Simple 10m DSB transmitter

From Steven, G7VFY comes news of a very simple 10m DSB transmitter from the blog of KA7OEI. This is an experimental very low power transmitter. It is unlikely to be of use in serious applications, but the range might surprise some.  On 10m, the antenna is efficient and on a clear frequency it has the potential to get a long way. Over 1000km would not surprise me on a totally clear frequency. After all, 1mW (or so) is about 53 if a 100W signal was 59+12dB. On 10m such signals with 100W are very possible.

See http://ka7oei.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-pointless-10-meter-dsb-qrp.html .

472kHz

I have been on 472kHz WSPR most of the day using 5mW ERP to the earth-electrode "antenna" both on RX and TX.

On RX DK7FC (669km) continues to put out his very strong signal.  It is no wonder he is regularly copied in the USA.

On TX I am still being copied by G0LRD (25km) and G8LCO (58km).

G3YMN (112km) is a new reporter in the last 24 hours. Thank you for your spots.

UPDATE 2148z:  A new reporter, and new country, copying my 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" this evening - Finbar, EI0CF (602km), using his Perseus RX and 120m long Beverage antenna. Report was -27dB S/N at 2218z.

Optical communications - over the horizon (NLOS)

The DX record for communications at optical frequencies is phenomenal these days. There is a growing interest in communications over non line of sight paths (NLOS) using cloud-bounce or clear air scattering. To my knowledge, in recent times experiments are (or are about to start) by F1AVY, VK4EBP , VE7SL and G3XBM (when fit again). I am sure there are others too. Weak signal modes certainly help. I used QRSS3 over an 8.5km NLOS path, but much further has been achieved.
 
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-line-of-sight_propagation .

A couple of useful optical Yahoo groups are:

Australian Optical DX   https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Optical_DX/info

UK Nanowaves              https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/UKNanowaves/info  

10m WSPR DX

There was 10m DX to be had today. The first USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR signal was WG2Z (5600km) at 1216z. At the moment, the last USA station to spot me was K9AN (6505km).

Also spotting me earlier in the day were ZS6A,  ZS6DX and RI1ANR (13676km) in Antarctica.

UPDATE 2028z:   K9AN (6505km) was the last USA station to spot my 500mW  WSPR beacon today.

UPDATE 2032z:  I have now gone QRT on 10m WSPR. Another decent day on the most interesting of bands.

Sunspots

Sunspot number today is a respectable 156 and 10m propagation is expected to be "good".  So far just Europeans copying my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.

Last USA spot today of my 500mW on 10m?

At the current time, 1910z,  WA0APC (7012km) was the last to spot my 500mW WSPR on 10m at 1650z. Since then, just Europeans spotting me. It is still just about possible that other USA stations might copy me, although it has been dark here now for 3 hours, so I'd be surprised.

The reports from Germany were very strong, so possibly this was winter Es?

UPDATE 2046z:  K9AN (6505km) was the last USA station to spot me on 10m today at 1828z. The last international spots of me on 10m were DK0UG (+1dB S/N) and DK0SC (-11dB S/N) at 1912z. Since then,  just local G4IKZ (18km) spotting my 500mW on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 2230z: Went QRT on 10m WSPR.

472kHz WSPR

All day I have been on 472kHz WSPR and on 10m WSPR since mid-morning. Since mid-afternoon G8LCO (58km) has spotted my 5mW ERP several time. Last night at 0220z I was spotted by F1AFJ (607km). I think this is the second furthermost report of my 5mW ERP with the earth-electrode "antenna".  At some point I really must work out how many unique 472kHz WSPR spots I have had at this QTH. My best DX is over 1000km when I was spotted in Norway.

Antarctica yet again and, of course, the USA

At 1216z I see that my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was spotted in the Russian base in Antarctica again by RI1ANR (13676km) at -21dB S/N.

My first spot from the USA today was KE6BID (5295km) at 1220z.

UPDATE 1406z: RI1ANR has spotted me 8 times already today so far. From here, the Russian base is almost due south.

UPDATE 1506z:  Propagation on 10m to Antarctica seems to have closed (or RI1ANR is in bed!) as no further spots received in the last 1 hour. He is still shown as being active according to WSPRnet.

