At £15.11 this looks good value with free post and packing. Of course, the supplier is in China.
21 Sept 2014
Time to reduce 10m power to 500mW?
My 2W 10m WSPR is getting me daily spots from the USA now. I think I should drop to 500mW now to see how it goes. USA spots of my signal will be fewer, but it is probably more than enough for a lot of the stations to still copy me as long as the noise floor is not the limitation at the RX end of the path. Sometimes, especially in urban areas, this can be a real issue.
UPDATE 1725z: I reduced power to 500mW and my first spot was from AB4DF (6436km) in EM8ti square (at -20dB S/N). Both locals G0VQH and G0LRD also spotted me. I shall stick with 500mW for the rest of the evening on 10m WSPR. In the next 500mW TX transmission I got 4 WSPR spots with best DX spot being from KD6RF (7547km) near Fort Worth, Texas.
UPDATE 1725z: I reduced power to 500mW and my first spot was from AB4DF (6436km) in EM8ti square (at -20dB S/N). Both locals G0VQH and G0LRD also spotted me. I shall stick with 500mW for the rest of the evening on 10m WSPR. In the next 500mW TX transmission I got 4 WSPR spots with best DX spot being from KD6RF (7547km) near Fort Worth, Texas.
G3TFX visit
This is a photo of us in my shack. Richard is on the left. He is a regular visitor.
It was Richard's alertness that probably saved my life a year ago. I shall always owe him a debt of gratitude. Richard has recently returned to the hobby. He is usually on 40m SSB, but is fighting a very high noise level on RX. Already he has worked some impressive DX.
Sunspots and 10m WSPR
Sunspot count today is 75 (falling a bit) and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". I went on 10m today and was immediately spotted in Finland.
Around lunchtime spots were exchanged with N2OTO (Florida) and this afternoon many USA stations have been spotted or were spotting me. I got excited (at first) to see KH6 in the log only to find out that the station was not in Hawaii, but near the Gulf of Mexico. Darn FCC!!!
Around lunchtime spots were exchanged with N2OTO (Florida) and this afternoon many USA stations have been spotted or were spotting me. I got excited (at first) to see KH6 in the log only to find out that the station was not in Hawaii, but near the Gulf of Mexico. Darn FCC!!!
20 Sept 2014
6m WSPR DX
As G4IKZ (14km) was looking, I decided to QSY up to 50MHz to see what was happening, expecting to be spotted only by G4IKZ. Sure enough, I got a few spots from G4IKZ but I was nicely surprised to see I had spotted IK1WVQ (1084km) on 6m too at a strong -12dB S/N. This is Es. So, there is life on 6m too.
With this promising start, I shall remain on 6m for a few more hours in case any other Es turns up.
UPDATE 1500z: G6AVK (78km) being spotted at 1428z.#
UPDATE 1620z: Just spots from G4IKZ for nearly the last 2 hours on 6m WSPR. It may get better around teatime? IK1WVQ was spotted twice early afternoon at up to 0dB S/N.
UPDATE 1720z: G8JNJ/A (184km) spotted me at 1652z at -23dB S/N for my best 6m GDX spot today. 6m has pleasantly surprised me today and all the more reason to leave the V2000 vertical in place.
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| 6m WSPR this afternoon |
UPDATE 1500z: G6AVK (78km) being spotted at 1428z.#
UPDATE 1620z: Just spots from G4IKZ for nearly the last 2 hours on 6m WSPR. It may get better around teatime? IK1WVQ was spotted twice early afternoon at up to 0dB S/N.
UPDATE 1720z: G8JNJ/A (184km) spotted me at 1652z at -23dB S/N for my best 6m GDX spot today. 6m has pleasantly surprised me today and all the more reason to leave the V2000 vertical in place.
More low cost parts (via G1KQH)
Once again, I have no knowledge of this supplier or if the goods are genuine, or "ripped off", but the prices are very good. My thanks to Steve G1KQH once again.
Other valuable finds which may prove useful to constructors or groups:5V 100mA regulators per 100 ( I had some of these).Mixed Zeners pack:1N4148sPrecision Ref board (ideal for checking Cal of your DMM) could be used for stable VXO supply:If you put the word “Transistor” in the search on Banggood quite a variety of well known general purpose come up at good prices..Orders seem to take about 7 to 10 days to the UK
No storms here
The thunder and lightning that got quite close earlier today seems to have abated, for now at least. The lightning map now shows storms in the North Sea and Northern France, but not in the UK. This means I can leave 10m WSPR running this afternoon and probably early evening.
