"They
are all at it now 
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/"
26 Jan 2015
70cms AM using data modules
That font of all knowledge Steve G1KQH has found a useful YouTube video:
73
Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/"
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/"
10m WSPR USA spots
It is now 1232z and, as yet, no USA stations have spotted my 500mW WSPR beacon. 4X1RF (3519m) and UR/SWL56 (2283km) have spotted me many times this morning. I think the band will open to the USA and I may be a little early.
UPDATE 1336z: Still no spots from USA stations as yet.
UPDATE 1421z: Still no spots from USA stations as yet. I have my doubts 10m is going to open to the USA at all today.
UPDATE 1445z: First stateside spot of my 500mW WSPR was AB4QS (7087km) at 1426z - very late indeed today. Conditions to the USA seem poor today.
UPDATE 1545z: Today the only USA station to have spotted me on 10m WSPR is AB4QS and he has only spotted me twice. This is definitely a very poor day on 10m compared with recent months. Usually by now I have been spotted by loads of USA stations, despite running just 500mW on WSPR.
UPDATED 1858z: AB4QS was the last station in the USA who spotted me at a very very early 1500z. This makes today one of the worst days on 10m in months.
UPDATE 1336z: Still no spots from USA stations as yet.
UPDATE 1421z: Still no spots from USA stations as yet. I have my doubts 10m is going to open to the USA at all today.
UPDATE 1445z: First stateside spot of my 500mW WSPR was AB4QS (7087km) at 1426z - very late indeed today. Conditions to the USA seem poor today.
UPDATE 1545z: Today the only USA station to have spotted me on 10m WSPR is AB4QS and he has only spotted me twice. This is definitely a very poor day on 10m compared with recent months. Usually by now I have been spotted by loads of USA stations, despite running just 500mW on WSPR.
UPDATED 1858z: AB4QS was the last station in the USA who spotted me at a very very early 1500z. This makes today one of the worst days on 10m in months.
Poppet 160m AM transceiver
This little top band AM transmitter and a companion receiver were first published in the GQRP club SPRAT magazine. This TX version was built by M0DAD. Where the noise floor allows, 160m AM is quite popular for local nets. There is something nice about "rolling your own" builds and getting satisfying results without spending a fortune. For daytime local use 160m AM is a great mode and rigs are simple. I am still surprised that more is not made of AM on 10m at night for local nets here in the UK.
See http://www.delboyonline.co.uk/m0dad/construcion/poppet_top_band_am_transmitter.htm.
See http://www.delboyonline.co.uk/m0dad/construcion/poppet_top_band_am_transmitter.htm.
QRP 5W CW transmitter from SM0VPO
Many years ago Harry SM0VPO worked at Pye Telecom. I had no idea back then that he was such a prolific and good designer. This is his design for a simple HF 5W CW transmitter. His website has loads of great ideas.
See http://www.qsl.net/qrp/tx/5wtx.htm .
See http://www.qsl.net/qrp/tx/5wtx.htm .
472kHz WSPR overnight
G0MGM (101km) has spotted my 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP or less) several times. I think he is a new reporter and very welcome too. Tonight I may go back on the HF and 6m wire antennas (with loading coil) to see how results compare with the earth-electrode "antenna" currently in use.
.
G8HUH (250km) always seems to copy me. He has a good system on RX. He even copied me on 136kHz WSPR from the old QTH, before I had my cerebellum bleed. I have yet to try 136kHz WSPR from this QTH.
.
G8HUH (250km) always seems to copy me. He has a good system on RX. He even copied me on 136kHz WSPR from the old QTH, before I had my cerebellum bleed. I have yet to try 136kHz WSPR from this QTH.
Sunspots and 10m - Jan 26th 2015
Sunspot number has climbed a little to 65 and 10m propagation is forecast to be "fair" again today.
UPDATE 0925z: 4X1RF (3519km) has already spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon 4 times,which is a hopeful sign on 10m.
UPDATE 0925z: 4X1RF (3519km) has already spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon 4 times,which is a hopeful sign on 10m.
25 Jan 2015
Not amateur radio.
This weekend was the Big Garden Birdwatch. People in the UK were asked to observe a garden, park etc. for 1 hour and record the highest number of each species seen, then submit results online to the RSPB. It has become an annual event now. I did a record yesterday in our back garden and, just for fun, I did another 1 hour today at the same time but overlooking the local museum and windmill at the front of our bungalow.
More species were seen yesterday but far more starlings were seen today as they roost on the sails of our windmill next door.