UPDATE 1536z:   Plenty of reports again of my little 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today so far.

Unique 10m WSPR spots today so far - 500mW

UPDATE 1656z:    AB4QS (7087km) is currently the best DX in North America. Clearly, the Russian Antarctic base is much further.

Direct conversion ICs - CMX994

Since my days in mobile radio (now nearly 7 years ago) things have moved on.   CML now sell a VHF/UHF direct conversion IC covering 50-940MHz. See http://www.cmlmicro.com/Products/CMX_994_RF_Direct_Conversion_Receiver/?gclid=COrc7qiJ0sICFdLItAodLxEAuA . I wonder if any enterprising radio amateurs have used these yet? I have a feeling the package (ideal for SMA but not for home use) may inhibit its use in amateur projects?

http://www.cmlmi use) cro.com/api/i.aspx?CMX994Promotion.png;529;198

W5OLF website

W5OLF's tiny WSPR-AXE-CW

Jay, W5OLF, the creator of the "no PC needed" WSPR-AXE-CW beacons for WSPR on 30m, 20m or 10m has just started a new website.  He expects to start selling the new versions of his little beacons, either as kits or built and tested units, in late January. These stay on all the time (the PA can be turned iff) , but frequency is randomised over 100Hz within the WSPR window. Once set, the timing is fine for ages and ages - certainly days or even weeks.

Jay's email (replace the (at) with @ ) is: w5olf(at)comcast.net .

His new website is www.w5olf.com .

I am privileged to be a beta tester of his 10m version (500mW). As you will have read in earlier posts, this unit certainly works very well, mine having been copied all over the planet in just a few weeks. Just press a button to sync time on an even minute and watch all the reports come flooding in. I was blown away with mine. Tiny, but brilliant. If you like WSPR I can thoroughly recommend this little unit. It comes pre-programmed with callsign, locator and power level.

UPDATE 1448z: This little unit has been spotted in Antarctica (13676km) 8 times today already. My antenna is nothing special, just a low 3 band end-fed wire.

Sunspots and 10m today

Sunspot number is 168 (good) and 10m daytime propagation is expected to be "good". It should be a good day on 10m for F2 propagation  today. I have still to turn on my little 10m beacon - we are a bit late today!

10m - 500mW WSPR beacon spotted by ZS6A and 4L1QX

Best DX this afternoon with the 500mW WSPR beacon is ZS6A (9195km) at 1540z. My report was -22dB S/N, suggesting 100mW may have been enough. There are lot of USA stations spotting me but none from South America so far.

UPDATE 1735z:  Was spotted early this afternoon in Batumi, Georgia (on the Black Sea coast) by 4L1QX (3299km). No great distance, but my first spot from Georgia I think.

UPDATE 1742z:  The last transatlantic (USA/Canada) WSPR spot of my 500mW beacon was nearly an hour ago by KD6RF (7547km). This looks like being the last stateside spot today at 1656z. As he was an hour after the other last spot, this may not be the very latest. I shall have to wait and see.

UPDATE 1820z:  Still lots of USA spots coming through. The evening is young yet.

UPDATE 2220z:   As the band has now closed for DX, I have gone QRT on 10m WSPR. My PC (used for 472kHz WSPR with the FT817) decided to close WSPR4 around 1610z and I have just restarted it. I am now getting and giving WSPR spots on MF again.

472kHz WSPR - daytime

Currently I am spotting PA0O (440km), PA3ABK/2 (306km) and G8VDQ (93km) and I am being spotted by G0LRD (25km) all on 472kHz WSPR in daylight using my earth-electrode antenna and 5mW ERP on TX.

472kHz daytime WSPR

Sunspots and 10m

Today's sunspot number is a respectable 154 and 10m propagation is expected to be "good". Already, my 500mW 10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon (from Jay,W5OLF) is being spotted around Europe, but no further as yet. Best DX report this morning is UR/SWL56 at 2283km. I expect 10m to open to the USA and Canada very shortly.

From today here, the evenings start to get a little lighter again - the change is about a minute a day at first - although mornings get darker until early January. It remains to be seen if 10m stays open slightly longer in the early evenings.

I much prefer lighter evenings!

UPDATE 1232z:  The first USA spot of the day was at 1220z from WG2Z (5600km).

