As an experiment, I have reduced my TX so that the FT817 ALC is now barely moving. This is a bit lower than the usual setting. TX power as indicated on the FT817's meter is unchanged.
I'll monitor to see if reciprocity. is affected. I suspect not. The ALC was set at a lower setting at 1038z.
21 Jun 2014
40m WSPR overnight
As you will recall, my antenna on 40m is very low and not that efficient: it is just a 10/20/40m Par end-fed with an average height above ground of 4-5m at most. Last night I was on 2W. I hate to think how low the ERP would have been on 40m!
Overnight 17 unique stations spotted me with best DX AE2EA (5654km). Even with a low and inefficient 40m antenna, WSPR still works well!
Overnight 17 unique stations spotted me with best DX AE2EA (5654km). Even with a low and inefficient 40m antenna, WSPR still works well!
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| 40m unique spots of my 2W WSPR last night |
6m - local, GDX and Es all in one transmission
The 0912 1W ERP 6m WSPR transmission today resulted in G4IKZ (18km), G0OQK (98km) and CN8LI (2113km) spotting me all in one transmission, A very good start on 6m after QSYing up from 40m overnight where the best report was from an AE2 on the east coast USA.
So far CN8LI has been seen twice and he has seen me three times. A promising start on 6m Es today,especially as it is very early still.
Sunspot count today is "only" 75 with 20-30MHz conditions described as "normal" so a reasonable chance of F2-layer DX on 10m.
UPDATE 0958z: G0LRD (25km) and G4FFC (45km) both spotting me too.
UPDATE 1025z: CN8LI seems to have a "pipe" to me: he is spotting me multiple times now remarkably strongly. Is this really Es? I know Es signals can be very strong and consistent but when propagation is there it is so good. It behaves almost more like a duct than a pure reflection.
So far CN8LI has been seen twice and he has seen me three times. A promising start on 6m Es today,especially as it is very early still.
Sunspot count today is "only" 75 with 20-30MHz conditions described as "normal" so a reasonable chance of F2-layer DX on 10m.
UPDATE 0958z: G0LRD (25km) and G4FFC (45km) both spotting me too.
UPDATE 1025z: CN8LI seems to have a "pipe" to me: he is spotting me multiple times now remarkably strongly. Is this really Es? I know Es signals can be very strong and consistent but when propagation is there it is so good. It behaves almost more like a duct than a pure reflection.
20 Jun 2014
WSPR non-reciprosity?
Sometimes my software give some stations on WSPR quite decent reports as the signal decodes well. In these situations I am surprised not to be decoded myself as, even allowing for power difference, I should still be well above -30dB S/N. The reasons could be many:
- The other station is just on TX only
- The other station has a very high noise floor
- The other station has a deaf RX.
6m GDX - there if stations are active
Today there have been a good number of G stations active on 6m WSPR allowing a really good opportunity to explore GDX paths out to 134km. It seems that if stations are active out to close to 200km (and probably further) then even a few watts of WSPR (polarisation probably unimportant?) will be decoded at the far end of the path eventually, depending on aircraft reflections and favorable Doppler.
This probably means JT65 or JT9 ranges on 6m probably extend to around 200km at least if the stations know the most favourable alignment of aircraft. The same probably applies on 10m, 4m and 2m ,as well as 70cms and microwave bands.
What I'm not (yet) clear about is the normal tropo range without aircraft reflections. For true tropo, polarisation is more likely to be important: one does not want to throw away valuable dBs with cross-polarisation losses. I don't think this matters where signals are randomly scattered off aircraft bodies.
This probably means JT65 or JT9 ranges on 6m probably extend to around 200km at least if the stations know the most favourable alignment of aircraft. The same probably applies on 10m, 4m and 2m ,as well as 70cms and microwave bands.
What I'm not (yet) clear about is the normal tropo range without aircraft reflections. For true tropo, polarisation is more likely to be important: one does not want to throw away valuable dBs with cross-polarisation losses. I don't think this matters where signals are randomly scattered off aircraft bodies.
Lightning damage risk
I am always nervous about lightning strikes.
The excellent Southgate News today told the (true) story of a local CBer who had his vertical and CB rig destroyed by lightning. See http://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/latest-news/
huntingdon_cb_radio_user_almost_electrocuted_after_lightning_
bolt_strikes_aerial_1_3648368http://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/latest-news/
huntingdon_cb_radio_user_almost_electrocuted_after_lightning_
bolt_strikes_aerial_1_3648368
I usually disconnect antennas when there is lightning about but I am still nervous. One of my friends (not a radio ham and with no big antennas in the air) who lived in a normal estate home had his home struck years ago and it took out lots of his household wiring. The chances of a direct hit are rare, but I am always bothered and never quite sure what the best advice is.
The excellent Southgate News today told the (true) story of a local CBer who had his vertical and CB rig destroyed by lightning. See http://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/latest-news/
huntingdon_cb_radio_user_almost_electrocuted_after_lightning_
bolt_strikes_aerial_1_3648368http://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/latest-news/
huntingdon_cb_radio_user_almost_electrocuted_after_lightning_
bolt_strikes_aerial_1_3648368
I usually disconnect antennas when there is lightning about but I am still nervous. One of my friends (not a radio ham and with no big antennas in the air) who lived in a normal estate home had his home struck years ago and it took out lots of his household wiring. The chances of a direct hit are rare, but I am always bothered and never quite sure what the best advice is.