I am still active on 630m and 10m, but will be going QRT on 10m quite shortly.
More species were seen yesterday but far more starlings were seen today as they roost on the sails of our windmill next door.
I am still active on 630m and 10m, but will be going QRT on 10m quite shortly.
Interest in AM
I note that my most popular blog posts recently relate to Amplitude Modulation (AM). Who said this was a dying mode? Clearly it is not judging by the interest levels shown. RSGB and ARRL please take note.
USA 10m WSPR spots today
The first USA station to copy my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today was WG2Z (5600km) at 1312z. Most of the morning 4X1RF (3519km) has been copying me.
UPDATE 1924z: CX2ABP/D (11080km) has been copying me several times this afternoon. The last USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon was K1OF (5500km) at 1718z. This indeed proved to be the last spot of me from the USA.
UPDATE 1924z: CX2ABP/D (11080km) has been copying me several times this afternoon. The last USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon was K1OF (5500km) at 1718z. This indeed proved to be the last spot of me from the USA.
Sunspots and 10m - Sun Jan 25th 2015
Sunspot number today is 57 and 10m propagation expected to be "fair". I definitely think solar activity is starting to fall away (on average).
24 Jan 2015
Micro 40 - 40m DSB transceiver
See http://home.alphalink.com.au/~parkerp/projects/projmicro40.htm .
Also: https://aa7ee.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/the-vk3ye-micro-40-dsb-transceiver/ .
Well designed DSB transceivers are much simpler than SSB rigs as no SSB filters and mixing to final frequency is needed. They must not be over-driven to avoid a spreading signal. The PA needs to be linear too. These issues being carefully considered, you end up with a rig that has the same bandwidth as an AM rig but with a suppressed carrier. DSB transmitters are usually received as an SSB signal. The downside is that if a simple direct-conversion receiver is used then there is no rejection of stations sitting on the other sideband. So, they are best on quieter bands, rather than busy HF bands. Bands like 10m, 6m and 4m are probably good candidates.
Although not impossible, it is quite difficult to demodulate a DSB signal on a simple direct-conversion receiver. DSB rigs are ideal as simple transceivers to communicate with SSB rigs.
Also: https://aa7ee.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/the-vk3ye-micro-40-dsb-transceiver/ .
Well designed DSB transceivers are much simpler than SSB rigs as no SSB filters and mixing to final frequency is needed. They must not be over-driven to avoid a spreading signal. The PA needs to be linear too. These issues being carefully considered, you end up with a rig that has the same bandwidth as an AM rig but with a suppressed carrier. DSB transmitters are usually received as an SSB signal. The downside is that if a simple direct-conversion receiver is used then there is no rejection of stations sitting on the other sideband. So, they are best on quieter bands, rather than busy HF bands. Bands like 10m, 6m and 4m are probably good candidates.
Although not impossible, it is quite difficult to demodulate a DSB signal on a simple direct-conversion receiver. DSB rigs are ideal as simple transceivers to communicate with SSB rigs.
10m USA WSPR spots of my 500mW beacon today
WG2Z (5600km) was the first USA station to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today at 1302z. I see that FR1GZ (9724km) on Reunion Is, South Indian Ocean, has already spotted me a couple of times already on 10m WSPR today!
UPDATE 1728z: KU4QI (6406km) was the last to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR-AXE-CW WSPR beacon at 1708z. There is still a chance others will spot me later.
UPDATE 2110z: The last USA station to spot me was K9AN (6505km) over an hour later at 1838z. It all depends who stays around and who is active! I was surprised.
UPDATE 2140z: I went QRT on 10m WSPR at 2112z. I have now QSYed to MF for the night.
UPDATE 1728z: KU4QI (6406km) was the last to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR-AXE-CW WSPR beacon at 1708z. There is still a chance others will spot me later.
UPDATE 2110z: The last USA station to spot me was K9AN (6505km) over an hour later at 1838z. It all depends who stays around and who is active! I was surprised.
UPDATE 2140z: I went QRT on 10m WSPR at 2112z. I have now QSYed to MF for the night.
G8HUH - multiple spots of my 5mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR
G8HUH (250km) in IO81 square has spotted me on 472kHz WSPR 16 times so far today since the middle of the night.
Sunspots
Sunspot number is up to 70 today and 10m propagation forecast to be "fair".
UPDATE 1346z: So far, the 10m band is behaving predictably.
UPDATE 1346z: So far, the 10m band is behaving predictably.
