This blog seems to receive an average of around 1000 visits a day. Sometimes it is less if I've not had much to say. I thank you all for your continued interest.
It has not been easy of late because of my stroke and the fact that (presently) I am doing far less building than in the past because of my poor health. I hope to be back to near normal health again soon (later this year?) with a similar level of experimentation as in earlier years. Right now, I'm still too wobbly to solder and climb ladders. People have been very kind. My voice is still poor so digital modes are best e.g WSPR, JT65 and JT9.
For now, I write about what I can still do and the things that interest me. I hope you stick with me until the sun shines fully in my life again. At the moment it seems to be hiding in the clouds.
25 Jun 2014
10m WSPR results so far today
These are the unique reports sent and received on 10m WSPR today. In most cases there were multiple reports each way and this list shows these just once. In all, a widespread Es opening on 10m plus some useful distances on GDX signals.
Currently HB9JOI (835km) is coming in here on 10m WSPR at a colossal +12dB S/N signal with 2W, stronger than the locals! Such is Es when the skip is just right.
UPDATE 1840z: IK1WVQ is coming through at -2dB S/N which is also big.
UPDATE 1845z: Best 10m DX here today is still a spot from EA1KV (1304km). This is far less than on 6m.
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| 10m WSPR unique reports today |
UPDATE 1840z: IK1WVQ is coming through at -2dB S/N which is also big.
UPDATE 1845z: Best 10m DX here today is still a spot from EA1KV (1304km). This is far less than on 6m.
SAQ - historic 17.2kHz CW transmission this Sunday.
A reminder that the historic alternator TX on 17.2kHz VLF will be sending a message this Sunday twice. They usually QSL via the amateur QSL bureaus. See http://alexander.n.se/in-english/saq-transmission/ for more details of this and other transmissions.
Some years ago I copied the transmission, QSLed and am the proud owner of one of their QSL cards. It is not hard to copy in Europe unless you have local noise problems. A small tuned loop is all the antenna needed. There are even a software receiver available free on the net capable of receiving the transmissions with a suitable antenna connected to the PC. The SM6LKM software receiver is excellent and covers 0-22kHz. It makes a very useful VLF receiver. I describe it on my YouTube Channel G3XBM. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDxRhQYg7lQ.
Some years ago I copied the transmission, QSLed and am the proud owner of one of their QSL cards. It is not hard to copy in Europe unless you have local noise problems. A small tuned loop is all the antenna needed. There are even a software receiver available free on the net capable of receiving the transmissions with a suitable antenna connected to the PC. The SM6LKM software receiver is excellent and covers 0-22kHz. It makes a very useful VLF receiver. I describe it on my YouTube Channel G3XBM. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDxRhQYg7lQ.
QSYed down to 10m WSPR
In view of the quiet conditions on 6m, I have moved down to 10m WSPR instead just after 1330z. EA1KV (1304km) has spotted me 4 times already at good strength by Es. I am really hoping for some F2-layer DX but conditions don't look too favourable today.
EA1KV was spotted by me at 1414z at -3dB S/N. Very strongly. I also spotted him at 1422z. No other Es stations yet seen on 10m. No locals or GDX either.
UPDATE 1512z: EA5CYA recently spotted by me. 10m is open to Spain at least. PA0O also spotted at 440km. Wondering if this is Es? Very short skip if it is. Doesn't look like tropo or aircraft.
UPDATE 1535z: V53ARC is being spotted at good strength by DK6UG, so there is F2 propagation N-S on 10m today. I wonder if I'll see him here later?
UPDATE 1609z: EA1KV, DJ3LE (100mW) and PA0O all being spotted. This looks like a widespread EU Es opening on 10m. Still no sign of V53ARC here (yet) from Namibia.
UPDATE 1642z: Just spotted (and been spotted by) M0MVB (30km) for my first "local" on 10m. With 3Hz Doppler on his signal, it is pretty likely planes were involved. Interestingly, there was zero Doppler on my signal with him.
EA1KV was spotted by me at 1414z at -3dB S/N. Very strongly. I also spotted him at 1422z. No other Es stations yet seen on 10m. No locals or GDX either.
UPDATE 1535z: V53ARC is being spotted at good strength by DK6UG, so there is F2 propagation N-S on 10m today. I wonder if I'll see him here later?