See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . Always worth keeping an eye on this for approaching storms. I find these maps fascinating. Although not perfect, they give a good indication of when antennas and rigs need to be made safer.
UPDATE 1341z: It is raining here now. Storms seem plentiful on the continent, but not in the UK.
See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . Always worth keeping an eye on this for approaching storms. I find these maps fascinating. Although not perfect, they give a good indication of when antennas and rigs need to be made safer.
UPDATE 1341z: It is raining here now. Storms seem plentiful on the continent, but not in the UK.
10m WSPR - USA again
N2OTO (7088km) in EL96wi square (Miami, Florida) has already spotted me a couple of times. This definitely F2 propagation and not Es. Every day now, the 10m band opens to the USA.
I do hate FCC rules than do away with call USA areas. You now have no idea where a USA station is located: in the past "2" would have been somewhere in/near New York and "4" would probably be Florida or nearby. Also the FCC seem unbelievably slow releasing the 472kHz and 136kHz amateur bands in the USA. Are you all stupid at the FCC?? Get into the real world. The world looks at the FCC and thinks it is daft. When the rest of the world seems "with it" the FCC seems to behave like a backward little baby, slow to grow up, still wanting baby toys to toss out of the pram. Pathetic, truly pathetic.
UPDATE 1223z: PT2WWV (8873km) is spotting me now from Brasilia, Brazil. He was copying me again at 1315z.
UPDATE 1238z: Plenty of European activity on WSPR. I assume this is probably Es, especially as lunch and teatimes are peak Es times. Stations from all across the continent.
UPDATE 1252z: Now spotting ZS1ANF (9720km) weakly at -26dB S/N. This station is just north of Cape Town, which is a beautiful city. We spent a few weeks in South Africa on holiday a few years ago and very much enjoyed it. We experienced no violence, but this can be an issue. You are advised not to go out at night in some parts. We traveled with Saga and never once felt unsafe. I can recommend Saga Holidays. They really are very very good. Excellent hotels, food and travel. No worries and door to door service.
UPDATE 1315z: My last 2 minute 10m WSPR TX transmission resulted in 10 different spots in 3 continents with my 2W to an indifferent antenna. 10m at its best.
UPDATE 1355z: PT2WWV (8873km) has spotted me 5 times today already.
I do hate FCC rules than do away with call USA areas. You now have no idea where a USA station is located: in the past "2" would have been somewhere in/near New York and "4" would probably be Florida or nearby. Also the FCC seem unbelievably slow releasing the 472kHz and 136kHz amateur bands in the USA. Are you all stupid at the FCC?? Get into the real world. The world looks at the FCC and thinks it is daft. When the rest of the world seems "with it" the FCC seems to behave like a backward little baby, slow to grow up, still wanting baby toys to toss out of the pram. Pathetic, truly pathetic.
UPDATE 1223z: PT2WWV (8873km) is spotting me now from Brasilia, Brazil. He was copying me again at 1315z.
UPDATE 1238z: Plenty of European activity on WSPR. I assume this is probably Es, especially as lunch and teatimes are peak Es times. Stations from all across the continent.
UPDATE 1252z: Now spotting ZS1ANF (9720km) weakly at -26dB S/N. This station is just north of Cape Town, which is a beautiful city. We spent a few weeks in South Africa on holiday a few years ago and very much enjoyed it. We experienced no violence, but this can be an issue. You are advised not to go out at night in some parts. We traveled with Saga and never once felt unsafe. I can recommend Saga Holidays. They really are very very good. Excellent hotels, food and travel. No worries and door to door service.
UPDATE 1315z: My last 2 minute 10m WSPR TX transmission resulted in 10 different spots in 3 continents with my 2W to an indifferent antenna. 10m at its best.
UPDATE 1355z: PT2WWV (8873km) has spotted me 5 times today already.
10m WSPR, sunspots and storms
Just turned on 10m WSPR about 12 minutes ago. Already being spotted by CT1JTQ (1843km) several times and I am spotting IK1WVQ (1084km). I would have thought Portugal and N.Italy would have been much the same distance. Not so. Portugal is much further. I assume this is Es? G0LRD (25km) and I are exchanging WSPR spots at around -14 to -16dB S/N.
Sunspot count today is 91 and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". We should expect some F2 DX later.
