472kHz - unique WSPR spots to date |
15 Aug 2014
472kHz - more reporters
Last evening and overnight, I let 472kHz WSPR run and was rewarded by being spotted by 2 new reporters for this summer. G7NKS (who has spotted me in earlier seasons) reported me last evening and G7MRV (192km) spotted me during the night. For G7MRV it was his first venture onto the band. He was copying Germans at 1141km, an impressive range. This now brings the number of unique spotters of my QRPp signal this summer up to 12. I really do believe my ERP is just under 5mW. There are plenty more stations in range that should be able to spot me.
14 Aug 2014
At last! A new spotter on 472kHz WSPR
At 1954z I returned to 472kHz WSPR and was immediately copied by G7NKS (46km) as my 11th unique reporter this summer. OK, not too far away, but a new station for this summer.
Storms permitting, I hope to be on 472kHz WSPR all night.
UPDATE NEXT DAY: I was on 472kHz WSPR overnight.
Storms permitting, I hope to be on 472kHz WSPR all night.
UPDATE NEXT DAY: I was on 472kHz WSPR overnight.
Widegates, Kingsbridge Estuary, South Devon, UK
I'm sorry for putting this on my amateur radio blog but this is a matter dear to my heart. I come from this area and love it dearly. Because of my poor health, I have been unable to get to Devon at all this year.
There is a proposal to allow water skiing in part of the Widegates area of the Kingsbridge Estuary. This is an area of special scientific interest and at low tide a place where waders congregate. It is an area that is peaceful and quiet and of international importance.
If you know the area and want to comment, write to the Salcombe Harbour Master adam.parnell@southhams.gov.uk.
Personally, I am against the proposal. I fear the area will be adversely changed for ever.
Water-skiers are pulled by fast boats which create lots of wake and lots of noise. I may be wrong, but I fear the area will never be quite the same again if the plans are approved. The "for it" campaign people have got lots of publicity on the TV and in the press. There is a need to counter this. For democracy to work, the voices of both sides need to be heard.
There is a proposal to allow water skiing in part of the Widegates area of the Kingsbridge Estuary. This is an area of special scientific interest and at low tide a place where waders congregate. It is an area that is peaceful and quiet and of international importance.
If you know the area and want to comment, write to the Salcombe Harbour Master adam.parnell@southhams.gov.uk.
Personally, I am against the proposal. I fear the area will be adversely changed for ever.
Water-skiers are pulled by fast boats which create lots of wake and lots of noise. I may be wrong, but I fear the area will never be quite the same again if the plans are approved. The "for it" campaign people have got lots of publicity on the TV and in the press. There is a need to counter this. For democracy to work, the voices of both sides need to be heard.
Labels:
estuary,
kingsbridge,
salcombe,
skiiing,
water
ERP calculation on 472kHz
In an attempt to establish my ERP on 472kHz, I have crunched some numbers. I think it is error free, but no doubt someone will soon tell me!
With a 1:46 step up toroid, I am measuring the DC volts rectified across a 470 ohm secondary load resistor using a small 50uA meter in series with 240k ohms (120k twice) and a series silicon diode. This circuit is straight out of the "LF Today" book available from the RSGB bookshop.
DC current = 30uA
DC voltage across 470ohm secondary load = 0.6 + (240 x 10E3 x 30 x 10E-6) = 7.8V
DC voltage (rms) across 470 ohm = 7.8/1.414 = 5.52Vrms
I secondary = 5.52 * 10E3/470 = 11.7mA
I primary = 46 * Is = 46 * 11.7mA = 0.54A
Rrad = 160 * pi^2 * Heff^^2/lambda^^2 = 160 * 3.14 * 3.14 * 2 *2/(630 * 630) =0.0159 ohms
P(erp) = I^2 * R = 0.54* 0.54 * 0.0159 W = 4.6mW
My original guesstimate of 5mW ERP is not far out!
Clearly getting the antenna much higher would help enormously as ERP is proportional to Heff^^2. All one can really be sure of is the order of magnitude. I am running low milliwatts.
With a 1:46 step up toroid, I am measuring the DC volts rectified across a 470 ohm secondary load resistor using a small 50uA meter in series with 240k ohms (120k twice) and a series silicon diode. This circuit is straight out of the "LF Today" book available from the RSGB bookshop.