Email from space?
Just had an email with this at the end:
"Sent from the ISS ...-.-"
I am assuming this came from the International Space Station (ISS).
If correct, this is a first for me.
"Sent from the ISS ...-.-"
I am assuming this came from the International Space Station (ISS).
If correct, this is a first for me.
6m Es today here on WSPR
This is being written at 1740z and so far today just one 6m Es opening, which was to IW1PAK (1092km) around 1100z today. Spots were exchanged in both directions. No other 6m Es see today at all, but things could change later.
Sunspot count is 108 but 20-30MHz propagation is only "fair". I have not been checking 10m for F2 DX but there would have been a reasonable chance today.
UPDATE 1940z: No further Es seen today, as yet. At this time there are 40 stations active on 6m WSPR including some in the eastern USA. I am always hopeful! This is the highest number so far this DX season.
Sunspot count is 108 but 20-30MHz propagation is only "fair". I have not been checking 10m for F2 DX but there would have been a reasonable chance today.
UPDATE 1940z: No further Es seen today, as yet. At this time there are 40 stations active on 6m WSPR including some in the eastern USA. I am always hopeful! This is the highest number so far this DX season.
6m Doppler
On 6m it is amazing how much Doppler there is on longer distance GDX stations. The screenshot shows just how much Doppler there is on G4BRK's signal today. There were something like 6 aircraft involved at times with WSPR managing to decode when the Doppler is low. On more local signals (e.g. G4FGJ) there is much less (or nil) Doppler. Clearly aircraft reflection plays an important part in long GDX paths. I have no idea where these planes are located.
19 Jun 2014
6m - yet more GDX this evening
Even if Es is not around for me on 6m WSPR, then GDX certainly is.
Just a few moments ago G4BRK (134km) was spotting me at -18dB S/N with low Doppler (1Hz). I seem to regularly get GDX stations in the log, most usually as a result ( I think) of favorable aircraft alignment. If the planes are moving along the path between me and the other station then Doppler is normally too bad and no decodes occur. If the plane crosses the path then Doppler is usually low and there is a better chance of WSPR decoding. Clearly, modes that are sensitive and more Doppler tolerant would mean such long GDX paths would be workable - JT65 or JT9-1 maybe?
There are software packages used by microwave guys that show aircraft movements in relation to paths between stations, allowing one to work out when planes en route would be most favorably aligned to allow a path to be worked. My memory fails me on the package name, but it was mentioned in a blog post earlier this year by G3WKW. UPDATE 1925z Friday: Bob has kindly reminded me of the software (see comment below too) http://www.airscout.eu Airscout.
134km (83.5 miles) is a very decent distance on 6m inter-G with QRP. I wonder if a horizontal halo would be better or worse? If signals are being scattered off aircraft, then polarisation is less important. A halo would probably have less gain than my V2000 vertical 2dbD omni for halo(?) and 0dBD omni for V2000(?). I guess it will also depend on the other station's polarisation. For pure tropo, I suspect a halo would be better to other stations equipped with horizontal beams, but few GDX paths seem to be pure tropo on 6m.
Just now G8DOR (103km) and G8JNJ/A (184km) were spotting me on 6m WSPR.
Just a few moments ago G4BRK (134km) was spotting me at -18dB S/N with low Doppler (1Hz). I seem to regularly get GDX stations in the log, most usually as a result ( I think) of favorable aircraft alignment. If the planes are moving along the path between me and the other station then Doppler is normally too bad and no decodes occur. If the plane crosses the path then Doppler is usually low and there is a better chance of WSPR decoding. Clearly, modes that are sensitive and more Doppler tolerant would mean such long GDX paths would be workable - JT65 or JT9-1 maybe?
There are software packages used by microwave guys that show aircraft movements in relation to paths between stations, allowing one to work out when planes en route would be most favorably aligned to allow a path to be worked. My memory fails me on the package name, but it was mentioned in a blog post earlier this year by G3WKW. UPDATE 1925z Friday: Bob has kindly reminded me of the software (see comment below too) http://www.airscout.eu Airscout.
134km (83.5 miles) is a very decent distance on 6m inter-G with QRP. I wonder if a horizontal halo would be better or worse? If signals are being scattered off aircraft, then polarisation is less important. A halo would probably have less gain than my V2000 vertical 2dbD omni for halo(?) and 0dBD omni for V2000(?). I guess it will also depend on the other station's polarisation. For pure tropo, I suspect a halo would be better to other stations equipped with horizontal beams, but few GDX paths seem to be pure tropo on 6m.
Just now G8DOR (103km) and G8JNJ/A (184km) were spotting me on 6m WSPR.
Concentrating on one or two bands?