The thunder storms are, currently, well south of here. I am still watching the lightning map though. Last night I went QRT but heard no storms overnight.
UPDATE 0942z: Now EA5CYA is being spotted. Still plenty of EUs around on 10m either Es or F2 backscatter. A great pity I am spotting the same stations . Where is everyone else?
UPDATE 0954z: 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me for the first time today. I think this is F layer propagation.
Sunspot count today is 91 and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". We should expect some F2 DX later.
The thunder storms are, currently, well south of here. I am still watching the lightning map though. Last night I went QRT but heard no storms overnight.
UPDATE 0942z: Now EA5CYA is being spotted. Still plenty of EUs around on 10m either Es or F2 backscatter. A great pity I am spotting the same stations . Where is everyone else?
UPDATE 0954z: 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me for the first time today. I think this is F layer propagation.
19 Sept 2014
Storms and lightning
Although dry here at present, a look at the lightning map shows there are nasty storms not that far east of this QTH. I shall have to watch the maps carefully and disconnect antennas, PSUs and PC if it gets close. Currently, these are configured for 472kHz use.
UPDATE 2200z: Storms are too close for comfort, so going QRT on 472kHz WSPR overnight and unplugging antennas and PSUs. Although I have spotted, and been spotted, by a wide variety of stations, not one is new.
UPDATE 2200z: Storms are too close for comfort, so going QRT on 472kHz WSPR overnight and unplugging antennas and PSUs. Although I have spotted, and been spotted, by a wide variety of stations, not one is new.
Back on 472kHz
After messing about on 10m and 20m earlier, I have now QSYed down to 472kHz WSPR. So far M0MLH (223km) and G0LRD (25km) have spotted me and G3WCB (101km) spotted here. As before, I am seeing the same old stations.
Using the PAR triband end-fed (strapped feeders) as a compromise MF antenna with very low ERP.
UPDATE 1812z: DK7FC (669km) copied on 472kHz WSPR. Stefan is always a good signal with his 1W ERP station. This is considerably higher ERP than I use.
UPDATE 1850z: F5WK (436km) copied at 1842z.
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| Recent 472kHz WSPR spots |
UPDATE 1812z: DK7FC (669km) copied on 472kHz WSPR. Stefan is always a good signal with his 1W ERP station. This is considerably higher ERP than I use.
UPDATE 1850z: F5WK (436km) copied at 1842z.
JT65, JT9-1 and WSPR
After brief outings on 10m and 20m JT65 and JT9-1 (nothing worked but W and LU seen on 20m JT65) I returned to 10m WSPR. I changed power to 500mW on 10m WSPR and was spotted by local G0LRD and 4X1RF. For now I have settled on 1W WSPR and 4X1RF, G0LRD, DK6UG and DK8FT are all copying this level just fine so far. I think the DKs were by Es, although I think the 4X is F2 propagation. So far today, 4X1RF has spotted me 8 times at output powers between 2W and 500mW.
10m WSPR wakes up
Just when I was about to write off 10m WSPR, it springs into life with spots from CT1JTQ (1843km) and 4X1RF (3519km) - the latter 4 times already by 1008z. 10m continues to be a band filled with surprises, quite unlike other HF bands.
By the way, outside the sun is trying to shine too.
By the way, outside the sun is trying to shine too.
Dinky Toys Club
Dinky Toys Club.
My brother sent me this certificate of mine in the post. To be honest I don't remember joining! I was more into Matchbox Toys. These used to be 1s 6d and came in packets like large matchboxes.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinky_Toys .
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchbox_%28brand%29 .
Stroke frustrations
Although I can manage digital modes like WSPR, JT65 and JT9-1 OK, I find speech modes very hard work at present: my voice is hard to understand and tires easily. I make errors writing the blogs (usually corrected) and am clumsy with almost all electronics building work, so the experimental field and bench work I enjoy are, for now, on hold.
By the end of August I was hoping to feel almost no giddiness, but a twice daily 366m walk makes me feel wobbly still. I am told this will eventually go. It can't happen soon enough. Improvements are happening but all too slowly.
To be honest, my stroke, a year on now, is getting me down. There is so much I want to do but cannot. It is hard on my wife, children and grandchildren.
By the end of August I was hoping to feel almost no giddiness, but a twice daily 366m walk makes me feel wobbly still. I am told this will eventually go. It can't happen soon enough. Improvements are happening but all too slowly.
To be honest, my stroke, a year on now, is getting me down. There is so much I want to do but cannot. It is hard on my wife, children and grandchildren.