6m overnight - nothing at all!

Despite being spot on frequency and time last night, I spotted no-one and no-one spotted me on 6m WSPR, which was disappointing.

I have now QSYed to 472kHz where despite just 5mW ERP and using earth-electrodes as my "antenna" I am spotting others and being spotted myself.

I really should give up on 6m WSPR at this time of the year, as it is a dead loss.

Last 10m WSPR USA spot today

KE6BID (5295km) was the last USA station to spot my 500mW 10m beacon today at 1716z. It seems the band, which has been open every afternoon for months now to the USA, is closing earlier as the days get shorter. In the spring it will be a battle between falling sunspots and lengthening days. I suspect we'll still have decent 10m propagation for a year or so yet. By 2016 though, the best chances of USA stations will be by multi-hop Es in May, June and July. I could be very wrong.

Antarctica - on 10m WSPR again

RI1ANR (13676km) in Antarctica (JB59mm) spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon this afternoon. This is my best DX today so far.

I guess it is nearly mid-summer now down there - endless daylight down on the snow and ice. No doubt it is still very cold though.

6m WSPR - all I need now are some spots!

Having corrected my frequency setting error - I blame my stroke and muddled brain (!) - and reset my PC to internet time (after the Virgin Media broadband worked again), I am now on frequency and accurate time on 6m.  Just looking for some spots now! No luck as yet.

UPDATE 1640z:  Completely separate from my 6m WSPR kit (PC and FT817), I am on 10m WSPR TX running 500mW from my WSPR-AXE-CW beacon designed by W5OLF.  Plenty of spots from the USA already on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1704z:  Still no luck, so far, on 6m, but I shall be on all night, ever hopeful.  At least there is some activity from the UK from IO92 square which should be in range via aircraft reflection.   Maybe I'll get lucky.  At least I should now be on frequency and time.

Intermittent internet and no phones this morning

For the 3rd (or 4th?) time this year we have had problems in our area (not the house) with our Virgin Media cable services. Normally it is fast and reliable.  Today our phones did not work and our broadband was intermittent. All seems to be fixed now, thank goodness.

When these basic services fail you realise just how dependent on them you have become. Amongst other things, I could not sync to internet time. Minor really, but it prevented my 6m WSPRing. Now sync'd the PC to internet time, but still having no luck on 6m WSPR.

Sunrise and sunset calculator

 See http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunrise.html .

If you are like me, you want to know when the sun rises and sets locally. This calculator may be what you need. Here, near Cambridge, the nights start to get lighter from this coming Thursday (Dec 18th) although it is not until Jan 10th until the mornings start to get lighter.

I much prefer light evenings.
 

6m - I had the setting wrong

One reason for my lack of 6m WSPR spots (other than lack of activity) was that I had the wrong USB dial frequency set (now corrected). I had set 400Hz too low. Hopefully I am now on the correct frequency and might see something!

Sunspots

Sunspot number today is a healthy 169 and 10m is forecast to be "good" daytime.Already, I am getting plenty of EU WSPR spots of my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon, probably via F-layer back-scatter.

Last 10m USA WSPR spot today

KE6BID (5295km) was the last USA station to spot me at 1754z this evening. This is quite early but we are approaching the shortest day.

Another 6m totally blank day

I have been on 6mWSPR (1W ERP)  most of the day, in addition to being on 10m WSPR  (500mW), Still, after days and days of trying on 6m I have spotted no-one and been spotted by no-one at all.

UPDATE 2050z:  I shall stay on 6m overnight, but think I'll be wasting my time!

UPDATE 2244z:  Apparently I am set to the wrong frequency on 6m by some 400Hz (checked by G0LRD) despite using a 0.5ppm TCXO and using the same offset as for 28MHz, which puts me pretty spot on. I'll QSY in the morning. Lack of activity and frequency error are my issues. I am puzzled by the frequency error. In the meantime, you will spot me if set to 50.292600 and not 50.230000MHz

10m transceivers

Looking on the internet, there is a wide selection of 10m (28-29.7MHz) transceivers available. Many can be extended (illegally in the UK) to cover CB frequencies.