With limited space for antennas, it seems sensible to concentrate efforts on just a couple of bands only. As my favorite band is 10m, I am tempted to erect a more efficient antenna for this band and maybe put up the 6m V2000 only during the Es season. My problems are (a) a lack of mobility because of my stroke and (b) choice of compact, efficient antennas. At present I can cover 40, 20, 10, 6, 2 and 70cms, plus 630m rather inefficiently with my earth electrode antenna. Perhaps, whilst my health is not too good, I am better sticking with what I've got? I know that on 10m my antenna could be better but the Par end-fed covers 3 bands (10, 20 and 40m) and my 2W QRP has reached VK on WSPR on all these bands and doesn't do a bad job.The Par is is almost impossible to see in the air.
Back on 6m WSPR
After a couple unsuccessful attempts on 20m and 40m JT65, I have returned to WSPR on 6m again this afternoon. So far just locals and GDX (DX within G land) and no signs (yet) of any Es. At least one east coast USA station is now monitoring 6m WSPR (Gary KC1AWS). Hopefully there will be more.
Stations copying my 1W ERP today so far on 6m are G4IKZ (18km), G4FFC (45km) and G0OQK (98km). I am still hopeful of 6m Es.
Stations copying my 1W ERP today so far on 6m are G4IKZ (18km), G4FFC (45km) and G0OQK (98km). I am still hopeful of 6m Es.
40m WSPR - a total change
Just for a change I QSYed firstly to 20m for a few WSPR spots and then on down to 40m for the morning. Spots (both of me and others) are easy at the 2W level. No great DX seen, just EU stations. The antenna is the Par 10/20/40m end fed which is also used for 10m and 20m. It has an average height of around 4-5m above ground, so probably quite a high angle on 40m. I have been copied in VK on 40m with this set-up though and with just 1W RF.
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| 40m unique WSPR spots this morning |
18 Jun 2014
6m GDX tonight
No Es here on 6m WSPR since I QSYed to 6m around 1500z. There has been some GDX again, G8JNJ/A (184km) was spotting me at -24dB S/N at 2128z. Doppler was low suggesting tropo without aircraft reflections, or aircraft crossing the path at right angles (so little/no Doppler).
Again I am bitterly disappointed with the lack if USA/Canadian east coast stations on WSPR. As of 2145z there were still ZERO stations active on WSPR from that area. Come on lads! Give we Europeans a chance of being spotted over there!
Unless there is some interest from the east coast USA/Canada on WSPR very soon it will be time to abandon 6m WSPR this season. I have been spotted all over Europe, in N.Africa and in Israel (3519km) with just 1W ERP in the last few months. I was hoping for the USA or Canada on WSPR this season. If there are zero stations at the other side there is no point in continuing.
Again I am bitterly disappointed with the lack if USA/Canadian east coast stations on WSPR. As of 2145z there were still ZERO stations active on WSPR from that area. Come on lads! Give we Europeans a chance of being spotted over there!
Unless there is some interest from the east coast USA/Canada on WSPR very soon it will be time to abandon 6m WSPR this season. I have been spotted all over Europe, in N.Africa and in Israel (3519km) with just 1W ERP in the last few months. I was hoping for the USA or Canada on WSPR this season. If there are zero stations at the other side there is no point in continuing.
6m - active WSPR stations : why so few?
This shows the total number of stations active in the whole world on 6m WSPR - just 35. As you can see, there is zero activity in the eastern seaboard states of the USA or Canada apart from W4.
Please, please give this very sensitive mode a try. It is about 12-14dB better than CW so very modest antennas and low power are fine. Even just on RX would be a start. Nearly half in the world on 6m WSPR is just receiving. There are transatlantic openings being missed.
Please, please give this very sensitive mode a try. It is about 12-14dB better than CW so very modest antennas and low power are fine. Even just on RX would be a start. Nearly half in the world on 6m WSPR is just receiving. There are transatlantic openings being missed.
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| Just 35 stations worldwide active on 6m WSPR at 1915z |
Back on 6m - missing out on DX with WSPR?
Since around 1500z I QSYed back to 6m from 10m. 6m activity levels from DX stations are still disappointingly low: only last evening PE4BAS was working WP4 (Caribbean) with just an FT817ND (QRP) and V2000 vertical using JT65 digital mode. See http://pe4bas.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/magic-on-magic-band.html .
At the moment WSPR is not the best mode to get DX, which is a great pity, as it is probably the mode that works best with very weak signals.
Since 1500z only G4IKZ (18km) and G0OQK (98km) spotting me on 6m WSPR. No sign of any Es.
UPDATE 1855z: a short while ago G6AVK was spotting me at -26dB S/N at 78km. Still no Es here.
UPDATE 1900z: Sunspot count is 87 and 20-30MHz propagation forecast now only "fair". It was "normal" earlier in the day, so conditions for HF F2-layer propagation have deteriorated.
At the moment WSPR is not the best mode to get DX, which is a great pity, as it is probably the mode that works best with very weak signals.
Since 1500z only G4IKZ (18km) and G0OQK (98km) spotting me on 6m WSPR. No sign of any Es.
UPDATE 1855z: a short while ago G6AVK was spotting me at -26dB S/N at 78km. Still no Es here.
UPDATE 1900z: Sunspot count is 87 and 20-30MHz propagation forecast now only "fair". It was "normal" earlier in the day, so conditions for HF F2-layer propagation have deteriorated.