10m WSPR - a different day ahead?
Having turned on 10m WSPR about 15 minutes ago, it looks like conditions today are quite different. No DX at all coming through yet, just G0LRD (25km) away spotting me.
Sunspot count is 75 (disturbed) and 20-30MHz propagation is forecast to be "poor". It feels poor although a look on WSPRnet shows some impressive DX into Europe. Maybe it is just a blip?
Even the weather has changed! Outside it looks wet and autumnal for the first time. Summer is ended.
Maybe I should try JT65 or JT9-1 on 10m or 20m today?
Even the weather has changed! Outside it looks wet and autumnal for the first time. Summer is ended.
Maybe I should try JT65 or JT9-1 on 10m or 20m today?
18 Sept 2014
10m still WIDE open to the USA at 2100z
At 2104z I am still spotting loads of USA stations on 10m WSPR. It is likely the opening will go on for a while yet. This is F layer propagation and not Es. Today has been another excellent day on 10m.hrs
UPDATE 2230z: No DX on 10m for almost 1.5hrs. Time to go to QRT and to bed - early start tomorrow to see how Scotland voted.
UPDATE 2230z: No DX on 10m for almost 1.5hrs. Time to go to QRT and to bed - early start tomorrow to see how Scotland voted.
Low cost earth-mode beacons?
G1KQH has found some very low cost TDA2003 ICs. I use one of these in my VLF beacon shown in my RSGB RadCom article and on my website. Best range is just short of 6km by "utilities assisted" earth-mode. When fitter again (currently I am not allowed to drive and I am still too clumsy when on my feet and moving because of my brain bleed last year) I intend to continue my VLF experiments. I have used these ICs at 8.97kHz, twice, and sub-multiples of that frequency. Beyond 20kHz would be outside their spec limits, but they may still work?
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| G3XBM 5W VLFearth-mode CW/QRSS beacon |
Banggood sounds Chinese. I have no idea if these are genuine parts or not. They are advertised as 10W car radio audio parts.Evening Roger,Used in your LF PA 10p each nuts!Or you can buy in 10s @ 16p each inc delivery!
10m - wide open
Loads of USA stations are spotting me, or being spotted, on 10m WSPR. Conditions on the band have been excellent again today. Forecasts for October 2014 are also very good. Enjoy the excellent conditions as a year or two from now it will be much harder going, although with WSPR DX reports should still be possible in the N-S direction.
UPDATE 1830z: Plenty of USA spots still. 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me 25 times today so far since breakfast time.
UPDATE 1830z: Plenty of USA spots still. 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me 25 times today so far since breakfast time.
Neglecting 630m
With good conditions on 10m, I have been neglecting 472kHz (630m) of late. On MF I run, as you know, 5mW ERP only whereas on 10m this is 2W.
I may go back onto MF this evening as 10m is becoming almost predictable of late. I am told (by G3WKW) that there are far more 10m stations on JT65 than on WSPR. It is certainly true that one does see the same stations again and again on WSPR. At least with WSPR I can set it running and monitor results on the PC in the lounge. This cannot be done so easily with JT65 or JT9-1 where you really have to be "on-hand" to answer calls. With my stroke, I find WSPR suits me well right now.
I may go back onto MF this evening as 10m is becoming almost predictable of late. I am told (by G3WKW) that there are far more 10m stations on JT65 than on WSPR. It is certainly true that one does see the same stations again and again on WSPR. At least with WSPR I can set it running and monitor results on the PC in the lounge. This cannot be done so easily with JT65 or JT9-1 where you really have to be "on-hand" to answer calls. With my stroke, I find WSPR suits me well right now.
Sunspots
Sunspot count today is 91 and 20-30MHz propagation described as "normal". Judging by 10m WSPR results I translate this to be very good. Certainly 10m conditions (using WSPR at least) are as good as I remember. Cycle 24 has a lot of kick in it still.
10m WSPR is "humming"
With 12 spots (already) of FR1GZ (9724km) in the log since before breakfast and he is spotting me too, and with KD6RF (7526km) in the log again 10m WSPR is again "doing the business". These are all F2 propagation I am sure. Nice to see transatlantics just about daily.
Overnight, M0EMM (193km) was a consistently spotted GDX station.
At 1210z DU1MGA (10674km) in the Philippines was spotting my 2W at -25dB S/N.
