DL-SWL reports last night on 630m (472kHz) WSPR

Last night DL-SWL (701km) spotted my 5mW ERP 472kHz WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" no less than 12 times, which was quite remarkable. He must have a good system as I was peaking at -25dB S/N at times, although very weak not surprisingly.

Sunspots and 10m - Tues Dec 22nd 2015

Sunspot number is falling and is 38 today (K=3) although solar flux is 122 and the 10m propagation forecast is "fair".  After a reasonable start, 10m WSPR was disappointing yesterday. Surprisingly (for me anyway) I am no longer getting spots most days from the USA on 10m WSPR. Maybe these will return in the late winter and spring? With generally falling solar activity, it is a battle between "normal" 10m conditions and the general fall-off in the solar cycle.

10m and 6m WSPR

As we have grandchildren here, I have chosen WSPR rather than JT9-1 today. I am active on both 10m and 6m WSPR but will return to 630m (472kHz) later.

UPDATE 2300z:  No USA 10m WSPR spots today.

10m F2 (?) WSPR spots

EA8BVP (2986km) has spotted me many times today on 10m WSPR. This is probably single hop F2 and this was the first time this season. FR1GZ (9724km) spotted me once only, so far today. No spots yet from the USA, but these will be later, if at all. EA8/DL9XJ (2981km) has also spotted me on 10m WSPR. It is just possible this is winter Es.  CT1JTQ (1843km was also spotting me on 10m WSPR, so this makes Es a possibility. I think F2 is more likely.

UPDATE 1352z:  All quiet on 6m WSPR so far today.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon Dec 21st 2015

Solar flux is 117 and sunspot number is 33 (K=4) although 10m propagation is forecast to be "poor" today. It is anyone's guess how 10m WSPR will be today.

20m JT9-1 QSOs

As WSPRnet has been "flaky" of late I gave 20m JT9-1 a go, looking for some 2-way QSOs. It seems busier on this mode than I recall, but this may just be conditions. Anyway, I managed 2 QSOs (HA and YO) and according to PSK Reporter my signal was reaching Canada and the USA. Not bad considering my 2.5W and low 20m antenna. A good change. I must use this mode more in 2016.

UPDATE 1622z:  I have returned to 472kHz WSPR for the evening and night with 5mW ERP (20%) TX and RX without a preamp (80%). I still use the earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz. F6GEX (590km) was the first station spotted on 472kHz WSPR this evening. Others include DK7FC (669km) and G8HUH (250km) and PA0A (417km).

Anglesey Abbey (NT) Daffodils - NOT amateur radio

Anglesey Abbey Daffodils

There are daffodils, snowdrops, hellebores and more out at Anglesey Abbey (National Trust) which is just a few miles away from us. Some trees are in blossom. Everything is 4-6 weeks ahead of normal. The weather is crazy.

Sunspots and 10m - Sun Dec 20th 2015

Solar flux is 120 today, which is quite respectable. Sunspot number is 44 (K=5) yet 10m propagation is expected to be "fair" today. Early indications on 10m are promising.

Overnight on 630m (472kHz) WSPR

Overnight I was on 472kHz WSPR RX only, with the preamp in circuit. Sadly, no new stations copied. Just the usual stations copied yet again. I am now on 10m and 6m WSPR and I'll return to 630m WSPR at teatime without the preamp, but with TX enabled for 20% of the time (5mW ERP).

10m WSPR this morning

Local G4KPX (14km) and RZ6AOJ (2780km) have both spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR signal already. This early activity gives me some hope that 10m WSPR will be good later too.

UPDATE 1402z:   Sadly, no further 10m WSPR spots this morning and afternoon, so far.  G8VDQ has been spotted several times on 6m WSPR but no-one else.

6m WSPR this morning

G8VDQ (93km) has again been spotted on 6m WSPR, although many of his bursts did not decode as the Doppler was too great. The multi-path nature of these signals again seems to confirm aircraft reflections. It seems decodes occur with little or no Doppler, so either the direct tropo path or aircraft flying in the right directions at the right spots.

One USA spot on 10m WSPR yesterday

Looking back at my logs I see that WY1R (5504km) spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR yesterday at 1412z. This was the only USA spot on the band. I this was F2 although  there is a possibility it was multi-hop Es. F2 is more probable. Conditions must have been very marginal with just a fleeting opportunity of my little beacon being briefly copied.

Very good 472kHz WSPR conditions

EA5DOM (1525km) was coming in at -16dB S/N just now without the preamp! If I am going to copy anyone at greater range then tonight will be a good chance. I keep hoping to copy some USA 472kHz stations, but no luck so far. I may go and add the preamp overnight.

UPDATE 2352z: I have just switched to 472kHz WSPR RX only with the preamp. As tonight is my best chance this season so far, I am giving the RX the best chance too!

UPDATE Dec 20th  0014: Sod's Law says tonight WSPRnet will fall over. I need to check the overnight local logs carefully. t breakfast time tomorrow.