New Chinese multi-mode HF rig - Xiegu X108
Steve, G1KQH has sent this link about a new Chinese multi-mode transceiver. See http://www.brickolore.com/ . Prices start at 2800 Yuan apparently. It is called the Xiegu X108. There is a video and some pictures of the rig.
To my mind, this still looks like a "back shed" radio, rather than a mature, well engineered and thoroughly well tested radio. I may be wrong. I am still waiting to see when the Chinese launch a proper Yaesu or Icom competitor. These will come but I've not seen one yet. Maybe in the next 12 months?
To my mind, this still looks like a "back shed" radio, rather than a mature, well engineered and thoroughly well tested radio. I may be wrong. I am still waiting to see when the Chinese launch a proper Yaesu or Icom competitor. These will come but I've not seen one yet. Maybe in the next 12 months?
10m WSPRing again
In view of the poor level of DX activity on 6m WSPR, I have started today on 10m. Near immediate success with 3 spots of OE6PWD (1230km) around 0900z. This is clearly Es. Looking at my spots, I think I caught the tail end of an Es opening (reports are getting worse over time).
Sunspot count today is 87 and 20-30MHz conditions are "normal", so we may see some long distance F2-layer propagation on 10m. May try 6m later, if some DX stations (esp. USA and Canada) are active. Otherwise I'll stay on 10m.
FR1GZ (9724km) was spotted at 0922z for the first signs of F2 propagation. The band is clearly open N-S for real DX.
UPDATE 1411z: FR1GZ has spotted me a couple of times and he has been a consistent F2-layer signal all day with around 13 spots in the log today. OH6GKW (1839km) is now being spotted on Es.
Sunspot count today is 87 and 20-30MHz conditions are "normal", so we may see some long distance F2-layer propagation on 10m. May try 6m later, if some DX stations (esp. USA and Canada) are active. Otherwise I'll stay on 10m.
FR1GZ (9724km) was spotted at 0922z for the first signs of F2 propagation. The band is clearly open N-S for real DX.
UPDATE 1411z: FR1GZ has spotted me a couple of times and he has been a consistent F2-layer signal all day with around 13 spots in the log today. OH6GKW (1839km) is now being spotted on Es.
17 Jun 2014
6m - all quiet here at 2015z
It is now 2015z and 6m WSPR has only been good for locals and GDX here today.
I hear 6m was open to South and Central America earlier (but this was NOT the case on WSPR - no stations active!) and there have been transatlantic openings on SSB/CW. In the past (summer 2007) I have worked the USA on 6m real QRP CW, but I'd really like to spot, or be spotted by, USA or Canadians on 6m WSPR this season. As mentioned before, power is unlikely to be the issue. The main issue will be active WSPR stations in the USA and Canada.
I hear 6m was open to South and Central America earlier (but this was NOT the case on WSPR - no stations active!) and there have been transatlantic openings on SSB/CW. In the past (summer 2007) I have worked the USA on 6m real QRP CW, but I'd really like to spot, or be spotted by, USA or Canadians on 6m WSPR this season. As mentioned before, power is unlikely to be the issue. The main issue will be active WSPR stations in the USA and Canada.
Super DX on 6m WSPR - a lost cause?
Yet again, there are ZERO stations active on 6m WSPR in the north eastern USA and eastern Canada. There have been decent 6m transatlantic openings on 6m today but without participating WSPR stations WSPR is a dead loss!! I shall give 6m WSPR a few more days before I give it up in disgust.
6m WSPR should be the ideal mode to seek out such openings but only if stations bother to use the mode. Please, please give it a try if you are on the east coast of the USA and Canada.
Set to 50.293MHz USB dial.
6m WSPR should be the ideal mode to seek out such openings but only if stations bother to use the mode. Please, please give it a try if you are on the east coast of the USA and Canada.
Set to 50.293MHz USB dial.
Ten-Tec Argonaut VI
See http://www.tentec.com/argonaut-vi-qrp-1-10-watt-transceiver/
Despite missing some key bands, all reports are this is a very good QRP radio from Ten-Tec. However at $995 in the USA (similar in £ in the UK with import duty and VAT tax) it is simply too expensive to ever consider.
All I can say is are Ten-Tec in financial trouble? The true market price here in the UK must be less than £700, so they are about £300 adrift in my estimation.
Even in the USA $995 for a rig with no 60m, no 12m and no 6m is way over the top. Just compare with the FT817ND for example. Even the Elecraft KX3 is much better value, in my view.
Views?
Despite missing some key bands, all reports are this is a very good QRP radio from Ten-Tec. However at $995 in the USA (similar in £ in the UK with import duty and VAT tax) it is simply too expensive to ever consider.
All I can say is are Ten-Tec in financial trouble? The true market price here in the UK must be less than £700, so they are about £300 adrift in my estimation.
Even in the USA $995 for a rig with no 60m, no 12m and no 6m is way over the top. Just compare with the FT817ND for example. Even the Elecraft KX3 is much better value, in my view.
Views?