This morning, an old colleague, Karen,from Sepura days, was spotted many times running 100mW to an indoor antenna on 10m WSPR: RA3APW (2443km) in Moscow. At best, he was -7dB S/N with just 100mW (measured carefully). Incredible.
Yet again, 10m is in good shape.
Overnight, M0EMM (193km) was a consistently spotted GDX station.
At 1210z DU1MGA (10674km) in the Philippines was spotting my 2W at -25dB S/N.
This morning, an old colleague, Karen,from Sepura days, was spotted many times running 100mW to an indoor antenna on 10m WSPR: RA3APW (2443km) in Moscow. At best, he was -7dB S/N with just 100mW (measured carefully). Incredible.
Yet again, 10m is in good shape.
17 Sept 2014
10m WSPR - USA again and Brazil
Yet again 10m WSPR has "come up trumps" with several spots of PT2WWV (8873km) in Brasilia by F2 and recently WG2Z (5600km) spotting my 2W. No other USA stations seen here, or seeing me, as yet.
The USA must surely be F2 or F2 backscatter rather than Es? Interesting that propagation into the USA started coming through after Brazil. Almost like there had to be F2 over the equator for signals to get through, although, at the moment, it is just the one station copying me. I would have expected F2 or F2 backscatter to be far more widespread.
4X1RF and DK6UG are both still spotting me at just before 1800z.
UPDATE 1802z: I spoke too soon: KD6RF (7526km) near Dallas, Texas, running 5W, is now being spotted here at -20dB S/N at 1758z. GM4WJA (624km) is spotting me now. If the Scots vote to leave the United Kingdom, presumably they will have to have their own version of OFCOM and new callsigns. It will be interesting to see how Scotland votes.
UPDATE 1836z: Plenty of USA stations spotting me now e.g. WB8ELK/01 (6872km). PT2WWV has been spotted 5 times already. He has spotted my 2W 2 times so far tonight.
UPDATE 2058z: All quiet on 10m (just locals) in nearly the last hour. Is that it for today? Clock checked and WSPR will be running overnight.
The USA must surely be F2 or F2 backscatter rather than Es? Interesting that propagation into the USA started coming through after Brazil. Almost like there had to be F2 over the equator for signals to get through, although, at the moment, it is just the one station copying me. I would have expected F2 or F2 backscatter to be far more widespread.
4X1RF and DK6UG are both still spotting me at just before 1800z.
UPDATE 1802z: I spoke too soon: KD6RF (7526km) near Dallas, Texas, running 5W, is now being spotted here at -20dB S/N at 1758z. GM4WJA (624km) is spotting me now. If the Scots vote to leave the United Kingdom, presumably they will have to have their own version of OFCOM and new callsigns. It will be interesting to see how Scotland votes.
UPDATE 1836z: Plenty of USA stations spotting me now e.g. WB8ELK/01 (6872km). PT2WWV has been spotted 5 times already. He has spotted my 2W 2 times so far tonight.
UPDATE 2058z: All quiet on 10m (just locals) in nearly the last hour. Is that it for today? Clock checked and WSPR will be running overnight.
Antennas
However, I would lose 6m, 2m and 70cm vertical coverage and the Par seems to be doing a credible job on 10m, 20m and even on 40m. It is very low for 40m. On 10m it seems to be a few dB down on better antennas, but I can live with this. The V2000 works pretty well on 6, 2 and 70cms.
So, for the foreseeable future, I'll stick with the current antennas. Getting up ladders to work on antennas is currently out of the question (health issues) but lots of kind people would help, I know.
Although not the world's best, I can cover 40, 20, 10, 6, 2 and 70cms pretty well with the current antennas in the air. Using strapped feeders and an ATU, other MF and HF bands can be covered too. I can also work MF with the earth-electrode system in the ground.
Rotating by hand the 2m/70cm antenna for UKAC sessions is not a problem, judging by results.
10m WSPR and sunspots
Sunspot count continues to slide with the sunspot count today being 85. The 20-30MHz propagation forecast is "normal" however.
Already TJ3TS (5478km) in Yaounde, Cameroon is exchanging WSPR spots with me lots of times. He has been doing so since well before breakfast time. F2 propagation is looking good on 10m.
UPDATE 1110z: I see DK6UG (633km) is spotting me now. I assume this is Es.
UPDATE 1114z: TJ3TS has spotted me 14 times already since before breakfast. Excellent N-S F2.
UPDATE 1124z: CT1JTQ (1843km) is now spotting me. I assume this is Es.
