6AVK (78km) exchanging spots with me now. Signals around -24dB S/N  with considerable Doppler, so probably aircraft assisted GDX.

UPDATE 2115z:  I think the chances of more Es is receding. One drawback of WSPR is you can only copy the stations with WSPR capability. Sometimes there are few active WSPR equipped stations in a particular area. With CW/SSB stronger signals are needed but there are more active stations. It would be useful if there were more active WSPR stations on 6m in Africa and North and South America.


Doppler on 6m with G4IKZ (18km)

There must be more local flying activity at Cambridge Airport on Sundays (private flying?). On my 6m 1624z transmission there was 3Hz Doppler noticeable at G4IKZ - quite a bit when usually I get none at all. For a WSPR signal to be heard, the direct signal has usually to be much stronger than the Doppler shifted signal otherwise WSPR will not usually decode properly. Usually aircraft directions in flight have to be such that no Doppler is apparent for aircraft refection to work as a "path enhancer". I have noticed this with G3WKW in Hampshire on 144MHz WSPR over what is quite a long path. Get just the right flight direction and decodes occur. Otherwise, strong signals and no decodes. Sometimes G3WKW has been there for hours before he decodes on 144MHz.

G0LRD (25km) is just coming in on 6m at 1638z  at a strong -8 dB S/N with -4Hz Doppler, so his signal is arriving off an aircraft currently.

6m - quiet oday

Very quiet, so far, on 6m with just G4IKZ (18km) and G4VXE (136km) spotting my 1W ERP WSPR today as yet. No Es yet.

G4VXE' signal here has variable amounts of Doppler (up to 4Hz) suggesting aircraft reflections are involved. I think other modes (than WSPR) might be better with so much Doppler. The signal is often there but multiple and/pr large Doppler shifts can ruin WSPR signals, whereas other modes might be fine.

I did,very briefly, try 10m WSPR early this morning but QSYed back to 6m instead.

Sunspot count is 55 and 20-30MHz conditions are "normal". Let's hope for lots of multi-hop Es on 6m.

UPDATE 1625z:  No Es seen here yet still.  This is the second day this season without any Es DX signals coming through. Just G4VXE 136km GDX and local G4IKZ 18km.