One of the answers to the recent spate of terrorism is to work on the false certainty of those willing to die as "martyrs". In any religion, anyone who sets out to kill innocents would not be a martyr at all. No, they face hell or nothingness and their cause is reduced to pure criminality. We need to understand what really motivates these individuals. They have a grievance that must run very deep.
Yes we need fair societies in all countries but violence is not the answer.
17 Nov 2015
G8VDQ spotted on 6m WSPR
G8VDQ (93km) been spotted several times this morning on 6m WSPR at good strength. As yet, no DX from outside the UK and no-one has spotted me on 6m.
UPDATE 1600z: G8VDQ's signals (often not decoded) have lots of Doppler on them, suggesting multi-path and aircraft involvement. There is a direct signal too but I think the multi-path causes WSPR decodes to fail. If the 'planes are moving in the right direction then decodes occur. The direct (tropo) signal is much weaker and subject to heavy QSB.
UPDATE 1600z: G8VDQ's signals (often not decoded) have lots of Doppler on them, suggesting multi-path and aircraft involvement. There is a direct signal too but I think the multi-path causes WSPR decodes to fail. If the 'planes are moving in the right direction then decodes occur. The direct (tropo) signal is much weaker and subject to heavy QSB.
Australian spots (again) on 10m WSPR
VK2EMA (16558km) spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 1028z. This is (I think) the 5th day this autumn that my little WSPR beacon has been copied in Australia. So much for the "poor" 10m propagation! As long as conditions are not too disturbed, WSPR seems to get through on 10m.
UPDATE 1107z: VK2KRR (16789km) has also spotted my little 10m WSPR beacon several times this morning. So far, 5 spots from Australia on 10m WSPR ths morning.
UPDATE 1205z: I think the 10m opening to VK has ended as I am only being spotted in Russia at present. Things look hopeful on 10m WSPR for South and North American WSPR spots later. On 6m I guess there is an outside chance of some nearer Europeans by tropo and some more Europeans via Es, although we are well "out of season" now. I seem to average a single European about once every 2 weeks on 6m WSPR currently.
UPDATE 1225z: Almost as I was writing the above, my 10m 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon was spotted on 10m WSPR in Brazil. I have the feeling today is going to turn to be quite a good day on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1230z: I cannot begin tell you how much pleasure this tiny little 10m WSPR beacon has given me. Apart from syncing the beacon time, no PC is needed as the beacon is fully stand-alone. For the timing, I could use the pips on the radio. There is no doubt at all that this has given me more fun than anything in all my years in the hobby and that goes back 53 years. It is excellent value and is very small. It still amazes me that with a low wire antenna this is copied on the far side of the planet.
UPDATE 1345z: My little 10m WSPR beacon has been copied 6 times already in Brazil today. No USA spots yet.
UPDATE 1458z: First USA spot was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1444z, which is quite late.
UPDATE1808z: There have been no USA 10m WSPR spots of my signal since 1500z.
UPDATE 1107z: VK2KRR (16789km) has also spotted my little 10m WSPR beacon several times this morning. So far, 5 spots from Australia on 10m WSPR ths morning.
UPDATE 1205z: I think the 10m opening to VK has ended as I am only being spotted in Russia at present. Things look hopeful on 10m WSPR for South and North American WSPR spots later. On 6m I guess there is an outside chance of some nearer Europeans by tropo and some more Europeans via Es, although we are well "out of season" now. I seem to average a single European about once every 2 weeks on 6m WSPR currently.
UPDATE 1225z: Almost as I was writing the above, my 10m 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon was spotted on 10m WSPR in Brazil. I have the feeling today is going to turn to be quite a good day on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1230z: I cannot begin tell you how much pleasure this tiny little 10m WSPR beacon has given me. Apart from syncing the beacon time, no PC is needed as the beacon is fully stand-alone. For the timing, I could use the pips on the radio. There is no doubt at all that this has given me more fun than anything in all my years in the hobby and that goes back 53 years. It is excellent value and is very small. It still amazes me that with a low wire antenna this is copied on the far side of the planet.
UPDATE 1345z: My little 10m WSPR beacon has been copied 6 times already in Brazil today. No USA spots yet.
UPDATE 1458z: First USA spot was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1444z, which is quite late.
UPDATE1808z: There have been no USA 10m WSPR spots of my signal since 1500z.