UPDATE 1609z: EA1KV, DJ3LE (100mW) and PA0O all being spotted. This looks like a widespread EU Es opening on 10m. Still no sign of V53ARC here (yet) from Namibia.
UPDATE 1642z: Just spotted (and been spotted by) M0MVB (30km) for my first "local" on 10m. With 3Hz Doppler on his signal, it is pretty likely planes were involved. Interestingly, there was zero Doppler on my signal with him.
6m Es - path to CN8LI again open
My first Es copy by CN8LI (2113km) today on WSPR was at 1124z this morning when he gave me a strong -12dB S/N report. I suspect we'll exchange lots more spots later by Es.
Sunspot count today is a modest 37 and 20-30MHz propagation forecast to be "fair" only. There may be some F2 propagation on 10m later, but probably not today.
Most 6m spots so far are from local G4IKZ (18km) and a few from G0OQK (98km - last spot 0846z 0dB Doppler). Still not certain if G0OQK is copyable by tropo without the presence of planes. I suspect not, but would be happier if I could receive G0OQK by tropo alone.
At the times of writing, there are only 31 station active on 6m WSPR in the entire world. There are even fewer on 10m (29). These are very low indeed in my view.
UPDATE 1320z: No more reports from CN8LI since 1124z.
Sunspot count today is a modest 37 and 20-30MHz propagation forecast to be "fair" only. There may be some F2 propagation on 10m later, but probably not today.
Most 6m spots so far are from local G4IKZ (18km) and a few from G0OQK (98km - last spot 0846z 0dB Doppler). Still not certain if G0OQK is copyable by tropo without the presence of planes. I suspect not, but would be happier if I could receive G0OQK by tropo alone.
At the times of writing, there are only 31 station active on 6m WSPR in the entire world. There are even fewer on 10m (29). These are very low indeed in my view.
UPDATE 1320z: No more reports from CN8LI since 1124z.
More lightning maps
In an earlier blog post comment, a reader pointed out that on the latest version of these maps there is more detail: the maps show where the lightning flashes are being detected, so giving an idea of intensity. See http://www.blitzortung.org/Webpages/index.php?lang=en. These maps really tell you a lot. It shows no thunder or lightning at present in the UK. Over the Alps it is still intense and now in Russia as well.
G0LRD tells me this data is also available on the maps I linked to if "stations" are selected.
G0LRD tells me this data is also available on the maps I linked to if "stations" are selected.
24 Jun 2014
6m - overnight
Just resync'd the internet clock and will leave WSPR running on 6m overnight looking for very long distance, multi-hop Es (ever hopeful), GDX and near continentals by tropo or aircraft reflections. Just got to hope the software does not stop working on my Win 8.1 machine in the middle of the night!
There is some debate about tropo versus aircraft reflection on 6m. David G0LRD is of the view that most of my 6m WSPR GDX is tropo, whereas I feel it is because of aircraft reflection, but only when the Doppler is low enough. Sometimes you have to wait hours and hours for this.
I'd much prefer it if these relatively long (for me) GDX paths were pure tropo, but feel the evidence points to aircraft reflections. The debate and evidence gathering continues, HI.
There is some debate about tropo versus aircraft reflection on 6m. David G0LRD is of the view that most of my 6m WSPR GDX is tropo, whereas I feel it is because of aircraft reflection, but only when the Doppler is low enough. Sometimes you have to wait hours and hours for this.
I'd much prefer it if these relatively long (for me) GDX paths were pure tropo, but feel the evidence points to aircraft reflections. The debate and evidence gathering continues, HI.
G0OQK by pure tropo?
The most recent transmission from Nick G0OQK (98km) was at 1854z. Unlike earlier transmissions this was received as a single straight line on the WSPR software screen with not even a hint of aircraft reflections. I wonder if this was pure tropo? His signal strength was -20dB S/N.
The alternative explanation is this was just a single plane flying in such a direction that there was no Doppler on the signal. I think this means a plane exactly crossing the path between us. I need to dig out that software G3WKW mentioned to see when planes are optimally placed. A reminder it was http://www.airscout.eu.