DC current = 30uA
DC voltage across 470ohm secondary load = 0.6 + (240 x 10E3 x 30 x 10E-6) = 7.8V
DC voltage (rms) across 470 ohm = 7.8/1.414 = 5.52Vrms
I secondary = 5.52 * 10E3/470 = 11.7mA
I primary = 46 * Is = 46 * 11.7mA = 0.54A
Rrad = 160 * pi^2 * Heff^^2/lambda^^2 = 160 * 3.14 * 3.14 * 2 *2/(630 * 630) =0.0159 ohms
P(erp) = I^2 * R = 0.54* 0.54 * 0.0159 W = 4.6mW
My original guesstimate of 5mW ERP is not far out!
Clearly getting the antenna much higher would help enormously as ERP is proportional to Heff^^2. All one can really be sure of is the order of magnitude. I am running low milliwatts.
Sunspots
Sunspot count today is 68 and 20-30MHz propagation "normal", so 10m F2 propagation is possible N-S although I've seen no evidence here on WSPR yet. There seems little doubt now that we are on the slide down to the next minimum now. See http://www.solen.info/solar/ . This will takes years. The slide downwards tends to be slower than the climb up.
I do hope people stick with the higher HF bands during the whole cycle: we'll learn a lot if people do.
I do hope people stick with the higher HF bands during the whole cycle: we'll learn a lot if people do.
Labels:
sunspot
More 472kHz disappointment overnight
Yet again, a disappointing evening and night on 472kHz. The same stations are spotting me and I am spotting them. Reports are quite decent and I would have expected to have spotted, and been spotted by, far more stations by now. Just like 6m , the problem is too few active WSPR stations on the band. Such a shame as 472kHz is a fascinating band and WSPR a superb mode for weak signals.
As long as the storms abate, I shall be back on 472kHz again this evening, ever hopeful. I'd like to be spotted by at least 3 times the number of stations.
As long as the storms abate, I shall be back on 472kHz again this evening, ever hopeful. I'd like to be spotted by at least 3 times the number of stations.
10m Es - good (until storms stopped play)
There was plentiful 10m Es about this morning, until I had to disconnect everything at 1205z because of very close storms. Spotting me were OZ7IT and CT1JTQ and I was spotting EA6GF and EA5CYA. Es has been present since (at least) 0850z when I first turned 10m WSPR on.
At the moment (1215z) the storms are only a few miles away - hence going QRT (for now).
UPDATE 1450z: Storms have move on now. EA6GF (1428km) is being spotted many times here at decent strengths this afternoon on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1511z: EA5CYA (1376km) now being spotted on 10m WSPR. Thunder is still being heard, but distantly. I shall have to keep checking how close any nasty storms come.
UPDATE 1540z: Thunder and lightning again very local, so all systems disconnected again for safety.
At the moment (1215z) the storms are only a few miles away - hence going QRT (for now).
UPDATE 1450z: Storms have move on now. EA6GF (1428km) is being spotted many times here at decent strengths this afternoon on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1511z: EA5CYA (1376km) now being spotted on 10m WSPR. Thunder is still being heard, but distantly. I shall have to keep checking how close any nasty storms come.
UPDATE 1540z: Thunder and lightning again very local, so all systems disconnected again for safety.
13 Aug 2014
472kHz WSPR - from 2054z
I have now QSYed down to 472kHz WSPR for the night. In the first transmission there were 3 spots, but sadly all from stations that have spotted me before. I am still hopeful of spotting new stations this season or being spotted by new stations myself.
WSPR spots 472kHz - 13 August to 2120z |
10m - teatime Es
It is teatime and 10m is open to Portugal and Germany. Funny how often Es peaks at lunchtimes and teatimes. I shall stick with 10m until dusk, then switch to 472kHz WSPR. No DX outside Europe seen here as yet on 10m.
UPDATE 1905z: German stations and Portugal still coming through on 10m WSPR at 1900z.
UPDATE 1905z: German stations and Portugal still coming through on 10m WSPR at 1900z.
More Es and MS on 10m
CT1JTQ is spotting me again by 10m Es at 1250z.
There is more evidence (short, strong non-decoding bursts on his frequency) that the PD0OHW reports are by MS bursts and probably not Es. The Perseid meteor shower is peaking around now in Europe and this will result in lots of long bursts.