EA5DOM (1525km) on 472kHz overnight
EA5DOM (1525km) was spotted 45 times through the night at up to -16dB S/N. He must be well equipped to have such a good 472kHz WSPR signal. My conclusion is the preamp does help with weak signals. Although EA5DOM would definitely have been copied last night without the preamp, having it in circuit meant I could still copy him when he was weak. There were at least 3 times (maybe more) when he would not have been copied without the preamp.
Sunspots and 10m - Tues Nov 17th 2015
Solar flux is 105. Sunspot number is 44 (K=1 so relatively undisturbed today). The forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor" today. We'll see!
I QSYed back to 10m and 6m WSPR a few minutes ago and turned off 630m RX until tonight. I usually takes about 10-15 minutes for the 10m 500mW WSPR beacon to stabilise after being off all night. I think the reference has to stabilise.
I QSYed back to 10m and 6m WSPR a few minutes ago and turned off 630m RX until tonight. I usually takes about 10-15 minutes for the 10m 500mW WSPR beacon to stabilise after being off all night. I think the reference has to stabilise.
16 Nov 2015
QSYed
My 10m and 6m WSPR stations have now been closed down. I have turned on my 630m (472kHz) RX kit on for the evening and overnight, this time I am RX only with the preamp. My antenna is again the earth-electrodes in the ground. My view overall is the preamp helps with weak signals but most stations are not too weak! In theory it would be good to have some very weak stations active on 472kHz WSPR. Really, I should give OPERA another try.
My 630m (472kHz) RX was turned on about 1945z.
My 630m (472kHz) RX was turned on about 1945z.
Winter projects
At this time of the year I like to set out some project objectives for the months ahead. Sadly, my poor health means I cannot do that much without getting very exhausted. The only project I can possibly manage is the erection of a MF loop antenna at some point. Even this will really tire me but I shall have to try. Maybe my son can help me with the ladder work?
5MHz band
This is from the RSGB pages:
"5MHz: An allocation at 5351.5-5366.5 kHz was agreed with regional variations in power between 15 W eirp/20 W eirp and 25 W eirp. In Region 1 this equates to a power output of 60 W. This was passed up to the next stage to Committee 4B where it was approved with minor changes to which geographical areas have what power limits. The next stage is for approval by Committee 4 which should take place on Monday and finally by a plenary meeting next Wednesday. While not an ideal solution, it has at least obtained an international allocation across all three Regions which is common or close to a number of national assignments. Everyone is equally unhappy, which is usual for a World Radio Conference."
Assuming this is approved, this is a tiny harmonised band and much smaller than we wanted. I am not sure if this is "it" or whether there is still a chance of larger harmonised bands in each region which is far from ideal but would be better than nothing, or a only a very small band.
"5MHz: An allocation at 5351.5-5366.5 kHz was agreed with regional variations in power between 15 W eirp/20 W eirp and 25 W eirp. In Region 1 this equates to a power output of 60 W. This was passed up to the next stage to Committee 4B where it was approved with minor changes to which geographical areas have what power limits. The next stage is for approval by Committee 4 which should take place on Monday and finally by a plenary meeting next Wednesday. While not an ideal solution, it has at least obtained an international allocation across all three Regions which is common or close to a number of national assignments. Everyone is equally unhappy, which is usual for a World Radio Conference."
Assuming this is approved, this is a tiny harmonised band and much smaller than we wanted. I am not sure if this is "it" or whether there is still a chance of larger harmonised bands in each region which is far from ideal but would be better than nothing, or a only a very small band.
Death - NOT amateur radio
This remains a total mystery. Many religions talk about "life after death" and who knows? With talk of multiverses who knows, maybe the universe is unique to us only and everyone else experiences something different. Maybe what we experience when we die is a total absence of life, much like we before we were born. The only thing we can say with any certainty is no-one really knows.
USA again on 10m WSPR
It was a late start on 10m WSPR today with KK1D (5455km) being the first USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon at 1446z. Since then quite a few other USA stations have spotted me including KD6RF (7571km) who I think is in Texas. At present, this is my best DX report from the USA today.
UPDATE 1730z: Best DX (from the USA) today is K5XL (7660km).
UPDATE 1922z: The last USA 10m WSPR spot was WB2TQE (7097km) at 1604z.