UPDATE 1337z: OZ7IT (853km) has been spotting me, and been spotted, and a few German stations have been spotted me too. I assume these are all Es. 4X1RF (3519km) has also spotted me 7 times since lunch so far - I assume this is Es or maybe F2 propagation. TJ3TS continues to spot me.
UPDATE 1535z: Plenty of Es (?) coming through - IK, CT , HB9 etc all coming through.
Already TJ3TS (5478km) in Yaounde, Cameroon is exchanging WSPR spots with me lots of times. He has been doing so since well before breakfast time. F2 propagation is looking good on 10m.
UPDATE 1110z: I see DK6UG (633km) is spotting me now. I assume this is Es.
UPDATE 1114z: TJ3TS has spotted me 14 times already since before breakfast. Excellent N-S F2.
UPDATE 1124z: CT1JTQ (1843km) is now spotting me. I assume this is Es.
UPDATE 1337z: OZ7IT (853km) has been spotting me, and been spotted, and a few German stations have been spotted me too. I assume these are all Es. 4X1RF (3519km) has also spotted me 7 times since lunch so far - I assume this is Es or maybe F2 propagation. TJ3TS continues to spot me.
UPDATE 1535z: Plenty of Es (?) coming through - IK, CT , HB9 etc all coming through.
10m - quiet overnight
10m WSPR was left running through the night but only spots were exchanged with locals. No DX seen here on the band overnight until just before breakfast time.
16 Sept 2014
10m WSPR transatlantic again
As late as 1924z KD6RF (7526km) was being spotted from EM22lr square near Dallas, Texas. There were other USA stations being spotted here earlier too. In addition, CX2ABP (11127km) was spotting me at 1850z (and several times earlier) and there is extensive Es about (this could be F layer backscatter I suppose). Conditions on 10m WSPR remain good.
UPDATE 1955z: KC1AWS (5308km) was spotting me at 1940z.
UPDATE 2025z: CX2ABP (11127km) in Uruguay still spotting my 2W at 1958z.
UPDATE 2240z: Just locals for the last 2.7 hours. The real DX has now ended for the day. I shall leave 10m WSPR running overnight to see what turns up. The clock has just been resynchronized to internet time.
UPDATE 1955z: KC1AWS (5308km) was spotting me at 1940z.
UPDATE 2025z: CX2ABP (11127km) in Uruguay still spotting my 2W at 1958z.
UPDATE 2240z: Just locals for the last 2.7 hours. The real DX has now ended for the day. I shall leave 10m WSPR running overnight to see what turns up. The clock has just been resynchronized to internet time.
Not ham radio......
See http://qss2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/spre-2m-anyone.html .
There is a house on the market (Landmark) in Salcombe, Devon, the seaside town where I was brought up as a child, that is likely to be sold to the highest bidder and the site redeveloped purely for greed and a quick profit.
The house was the home of author Paul Gallico and is in the "Arts and Crafts" style. It is a rare gem. Ideally, it should be a listed building. Locals are being priced out of their own town by those with "loads of money" but very little sense. The lovely home is on the market for £1.95M - far too much for me!
Please, write to English Heritage to see if the building can be listed to stop redevelopment of the home and site. Write to customers@english-heritage.org.uk .
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| http://search.savills.com/content/assets/properties/gbetrsexs140087/EXS140087_02_gal.JPG |
The house was the home of author Paul Gallico and is in the "Arts and Crafts" style. It is a rare gem. Ideally, it should be a listed building. Locals are being priced out of their own town by those with "loads of money" but very little sense. The lovely home is on the market for £1.95M - far too much for me!
Please, write to English Heritage to see if the building can be listed to stop redevelopment of the home and site. Write to customers@english-heritage.org.uk .
10m - a repeat of yesterday?
Conditions on 10m today seem to be similar to those yesterday. FR1GZ (9724km) and I have exchanged spots several times, mainly this morning, and KD6RF (7526km) was spotted at 1436z. TJ3TS (5478km) has spotted me a few times. F2 conditions appear good on 10m again.
Sunspot count today is 92 (gradually dropping) and 20-30MHz propagation is "normal". We have already had excellent F2 propagation on 10m today. I am convinced that the USA is coming in by F2 or F2 backscatter and not multi-hop Es.
DK6UG is spotting me by Es (I think) or F2 backscatter perhaps. Also, probably Es, GM4WJA (624km) is spotting me.