There is more evidence (short, strong non-decoding bursts on his frequency) that the PD0OHW reports are by MS bursts and probably not Es. The Perseid meteor shower is peaking around now in Europe and this will result in lots of long bursts.
Lawn cut - totally exhausted!
Just cut the rear lawn, well 90% of it, and I am totally exhausted. This is a result of my brain bleed. I still get very exhausted doing any physical activity. A year ago it was all so different.
Please may I get back to health again soon. Amateur radio building/field work is all but impossible at the moment as I am still so clumsy with my hands. I hate depending on others as much as I do.
Please may I get back to health again soon. Amateur radio building/field work is all but impossible at the moment as I am still so clumsy with my hands. I hate depending on others as much as I do.
Labels:
exhaustion,
lawn,
stroke
Back on 10m WSPR
After an overnight session on 472kHz - no new spots or spotters seen, just the usual ones - it was back to 10m this morning with 3 early Es spots by CT1JTQ (1843km). I am suspicious of the spots by PD0OHW (459km). These may be tropo or even MS as there are lots of short, strong bursts on his frequency this morning. For Es, the skip would have to be very short and tropo/aircraft/MS might be more probable over this sort of range. I see I have just spotted him at 0924z.
Sunspot count today is 80 and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". F2 has been reported in Portugal, but no evidence here as yet. Conditions on 10m are likely to be "interesting". Basically, it is anyone's guess. There is always the chance of F2 linking with Es, in which case some real DX is possible.
Sunspot count today is 80 and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". F2 has been reported in Portugal, but no evidence here as yet. Conditions on 10m are likely to be "interesting". Basically, it is anyone's guess. There is always the chance of F2 linking with Es, in which case some real DX is possible.
12 Aug 2014
472kHz WSPR
472kHz unique WSPR spots to 2100z. |
UPDATE 2200z: Still just 10 unique reports received on 472kHz so far this summer. Will leave WSPR running 472kHz overnight in case I spot new stations or new stations spot me. You never know!
70cm UK activity contest
This evening was the monthly 70cm activity contest, so, despite my very poor voice, I entered this for the first hour. Conditions appeared totally flat. In 50 mins I only worked 5 stations and most were locals. In previous sessions I've managed to get my 5W to a 5el to reach about 200km. Best DX tonight was just 63km. Still I enjoyed myself. Best DX heard was IO81 square.
At the same time I was on 472kHz WSPR with the other FT817, homebrew transverter and Par antenna with strapped feeders.
At the same time I was on 472kHz WSPR with the other FT817, homebrew transverter and Par antenna with strapped feeders.
End of Es season?
It is beginning to feel like the end of the Northern Hemisphere's Es season. Although there are still openings (certainly on 10m) these are harder to find now than 6 weeks or so ago. Last year I was still finding Es on 6m well into mid-September, when I was taken very ill and was in hospital for 3.5 months. This season I have concentrated on WSPR mainly.
UPDATE 1718z: This afternoon the 10m Es was quite good with several spots from CT1JTQ.
UPDATE 1718z: This afternoon the 10m Es was quite good with several spots from CT1JTQ.
10m - Es or tropo?
I have been on 10m WSPR since early morning (2W ERP) bue so far I have spotted PD0OHW just once at 09450z with -3dB drift at a reasonable -18dB S/N. At 459km this could have been either tropo/aircraft or Es. This is very short ship for Es. No other signals yet seen and no-one has spotted me yet.
UPDATE 1300z: DB0ZDF (608km) spotted me on 10m at 1208z. This is definitely Es. So far, the only person to spot me on 10m today.
UPDATE 1302z: DK6UG (633km) just spotted me on 10m. Es again.
UPDATE 1300z: DB0ZDF (608km) spotted me on 10m at 1208z. This is definitely Es. So far, the only person to spot me on 10m today.
UPDATE 1302z: DK6UG (633km) just spotted me on 10m. Es again.
472kHz overnight
Overnight on 472kHz WSPR there were the same reporters and reports with no new people receiving my QRP signal. This was disappointing but not surprising. Yesterday evening I triedloading up the feeders to my 6m/2m/70cm V2000 vertical and my 2m halo feeder, but results were about 2dB down on the strapped feeder to my Par end-fed, so this is the antenna I used overnight.