UPDATE 1730z: Best DX (from the USA) today is K5XL (7660km).
UPDATE 1922z: The last USA 10m WSPR spot was WB2TQE (7097km) at 1604z.
Cooking - NOT amateur radio
 |
| Before the orzo added |
See http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipes/tag-3951/orzo-recipes.aspx .
Sunspots and 10m - Mon Nov 16th 2015
Solar flux is 107. Sunspot number is 63 today. K=3 and 10m propagation is again expected to be "poor". This morning on 10m WSPR there were single hop F2 spots from Eastern Europe including Russia. No sign of 10m WSPR spots (yet) from further afield.
On 6m, just the usual spots of G8VDQ (93km) and nothing else.
On 6m, just the usual spots of G8VDQ (93km) and nothing else.
15 Nov 2015
WSPR
As we went to London for our grandson's 8th birthday party I have only just started up on 630m and 10m WSPR. I am probably too late to catch any 10m WSPR DX but the best DX on 472kHz WSPR RX so far (earth-electrode "antenna" and no preamp) is DK7FC (669km).
UPDATE 1758z: Best DX on RX is now DH5RAE (995km).
UPDATE 1815z: My best DX so far on 472kHz WSPR TX (5mW ERP) is a spot by PA3ABK (306km).
UPDATE 1825z: As I seem to have missed the DX on 10m WSPR, I shall go QRT on 10m WSPR shortly and save the (small) electricity that the beacon takes. It will be back on tomorrow.
UPDATE 1835z: Now QRT on 10m but will be on 630m (472kHz) WSPR this evening and overnight (5mW ERP TX 20%, 80% RX, earth-electrode "antenna", no preamp).
UPDATE 1758z: Best DX on RX is now DH5RAE (995km).
UPDATE 1815z: My best DX so far on 472kHz WSPR TX (5mW ERP) is a spot by PA3ABK (306km).
UPDATE 1825z: As I seem to have missed the DX on 10m WSPR, I shall go QRT on 10m WSPR shortly and save the (small) electricity that the beacon takes. It will be back on tomorrow.
UPDATE 1835z: Now QRT on 10m but will be on 630m (472kHz) WSPR this evening and overnight (5mW ERP TX 20%, 80% RX, earth-electrode "antenna", no preamp).
Grandson's birthday - NOT amateur radio
472kHz WSPR overnight
EA5DOM (1525km) was spotted 16 times overnight on 472kHz WSPR. I think he must have a pretty good set-up there in Spain. When he is active on WSPR I seem to copy him on the earth-electrode "antenna".
Sunspots and 10m - Sun Nov 15th 2015
Sunspot numbers are rising and stand at 48 today (K=3). 10m propagation is again expected to remain "poor".
14 Nov 2015
QRT on 10m and 6m WSPR, active on 630m WSPR
I have now swapped to 472kHz (630m) WSPR. The last 10m WSPR spot was just after 1600z. On 6m WSPR G8VDQ (93km) was copied several times until I QSYed.
UPDATE 2133z: No-one has yet spotted my 5mW ERP on 472kHz and best DX so far on RX is a DL at 983km. The night is young though!
UPDATE 2133z: No-one has yet spotted my 5mW ERP on 472kHz and best DX so far on RX is a DL at 983km. The night is young though!
10m and 6m WSPR today
After single hop F2 reports from Eastern Europe including Russia, I got my first report on 10m from Brazil at 1200z. I think it is probable that I'll get USA spots on 10m this afternoon.
UPDATE 1322z: The first spots from the USA were from N2NOM (5581km) at 1312z.
UPDATE 1455z: Several USA stations now spotting my 10m WSPR. On 6m WSPR I have again spotted G8VDQ (93km) a couple of times, but nothing further.
UPDATE 1322z: The first spots from the USA were from N2NOM (5581km) at 1312z.
UPDATE 1455z: Several USA stations now spotting my 10m WSPR. On 6m WSPR I have again spotted G8VDQ (93km) a couple of times, but nothing further.
Sunspots and 10m - Sat Nov 14th 2015
Sunspot number has recovered to 50 (K=2) and the 10m propagation forecast remains "poor" today.
13 Nov 2015
QSYed from 6m to 630m
At 1846z I QSYed from 6m to 630m for the evening and night. I am still also on 10m WSPR at present, but will probably go QRT on 10m in the next few hours. On 6m today a few spots of G8VDQ (93km) but nothing further.