23 Jan 2015
70cms AM
As you may recall, I am quite a fan of super-regen receivers. Nothing as simple is able to match their AM sensitivity, but they tend to have poor selectivity.
With the availability of very low cost 433MHz modules (TX and super-regen RX) designed for AM data, these modules could be ripe for conversion to ultra-simple 70cm AM voice transceivers. One local friend, Andrew G6ALB, is currently carrying out experiments to see if this is feasible. I hope to work him on 70cm AM using such a rig in the months ahead. Sadly, I am still too clumsy to do any building work - very frustrating.
I am wondering if anyone else has tried these modules in such a circuit? With a simple MMIC PA (50 ohms in and out) the power output could be lifted to around 25mW carrier or more. With V2000 verticals this should be good for local ranges. Even at the low milliwatt level from these QRPp modules several km range should be possible with co-linear antennas.
UPDATE 2310z: I wonder what sort of power the TX modules typically produce with linear (speech) modulation rather than 5V square wave data modulation? Presumably much less than their rated power, so an add-on PA may be essential?
With the availability of very low cost 433MHz modules (TX and super-regen RX) designed for AM data, these modules could be ripe for conversion to ultra-simple 70cm AM voice transceivers. One local friend, Andrew G6ALB, is currently carrying out experiments to see if this is feasible. I hope to work him on 70cm AM using such a rig in the months ahead. Sadly, I am still too clumsy to do any building work - very frustrating.
I am wondering if anyone else has tried these modules in such a circuit? With a simple MMIC PA (50 ohms in and out) the power output could be lifted to around 25mW carrier or more. With V2000 verticals this should be good for local ranges. Even at the low milliwatt level from these QRPp modules several km range should be possible with co-linear antennas.
UPDATE 2310z: I wonder what sort of power the TX modules typically produce with linear (speech) modulation rather than 5V square wave data modulation? Presumably much less than their rated power, so an add-on PA may be essential?
South Indian Ocean on 10m WSPR
Best DX today on 10m, despite the "poor" forecast was FR1GZ (9724km) on Reunion Is who has spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon 17 times this afternoon so far. Quite a few times recently I have had very good reports on 10m from distant stations when the forecast has been "sub-optimum". It goes to prove that 10m and 6m are fickle bands: don't take propagation expectations as gospel.
10m USA WSPR spots today
KF4GKY (6406km) was the first USA station to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today at 1322z. After the dire forecasts this morning I was wondering if 10m would open to the USA at all. So far (it is now 1350z) KF4GKY is the only USA station spotting me.
UPDATE 1815z: W3GXT (5840km) was the last to spot me from the USA today at 1702z. As this was over an hour ago it was probably the last today.
UPDATE 1815z: W3GXT (5840km) was the last to spot me from the USA today at 1702z. As this was over an hour ago it was probably the last today.
4X1RF now spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon
At last, I am now being spotted on 10m outside the local area. 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me a couple of times starting at 1056z this morning. Reports are weaker than usual.
Maybe I shall be spotted in the USA on 10m WSPR after lunch after all?4
UPDATE 1124z: So far, just a couple of weak spots by 4X1RF. Conditions on 10m do seem down on the last few months.
UPDATE 1210z: Better reports now from 4X1RF (-13dB S/N). Looks like 10m is coming to life.
Maybe I shall be spotted in the USA on 10m WSPR after lunch after all?4
UPDATE 1124z: So far, just a couple of weak spots by 4X1RF. Conditions on 10m do seem down on the last few months.
UPDATE 1210z: Better reports now from 4X1RF (-13dB S/N). Looks like 10m is coming to life.
5MHz world wide contiguous 60m amateur band?
Around the world, several administrations allow some access to 5MHz for amateurs. Mostly, these are channelised allocations, which are far from ideal. What is needed is a continuous 60m band, say 200kHz wide. There was/is some hope of this being allocated to the amateur service at WRC2015 which is due to take place late this year.
I wonder what the chances of radio amateurs getting this band are? I have rather lost touch with the news on this. Certainly it was to be an agenda item. With decreasing solar activity, this would be ideal for the amateur community. I do hope it happens. Even if allocated at WRC2015, it could be a few years before administrations can make the necessary changes. If anyone has any further news I'd appreciate being updated.
I wonder what the chances of radio amateurs getting this band are? I have rather lost touch with the news on this. Certainly it was to be an agenda item. With decreasing solar activity, this would be ideal for the amateur community. I do hope it happens. Even if allocated at WRC2015, it could be a few years before administrations can make the necessary changes. If anyone has any further news I'd appreciate being updated.