As an example, the Alinco DR135 is available for £144.99. I am sure shopping around will show that lower prices are possible. This rig was available (special offer) for less than £100 recently. At one time, single band 10m rigs were illegal in the UK. This is no longer the case and these rigs can be a low cost way of getting on this most interesting band.

First 10m WSPR spot from the USA

No earth-shattering DX spots on 10m WSPR this morning, which was a bit disappointing, as I was expecting great things today.  My first USA spot (of my 500mW beacon) was W3CSW (5886km) at 1238z, quite late in the day really. The 10m band is wide open to the USA currently (1455z).

Sunspots and 10m propagation

Sunspot number today is 152. 10m propagation is forecast to be "good". 10m should be in good shape today.

UPDATE 1455z:  Although the 10m band is wide open to the USA, I was spotted by no great (further) DX stations today, well so far that is.

QRSS and WSPR frequencies

Being a keen WSPR user, I have not used QRSS on HF, although I have done on MF, LF and VLF.  A useful page about QRSS is here.  QRSS requires manual intervention to interpret the signals whereas WSPR using WSPRnet is automatic. This is one of the reasons why WSPR gets used here a lot.

First and last 10m USA WSPR spots today

The earliest USA spot today was at 1240z by W3CSW (5886km).

It is now almost teatime at 1658z and KB9AMG (6300km) is currently still spotting me. Somehow I doubt this will be the last.

UPDATE 2012z:   KE6BID  (5295km) was the last USA spot at 1812z. Since then, just local G4IKZ (18km) spotting me. His beam must be better aligned my way tonight as he as been getting around the -19 to -21dB S/N level.

Full marks to Hans Summers

Thanks to my blog post about the Ultimate 3 beacon yesterday, Hans Summers has arranged to send me the missing GPS unit from my order earlier in the year. I was going to write, but Hans beat me to it! Hans - thank you.

UPDATE 2022z:   I agree that the Ultimate 3 is a pretty comprehensive beacon, but currently it is beyond my (currently clumsy) building skills. I hope next year I'll be able to manage it.

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number has risen to 175 and 10m daytime propagation is forecast to be "good". Looks like a good day ahead on 10m.

Ultimate 3 WSPR (and other modes) beacon

The Ultimate3 QRSS/WSPR Transmitter Kit is the third version in the "Ultimate" QRSS/WSPR kit trilogy. It can produce QRSS, Hell, WSPR, Opera and PI4 slow-signal modes anywhere from audio to 10m and above. Plug-in LPF filters are available for all 12 HF/MF/LF bands.

The price is USD $29.00. To order please visit QRP Labs.

The Ultimate 3 is probably the lowest cost beacon available. I still have my unbuilt kit awaiting better health to build, although several kind folk have offered to build mine for me. Jay W5OLF kindly supplied me a 10m 500mW, single PCB, WSPR beacon (WSPR-AXE-CW) ready assembled and that has blown me away: it has been copied in every continent on 10m.  The Ultimate 3 is the more flexible design but the WSPR-AXE-CW is an ideal tiny WSPR only beacon.

My Ultimate 3 kit was ordered with GPS, but it was supplied without this, but with an extra PCB - I think I got the wrong order. I really should write to Hans Summers, but I have been too unwell. For now, the kit remains unbuilt. I intend to build it when I am fitter and less clumsy, hopefully in 2015.

472kHz WSPR - much more productive!

Despite my very low ERP (5mW) on 472kHz and just a short baseline earth-electrode "antenna" system I am decoding M0PPP, G8VDQ, PA3ABK/2 (306km) and PA0O (440km) and I am being spotted by G0LRD (25km).  These are all within minutes of switch-on.

UPDATE 2030z:  4 spots per transmission on latest TX period - not too bad considering the non "antenna" and my very low ERP.  Good to be spotted by G3ZJO (79km).  Eddie must have made improvements as he is regularly spotted here and he often spots me.

6m - I gave up!

Having left 6m WSPR running all night -1W ERP vertical  20% TX, 80% RX - I have now given up and QSYed to MF. There were zero spots given or received. A total dead loss yet again. I think I am going to give up on 6m at this time of the year. To be honest, I was expecting to spot someone last night - probably GDX but nothing at all was a total disappointment. I tried very hard and have done so on about 8 different days in the last month. There is just a lack of 6m activity at this time of the year here in the UK.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday Dec 14th 2014

Sunspot number today is currently 121 and 10m daytime conditions are "good", so the ARRL 10m contest should be a good one for those taking part. It is on all weekend. I am unable to take part because of visitors although I am WSPRing on 10m and 630m.