11 Aug 2014
10m Es
Since early morning (0940z) I have been on 10m WSPR, where Es is still there. Not as frequently open, but opening most days at some time. The PA/PD stations are very short skip for Es: it would be interesting to see the traces these stations received: it is just possible these were tropo/aircraft assisted and not Es.
Sunspot count today is 64 (moderate) and 20-30MHz conditions "normal". Not seen F2 DX yet, and may not today?
Sunspot count today is 64 (moderate) and 20-30MHz conditions "normal". Not seen F2 DX yet, and may not today?
10m WSPR results so far today. 2W ERP from me. |
Overnight on 472kHz
After all the stormy weather had passed, I returned to 472kHz WSPR overnight. My reward was 1 new reporter PA3ABK/2 in the middle of the night. This brings the unique reporters this season up to 10 now, the same as the number of stations I have spotted on 472kHz WSPR. Results are still disappointing as I know that many more reports are possible in both directions. I think I am spotting and being spotted by most active stations in range. The issue is too few active stations on 472kHz WSPR.
472kHz WSPR spots of my QRP signal this season so far |
10 Aug 2014
472kHz WSPRing tonight
As all the storms appear to be well away now, I shall remain on 472kHz WSPR overnight. I am both TXing and Rxing. TX duty cycle is about 18%.
Apart from M0LMH (223km) near Harrogate, no other new reporters, or stations spotted, today here since I came back on 472kHz WSPR after the storms. Maybe I''ll be lucky overnight?
GM4SLV (896km) in Shetland has only spotted me once tonight so far. The storms are heading John's way.
I have just re-synced the PC clock to internet time. I am hopeful of some new reporters for this new season. If you get a chance, give 472kHz a go, if only on RX.
Apart from M0LMH (223km) near Harrogate, no other new reporters, or stations spotted, today here since I came back on 472kHz WSPR after the storms. Maybe I''ll be lucky overnight?
GM4SLV (896km) in Shetland has only spotted me once tonight so far. The storms are heading John's way.
I have just re-synced the PC clock to internet time. I am hopeful of some new reporters for this new season. If you get a chance, give 472kHz a go, if only on RX.
A close call (storm) and 472kHz WSPRing again
The thunder and lightning just missed us today. We had heavy rain, hail and thunder but the lightning missed us by a few miles. It is now out over the North Sea.
About to reconnect rigs, antennas and PC. Think I'll give 472kHz WSPR another try.
UPDATE 1644z: Now back on 472kHz WSPR and rewarded with spotting G3WCB immediately and being spotted by 3 stations on first transmission including M0LMH (223km) as a new reporter this season. Will stick on 472kHz until morning unless more storms stop play.
UPDATE 1730z: Currently reading "The Everything Store - Jeff Bazos and the age of Amazon" by Brad Stone, lent to me be a neighbour/friend. Fascinating read about the history of Amazon. Bazos sounds like the boss you would NOT want - a real taskmaster - a very "driven" man with real conviction.
About to reconnect rigs, antennas and PC. Think I'll give 472kHz WSPR another try.
UPDATE 1644z: Now back on 472kHz WSPR and rewarded with spotting G3WCB immediately and being spotted by 3 stations on first transmission including M0LMH (223km) as a new reporter this season. Will stick on 472kHz until morning unless more storms stop play.
Initial WSPR spots this evening on 472kHz |
5 miles and closing - QRT time!
With that storm just 5 miles away and hailstones now falling, I have decided to go QRT for now and disconnect everything radiowise. The storm may yet miss us though, but it is too close to be sure.
Only Es from Spain since FR1GZ at 1204z.
The storm epicentre does seem to be missing us. I may not be QRT for too long. Can hear distant thunder, but skies are clearing. Burwell is between Cambridge and Newmarket.
Only Es from Spain since FR1GZ at 1204z.
The storm epicentre does seem to be missing us. I may not be QRT for too long. Can hear distant thunder, but skies are clearing. Burwell is between Cambridge and Newmarket.
See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en |
Labels:
storm
FR1GZ (F2 DX) and a storm coming?
1204z saw FR1GZ (9724km) in the log for my first F2 DX on 10m today. I hope he spots me too although I am running less power (2W ERP) than his 5W. He was only -25dB S/N, not too strong.