Sunspots and "poor" 10m
Sunspot number is 63 today. 10m conditions are expected to be "poor". This is the first time in a long while I've seen this. Been on 10m WSPR for 45 minutes but only being spotted by G4IKZ (18km).
UPDATE 1048z: Still just local G4IKZ spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon. No Europeans even. Conditions do feel poor today. I wonder if we'll have our usual USA 10m opening after lunch?
UPDATE 1056z: 4X1RF (3519km) spotting me at last.
UPDATE 1048z: Still just local G4IKZ spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon. No Europeans even. Conditions do feel poor today. I wonder if we'll have our usual USA 10m opening after lunch?
UPDATE 1056z: 4X1RF (3519km) spotting me at last.
22 Jan 2015
472kHz WSPR results - 5mW ERP earth electrode "antenna"
 |
| 472kHz 5mW ERP - result on WSPR in last 2 weeks |
UPDATE 2212z: G1GKN has only reported me today.
On receive on 472kHz WSPR I have spotted 18 unique stations in the last 2 weeks. Best DX was LA3EQ (769km).
 |
| 472kHz WSPR - stations spotted here in last 2 weeks |
USA 10m WSPR spots of my 500mW beacon today
KE6BID (5295km) was the first USA station to spot my 10m 500mW beacon at 1244z today. Since then, plenty of USA stations have been spotting me on 10m WSPR.
I am also active on 630m (472kHz) WSPR where I run 5mW ERP and I am on 20% TX and 80% RX. Best 472kHz WSPR DX on RX here was F1AFJ (607km). On 472kHz TX my best daylight DX today is G3THQ (8km) and M0ELS (81km).
UPDATE 1742z: Currently KB9AMG (6300km) was the last USA station to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 1722z. This may be it for the day, but we'll see.
UPDATE 2154z: KB9AMG was the last spotter on 10m of my 500mW WSPR beacon at 1722z..
I am also active on 630m (472kHz) WSPR where I run 5mW ERP and I am on 20% TX and 80% RX. Best 472kHz WSPR DX on RX here was F1AFJ (607km). On 472kHz TX my best daylight DX today is G3THQ (8km) and M0ELS (81km).
UPDATE 1742z: Currently KB9AMG (6300km) was the last USA station to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 1722z. This may be it for the day, but we'll see.
UPDATE 2154z: KB9AMG was the last spotter on 10m of my 500mW WSPR beacon at 1722z..
Sunspots - Jan 22nd 2015
Sunspot number today is 50 (gradually sliding downwards now on average) and 10m propagation forecast to be "fair". Certainly, my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has not been spotted beyond Israel so far today.
Early morning on 10m WSPR
As early as 0856z, I was getting EU spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon. 4X1RF (3519km) was not much later. Some of these spots were very strong, suggesting either single hop Es or F2 propagation. Local G4IKZ (18km) was spotting me all through the night.
21 Jan 2015
AM and UK Band Plans
Because of my poor voice (as a result of my cerebellum brain bleed) I tend to use
digital techniques, like WSPR and JT65, but I still enjoy AM. Like
many, I've worked transatlantic AMers on 29-29.1MHz with real QRP and
simple antennas using AM. It makes a great change from SSB.
One could be forgiven for thinking AM is a dirty word at the RSGB. In UK Band Plans published in the February 2015 edition of RadCom, AM gets no mention on 28MHz and 50MHz and gets a (begrudging) comment as a footnote only in the 144MHz Band Plan when other modes get "centres of activity" mentions. AM is alive and well in the 29-29.1MHz sub-band. AM on the 144MHz (2m) band here in the UK can be found on and around 144.550MHz. There has been AM on 29-29.1MHz for years and years and years - in fact almost as long as I've been active on the air. Yes, this is in the all-mode section, but why not say this is the 28MHz (10m) AM sub-band? Also, why are 144MHz AM users asked to "consider adjacent channel activity"? AM should easily fit in 6kHz!!
Yet again, AM is being treated as a dirty and outdated mode. Here in the UK, ex-PMR AM rigs ripe for use on VHF can be picked up for virtually nothing and there is certainly room for AM on all bands from 28MHz upwards. AM has its enthusiasts on other bands too, but yet again the RSGB seems keen to kill off this mode. Why I wonder?
Allegedly, a RadCom article on digital TV in the 146-147MHz band was pulled last month at the last minute because "someone at the RSGB" thought it would not fit in the new band! Sometimes one wonders. Maybe the day when I only get SPRAT is closer than I thought? Thankfully, there are many good articles in RadCom.