HF contests

I am not a great fan of HF contests.  As a QRPer, I find CW contests all but impossible as people tend to send and receive at incredible speeds usually with PCs. SSB is usually better and often the "other end" has worked you before realising you are running QRP.  Later stages of contests are usually easier as the big guns are sweeping for remaining points and looking to work weaker stations.

I have been unable to work in the ARRL 10m contest (visitors this weekend) ) and I forgot the CQWW SSB contest this year! Last year, I was in hospital. It is 2 years since I last took part in CQWW SSB, which I find a very fruitful contest. I usually stick with 10m only.

Each Tuesday evening the RSGB organises a rotating series of VHF/UHF contests (UKAC) and I try to come on for the 50, 144 and 432MHz contests where I am at home and available.  I use 5w pep and a V2000 vertical on 50MHz, a 3 el on 144MHz and 5 el on 432MHz.  On 144 and 432MHz the antenna is hand-rotated. On 50MHz it is vertical and fixed.  I can usually work 150-250km in these contests despite my 5W.

First and last USA 10m WSPR spot today

WG2Z (5600km) was the first in the USA to spot my 10m 500mW beacon at 1226z and 1228z. My signal report was  up to -11dB S/N, which is strong for 500mW. I suspect there will be lots more stateside reports later this afternoon.

My last spot from the USA was at 1640z (quite early) by K9AN (6505km). Local G4IKZ(18km) has not been spotting me. I think his beam is pointing somewhere else.

6m MS - Geminids shower tonight

MS should be good overnight as we are at the peak of the Geminids MS shower.  Overnight I'll leave 6m and 10m WSPR running to see if I get any long pings and possible spots.

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number is 132 . 10m propagation is expected to be "good". I am already getting 10m WSPR reports from all over Europe and FR1GZ (9724km) for my 500mW beacon.

A reminder that the ARRL 10m contest is today and tomorrow.

VK again on 10m WSPR

This morning my little 500mW 10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon was copied in Australia by VK6JI (14439km) at 1026z at -26dB S/N. I thoroughly recommend this tiny single PCB WSPR unit that needs no PC. It fits in an Altoids mint tin. This is F2 propagation.

Yet again, I am also trying 6m WSPR with 1W ERP, but so far with no luck again. I am ever hopeful!

UPDATE 1615z:  Still an absolute blank on 6m WSPR.  Will remain on for a few more hours.

UPDATE 1704z:   ND6M (6914km) currently spotting me on 10m. Pretty sure he will not be the last USA station to spot my 500mW.

UPDATE 1854z:   W3CSW (5886km) was spotting me at 1844z.  Even he may not be the last this evening. Conditions are good still this evening on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1912z: W3CSW (5886km) does appear to be the last USA station to copy me from the USA. No more spots since 1844z.

ARRL 10m contest this weekend

A reminder that the annual ARRL 10m contest is this coming weekend. Conditions are likely to be good on 10m, so this is a good chance to work some worldwide DX. Next year with the decline in sunspot numbers, this is not likely to be as good. Unfortunately my operating time will be very limited because of visitors.

Sunspots and 10m conditions

Sunspot number has climbed a bit and is 115 today. 10m conditions are forecast to be "fair" although the band seems lively today.

Moved back to 472kHz from 50MHz (6m) WSPR

Just before 1900z I gave up on 6m and QSYed down to MF again with 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode system. These are the unique spots (given and received) so far this evening.

472kHz WSPR unique spots this evening. 5mW ERP, earth-electrodes.

My power was actually 0.005W (5mW) ERP and not 0.5W as shown above. I'd forgotten to change the power setting in WSPRX until a few minutes ago. Darn it.

I am seeing up to 4 spots per transmission on 472kHz WSPR. Not bad for 5mW ERP and a short baseline earth-electrode "antenna" system.

10m - last USA spot was W3CSW

It is now 2115z. Since 1744z, the only station spotting me as been G4IKZ (18km). W3CSW (5886km) was indeed the last USA station to spot me at 1744z. No other transatlantic stations have spotted me since.