6m GDX today
G8JNJ/A (184km) and G0OQK (98km) were both spotting my 6m 1W ERP this morning and I have just spotted G4HBA (189km) on 6m WSPR. G4HBA's spots (several now) are with a fair bit of Doppler, so I am sure aircraft reflection is involved over this longish GDX path. G4HBA is using 10W.
No Es seen here on 6m so far today, but it is early still with Es peaks around lunch and teatimes usual.
UPDATE 1225z: No 6m Es here this lunchtime, at least not yet.
UPDATE 1246z: Still no Es today here on 6m. All seems very quiet with just GDX (9 spots of G4HBA so far today).
UPDATE 1945z: Still no 6m Es here today. Unless things change later this evening, I think that is it for the day - just GDX.
Apparently there have been good transatlantic openings on 6m today. But where are the USA/Canadian WSPRers?
UPDATE 2130z: Still no 6m Es here today. Will reset the internet sync'ed PC clock but not really expecting Es now, but on the "magic band" it is possible.
No Es seen here on 6m so far today, but it is early still with Es peaks around lunch and teatimes usual.
UPDATE 1225z: No 6m Es here this lunchtime, at least not yet.
UPDATE 1246z: Still no Es today here on 6m. All seems very quiet with just GDX (9 spots of G4HBA so far today).
UPDATE 1945z: Still no 6m Es here today. Unless things change later this evening, I think that is it for the day - just GDX.
Apparently there have been good transatlantic openings on 6m today. But where are the USA/Canadian WSPRers?
UPDATE 2130z: Still no 6m Es here today. Will reset the internet sync'ed PC clock but not really expecting Es now, but on the "magic band" it is possible.
Back to 6m WSPR
10m is becoming too easy: there was Es from early hours today, so I have decided to move back up to 6m again today. There will be no F2, just GDX and (hopefully) some Es propagation. As yet, just G4IKZ (18km) is spotting me at the usual strong level (+10dB S/N). Not sure if it is -1 to -2Hz Doppler (aircraft reflection) on my signal or just warm-up drift.
Early still: anything is possible on the "magic band".
Early still: anything is possible on the "magic band".
16 Jun 2014
10m Es - more and more
It is now 2015z and on 10m the Es keeps on coming. This is a good, solid and widespread Es opening.
UPDATE 2110z: 10m Es still going strong a few minutes ago.
UPDATE 2145z: Es seemed to have stopped (here) at about 2100z. Oh no it didn't! IK1WVQ was spotted at 2134z and 2142z.. HB9JOI spotted me at 2138z. The Es is still going strong.
UPDATE 2220z: Although Es has been good on 10m all day and F2 was good to FR1GZ earlier, there has been no F2 to South America on 10m WSPR at least not yet. This was surprising. EB3EPR is still spotting me at 2218z.
UPDATE 2232z: Bed time, but 10m WSPR still running overnight, unless the PC does an update and closes the software again!
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| Recent 10m WSPR spots this evening |
UPDATE 2145z: Es seemed to have stopped (here) at about 2100z. Oh no it didn't! IK1WVQ was spotted at 2134z and 2142z.. HB9JOI spotted me at 2138z. The Es is still going strong.
UPDATE 2220z: Although Es has been good on 10m all day and F2 was good to FR1GZ earlier, there has been no F2 to South America on 10m WSPR at least not yet. This was surprising. EB3EPR is still spotting me at 2218z.
UPDATE 2232z: Bed time, but 10m WSPR still running overnight, unless the PC does an update and closes the software again!
DK6UG, DC3RJ and EA1KV by Es on 10m WSPR
As teatime continues, yet more Es 10m propagation is evident.
DC3RJ (817km) is the latest who spotted me at 1754z. Earlier EB3EPR (1248km) spotted me twice. Now EA1KV (1304km) and DK6UG are spotting me at 1806z.
Some weeks ago I was questioning the propagation to a GM reporter on 6m, but realise now the distance is comparable with parts of Germany, so an easy Es single hop.
UPDATE 1840Z: HB3YHB (793km) was spotted at 1838z on 10m WSPR.
DC3RJ (817km) is the latest who spotted me at 1754z. Earlier EB3EPR (1248km) spotted me twice. Now EA1KV (1304km) and DK6UG are spotting me at 1806z.
Some weeks ago I was questioning the propagation to a GM reporter on 6m, but realise now the distance is comparable with parts of Germany, so an easy Es single hop.
UPDATE 1840Z: HB3YHB (793km) was spotted at 1838z on 10m WSPR.
More 10m GDX, Es and F2
During the afternoon G4FFC (45km) and M0BOB (74km) were both copied on 10m WSPR. These are both outside local range and I would class these as GDX (just). Both show some Doppler so may be helped by aircraft reflection.
On F2 FR1GZ (9724km, Reunion Is) was being copied until 1512z, so good F2 propagation. I wonder if we'll see South Americans later?
Es disappeared (here) at 1404z but may return this teatime.
UPDATE 1740z: EB3EPR (1248km) spotted me at 1736z and 1746z so Es is back (it is teatime!).
On F2 FR1GZ (9724km, Reunion Is) was being copied until 1512z, so good F2 propagation. I wonder if we'll see South Americans later?