One could be forgiven for thinking AM is a dirty word at the RSGB. In UK Band Plans published in the February 2015 edition of RadCom, AM gets no mention on 28MHz and 50MHz and gets a (begrudging) comment as a footnote only in the 144MHz Band Plan when other modes get "centres of activity" mentions. AM is alive and well in the 29-29.1MHz sub-band. AM on the 144MHz (2m) band here in the UK can be found on and around 144.550MHz. There has been AM on 29-29.1MHz for years and years and years - in fact almost as long as I've been active on the air. Yes, this is in the all-mode section, but why not say this is the 28MHz (10m) AM sub-band? Also, why are 144MHz AM users asked to "consider adjacent channel activity"? AM should easily fit in 6kHz!!
Yet again, AM is being treated as a dirty and outdated mode. Here in the UK, ex-PMR AM rigs ripe for use on VHF can be picked up for virtually nothing and there is certainly room for AM on all bands from 28MHz upwards. AM has its enthusiasts on other bands too, but yet again the RSGB seems keen to kill off this mode. Why I wonder?
Allegedly, a RadCom article on digital TV in the 146-147MHz band was pulled last month at the last minute because "someone at the RSGB" thought it would not fit in the new band! Sometimes one wonders. Maybe the day when I only get SPRAT is closer than I thought? Thankfully, there are many good articles in RadCom.
10m USA WSPR spots
The first USA spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was at 1240z today by WG2Z (5600km). All morning I was being spotted by EU stations and 4X1RF (3519km) but no further.
Apart from one day, the 10m band has been open here to the USA every day since the early autumn.
UPDATE 2040z: My last USA 10m WSPR spot today was by K9AN (6505km) at 1858z.
Apart from one day, the 10m band has been open here to the USA every day since the early autumn.
UPDATE 2040z: My last USA 10m WSPR spot today was by K9AN (6505km) at 1858z.
10m 3 transistor DSB transceiver
In case you missed this:
http://www.cqpub.co.jp/hanbai/books/15/15061/15061_p.180-181.pdf
This gives the schematic and lots of data in Japanese.
All RF circuit inductors could be replaced by small (T50-6 or T37-6) yellow toroids and variable caps.
http://www.cqpub.co.jp/hanbai/books/15/15061/15061_p.180-181.pdf
This gives the schematic and lots of data in Japanese.
All RF circuit inductors could be replaced by small (T50-6 or T37-6) yellow toroids and variable caps.
Sunspot number - Jan 21st 2015
Sunspot number today has risen slightly to 57. 10m propagation is expected to be "fair". Already being spotted by 4X1RF (3519km) on 10m WSPR with my 500mW 10m beacon.
20 Jan 2015
10m 3 transistor DSB rig video, and more on the Minima
Stephen G7BFY sent me a link to a video on YouTube of the Japanese 3 transistor DSB transceiver featured in this blog some years ago. It is being tested by some Italian stations over a 10km path. Sorry this video is in Italian.
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqpfLSqtVgs
Minima Video
The video below is of the Minima SSB/CW transceiver. The transceiver is towards the end of the (rather noisy) video. This is the creator, Ashaar Farhan, in the (Indian?) video.
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqpfLSqtVgs
Minima Video
The video below is of the Minima SSB/CW transceiver. The transceiver is towards the end of the (rather noisy) video. This is the creator, Ashaar Farhan, in the (Indian?) video.
472kHz WSPR
All day and overnight I have been on 472kHz WSPR using 5mW ERP from my earth-electrode "antenna". Although I have been copied by no new users in recent weeks, I have been spotted by G4JVF (151km) and G8HUH (250km) amongst others today. My best DX on TX with the earth-electrodes is 722km.
On RX I am consistently copying PA stations at over 400km. Although people tell me there is less WSPR activity on the band lately, I never fail to spot, or be spotted, on this MF band even with my compromise antenna and very low ERP.
On RX I am consistently copying PA stations at over 400km. Although people tell me there is less WSPR activity on the band lately, I never fail to spot, or be spotted, on this MF band even with my compromise antenna and very low ERP.
160m/80m DC transceiver
These are bands I rarely use, but some readers may be interested in the Hendricks Kits dual band transceiver. 5.5W sounds enough to work plenty.