The alternative explanation is this was just a single plane flying in such a direction that there was no Doppler on the signal. I think this means a plane exactly crossing the path between us. I need to dig out that software G3WKW mentioned to see when planes are optimally placed. A reminder it was http://www.airscout.eu.
6m - CN8LI copied on WSPR
At 1646z I copied CN8LI (2113km) on 6m WSPR for the first time today at a strong -9dB S/N. I think we are seeing the teatime peak in Es. He was also copied again at 1754z at a strong -9dB S/N. No other Es seen today (yet). He copied me again strongly at 1806z.
UPDATE 1844z: CN8LI has (so far) been seen 5 times this evening. He was a remarkably strong +4dB S/N at 1826z. Just like a real local! So far, he has spotted me 6 times already today. The "pipe" to Morocco is in place again today!
UPDATE 1945z: CN8LI has copied me loads of times today so far:
UPDATE 2242z: My last 6m spot of CN8LI seems to have been at 2008z.
UPDATE 1844z: CN8LI has (so far) been seen 5 times this evening. He was a remarkably strong +4dB S/N at 1826z. Just like a real local! So far, he has spotted me 6 times already today. The "pipe" to Morocco is in place again today!
UPDATE 1945z: CN8LI has copied me loads of times today so far:
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| CN8LI's 6m WSPR spots of my 1W ERP so far so far today |
Sunspots slowly falling?
Today's sunspot count is 65 with "normal" 20-30MHz conditions. It looks to me as if the solar activity is now on the slide downwards. This does not mean an end to good conditions. This autumn 15, 12 and 10m should still be in very good shape and it will be a few years before we really see the changes.
There are all sorts of predictions about the next few cycles. The consensus is the next few cycles will be ones with low solar activity. It is still too soon to say if we are really entering another Maunder minimum. Don't worry: this is a chance to explore HF in different times. There is unlikely to be any (much) East-West F-layer propagation on 12,10 and 6m but North-South propagation will be possible some of the time and openings on Es can be surprisingly distant in all directions at the optimum times of the year.
And there are always VHF, UHF, microwaves and nanowaves to explore!
Let us see the coming years as a challenge. We may never see really good conditions again in our lifetimes but there will still be interesting propagation and DX to be worked and heard.
There are all sorts of predictions about the next few cycles. The consensus is the next few cycles will be ones with low solar activity. It is still too soon to say if we are really entering another Maunder minimum. Don't worry: this is a chance to explore HF in different times. There is unlikely to be any (much) East-West F-layer propagation on 12,10 and 6m but North-South propagation will be possible some of the time and openings on Es can be surprisingly distant in all directions at the optimum times of the year.
And there are always VHF, UHF, microwaves and nanowaves to explore!
Let us see the coming years as a challenge. We may never see really good conditions again in our lifetimes but there will still be interesting propagation and DX to be worked and heard.
6m WSPR - G0OQK spotted (with Doppler) and CN8LI
For the first time G0OQK (98km) has been on TX so this was my chance to see if reception here was pure tropo or aircraft assisted.
Well, looking at his last traces here I can see 2 or 3 traces in each 2 minute burst suggesting reflection from planes. This is far cleaner than I've seen some stations. I guess it says something about the flight paths. WSPR seems to decode the transmission with little Doppler, but there is little doubt that Nick's 2W to a V2000 is helped by aircraft reflection. Of course, being in the Chilterns I wonder if it is reflections from gliders?
This suggests almost all (or all?) 6m GDX signals copied here are aided by aircraft reflection and few/none are traditional tropo. For more local stations most signals are tropo but even over 25km paths people frequently see Doppler from aircraft on my traces. I guess it depends whether the direct path, or aircraft reflected path, dominates? For locals, the direct (tropo) path usually dominates.
UPDATE 1510z: No 6m Es here so far today and just a couple of spots received of G0OQK (98km). I noticed more traces of Nick than proper decodes, either Doppler wrong or MS pings too short.
UPDATE 1516z: My WSPR software decided to close on its own this afternoon (Win 8.1 issue with updates) so I have resync'd the internet clock and restarted the WSPR software. It is now working OK as G4IKZ is spotting me at 1506z. Seeing 50Hz sidebands on the very strong reports from this Nick. Not sure if it is his issue or mine. Not really worried as it only appears, sometimes, on strong signals.