UPDATE 2100z: I see that G0KTN (210km) has spotted my 5mW ERP for the first time this autumn at 2028z on 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 2105z: So far this evening just 6 unique stations spotted here on 472kHz WSPR. I expect this number will increase overnight.
UPDATE 2300z: I find it hard to believe but there are only 6 TXing 472kHz WSPR stations in the whole of Europe shown on WSPRnet and I appear to be the only UK TXing station currently! Just copied OZ0IL (788km). This is the first OZ I have seen on 472kHz WSPR this autumn. I am still using the barefoot FT817 with no preamp and the earth-electrode "antenna". As EA5DOM appears not to be on tonight, my best this evening is DH5RAE (995km) on 472kHz WSPR RX.
UPDATE 2100z: I see that G0KTN (210km) has spotted my 5mW ERP for the first time this autumn at 2028z on 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 2105z: So far this evening just 6 unique stations spotted here on 472kHz WSPR. I expect this number will increase overnight.
UPDATE 2300z: I find it hard to believe but there are only 6 TXing 472kHz WSPR stations in the whole of Europe shown on WSPRnet and I appear to be the only UK TXing station currently! Just copied OZ0IL (788km). This is the first OZ I have seen on 472kHz WSPR this autumn. I am still using the barefoot FT817 with no preamp and the earth-electrode "antenna". As EA5DOM appears not to be on tonight, my best this evening is DH5RAE (995km) on 472kHz WSPR RX.
10m WSPR spots today so far
So far today, my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon has been spotted by 7 different USA stations as well as by one more American who is actually located in Brazil. Despite the "poor" 10m forecast, this seems quite a decent day on 10m WSPR with me. I often find this.
I expect there will be more unique stations spotting me from the USA as the day progresses. It is likely I'll remain on 10m until well after dark here. My 630m WSPR station will be active again this evening and overnight.
UPDATE 1540z: On 6m I spotted G8VDQ (93km) but this was the only spot. No-one has spotted me on 6m today.
UPDATE 1748z: 11 unique stations spotting me from the USA so far today on 10m WSPR.
I expect there will be more unique stations spotting me from the USA as the day progresses. It is likely I'll remain on 10m until well after dark here. My 630m WSPR station will be active again this evening and overnight.
UPDATE 1540z: On 6m I spotted G8VDQ (93km) but this was the only spot. No-one has spotted me on 6m today.
UPDATE 1748z: 11 unique stations spotting me from the USA so far today on 10m WSPR.
UK weather - NOT amateur radio
The UK weather is fickle. We had rain this morning, despite a forecast a few hours earlier that it would be dry, and now there is blue sky and bright sunshine. The only reliable forecast is looking out of the window!
Rally
Sunday 15 NOVEMBER : PLYMOUTH RADIO CLUB RALLY
Harewood House, The Ridgeway, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 2AS. CP, TI, OT 10am, £2, TS, C. Sheila Hart, 2E0YSH, 07815 542 477, sheo@fsmail.net.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Harewood House, The Ridgeway, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 2AS. CP, TI, OT 10am, £2, TS, C. Sheila Hart, 2E0YSH, 07815 542 477, sheo@fsmail.net.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Wind and leaves - NOT amateur radio
At this time of the year here in the UK, sweeping up fallen leaves from the lawns is an almost endless task! We have quite gusty winds (although nothing like those in Scotland), so I expect the remaining leaves to fall soon. I spent some time this morning raking up leaves, but the rear lawn will be covered again by tomorrow.
We have an ornamental cherry that lost its leaves a few weeks ago. The silver birch was next and a copper maple (?) on our boundary is losing leaves now. The lilac next door is dropping leaves as well. Oh the joy of seasons.
It won't be too long before the nights start to get shorter again and a new cycle of life is evident. It is good to think that the fallen leaves help to produce the strength in the new season.
I like our seasons. In each there is something good. We have had rich colours this autumn and there is something lovely about a crisp winter day with a low sun and no leaves on the trees. There is also something good about drawing the curtains early and just watching the telly.
Then, before you know it, it is spring again, with breakfast sun and lighter evenings and mowing those lawns! England - still lovely.
We have an ornamental cherry that lost its leaves a few weeks ago. The silver birch was next and a copper maple (?) on our boundary is losing leaves now. The lilac next door is dropping leaves as well. Oh the joy of seasons.