Es disappeared (here) at 1404z but may return this teatime.
UPDATE 1740z: EB3EPR (1248km) spotted me at 1736z and 1746z so Es is back (it is teatime!).
10m F2
FR1GZ (9734km, on Reunion Is, south Indian Ocean) is still coming through here on 10m WSPR at -27dB S/N at 1444z and again at 1504z at -25dB S/N. F2 propagation N-S is still there when HF conditions are good.
Sunspot count today is "only" 80 - a year from now this will sound amazingly high - although 20-30MHz conditions are forecast to be "good".
F2 on 6m is very rare except at high sunspot peaks and in latitudes nearer the equator. TEP involving F2 over the equator is more common, but it requires stations to be in the right places to work. On 6m the paths from CN8 to FR1 were open by TEP this spring. Also 4X to FR1 and VK to JA.
On 10m TEP should be more frequent. Sometimes F2 links with Es further from the equator, allowing TEP to be extended to stations in higher latitudes.
Sunspot count today is "only" 80 - a year from now this will sound amazingly high - although 20-30MHz conditions are forecast to be "good".
F2 on 6m is very rare except at high sunspot peaks and in latitudes nearer the equator. TEP involving F2 over the equator is more common, but it requires stations to be in the right places to work. On 6m the paths from CN8 to FR1 were open by TEP this spring. Also 4X to FR1 and VK to JA.
On 10m TEP should be more frequent. Sometimes F2 links with Es further from the equator, allowing TEP to be extended to stations in higher latitudes.
WSPR software had stopped working
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| LB9YE on www;qrz.com |
UPDATE 1254z: On 10m LB9YE (1533km) is still being spotted (many times), as he was before the software crashed. Now also SI9AM (1503km at 1252z) - looks like a good Es opening to Scandinavia. LB9YE seems to be a very consistent signal today and last evening on 10m.\
UPDATE 1340z: SI9AM still being spotted. 10m open to Scandinavia still.
G4DAY on 10m WSPR - GDX
G4DAY (142km) was again spotted at 1104z. It seems this sort of range is possible on 10m GDX. Doppler was a very large (4Hz) suggesting aircraft reflection or even back scatter?
G4DAY is using 10W and that may help. He was -24dB S/N with me, suggesting my signal (2W) would be buried in the noise at his end. WSPR usually decodes down to about -30dB S/N.
G4DAY is using 10W and that may help. He was -24dB S/N with me, suggesting my signal (2W) would be buried in the noise at his end. WSPR usually decodes down to about -30dB S/N.
10m Es, F2 and GDX
On 10m G4DAY (142km) was copied twice in the early morning and again at 0940z.
Es has been plentiful this morning. Looking at the WSPR screen earlier there was lots of MS about with several traces of intermittent (non decoding) signals on 10m WSPR, presumably UK or EU signals reflecting off meteor trails. Es so far includes DL6UG, DL6NL, EB3EPR, EA5CYA, LB9YE and HB9JOI.
Also spotted FR1GZ (9724km) by F2 propagation at 1038z, 1122z and again at 1128z.
10m is a far more productive band than 6m. Interestingly, G4DAY (10W) was being spotted by Es several times in the night suggesting Es propagation was there but not good enough to allow my 2W to be decoded. For some Es and GDX it seems 10W helps.
Es has been plentiful this morning. Looking at the WSPR screen earlier there was lots of MS about with several traces of intermittent (non decoding) signals on 10m WSPR, presumably UK or EU signals reflecting off meteor trails. Es so far includes DL6UG, DL6NL, EB3EPR, EA5CYA, LB9YE and HB9JOI.
Also spotted FR1GZ (9724km) by F2 propagation at 1038z, 1122z and again at 1128z.
10m is a far more productive band than 6m. Interestingly, G4DAY (10W) was being spotted by Es several times in the night suggesting Es propagation was there but not good enough to allow my 2W to be decoded. For some Es and GDX it seems 10W helps.
15 Jun 2014
Back to 10m (from 6m)
In the last few minutes I have moved back to 10m WSPR from 6m. On 6m I was still getting GDX spots but no Es. On 10m there is still Es about and already I have been spotted by SA6BSS (1059km) and am spotting LB9YE (1533km), decent DX across Europe.
I have reset the clock on internet time and will leave 10m running through the night. We'll see how early the first 10m Es and F2 start appearing, as long as the PC does not crash!
Sunspot count was 159 today (pretty good) with 20-30MHz propagation "normal". Let us hope tomorrow will be similar and we get some F2 propagation on 10m.
I have reset the clock on internet time and will leave 10m running through the night. We'll see how early the first 10m Es and F2 start appearing, as long as the PC does not crash!
Sunspot count was 159 today (pretty good) with 20-30MHz propagation "normal". Let us hope tomorrow will be similar and we get some F2 propagation on 10m.
In praise of the FT817(ND) and QRP
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| FT817ND QRP transceiver |
In my view, the FT817ND is the very best rig available. My FT817ND was just under 500 pounds for cash, brand new with 2 yrs warranty. The nearest rig (about 5 times larger!) was the FT7 10W radio which did not cover WARC bands, much of 10m , 6m, 2m or 70cm.
