No F2 today (yet)

Today has surprised me: not a single F2 signal yet copied on 10m so far. It is now around 1650z.  Sunspot count is quite good and 20-30MHz conditions suggested that N-S F2 would be possible. It may just be there were no stations active on WSPR in the right areas today.

There are now more USA stations (east coast) on 10m WSPR, which is encouraging.

Yet more 10m Es transatlantic!

This morning around 1100z KZ8C (6290km) in EM88 square was spotted for the 8th time (I think) this Es season. I think this is the earliest time in the day I have copied 10m Es transatlantic. It means the USA station was on very early local time.

UPDATE 1611z:  CT1PT (1685km) was spotted on 10m WSPR at 1604z.

UPDATE 1613z:  PD0OHW (459km) was copied mid afternoon. I think this was by Es. All storms seem to be well away from the UK currently. See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . Sadly I must go QRT early this evening because of guests, not because of storms.

10m unique WSPR spots so far today

Current set-up for WSPR, JT65 and JT9-1

This is a photo of the kit currently used. The top FT817ND is used mainly for 2m and 70cms (local FM net, SSB and CW, beacon hunting) and the lower FT817 for WSPR, JT65 and JT9-1 mainly on 6m and 10m. The lower rig is set at 2.5W, but the cable run to the V2000 vertical is lossy on 6m. I use a SignaLink USB audio interface to the PC.  This works well. For all digital modes I use the FT817 on DIG setting via the rear connector.   Sometimes I use the Z817 ATU, which I find very good. With this, I can get onto 5MHz and some other bands.

Best DX (on WSPR) is Australia at 1W out on 40, 20 and 10m and Israel on 6m WSPR (1W ERP).

Not shown (on shelf above) is the 472kHz homebrew transverter, the 15m MFJ Cub and the Mizuho 200mW 2m SSB rig. Also out of sight are a 136kHz beacon, the 2m Fredbox, the 6m Sixbox, the VLF 8-9kHz beacon, and optical rigs. I am waiting for better health to be able to use these again. Currently my operating is all from home and mainly modes not requiring me to talk, although I have ventured onto our Monday night FM net and the odd 2m and 70cm contest.

10m WSPR - early Sunday

10m WSPR was turned on quite early today and the band is already lively with EU Es signals (LB, I and EA). I shall stay on 10m all day all being well, but may have to close early this evening if the shack is being used as a bedroom for our granddaughter.

There is a local (?) interferer low down in the WSPR sub-band pulsing on and off every 5 seconds or so - any idea what this is? It does not seem to be doing anything bad to decodes,which is a relief. It was there last night too I noticed.

Sunspot count today is 178 (good) with blackouts. 20-30MHz forecast is "normal". I'd expect N-S F2 today on 10m.

UPDATE 1045z:  No 10m F2 propagation seen yet.

6m - QRT soon

After over 4 hours now with just reports from local G4IKZ, I think I shall go QRT soon.  I'll leave the kit running WSPR until bedtime, then disconnect and switch everything off. Knowing my luck, 6m WSPR will then open strongly to the USA!

UPDATE 2110z:  Eventually, after 5 hours G6AVK (78km) spots my 1W ERP on 6m as well as G4IKZ (18km).

UPDATE 2220z:  Now going QRT.

Nevada deal on Alinco DR-135UK 28MHz transceiver

Steve G1KQH has found a good deal!

This 28MHz transceiver is available for £159.95 from Nevada. It looks like a useful rig at a good price. No doubt a few wire cuts will allow full CB coverage (illegally) for those who desire this.

http://images.nevadaradio.co.uk/large/alinco2/DR135UK-Banner3.jpg

Back on 6m WSPR at 1604z

Now gone back to 6m WSPR. So far, just being seen strongly by local G4IKZ (18km). No GDX or Es seen yet.

There is a storm coming this way from the Gloucester area but it will be a few hours yet and might miss us? See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . Currently it is over the Milton Keynes area. and seems to be tracking E/SE-wards.

UPDATE 1710z: The storm is moving NE. It may get us after all. Currently it is in Northamptonshire. We'll see soon where it goes next.

UPDATE  1727z: Still just G4IKZ (18km) spotting me.  No Es, no GDX seen here on 6m WSPR (yet). Will abort proceedings if the storm gets dangerously close.

UPDATE 1807z:  The storm appears to be fading away before it gets here. Good. This means I can stay on 6m WSPR for longer. So far, there is distinct lack of Es DX being seen by any reporters.

The ONLY 6m WSPR spots here in the last 2 hours - local G4IKZ

UPDATE 1820z:  Still no DX on 6m. Storm HAS died out.

UPDATE 1922z:   Still no 6m DX. The storm over the North Sea is now moving south and there is lightning at Cromer. Watching this carefully in case it comes our way tonight.

6m/10m WSPR - or not?

I was about to switch back to 6m WSPR but the lightning map shows deteriorating weather with possible storms approaching from Lincolnshire and the North Sea.  Maybe I'll stay on 10m a while longer and then decide what to do. If the storms get close I shall go QRT.

UPDATE 1318z:  Well, the Lincolnshire storm is moving north. That means it is getting further away from here.  I'll QSY up to 6m WSPR later this afternoon, unless another storm rears its ugly head.

UPDATE 1410z:  GM4FVM (428km - very short 10m Es skip) copied strongly at -10dB S/N on 10m WSPR at 1340z. Suggests decent Es on higher bands.

UPDATE 1442z: First GDX today G8VDQ (93km) spotted on 10m WSPR at 1424z but quite weakly.

Missed 6m transatlantic openings

I missed at least 2 transatlantic 6m openings.

KB2MEN spotted G4JVF on July 29th in the middle of the night (in the UK) and KU4QI spotted ON7KO on the evening of June 21st.  I was probably on 10m, or I simply missed these openings. The season has not yet ended for real long distance 6m DX. I may go back on to 6m later.

10m WSPR - resumed at 0914z today

So far, all quiet on 10m WSPR with no recent GDX, Es or F2 DX seen here today so far.

Sunspot count  is 165 with blackouts and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". We should see F2 DX today. It was there yesterday on 10m.

The nearest storms are over the North Sea, but I shall continue to keep a watchful eye and disconnect everything if things start to look at all dodgy.

UPDATE 1047z:   FR1GZ (9724km) was spotted (F2) just a few minutes ago, LB9YE (1533km) is now coming through by Es. The 10m band is waking up. FR1GZ is also spotting me I see.

UPDATE 1247z:  TF3HZ (1837km) now being spotted via Es.