It won't be too long before the nights start to get shorter again and a new cycle of life is evident. It is good to think that the fallen leaves help to produce the strength in the new season.
I like our seasons. In each there is something good. We have had rich colours this autumn and there is something lovely about a crisp winter day with a low sun and no leaves on the trees. There is also something good about drawing the curtains early and just watching the telly.
Then, before you know it, it is spring again, with breakfast sun and lighter evenings and mowing those lawns! England - still lovely.
Sunspots and 10m - Friday Nov 13th 2015
Although solar flux is still just above 100, sunspot number has fallen to 29 (K=1) and the forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor". I am not expecting great things on 10m today.
UPDATE 1040z: First spots of my 10m WSPR beacon today are from EA8BFK (2880km). This is single hop F2. Maybe Brazil later? KD0VWO (7412km), monitoring in Brazil, spotted me first at 1204z.
UPDATE 1045z: On 6m G8VDQ (93km) was spotted at good strength (-19dB S/N) earlier. I assume this is tropo and aircraft. He is nearly always there but only some 2 minute bursts decode, suggesting aircraft Doppler is affecting decodes.
UPDATE 1130z: LZ1UBO (2039km) has been spotting me for the last half an hour on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1355z: The first USA 10m WSPR spot was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1302z.
UPDATE 1040z: First spots of my 10m WSPR beacon today are from EA8BFK (2880km). This is single hop F2. Maybe Brazil later? KD0VWO (7412km), monitoring in Brazil, spotted me first at 1204z.
UPDATE 1045z: On 6m G8VDQ (93km) was spotted at good strength (-19dB S/N) earlier. I assume this is tropo and aircraft. He is nearly always there but only some 2 minute bursts decode, suggesting aircraft Doppler is affecting decodes.
UPDATE 1130z: LZ1UBO (2039km) has been spotting me for the last half an hour on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1355z: The first USA 10m WSPR spot was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1302z.
12 Nov 2015
East Anglian Churches blog updated - NOT amateur radio
Today we visited Moulton Church near Newmarket. The church blog has been updated to include this.
10m WSPR USA spots again
Spots from the USA returned today. First to spot me N2NOM (5581km) at 1250z. Since then K9AN (6505km) has spotted me a couple of times. I expect there will be more stations and more USA spots on 10m WSPR today.
Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Nov 12th 2015
Sunspot number is 64 (K=2) and the propagation forecast for 10m is "poor" still. Despite this, my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon has already been spotted in N. Brazil. Just a single G spotted on 6m WSPR so far today.
6m and 10m WSPR
G8VDQ (93km) has been spotted on 6m WSPR but all quiet, so far, on 10m with no spots yet today.
UPDATE 1050z: Guess what? The very first 10m WSPR spot today was a few minutes ago from KD0VWO (7412km) who is monitoring in Northern Brazil.
UPDATE 1050z: Guess what? The very first 10m WSPR spot today was a few minutes ago from KD0VWO (7412km) who is monitoring in Northern Brazil.
11 Nov 2015
IC7300
The latest RadCom and PW came this week and I see that the ICOM IC7300 is being "presold" asking for £50 deposits to secure. The price is being advertised as "less than £1000". I think it will end up around £799 later in 2016. I am sure the dealers will milk the high prices (and high profits) from early adopters before dropping the price. I wish they would sell the 10W version in the UK.
472kHz WSPR
I have just QSYed to 630m (472kHz) from 6m. ERP is around 5mW (20% TX, 80% RX without preamp) using my homebrew transverter. I really ought get a better 472kHz antenna up for the winter. The earth-electrode "antenna" radiates, but I reckon a loop would be at least 6dB better. I not sure about a low Marconi.
UPDATE 1906z: F5WK (436km) was the first MF spot this evening.
UPDATE 2025z: PA0A (417km) has been spotted and has spotted me on 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 2315z: I find it hard to believe, but according to WSPRnet I am the only G station transmitting on 472kHz WSPR. G3XKR (347km) in North Devon has just spotted me.
UPDATE 1906z: F5WK (436km) was the first MF spot this evening.
UPDATE 2025z: PA0A (417km) has been spotted and has spotted me on 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 2315z: I find it hard to believe, but according to WSPRnet I am the only G station transmitting on 472kHz WSPR. G3XKR (347km) in North Devon has just spotted me.