Looking at the lightning map, there is a nasty storm currently coming our way. It is over Bedford as I write and moving ominously closer. Much closer and I shall have to disconnect everything and go QRT until it has passed. Another 20 minutes should tell me if it is coming this way or will just miss us. There are other storms further south too. Today looks like our unlucky day. It is raining hard - not looking promising! Latest flash over St Neots. The storm coming our way from the Cotswolds may be tracking just NW of us and may miss us, again.
Looking at the lightning map, there is a nasty storm currently coming our way. It is over Bedford as I write and moving ominously closer. Much closer and I shall have to disconnect everything and go QRT until it has passed. Another 20 minutes should tell me if it is coming this way or will just miss us. There are other storms further south too. Today looks like our unlucky day. It is raining hard - not looking promising! Latest flash over St Neots. The storm coming our way from the Cotswolds may be tracking just NW of us and may miss us, again.
QSYed to 10m
Well, 472kHz WSPR ran overnight with absolutely no new reporters, just the same faithful few, so I am giving up on that band for now. I shall return in a while.
In the meantime, I QSYed to 10m where I was greeted with immediate success. Even before changing the settings on the FT817 to 2W I was being spotted in Portugal even when running 500mW out. Since then, I have switched to 2W ERP and am being spotted by DK6UG (633km), CT1JTQ (1843km) and I am spotting EA5CYA and SI9AM. Plenty of Es about.
Sunspot count today is 111 (decent and stable) and 20-30MHz propagation is "normal" so there is a decent chance of F2 DX as long as I don't have to go QRT because of storms. We are getting highish winds and driving miserable rain, which are the left-overs from Hurricane Bertha, having crossed the Atlantic. I don't think we are seeing the worst of the weather in the UK; other parts are getting hit far harder. At he moment, the worst of the storms are tracking well to the east of us. See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en.
Today our son is driving from Dunkirk to Brittany. I hope the weather over there is a little better! His forecast is rain, but not as bad as here.
UPDATE 1122z: I think I need a new challenge on WSPR - perhaps I should try a totally new band? 10m is fun but again I am seeing just the same stations.
In the meantime, I QSYed to 10m where I was greeted with immediate success. Even before changing the settings on the FT817 to 2W I was being spotted in Portugal even when running 500mW out. Since then, I have switched to 2W ERP and am being spotted by DK6UG (633km), CT1JTQ (1843km) and I am spotting EA5CYA and SI9AM. Plenty of Es about.
Sunspot count today is 111 (decent and stable) and 20-30MHz propagation is "normal" so there is a decent chance of F2 DX as long as I don't have to go QRT because of storms. We are getting highish winds and driving miserable rain, which are the left-overs from Hurricane Bertha, having crossed the Atlantic. I don't think we are seeing the worst of the weather in the UK; other parts are getting hit far harder. At he moment, the worst of the storms are tracking well to the east of us. See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en.
Today our son is driving from Dunkirk to Brittany. I hope the weather over there is a little better! His forecast is rain, but not as bad as here.
UPDATE 1122z: I think I need a new challenge on WSPR - perhaps I should try a totally new band? 10m is fun but again I am seeing just the same stations.
10m WSPR this morning - plenty of Es |
9 Aug 2014
WSPR disappointment (so far) on 472kHz
Results to date suggest my ERP is at least as good as in previous seasons yet (up to now at least) very few stations have spotted me. I think there are fewer WSPR stations active? My best DX so far, and my daylight range on TX, suggest many more reports should be possible. Where is everyone?
I hope 472kHz isn't going to disappoint as 6m WSPR did. On 6m WSPR there was a real lack of transatlantic stations. On 472kHz WSPR there seem to be fewer WSPR stations full stop.
I shall leave the kit running again tonight and hope I get some nice surprises. Of course, it could be the local noise floor is higher than it was for many stations and they've just given up on the band? At the moment I'm lucky: my sensitivity is rather low, but my noise floor is very low too. This may not last.
UPDATE 2110z: Since returning to 472kHz WSPR I have spotted just 10 unique stations and been spotted by 8 unique stations. Some years ago on 500kHz I was spotted by nearly 100 unique stations. My setup is not that different. OK this was over several months and in the autumn/winter seasons, but there do seem to be fewer different stations active. I'll certainly stick with 472kHz WSPR to give it a fair chance though.