WB8ELK/01 (6872km) is spotting me now.
Sunspot count today is 92 (gradually dropping) and 20-30MHz propagation is "normal". We have already had excellent F2 propagation on 10m today. I am convinced that the USA is coming in by F2 or F2 backscatter and not multi-hop Es.
DK6UG is spotting me by Es (I think) or F2 backscatter perhaps. Also, probably Es, GM4WJA (624km) is spotting me.
WB8ELK/01 (6872km) is spotting me now.
15 Sept 2014
10m transatlantic - yet again
Surely, these 10m openings - there yet again today - must be F2 and not multi-hop Es? Already spotted are K3NAL (5930km) and KZ8C (6290km).
FR1GZ (9724km) on Reunion Is, Indian Ocean, has also been spotted here several times and TJ3TS (5478km) in Cameroon is spotting me too.
It seems to me we are experiencing decent F2 propagation on 10m, and it is only mid-September. Maybe it is WSPR being so sensitive that openings that would have been missed in the past are now being noticed?
UPDATE 1639z: 10m has been open to the USA all afternoon on WSPR. This must be F2 rather than Es as it is almost predictable.
UPDATE 1845z: I went QRT on 10m just before teatime as I needed the PC for something else. When closing, the band was still wide open to the USA.
UPDATE 2210z: I returned to 10m WSPR at 1912z. The last USA station to spot me was AF5ES at 2008z. CX2ABP (11127km) was spotted here at 1944z.
FR1GZ (9724km) on Reunion Is, Indian Ocean, has also been spotted here several times and TJ3TS (5478km) in Cameroon is spotting me too.
It seems to me we are experiencing decent F2 propagation on 10m, and it is only mid-September. Maybe it is WSPR being so sensitive that openings that would have been missed in the past are now being noticed?
UPDATE 1639z: 10m has been open to the USA all afternoon on WSPR. This must be F2 rather than Es as it is almost predictable.
UPDATE 1845z: I went QRT on 10m just before teatime as I needed the PC for something else. When closing, the band was still wide open to the USA.
UPDATE 2210z: I returned to 10m WSPR at 1912z. The last USA station to spot me was AF5ES at 2008z. CX2ABP (11127km) was spotted here at 1944z.
10m WSPR - plentiful Es today
OH, OK, LB9, EC, DK ) seen via Es on 10m already today and maybe 4X is by multi-hop Es? WSPR showing there are still lots of Es openings on the band.
Sunspots
Sunspot count is 120 today and 20-30MHz propagation is expected to be "good". Already 10m has been open to Australia so good F2 propagation is already evidence of this. Conditions E-W should continue to improve in the coming months even though, on average, sunspot numbers are now falling. Of late, 10m has been better than might be expected.
Nanowaves in Finland
My own red LED and IR experiments have had to stop as my brain bleed last year has left me (for now) too clumsy. People are still active though. In the Cambridge, UK area there are both IR and visible red beacons GB3CAM active from RAF Wyton. See http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm .
This was posted on the UKnanowaves Yahoo Group:
This was posted on the UKnanowaves Yahoo Group:
Greetings you light headed fellows :).Darker times are coming and the sun is going down earlier and earlier here in Finland.I've been designing an IR based repeater/beacon. When not in repeater use, it transmits FSK441 and CW. It has 6 of 850nm RX heads 0, 60, 120, 240, and 300 degree directions. This enables some selectivity by choosing best RX head by SNR from the received signals. It scans through all of the RX:s and if it detects an signal, it will switch to the best SNR (this is done by MCU).The TX is basically 10 IR leds transmitting simultaneously in all directions (they are spread over circular 360 degree form with 36 degree increments).I have 6 credit card size fresnel lenses that I was thought using in front of the six BPW34. I thought that a little off-focuse would make the system less prone about the direction of the signals. What worries me is the sun. This system will be installed relatively high and it is certain that the sun will be focused to the photodiodes time to time.Using a small IR filter in front of the BPW34 probably isn't the the best idea, because all of the energy from the sun is already focused to a relatively small area. Probably the best idea is to use the same sized IR filter than the primary antenna - the fresnel is. I've heard that exposed colour film would do a good job in this? Any experience?
Why I put two subjects under one message is that I just wanted to let you know what I'm doing, hi. And all the ideas will be taken in!
73 de Janne OH1SDR
PS. This repeater will have THz input and 70cm output and vice versa.