UPDATE 1532z: I spoke too soon as CN8LI (2113km) spotted me at 1516z just after I spotted G4FFC (45km). There is Es about today.
Well, looking at his last traces here I can see 2 or 3 traces in each 2 minute burst suggesting reflection from planes. This is far cleaner than I've seen some stations. I guess it says something about the flight paths. WSPR seems to decode the transmission with little Doppler, but there is little doubt that Nick's 2W to a V2000 is helped by aircraft reflection. Of course, being in the Chilterns I wonder if it is reflections from gliders?
This suggests almost all (or all?) 6m GDX signals copied here are aided by aircraft reflection and few/none are traditional tropo. For more local stations most signals are tropo but even over 25km paths people frequently see Doppler from aircraft on my traces. I guess it depends whether the direct path, or aircraft reflected path, dominates? For locals, the direct (tropo) path usually dominates.
UPDATE 1510z: No 6m Es here so far today and just a couple of spots received of G0OQK (98km). I noticed more traces of Nick than proper decodes, either Doppler wrong or MS pings too short.
UPDATE 1516z: My WSPR software decided to close on its own this afternoon (Win 8.1 issue with updates) so I have resync'd the internet clock and restarted the WSPR software. It is now working OK as G4IKZ is spotting me at 1506z. Seeing 50Hz sidebands on the very strong reports from this Nick. Not sure if it is his issue or mine. Not really worried as it only appears, sometimes, on strong signals.
UPDATE 1532z: I spoke too soon as CN8LI (2113km) spotted me at 1516z just after I spotted G4FFC (45km). There is Es about today.
6m WSPR return
After the nearby storms had passed, I reconnected rig, PC and antenna at 0900z this morning. G4IKZ (18km) is back looking - I wonder if he closed down for the storms too? - and he is spotting me well. G0OQK (98km) is also looking and giving me similar (low Doppler) reports as on earlier days. As yet, no Es seen here today.
23 Jun 2014
Alpine storms and Es
I cannot remember the supposed link between Es and thunderstorms (something to do with sprites going upwards from thunder clouds?) but with plenty of thunderstorms in the Alps, I wonder how Es will be tomorrow? Maybe conditions to southern Europe will be good on 6m Es?
Although I probably could safely reconnect antennas this evening now the storms have passed, I think it will be better to wait until the morning.
Knowing my luck, the 6m band will open transatlantic tonight and I shall miss it all! That would not be the end of the world.
Although I probably could safely reconnect antennas this evening now the storms have passed, I think it will be better to wait until the morning.
Knowing my luck, the 6m band will open transatlantic tonight and I shall miss it all! That would not be the end of the world.
Confusing American call areas?
At one time you knew where in the USA a station was located by its call area. No longer. A W6 can be in New York and a W1 in California. In my view this is a very backward move. Although it has been the case for a few years, it is now beginning to become a major problem.
Is this an FCC issue? They do seem to be so behind. 472-479kHz is still not allocated in the USA whereas we've had access to the band for 1.5 yrs now here in Europe. I don't think they yet have the 136kHz band even!
As an occasional user of the USA customs service, I wonder if the FCC uses similar people? The USA customs officers seem to be a "rum lot" with absolutely zero sense of humour. Where do they find these people?
Is this an FCC issue? They do seem to be so behind. 472-479kHz is still not allocated in the USA whereas we've had access to the band for 1.5 yrs now here in Europe. I don't think they yet have the 136kHz band even!
As an occasional user of the USA customs service, I wonder if the FCC uses similar people? The USA customs officers seem to be a "rum lot" with absolutely zero sense of humour. Where do they find these people?
Lightning maps
If you missed G0LRD's comment in an earlier post you may want this link that shows lightning activity:
http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en
There are storms in Eastern England and very many over the Alps. Interestingly the CN8 to OZ path has been open on 6m Es today. Some believe there is a correlation between Es and thunderstorms.
UPDATE 1720z: At the moment, the storms have ended but the lightning map shows a further storm is due to come through. At present it is over the Peterborough area and moving SE. I think it is best to NOT reconnect the antennas today.
UPDATE 1751z: The storm over Peterborough seems to be moving in an easterly direction and may miss our village with luck, although I can now hear distant thunder to the north.