The FT817ND could be further improved in several ways but if 5W (or less) is all you need, then this is an excellent radio. The KX3 is no doubt a better radio but is far more expensive (here in the UK) and is less suited for home use in my view. For the price of one fully loaded KX3 you can buy two FT817ND's in the UK.
If you have never owned an FT817ND you don't know what you've been missing.
As a plug for QRP, going from 100W to 5W is about 2-3 S-points. So if 100W would have been 59 you'd still be 56 at least with 5W. What's all the fuss about high power? I have worked THE WORLD on SSB with just 2.5W to simple wire antennas (no beams!).
My FT817's have been used on VLF, LF and MF with home-brew transverters and on all HF and VHF bands working some impressive DX.
There is a myth that QRP is "hard". Let me tell you that is rubbish. Sometimes power helps, but that is rare. Mostly QRP is just plain good fun - making the hobby all new again. The most I use these days is 5W, and more often far less. QRP is great fun.
Go for it!
6m Es teatime - CN8LI (Morocco) right on time!
1642z and CN8LI (2113km) has just spotted my 1W ERP again on 6m WSPR via Es. This is the teatime peak in Es - right on cue.
UPDATE 1736: CN8LI has spotted me 5 times (so far) this teatime at up to -14dB S/N. That makes 7 times so far today. When the propagation is there, signals are often strong. Doppler was -2Hz on his strongest report - moving Es clouds? G8JNJ/A was spotting me (184km) at 1724z.
UPDATE 1940z: CN8LI has been gone now since 1708z. I think the Es has gone and just GDX currently. G0OQK is a new GDX spotter (I think) at 98km at 1846z. There have been so many GDX reports that I am forgetting which stations are new ones.
UPDATE 1736: CN8LI has spotted me 5 times (so far) this teatime at up to -14dB S/N. That makes 7 times so far today. When the propagation is there, signals are often strong. Doppler was -2Hz on his strongest report - moving Es clouds? G8JNJ/A was spotting me (184km) at 1724z.
UPDATE 1940z: CN8LI has been gone now since 1708z. I think the Es has gone and just GDX currently. G0OQK is a new GDX spotter (I think) at 98km at 1846z. There have been so many GDX reports that I am forgetting which stations are new ones.
What is GDX?
This was a question I was asked earlier today. Someone thought it was an exotic digital mode. It is not.
GDX means "best DX in the UK" , nothing more.
If you live in the UK it is probably a phrase you know. If you live outside the UK then it may be a phrase you've maybe never heard of before or were too embarrassed to ask.
In the same way ODX means "best overall DX".
UPDATE 1545z: Just 6m locals and GDX this afternoon. No Es here since CN8LI lunchtime. May be more teatime?
GDX means "best DX in the UK" , nothing more.
If you live in the UK it is probably a phrase you know. If you live outside the UK then it may be a phrase you've maybe never heard of before or were too embarrassed to ask.
In the same way ODX means "best overall DX".
UPDATE 1545z: Just 6m locals and GDX this afternoon. No Es here since CN8LI lunchtime. May be more teatime?
Spotted by CN8LI (2113km) twice on 6m WSPR
CN8LI (2113km, Morocco) spotted my 1W ERP twice around 1200z today on 6m. This is the first real DX (Es presumably) today.
G4HBA (189km) is the best GDX so far today. He was spotted at -27dB S/N at 1138z when running 10W with 2Hz Doppler, so maybe some aircraft reflection?
G4HBA (189km) is the best GDX so far today. He was spotted at -27dB S/N at 1138z when running 10W with 2Hz Doppler, so maybe some aircraft reflection?
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| Recent 6m WSPR spots today |
6m GDX
After a brief outing on 10m (I and LA spots) I have QSYed up to 6m for the day and have so far been rewarded with locals and GDX out to 78km. Again I am still puzzled why I seem to give others much better reports than they give me. My noise floor is low but I am still puzzled. It is as if my TX is putting out about 10dB (at least) less than it says. Odd.
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| 6m WSPR spots to 1010z today |
The joy of Windows or is it Dell?
Last night my new Win 8.1 Dell PC decided it needed to install updates. I chose to switch off until restarting this morning. It said "Loading Windows updates. Do not switch off your computer". Being a good boy, I obeyed and waited as it got to 81% complete ...... and waited, and waited, had breakfast, went for a walk, had more breakfast and still it said 81%, please wait. In all it had now been 1 hr 40 minutes!
At this point I was about to ring up that nice Dell man in India when I decided to turn off the PC and try again. THIS time it sailed through 81% and reached 100% complete in no time. PC works fine! What the heck was going on?
At this point I was about to ring up that nice Dell man in India when I decided to turn off the PC and try again. THIS time it sailed through 81% and reached 100% complete in no time. PC works fine! What the heck was going on?
14 Jun 2014
Concentrate on 6m and 10m?
10m is my favorite band of all: there is the possibility of local QSOs on 10FM out to 30-40km (at least) even with very modest (CB level) powers to a 1/2 wave vertical. It is good for GDX with suitably equipped stations out to many hundreds of kilometres. F2 and Es propagation allow really long distances.
