MRI scan results

A week ago I had another MRI scan to see how my brain bleed is repairing.  Today I had to go back to get the results. I was extremely relieved to hear all is repaired, my boys will not inherit the problem and all is well.

My relief was visible. This had been a real worry to my wife and I.  I dreaded further brain surgery, fearing some long-term damage might be done.   I have now been "signed off" by the neurosurgeons and should not need to see them in their clinic again.

My main problems remaining are swallow of some liquids, giddiness when walking, some stomach discomfort and profound fatigue: most days the least physical exertion totally exhausts me. I find it hard to describe just how tired I feel most of my waking day.  All these remaining issues should improve, but this could be a long time. Apparently the neurosurgeon told the DLVA in June that I am fit to drive, although their OK could take months to reach me.  A few months ago there was no way I could have driven, but now I feel ready to do so. It will be good to drive the car again.

Today has been an emotional day. I am profoundly grateful it is drawing to a close.

JT65 and JT9-1

These 2-way digital modes which require me to be in the shack, are on hold until I get my shack back properly which will not be before Wednesday PM. With grandchildren around, they take priority. At least I can set WSPR going in the shack in the daytime and check progress on WSPRnet.org in the lounge from time to time.

10m - Es very quiet today

Since returning from Addenbrooke's hospital mid morning where I went to get the results of a recent MRI scan (all was fine), I have been on 10m WSPR.  Apart from a single weakish spot from CT1JTQ (1843km) at 1136z, it has been very quiet with no Es, no F2 and no GDX evident here on 10m WSPR.

Sunspot count today is 156 and 20-30MHz propagation only "fair". 10m F2 is doubtful today.

UPDATE 1612z: CT1JTQ  has been the only station copying me all day. So far he has copied me 7 times.  I copied absolutely no-one all day (so far): no GDX, no locals, No Es and no F2 propagation. It seems a very poor day on 10m. Before too long I shall have to go QRT because of my granddaughter sleeping in the shack. On again in the morning.

UPDATE 1820z:  EA5CYA (1376km) was spotted at around 1804z on 10m WSPR running 200mW.

SM7UCZ QRP projects

Dom M1KTA's blog mentioned a simple 160m AM transmitter on SM7UCZ's website. Looking at SM7UCZ's website I see there are lots of ideas there. Be sure to use Google to translate into English.

Interferer to 10m WSPR

David G0LRD is seeing the same interferer that I am. Looks like it is coming in from some distance perhaps by Es.

Hi Roger,
The interferer in the 10m WSPR segment came back again this evening. It's rather odd. It is a very stable carrier modulated at about 0.0875Hz (7 tones every 80 seconds). It exhibits signs of long-distance propagation (fading, no doppler). The frequency of the pulsed carrier is precisely 28.126031 Hz.

It is rather annoying - I hope it doesn't persist.

David G0LRD

Enforced QRT

As my younger granddaughter (2) is now occupying a cot in my shack, I have been forced to go QRT for the night. This is much earlier than I would normally close down, but I have no choice. They are staying 3 nights, so it will be the same situation until Wednesday night. I should still be able operate WSPR during the daytime.

Before going QRT on 10m WSPR, most stations copied were locals with a smattering of Eu Es.  I may be missing South Americans this evening by N-S F2. I shall have to check WSPRnet.org to see what I'm missing on 10m and 6m.

There are storms currently over Belgium that may reach the UK later.  I think we will miss them here in Burwell though. See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en .

My last 10m WSPR report was from G4KPX (14km) at 1750z at -14dB S/N.

6m seems to be open with Es from across the continent, according to WSPRnet.org, but I don't seem to be missing any intercontinental DX. On 10m HS1 was being copied in EA on WSPR and LU in W2.

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.