UPDATE 1812z: The storm is definitely tracking east over the Bedford Levels in the Fens, towards Littleport, so should miss us. Even so, I'll stay off air tonight.
UPDATE 2016z: According to the lightning map, all thunder storms have now died out in the UK. I'll reconnect antennas in the morning.
http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en
There are storms in Eastern England and very many over the Alps. Interestingly the CN8 to OZ path has been open on 6m Es today. Some believe there is a correlation between Es and thunderstorms.
UPDATE 1720z: At the moment, the storms have ended but the lightning map shows a further storm is due to come through. At present it is over the Peterborough area and moving SE. I think it is best to NOT reconnect the antennas today.
UPDATE 1751z: The storm over Peterborough seems to be moving in an easterly direction and may miss our village with luck, although I can now hear distant thunder to the north.
UPDATE 1812z: The storm is definitely tracking east over the Bedford Levels in the Fens, towards Littleport, so should miss us. Even so, I'll stay off air tonight.
UPDATE 2016z: According to the lightning map, all thunder storms have now died out in the UK. I'll reconnect antennas in the morning.
6m - local storms stop play
Currently we have thunderstorms around so I have disconnected ALL antennas, turned off the rigs and turned off the WSPR software and the PC.
This morning there was no Es seen here on 6m, just GDX. G0OKQ was a consistent reporter 98km away in the Chiltern Hills. Local G4IKZ (18km) was not on.
If the storm passes over, and goes, I'll reconnect 6m WSPR At the moment (1352z) the storm is about 3km away judging by the time difference between lightning and thunder claps. I hate this sort of weather.
Sunspot count is 95 and the forecast for 20-30MHz is "good" so F-layer propagation on 10m should be promising. Conditions are "disturbed".
This morning there was no Es seen here on 6m, just GDX. G0OKQ was a consistent reporter 98km away in the Chiltern Hills. Local G4IKZ (18km) was not on.
If the storm passes over, and goes, I'll reconnect 6m WSPR At the moment (1352z) the storm is about 3km away judging by the time difference between lightning and thunder claps. I hate this sort of weather.
Sunspot count is 95 and the forecast for 20-30MHz is "good" so F-layer propagation on 10m should be promising. Conditions are "disturbed".
22 Jun 2014
6m - G0OQK consistent signal reports
Nick G0OQK is 98km away in the Chilterns (IO91pp) and he has spotted my 1W ERP 6m signal countless times today. Doppler is very low so I am wondering if this is tropo (generally) NOT involving aircraft? In the next few days Nick will be on TX so I can check here for a lack of multiple traces on the WSPR screen. If there are lots of traces on his signal it will suggest aircraft reflections. If (usually) just a weakish single trace it will suggest tropo.
UPDATE 2250z: No more Es reports from CN8LI since 1918z. Unless things suddenly change, I think the Es here has ended for the day.
UPDATE 2250z: No more Es reports from CN8LI since 1918z. Unless things suddenly change, I think the Es here has ended for the day.
6m - CN8LI has spotted me 11 times today so far!
CN8LI (2113km) has been spotting me on 6m WSPR again today, this morning and this evening. His reports tonight seem to be getting stronger too. so I think there will be further reports before we're done today. It is now 1905z. I have been spotting him too, but only once so far today.
6m is an amazing band. There is good local coverage, interesting GDX mainly via aircraft scatter or reflection and then amazing DX by Es. I have still to catch super DX by Es. Of course, in a few months most of the Es openings will be ended although the band does have some Es at all times of the year. With dedicated WSPRers active we might find out how common "out of season" 6m Es really is.
UPDATE 1930z: more spots from CN8LI at 1900z and 1918z.
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| CN8LI's spots of my 1W ERP on 6m today so far |
UPDATE 1930z: more spots from CN8LI at 1900z and 1918z.
6m - no Es here this afternoon
Just locals and GDX here this afternoon, with no sign of Es since before lunch on 6m. I shall stick with 6m in case things change later. Much GDX is via aircraft reflection.
With regard to 10m, sunspot count is 75 and 20-30MHz conditions are "normal" so F2 DX on 10m should be likely. Es is more likely on 10m (than 6m) too but that is not related to sunspot activity, at least not directly.