6m is the "magic band". It seems to be good for locals and GDX seems to work out pretty well too out to several hundred kilometres, as for 10m. Although F2 is rare except close to good sunspot maxima, Es is there every spring and summer and at other times too, but more rarely. More stations active (e.g. on WSPR - a great DX mode) would indicate more openings, I suspect.
Actually one could do a lot worse than concentrate on WSPR on these 2 bands only. That is what I may do in future. In effect I am already doing this, but I could better optimise the antennas - maybe a 1/2 wave vertical on 10m and a halo on 6m? My antennas may be compromised but in my present state of health (stroke) they will have to do.
UPDATE 1820z: All afternoon on 6m it has been just locals G4IKZ, G4KPX and G0LRD only here with no signs of GDX or Es at this QTH. Things on the "magic band" can change quite quickly, so I shall be staying on 6m for the rest of the day. We'll see.
UPDATE 1830z: Looking back through the WSPR logs I see G3IGU (172km) near Doncaster was being spotted here at 1254z with only very slight Doppler or warm-up drift (-1Hz). This may have been tropo or a favorable aircraft again. So there was some GDX around. I have seen a surprising number of GDX stations now on 6m at decent distances. Theseare all "accidental" spots - no skeds, I just happened to see these stations.
As I write this I see G6AVK (78km) is spotting my 1W ERP at -27dB S/N at 1830z , yet more GDX.
UPDATE 2030z: Just the locals reporting me. No Es or GDX currently.
UPDATE 2155z: Still just the locals. Soon be time to pull the big switch to off.
6m is the "magic band". It seems to be good for locals and GDX seems to work out pretty well too out to several hundred kilometres, as for 10m. Although F2 is rare except close to good sunspot maxima, Es is there every spring and summer and at other times too, but more rarely. More stations active (e.g. on WSPR - a great DX mode) would indicate more openings, I suspect.
Actually one could do a lot worse than concentrate on WSPR on these 2 bands only. That is what I may do in future. In effect I am already doing this, but I could better optimise the antennas - maybe a 1/2 wave vertical on 10m and a halo on 6m? My antennas may be compromised but in my present state of health (stroke) they will have to do.
UPDATE 1820z: All afternoon on 6m it has been just locals G4IKZ, G4KPX and G0LRD only here with no signs of GDX or Es at this QTH. Things on the "magic band" can change quite quickly, so I shall be staying on 6m for the rest of the day. We'll see.
UPDATE 1830z: Looking back through the WSPR logs I see G3IGU (172km) near Doncaster was being spotted here at 1254z with only very slight Doppler or warm-up drift (-1Hz). This may have been tropo or a favorable aircraft again. So there was some GDX around. I have seen a surprising number of GDX stations now on 6m at decent distances. Theseare all "accidental" spots - no skeds, I just happened to see these stations.
As I write this I see G6AVK (78km) is spotting my 1W ERP at -27dB S/N at 1830z , yet more GDX.
UPDATE 2030z: Just the locals reporting me. No Es or GDX currently.
UPDATE 2155z: Still just the locals. Soon be time to pull the big switch to off.
Back to 6m
After a fun day on 10m, I've now gone back to 6m and my 1W ERP was immediately spotted on WSPR by locals G0LRD and G4IKZ. On the lookout for more distant 6m stations now by any mode.
UPDATE 1120: G4KPX (14km) is spotting me well on 6m and the first 6m GDX today G4HBA (189km) using 10W from IO93fn square (near Barnsley, Yorkshire) is being spotted here at -25dB S/N with 3Hz Doppler, suggesting aircraft involvement.
UPDATE 1120: G4KPX (14km) is spotting me well on 6m and the first 6m GDX today G4HBA (189km) using 10W from IO93fn square (near Barnsley, Yorkshire) is being spotted here at -25dB S/N with 3Hz Doppler, suggesting aircraft involvement.
10m Es and early morning MS?
LB9YE and I have been exchanging WSPR spots since 0458z this morning. In both directions there is considerable Doppler. On another signal (not currently decoding) there are clear signs of meteor reflections as the signals are strong but in short bursts. I wonder if MS was playing a part in LB9YE's decodes?
Earier in the night PB0AIC (288km) was decoded STRONGLY at -8dB S/N . At this range I assumes this was early morning tropo or again possibly MS? At the very same time 0404z, G8VDQ (93km) , was decoded strongly at -12dB S/N.
Otherwise all quiet on the Es front.
I do wonder sometimes about Es (SPORADIC E-layer) reflections. Many signals do come into this category with fleeting, often quite localised, strong openings, but many others are anything but sporadic. Are these really Es as we know it or some other propagation?
Earier in the night PB0AIC (288km) was decoded STRONGLY at -8dB S/N . At this range I assumes this was early morning tropo or again possibly MS? At the very same time 0404z, G8VDQ (93km) , was decoded strongly at -12dB S/N.
Otherwise all quiet on the Es front.
I do wonder sometimes about Es (SPORADIC E-layer) reflections. Many signals do come into this category with fleeting, often quite localised, strong openings, but many others are anything but sporadic. Are these really Es as we know it or some other propagation?
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