UPDATE 2134z: Currently there are 32 stations shown as being active on 472kHz WSPR. 24 of these are European. This is a good number.
I hope 472kHz isn't going to disappoint as 6m WSPR did. On 6m WSPR there was a real lack of transatlantic stations. On 472kHz WSPR there seem to be fewer WSPR stations full stop.
I shall leave the kit running again tonight and hope I get some nice surprises. Of course, it could be the local noise floor is higher than it was for many stations and they've just given up on the band? At the moment I'm lucky: my sensitivity is rather low, but my noise floor is very low too. This may not last.
UPDATE 2110z: Since returning to 472kHz WSPR I have spotted just 10 unique stations and been spotted by 8 unique stations. Some years ago on 500kHz I was spotted by nearly 100 unique stations. My setup is not that different. OK this was over several months and in the autumn/winter seasons, but there do seem to be fewer different stations active. I'll certainly stick with 472kHz WSPR to give it a fair chance though.
UPDATE 2134z: Currently there are 32 stations shown as being active on 472kHz WSPR. 24 of these are European. This is a good number.
472kHz WSPR stations active in last 10 minutes |
Obsolete, unsupported software
Steve G1KQH has been at it again, noticing that, as well as no longer supporting XP, Microsoft is also stopping support for older versions of it web browser, IE.
73
Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/
Incidentally, I am told Microsoft Security Essentials got a good review in a recent "Which". I still use MSE on some machines and have never, yet, had any security issues, although I tend to be careful with dodgy attachments.
Update
your Web browser. I got rid of IE years ago and moved to Firefox. some still run
IE6???
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/
Incidentally, I am told Microsoft Security Essentials got a good review in a recent "Which". I still use MSE on some machines and have never, yet, had any security issues, although I tend to be careful with dodgy attachments.
Labels:
obsolete software,
support
Back on 472kHz
Meadow at Ickworth |
WSPR reports on 472kHz QRPp today |
"Normal service" later today.
After last night's thunder and lightning, I hope to resume "normal service" around lunchtime: we are otherwise busy until then. The weather today looks sunny and calm,before more storms on Sunday. Not sure what band I will use yet - probably 472kHz, but possibly 28MHz (10m).
Sunspot count today is 101 (pretty decent) and 20-30MHz propagation forecast to be "good" so a good day for N-S F2 propagation, as well as Es and GDX on 10m. On 6m only some Es and GDX likely.
Sunspot count today is 101 (pretty decent) and 20-30MHz propagation forecast to be "good" so a good day for N-S F2 propagation, as well as Es and GDX on 10m. On 6m only some Es and GDX likely.
8 Aug 2014
Gone QRT - storms
As there is local thunder and lightning, I've had to abandon 472kHz operation. All antennas, rigs, PSU and the PC have been disconnected. Darn shame, but sometimes one has to be safer than sorry.
Labels:
storm
6m transatlantic - but NOT on WSPR
See http://hamspots.net/10-6/ .
I see on Hamspots that 6m has been open to N.America and the Caribbean this evening but there are NO suitably located stations active on WSPR. It seems WSPR on 6m is mostly a total waste of time unless stations come on to make transatlantic WSPR tests meaningful. In previous seasons I have monitored SSB and CW and had success copying transatlantics for as long as I can recall.
I am not returning to 6m WSPR in a hurry. It's a great pity. Next Es DX season I think I shall try again on CW and SSB again.
I see on Hamspots that 6m has been open to N.America and the Caribbean this evening but there are NO suitably located stations active on WSPR. It seems WSPR on 6m is mostly a total waste of time unless stations come on to make transatlantic WSPR tests meaningful. In previous seasons I have monitored SSB and CW and had success copying transatlantics for as long as I can recall.
I am not returning to 6m WSPR in a hurry. It's a great pity. Next Es DX season I think I shall try again on CW and SSB again.
472kHz - on same antenna tonight
I have decided to continue using the same antenna for this evening so I build up more data before trying another antenna configuration over the weekend. So I am still using the end-fed Par antenna with strapped feeders, 3C90 matching coil and base loading coil.