6m WSPR
Plenty of 6m WSPR spots of G8VDQ (93km), but nothing else. It definitely looks as this path is affected by aircraft as several bursts were received with lots of Doppler but no decodes.
No 10m USA WSPR spots today?
It looks like today will be another day with no WSPR spots from the USA on 10m. There have been no spots since this morning and these were all single hop F2 from Eastern Europe/Russia. I shall go and do a resync just in case for some reason something is amiss. I think it is conditions.
I shall QSY from 6m to 630m WSPR but stay on 10m WSPR for a few more hours.
I shall QSY from 6m to 630m WSPR but stay on 10m WSPR for a few more hours.
Sunspots and 10m - Wed Nov 11th 2015
With decent solar flux levels, a sunspot number of 65 (K=4) and 10m propagation again expected to be "poor", it is hard to know how 10m WSPR will be today. Yesterday was yet another day without USA spots.
So far today, my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon has been spotted by single hop F2 in Russia and Eastern Europe, with no spots from further afield.
On 6m WSPR nothing at all so far today.
So far today, my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon has been spotted by single hop F2 in Russia and Eastern Europe, with no spots from further afield.
On 6m WSPR nothing at all so far today.
10 Nov 2015
70cm UKAC
This evening was the 70cm leg of the UKAC, a cumulative contest held every Tuesday evening on a different VHF/UHF band on a rotating monthly cycle. Activity levels are usually good in these. I worked just 4 stations tonight before I went QRT. This was partly because my voice was poor and partly as my antenna (a 2m big wheel) was not the best. If you want activity, these sessions are a good way to find it.
10m WSPR
At the moment it looks like this is going to be another day without USA 10m WSPR spots. KD0VWO, who copied me yesterday, was actually monitoring in Brazil. I had completely forgotten that he was not actually in the USA!
At the moment, just spots from LZ1UBO on 10m WSPR today.
UPDATE 1854z: Right now this looks like one of the worst days in a long time on 10m WSPR here.
At the moment, just spots from LZ1UBO on 10m WSPR today.
UPDATE 1854z: Right now this looks like one of the worst days in a long time on 10m WSPR here.
Contentment with radios
After considering buying a new transceiver, I have decided to stick with the rigs I have. At present, my poor voice makes all speech QSOs an effort. I enjoy WSPR as this is really a true QRP mode and it tells me a lot about propagation, without shouting!
I'll still "window shop" and might consider a new radio transceiver next year. I get by far the most fun from my $49 10m WSPR rig and my home-brew 472kHz transverter, proving that you do not need to break the bank to have fun. I am not against those who think differently - each to his/her own.
I'll still "window shop" and might consider a new radio transceiver next year. I get by far the most fun from my $49 10m WSPR rig and my home-brew 472kHz transverter, proving that you do not need to break the bank to have fun. I am not against those who think differently - each to his/her own.
Sunspots and 10m - Tues Nov 10th 2015
Solar flux has dropped a bit (107) and sunspot number has dropped to 67 (K=5). 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor". I am not expecting great things on 10m today, but I am frequently surprised!
On 6m WSPR I have spotted G8VDQ (93km) only so far. He was a decent -19 dB S/N. No reports yet on 10m.
UPDATE 1122z: Several 10m WSPR spots from LZ1UBO (2039km) which I assume are single hop F2 propagation.
On 6m WSPR I have spotted G8VDQ (93km) only so far. He was a decent -19 dB S/N. No reports yet on 10m.
UPDATE 1122z: Several 10m WSPR spots from LZ1UBO (2039km) which I assume are single hop F2 propagation.
472kHz preamp - a good idea?
The FT817 is a bit low in sensitivity on 472kHz so I was expecting a decent improvement with a preamp. To my surprise I am copying no more stations. In fact I am hearing just as many without as with! The result has surprised me. The rig sensitivity is definitely better with the preamp and stations are stronger but it is far from clear cut whether it is worth using it in reality. At the moment my 472kHz transverter does not have the preamp.
Maybe the FT817 sensitivity is good enough. In marginal cases (and these seem few) it probably helps, but most of the time it seems fine without.
Maybe the FT817 sensitivity is good enough. In marginal cases (and these seem few) it probably helps, but most of the time it seems fine without.
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