With regard to 10m, sunspot count is 75 and 20-30MHz conditions are "normal" so F2 DX on 10m should be likely. Es is more likely on 10m (than 6m) too but that is not related to sunspot activity, at least not directly.
ISS - not
It turns out my recent message purporting to have been sent for the International Space Station (ISS) was not from there at all, but from a tent in Wales! Not quite sure why people get a kick from this? It all seems a bit silly to me. Previously this person's account was sending out dodgy links and I informed him of this. Be warned - all may not be what it seems.
6m - CN8LI again and more local DX
The path to CN8LI (2113km) is there again today, but not as strongly as yesterday. So far a single spot in each direction mid-morning. You will recall I use 1W ERP with a vertical V2000 antenna with about 0dBD gain on 6m. My coax is CB RG58, so quite lossy.
There is quite a bit of inter-G/GDX and aircraft scatter activity with G4FGJ (44km), G4IKZ (18km), G0OQK (98km), G4BRK (134km), G0LRD (25km), G4FFC (45km), G3WKW (134km), G8JNJ/A (184km), as well as ON0VA (280km) with the latter with 3Hz Doppler so almost certainly aircraft reflection.
6m is an interesting band!
There is quite a bit of inter-G/GDX and aircraft scatter activity with G4FGJ (44km), G4IKZ (18km), G0OQK (98km), G4BRK (134km), G0LRD (25km), G4FFC (45km), G3WKW (134km), G8JNJ/A (184km), as well as ON0VA (280km) with the latter with 3Hz Doppler so almost certainly aircraft reflection.
6m is an interesting band!
6m - WSPR very early Es?
As early as 0402z DB0ZDF (608km at -20dB S/N) was spotting my 1W ERP 6m signal by Es today. Apart from this single report, just the usual GDX stations (out to 184km) no doubt helped by aircraft reflections. I am assuming DB0ZDF was Es; it is possible at this range it could have been tropo or aircraft reflection too.
21 Jun 2014
6m overnight tonight
As 6m has been open for Es most of the day, I'll reset the clock and leave the software to run overnight and hope the WSPR program does not crash in the wee hours.
The chances of really long distance multi-hop Es must be slim, but there is an outside chance.
UPDATE 2225z: G0OQK (98km) is still spotting me regularly by aircraft reflection or pure tropo.
The chances of really long distance multi-hop Es must be slim, but there is an outside chance.
UPDATE 2225z: G0OQK (98km) is still spotting me regularly by aircraft reflection or pure tropo.
6m Es this evening
IK1WVQ (1084km) has just been spotted at a strong -6dB S/N at 1710z. This is the first Es today after the many reports ed with exchang CN8LI this morning.
I wonder if there will be other Es openings this evening? IK1WVQ was running 20W (high for WSPR) and drift (I assume Doppler?) was a massive 3Hz. Of course, it could be the TX drifting as it goes from RX to 20W.
UPDATE 1745z: CN8LI is spotting me again and IK1WVQ is now +3dB S/N, Why does he run 20W when 1-2W would be quite enough?
UPDATE 2205z: The last spot of me by CN8LI (2113km) was at 2018z with -23dB S/N, so relatively weak. This was his 18th spot of me today. Spots started at 0912z today when I switched to 6m. The path may well have been open even earlier. Propagation has been there between us most of the day - quite remarkable!
I wonder if there will be other Es openings this evening? IK1WVQ was running 20W (high for WSPR) and drift (I assume Doppler?) was a massive 3Hz. Of course, it could be the TX drifting as it goes from RX to 20W.
UPDATE 1745z: CN8LI is spotting me again and IK1WVQ is now +3dB S/N, Why does he run 20W when 1-2W would be quite enough?
UPDATE 2205z: The last spot of me by CN8LI (2113km) was at 2018z with -23dB S/N, so relatively weak. This was his 18th spot of me today. Spots started at 0912z today when I switched to 6m. The path may well have been open even earlier. Propagation has been there between us most of the day - quite remarkable!
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| WSPR spots from CN8LI today - 1W ERP my end |
WSPR non-reciprosity? More
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.
I'll monitor to see if reciprocity. is affected. I suspect not. The ALC was set at a lower setting at 1038z.
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.
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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.
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