UPDATE 1940z: Still G3WCB and G0LRD spotting me and being spotted so far this evening
UPDATE 1940z: Still G3WCB and G0LRD spotting me and being spotted so far this evening
472kHz WSPR so far today
472kHz WSPR unique reports so far this summer (duplicates NOT shown) |
G8ALS on 472kHz WSPR
G8ALS (126km) is consistently receiving me on 472kHz WSPR in daylight. My QRPp signals seem to be a few dB over the noise threshold but he is copying me, which is good. I am still using the end-fed PAR wire antenna with feeders strapped via a 3C90 matching coil and a 110mm diameter indoor loading coil.
Labels:
472kHz WSPR,
G8ALS
Storms to (just) miss us today?
See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . For now, the local thunder and lightning appears to be just avoiding us: it has tracked from Cambridge up into the Fens and seems to be moving NE. This is good news.
UPDATE 1600z: There are new storms to the south of Newmarket and we can hear thunder in the distance now. At the moment these are moving NE as well but I shall disconnect rigs, antennas and PC if they get too close.
UPDATE 1606z: Lightning now just east of Newmarket and getting closer! Decision on going QRT will be taken in next few minutes.
http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en |
UPDATE 1606z: Lightning now just east of Newmarket and getting closer! Decision on going QRT will be taken in next few minutes.
G3WCB on 472kHz
G3WCB (101km) and I are currently exchanging daytime spots on 472kHz WSPR. He is just copying me (on the noise floor) and he is generally about 10dB stronger than I am. I suspect his antenna on TX is considerably better than mine.
Sunspots
The current sunspot count is 158 (good) and 20-30MHz conditions are "normal", so I'd expect some decent N-S F2 propagation on 10m today. At the moment, I am sticking with MF (472kHz) , but may revert to 10m over the weekend, weather permitting.
We have thunder and lightning possible as the remnants of Hurricane Bertha pass through over the weekend. See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . Currently, the storms are just missing us here in Burwell.
We have thunder and lightning possible as the remnants of Hurricane Bertha pass through over the weekend. See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . Currently, the storms are just missing us here in Burwell.
Labels:
sunspots
472kHz antennas and results overnight
The Par antenna (strapped feeders) seems to be somewhat better than the 2m/70cm feeder as an antenna on 472kHz. I have now received 472kHz WSPR spots from 8 unique stations so far. The Par seems to be directional as reports from GM4SLV (although plentiful overnight) seem no stronger.
Tonight, I shall load up the feeders to my V2000 6/2/70cm vertical and 2m halo on 472kHz as these are my highest antennas and compare results with previous antennas. Best 472kHz DX spot this summer is still from GM4SLV (896km) up in the Shetland Is.. I suspect the Par will be the best antenna though. Really I should make a dedicated 472kHz vertical but my health does not allow me to do this currently, so compromise antennas are the order of the day!
UPDATE 1102z: GM4SLV was spotting me at 0948z this morning. This daylight!
UPDATE 1107z: I am very surprised not to have been spotted outside the British Isles so far on 472kHz. I have copied PA, DL and F so far here as well as UK stations.
Unique 472kHz WSPR spots so far |
UPDATE 1102z: GM4SLV was spotting me at 0948z this morning. This daylight!
UPDATE 1107z: I am very surprised not to have been spotted outside the British Isles so far on 472kHz. I have copied PA, DL and F so far here as well as UK stations.
7 Aug 2014
M0EMM - 3-6dB stronger reports on 472kHz with Par antenna (strapped feeders)
M0EMM is spotting me on 472kHz WSPR some 3-6dB better than last night because of the change in antenna. I need to recalculate the actual ERP, but believe it is still in the low milliwatt region. I shall leave 472kHz WSPR running overnight so I can see who else is getting my signal and at what strength.
6m - little missed. 630m more of a challenge now.
Since QSYing down to 630m MF, I was wondering what I'd been missing on 6m. A quick check on WSPRnet.org suggests only EU Es out to about 2000km, so I am not missing too much. My biggest concern is the moment I abandon the 6m band there will be a collosal transatlantic opening!
At the moment, 630m with real QRP is much more of a challenge.
UPDATE 1920z: Now 7 unique stations have spotted me on 630m so far this summer. Plenty more likely.
At the moment, 630m with real QRP is much more of a challenge.
UPDATE 1920z: Now 7 unique stations have spotted me on 630m so far this summer. Plenty more likely.
Unique 630m WSPR spots of my signal so far |
472kHz - getting decent results with Par antenna
472kHz WSPR spots of my QRPp signal so far |
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