VK5MR (16144km) on 10m WSPR
Having stayed on 10m WSPR overnight I caught an opening to Australia this morning. VK5MR (16144km) was spotted at 0912z today. I know others e.g. G0LRD, have regularly spotted Australians but I tend to be still on MF early mornings, but not today.
10m WSPR - a good start today
4X1RF has spotted me 4 times already (still only 0722z) and DK0SC was spotting me during the very early hours. I assume DK was Es but 4X may be F2?
UPDATE 0935z: I have now been spotted 11 times already in Israel on 10m WSPR today between 0614 and now.
UPDATE 1015z: LB9YE (1533km) spotted by Es at 1002z. 4X1RF has now spotted me 12 times already today by multi-hop Es or F2, not sure which.
UPDATE 1123z: Looking at the 13 spots of my 10m signal this morning monitored by 4X1RF there appears to be a slow QSB on the signal with peak levels separated by 90-120 minutes. I shall continue to look for this but there is a pattern. WSPR is ideal for seeing this sort of phenomenon.
UPDATE 0935z: I have now been spotted 11 times already in Israel on 10m WSPR today between 0614 and now.
UPDATE 1015z: LB9YE (1533km) spotted by Es at 1002z. 4X1RF has now spotted me 12 times already today by multi-hop Es or F2, not sure which.
UPDATE 1123z: Looking at the 13 spots of my 10m signal this morning monitored by 4X1RF there appears to be a slow QSB on the signal with peak levels separated by 90-120 minutes. I shall continue to look for this but there is a pattern. WSPR is ideal for seeing this sort of phenomenon.
14 Sept 2014
Now South America too on 10m WSPR
After loads and loads of spots (both ways) with USA stations on 10m WSPR this afternoon, I now see PT2WWV (8873km), in Brasilia, is being spotted on the band, 8 times so far. 10m has been in excellent shape again. I shall leave WSPR running all this evening and maybe through the night again. PT2WWV has been spotted at up to 0dB S/N i.e.very strong indeed. He is running 5W.
By the way, 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me 25 times today. There is also GDX about: G3RCE (185km) spotted several times this afternoon. Even at 1826z I am still being spotted in the USA. Incredible 10m conditions again.
UPDATE 1930z: N2OTO and PT2WWV still both pounding in here.
UPDATE 2010z: PT2WWV still coming through here. Spotted 18 times today so far and it may continue for longer .N2OTO coming through here,
UPDATE 2110z: Just locals since 2010z. Is that it for the "real DX" today? An hour gone since the last DX.
UPDATE 2112z: I spoke too soon as N2OTO has just been spotted. The opening to the USA is still going on and on...
By the way, 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me 25 times today. There is also GDX about: G3RCE (185km) spotted several times this afternoon. Even at 1826z I am still being spotted in the USA. Incredible 10m conditions again.
UPDATE 1930z: N2OTO and PT2WWV still both pounding in here.
UPDATE 2010z: PT2WWV still coming through here. Spotted 18 times today so far and it may continue for longer .N2OTO coming through here,
UPDATE 2110z: Just locals since 2010z. Is that it for the "real DX" today? An hour gone since the last DX.
UPDATE 2112z: I spoke too soon as N2OTO has just been spotted. The opening to the USA is still going on and on...
10m WSPR USA - too many now
The 10m band is so wide open to the USA today on WSPR that I have now lost count of all the stations spotted and spotting me. It feels more like mid-winter conditions. I wonder how conditions have been on 6m? It would not completely surprise me to hear 6m was open to the USA briefly today.
Cameroon again
TJ3TS (5478km) is spotting me again today. He was copying me yesterday too. African stations are few and far between on 10m WSPR, I guess as without a decent internet connection (problematic in some parts of the continent) it is hard to sync time and upload spots to the WSPRnet database? WSPR seems to be more common in more developed nations. I think CW is more common as kit is simpler and time synchronization not an issue.
10m WSPR - quiet times?
Well, 10m WSPR is certainly far from quiet again today. These are the spots this afternoon, showing plenty of USA activity. A reminder, I use 2W and an end-fed tri-band Par antenna strung to a tree in the garden and not too high up either.
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| Some recent 10m WSPR spots today |
10m WSPR - 4X1RF
So far today, I have been spotted 25 times already by 4X1RF (3519km) in Israel. If this is Es, what happened to the "sporadic" bit?? Signal reports are generally very strong (up to +2dB S/N) , like a single hop F2?
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