6m - another dead loss day

Today I have been WSPRing successfully with my WSPR-AXE-CW (500mW) on 10m, but yet again my efforts on 6m have been a dead loss .  Yet again, nor a single station copied or spotting me on 6m WSPR.  I have concluded that, at this time of year, 6m is a disaster.

UPDATE 1900z:  Still absolutely nothing on 6m. Dead loss.

10m successes

Whilst I struggle to get any activity on the 6m band, 10m WSPR continues to give very good results even with 500mW to a very average low, end-fed wire antenna. These are the unique spots so far today. 4 continents I think. 500mW seems plenty.

10m unique WSPR spots with 500mW today so far.

Think I have mentioned why I enjoy WSPR: currently my voice is poor because of my brain bleed last year. With WSPR, I do not have to use my voice, yet with QRP I can see how propagation is behaving on a given band. Recently,the tiny WSPR-AXE-CW unit has freed up the FT817 and PC so that I can now WSPR on 2 bands at the same time: thre WSPR-AXE-CW runs 500mW continuously on 10m, and I can choose the other band to run on the FT817 and PC. On these I can TX for about 20% and receive for about 80% of the time. All the time I can monitor things on other devices around the house e.g. in the lounge or even in bed. If things need adjusting, I can be in the shack within seconds. This sometimes happens when Windows does an update and the PC needs to be restarted.

UPDATE 1802z:   It is still too early to tell who was the last stateside station to copy my 500mW on 10m. At the moment W3CSW (5886km) is the last at 1744z.

UPDATE 1850z:   W3CSW at 1744z was still the last USA station to spot me. G4IKZ must have a high local noise level or has his beam in just the wrong direction for me as he is spotting me weakly.

Trying again on 6m WSPR

As I am now able to WSPR on 10m TX with 500mW and at the same time WSPR on another band, I have again started up on 6m WSPR with 1W ERP from my vertical V2000 omnidirectional  antenna. I was on MF until about 1435z.

WSPR on 6m has been tried on about 6-7 different days out of the Es season, but so far I have been spotted by no-one and I have seen no-one at all!. The real activity on 6m currently seems to be in Australia where the Es season is in full swing.

10m is much easier.

Sunspots

Sunspot number has risen to 97 and 10m propagation is forecast to be"good" today.

Have just started up both my 5mW ERP on 472kHz and 500mW on 28MHz WSPR.

QSYed to 472kHz WSPR

After a total dead loss on 6m with 30dBm ERP,  I have now QSYed to MF with 5mW ERP from the short baseline earth-electrode "antenna".

Already PA0O (440km) and G3WCB (101km) have been copied strongly and my weeny 5mW ERP signal has already been spotted by G8LCO (58km) and G3WCB (101km). Even with a much lower ERP, MF is so much more productive than 6m at this time of the year.

UPDATE 2145z:  F1AFJ (607km) is currently the greatest DX on 472kHz WSPR on receive.  I'll leave the kit running through the night to see if I see anyone at even greater range. I may even be seen by the odd DX station on TX. I am still using my short baseline earth-electrode system.

UPDATE 2245z:   PA0A (417km) is a colossal signal right now.

UPDATE 2310z:   Although still active on 630m (472kHz) WSPR and I shall be overnight, I have now gone QRT on 10m as I am only being copied by local G4IKZ (18km) on 10m since teatime. Looking for new reporters on 472kHz WSPR. So far this evening, just 3 unique stations have spotted me on 472kHz. BTW set to 474.2kHz  USB dial for  472kHz WSPR.

472kHz unique spots so far tonight with 5mW ERP from earth-electrodes.

6m - a dead loss again

As I can now WSPR on 10m with my little WSPR-AXE-CW beacon without the PC and FT817, it means I can also WSPR on another band at the same time.

At night, I tend to use MF (472kHz) WSPR but I tried WSPR on 6m again today. Yet again, even with 30dBm ERP I was spotted by no-one and spotted no-one at all. 6m was a dead loss yet again. It seems 6m WSPR is largely ignored outside of the Es season.

I may try 6m again, but really it is a dead loss in the UK at this time of year. F2 openings are now very unlikely, especially with my modest set-up.