These days, the main issue on these bands can be man-made noise from TVs, SMPUs and similar. At my old QTH I had an S7-8 noise floor on 160m and 80m. At the new QTH the noise floor on these bands is low currently, but this could change overnight. Some people use loops and nullers on RX to minimise problems. If you have a quiet noise environment then this transceiver may fit your needs. Don't forget you will need a reasonably big antenna to get decent results. A half wave 160m dipole antenna is around 240 feet long.
In my youth we had rigs like the Codar AT5 12W AM/CW 160m/80m transmitter and companion T28 RX. I had the RX but not the TX although I did use an AT5 from the QTH of the late G4PJ. The T28 was mainly used as a tunable IF for my 2m converter. I heard my first 2m satellite signals via Oscar 6 and 7 using the T28 as a tunable IF. I remember being very thrilled hearing my first transatlantic stations on the top end of 2m.
See http://www.qrpkits.com/mbdc.html .
These days, the main issue on these bands can be man-made noise from TVs, SMPUs and similar. At my old QTH I had an S7-8 noise floor on 160m and 80m. At the new QTH the noise floor on these bands is low currently, but this could change overnight. Some people use loops and nullers on RX to minimise problems. If you have a quiet noise environment then this transceiver may fit your needs. Don't forget you will need a reasonably big antenna to get decent results. A half wave 160m dipole antenna is around 240 feet long.
In my youth we had rigs like the Codar AT5 12W AM/CW 160m/80m transmitter and companion T28 RX. I had the RX but not the TX although I did use an AT5 from the QTH of the late G4PJ. The T28 was mainly used as a tunable IF for my 2m converter. I heard my first 2m satellite signals via Oscar 6 and 7 using the T28 as a tunable IF. I remember being very thrilled hearing my first transatlantic stations on the top end of 2m.
See http://www.qrpkits.com/mbdc.html .
Last 10m WSPR spot today
W3CSW (5886km) was the last USA station to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today at 1658z. I guess the last 10m spot depends on several factors: propagation/conditions, daylight on the path, active stations etc. Last night the I was getting spots later.
First 10m WSPR spot today (500mW beacon) from the USA
N1NCO (5283km) was the first USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon on 10m today at 1238z. Several EU spot this morning plus 4X1RF (3519km) who often spots me. This is Asia.
Sunspots
Sunspot number today is 62 and 10m propagation is expected to be "fair" . Just turned on the 500mW 10m WSPR beacon at 0945z.Already LZ1OI (2153km) is spotting me well.
19 Jan 2015
Lighter evenings
Since the shortest day, the evenings continue to lighten. In the evening it is now light some 30 minutes later than it was at the shortest day. Even the mornings are starting to get a bit lighter earlier at last. The days are lengthening about 2.5 minutes a day and the rate of change speeds up as we approach the equinox. I much prefer lighter days! Already it is just about light still at 5pm.
See http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/cambridge .
See http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/cambridge .
Last USA 10m WSPR spot tonight
The last spot of my 500mW WSPR beacon on 10m was at 1714z by KK4MIP (6704km). It is still possible other spots may yet come in but this is now unlikely.
First 10m WSPR spot from the USA today
N1NCO (5283km) was the first USA station to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 1236z. There have been plenty of spots by USA stations since that time.
More EU spots of my 10m 500mW beacon
LZ1UBO (2039km) and UR/SWL56 (2283km) have been spotting me this morning. I think LZ1UBO is a new station reporting me who has not been in the log before. I think propagation is F2 judging by the distances.
More on the Minima transceiver
My mention of this Ashaar Farhen design yesterday seems to have been very popular, so I have dug out a bit more information. As it stands it produces 1W pep but it is easy to add a further PA.
See http://www.sarfata.org/ham/minima/ .
Although a kit of parts is available, I am not aware of a full kit with enclosure and a PCB being available as is the case with the BitX from Hendricks Kits.
See http://www.sarfata.org/ham/minima/ .
Although a kit of parts is available, I am not aware of a full kit with enclosure and a PCB being available as is the case with the BitX from Hendricks Kits.
Daytime 472kHz WSPR 5mW ERP and earth-electrode "antenna"
Nothing exceptional overnight.
This morning, I see I am being spotted by G4JVF (151km), M0ELS (81km) and G8HUH (250km). I am spotting PA0O (440km) and PA3ABK/2 (306km). All not bad for full daylight propagation.
This morning, I see I am being spotted by G4JVF (151km), M0ELS (81km) and G8HUH (250km). I am spotting PA0O (440km) and PA3ABK/2 (306km). All not bad for full daylight propagation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
