UPDATE 1200z: Still waiting for that elusive F2 propagation. The ZS is not currently listed in the 23 active stations.
16 Aug 2014
10m 200mW
Interestingly, both LA3ZA and SI9AM are using just 200mW on 10m yet they are both coming through fine here on 10m WSPR. SI9AM is a few dB stronger than LA3ZA, which I assume is propagation. I use 2W as my Par end-fed antenna seems to be somewhat of a compromise. I don't want to take it down as it get me on several other bands too.
UPDATE 1200z: Still waiting for that elusive F2 propagation. The ZS is not currently listed in the 23 active stations.
UPDATE 1200z: Still waiting for that elusive F2 propagation. The ZS is not currently listed in the 23 active stations.
472kHz update and QSY to 10m
I QSYed up to 28MHz (10m) mid-morning. Overnight on 472kHz, the same reporters were spotting me, so still just 13 unique station reports on the band this summer so far. 13 is also the number of unique stations I have spotted, although in several cases I am spotting some different stations who maybe don't monitor the band with a low noise floor RX system?
On 10m WSPR SI9AM (1503km) is being spotted by Es and G4KPX (14km) is a local. These are mid-morning.
Sunspot count today is 119 with 20-30MHz propagation "excellent". As long as there are WSPR stations active in the right places, I'd expect to see some F2 propagation. FR1, ZS and LU are on 10m WSPR, so I'd expect to see these in the logs later. Being 10m though, you can never be quite sure! To my mind, there are two "magic bands" - 10m and 6m.
UPDATE 1016z: In the last few minutes LA3ZA (1051km) is being spotted here. Is this opening just towards Scandinavia?
On 10m WSPR SI9AM (1503km) is being spotted by Es and G4KPX (14km) is a local. These are mid-morning.
Sunspot count today is 119 with 20-30MHz propagation "excellent". As long as there are WSPR stations active in the right places, I'd expect to see some F2 propagation. FR1, ZS and LU are on 10m WSPR, so I'd expect to see these in the logs later. Being 10m though, you can never be quite sure! To my mind, there are two "magic bands" - 10m and 6m.
UPDATE 1016z: In the last few minutes LA3ZA (1051km) is being spotted here. Is this opening just towards Scandinavia?
15 Aug 2014
472kHz early evening
The move to 472kHz was made at about 1914z. Spots have been plentiful in both directions (received and given) but so far, no new reporters. I check results on WSPRnet. The first 30 minutes or so are show here.
This evening, there are more stations active on 472kHz WSPR than I can ever recall (42). There were even more a little later.
UPDATE 2155z: G3XIZ (46km) has just spotted me at -15dB S/N for spotter number 13 this summer.
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| 472kHz WSPR spots - so far this evening |
10m Es - Iberia all day
10m has been open by Es virtually all day long to the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal). 10m Es is far from ended this summer. I suspect that even 6m will have been good on Es today.
Somewhat surprisingly I have seen no evidence here (yet) of F2 propagation. I was expecting to copy FR1, ZS or V53 already but no signs. It may be just that there are no WSPR stations active in the right places? Maybe we'll see S.America later? LU7YW is active on 10m WSPR currently and could well be copyable if the 10m band opens in that direction. We'll see within the next few hours.
Later this evening, I shall be returning to 472kHz WSPR, hopeful of more spots and spotters. Probably not before dark.
UPDATE 1800z: Germany too spotting me at around 1644z. Still no signs of any F2 propagation on WSPR.
UPDATE 1920z: 27 10m WSPR spots by CT1JTQ today. I have now QSYed to 472kHz WSPR.
Somewhat surprisingly I have seen no evidence here (yet) of F2 propagation. I was expecting to copy FR1, ZS or V53 already but no signs. It may be just that there are no WSPR stations active in the right places? Maybe we'll see S.America later? LU7YW is active on 10m WSPR currently and could well be copyable if the 10m band opens in that direction. We'll see within the next few hours.
Later this evening, I shall be returning to 472kHz WSPR, hopeful of more spots and spotters. Probably not before dark.
UPDATE 1800z: Germany too spotting me at around 1644z. Still no signs of any F2 propagation on WSPR.
UPDATE 1920z: 27 10m WSPR spots by CT1JTQ today. I have now QSYed to 472kHz WSPR.
SPAM comments
I've just noticed a couple of SPAM comments (these were adverts for dodgy anti-virus help) which have been removed. I am sorry these got there at all. My anti-SPAM catches most dodgy stuff.
Please SPAMMERS take note: comments on my blog are regularly checked and ANY SPAM will be removed as soon as possible. Don't even think about leaving blatant adverts or similar on this blog as they will be removed! You have been warned.
On the subject of warnings NEVER click on links you are unsure of or can't trust. This is a sure-fire way to get your PC compromised or hacked.
Please SPAMMERS take note: comments on my blog are regularly checked and ANY SPAM will be removed as soon as possible. Don't even think about leaving blatant adverts or similar on this blog as they will be removed! You have been warned.
On the subject of warnings NEVER click on links you are unsure of or can't trust. This is a sure-fire way to get your PC compromised or hacked.
Blog numbers
It is hard to see why visits to this and my other Miscellaneous Musings general blog vary so much.
Today, for example, this blog had nearly 900 visits by breakfast time here, whereas yesterday it was less than half this number. It is not as if the content has changed that much. I try to put new content on both blogs regularly. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
Today, for example, this blog had nearly 900 visits by breakfast time here, whereas yesterday it was less than half this number. It is not as if the content has changed that much. I try to put new content on both blogs regularly. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
Now on 10m for the day
At 1018z I switched to 10m for the day. Even just before this GM4SLV(896km) was still spotting my QRPp signal several times in daylight on 472kHz. Nonetheless, evenings and overnight are more productive on 472kHz.
Sunspot count today is up at 108 and stable with 20-30MHz propagation "normal". We should see F2 DX today on 10m.
UPDATE 1047z: So far no WSPR spots here on 10m. It is early still though.
UPDATE 1055z: Spoke a moment too soon: EA5CYA (1376km) has just been spotted at 1048z on 10m Es.
UPDATE 1120z: CT1JTQ (1843km) spotted me at 1118z on 10m Es.
UPDATE 1405z: This lunchtime I've received 10m Es WSPR spots (I run 2W ERP) from, Spain. Portugal and Germany. There is still plenty of Es about on 10m.
Sunspot count today is up at 108 and stable with 20-30MHz propagation "normal". We should see F2 DX today on 10m.
UPDATE 1047z: So far no WSPR spots here on 10m. It is early still though.
UPDATE 1055z: Spoke a moment too soon: EA5CYA (1376km) has just been spotted at 1048z on 10m Es.
UPDATE 1120z: CT1JTQ (1843km) spotted me at 1118z on 10m Es.
UPDATE 1405z: This lunchtime I've received 10m Es WSPR spots (I run 2W ERP) from, Spain. Portugal and Germany. There is still plenty of Es about on 10m.
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.
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| 472kHz - unique WSPR spots to date |
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.
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