Reminder: Christmas Eve (Dec 24th) SAQ VLF test

See http://alexander.n.se/?lang=en .

The next SAQ transmission (17.2kHz CW) from Sweden will be on Christmas Eve, December 24th at 8:00 UTC (9:00 CET). It will also be broadcast live on their webpage (see link above).

Albert Einstein visited the New Jersey HF alternator TX. This is not SAQ of course!

 This image is located at http://gereports.cdnist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/10165119/121442-Steinmetz-and-Einstein-uncropped1.jpg

QRP Club

From Oleg...

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

See the weekly QRP Rendez-Vous report and "soapbox" here -
http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Visitors  of  the week: UR7VT, UA1ADF, UR5EFD, RN4NAA, UA1CEX, OM6TC, OH6NPV,  RU3NJC,  RA1M/mm,  UA4NU, 9A6DR, G3UD, RA3AL, SM7RYR, DM4RW, G4HOM, LZ2NV, 9A1AA, HB9DAX, DL7MA, RA6YA, ON6KZ, PD0HRS

Schedule of the weekly "rendezvous";
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday at 9 UTC on 14060 kHz +/- QRL, QRM, VXO (alternative 10116 kHz if Contests QRM)
Welcome all QRP operators!

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
=== In QRP We Trust! ===

472kHz WSPR

DL-SWL (701km) spotted my 5mW ERP 472kHz WSPR signal at 1628z today, which is very early. He must have a good RX system.   

PA3ABK/2 (306km) has been spotted here throughout the day on 472kHz WSPR.

Winter Es on 10m WSPR

So far today, WSPRnet has been OK. Not sure why. Lots of short-skip spots on 10m WSPR that I presume are a result wintertime Es (EA, DL, I). I may well try JT65 and JT9-1 later.

UPDATE 1608z:  It is getting late so JT65 and JT9-1 will have to wait until Sunday.  I shall go QRT on 10m WSPR soon.  I have been on 630m (472kHz) WSPR all day and will remain on for the evening and night.

Sunspots and 10m - Sat Dec 19th 2015

Solar flux is a respectable 116. Sunspot number is 49 (K=1) but 10m propagation is expected to be "poor" today. Yesterday 10m was again disappointing. In all, 21 unique statio (ns have reported my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon in the last 2 weeks, including several in  the USA. I thought it was fewer than this. The majority of the USA spots were earlier in the month. Best DX spot was by FR1GZ (9724km). No Australian spotters in the last 2 weeks on 10m.

UPDATE 1005z:  All quiet on 10m and 6m WSPR so far.

UPDATE 1009z:  This often happens! Just after my last entry I was spotted on 10m WSPR by DF4UE (758km) by wintertime Es I assume. Far too short for F2.

JT65 and JT9-1 tomorrow?

From Sunday we have grandchildren here for over a week, so amateur radio will take a back seat. I may set WSPR running some of the time, but that will be all.

Tomorrow, as WSPRnet seems so "hit and miss" at the moment, I may well try JT65 and JT9-1 to see how I get on. I've used these modes in the past, but not for some while. My fellow blogger PA4BAS Bas in the Netherlands tells me that beaconing is possible in these modes, although the watchdog timer only allows 6 transmissions before the TX has to be reset. I may well try 20m initially to make sure all works first. After that, I may give 10m a go although it has been quiet on 10m WSPR of late.

See http://pe4bas.blogspot.nl/2015/12/beaconing-with-jt-modes.html .

More WSPRnet issues?

Yet again, WSPRnet seems to be struggling. If this continues I think I shall be forced away from WSPR, which would be a great shame in my current state of health.

The choices are to move to PSK31, JT65, JT9-1 and OPERA on MF. I can use SSB and CW, but I find these modes hard at present.  Unlike WSPR (which is mainly a beacon mode) these digital modes are really 2-way modes, so I'd have to be in the shack rather than the lounge. Maybe this is no bad thing as I need to make more 2-way QSOs. Maybe my challenge for 2016 should be to see how many countries I can work with QRP using these digital modes?

WSPRnet is a core benefit of WSPR as it allows everyone to see who is spotting you and who you are spotting. Feedback is almost instant, which is great for those interested in propagation or experimenting with antennas or rigs.

Big-Wheel review

The first article that I have written since my stroke has been published. This was a 1 page article about my Big-Wheel 2m antenna in the Jan 2016 edition of RadCom. David G0LRD kindly did the erection for me. I was really grateful to him. He just came over and did it.  A true hero in the real spirit of amateur radio. A million thanks David.

The short article was a start. I hope I can do a few more in 2016.

Very early 10m WSPR spots and 6m WSPR

SP9LJE (1261km) has already spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon this morning. This is probably winter Es as it is rather close for F2 propagation.

On 6m WSPR, I am giving the usual spots to G8VDQ (93km). He is coming in yet again by tropo and aircraft reflection.  There were 3 spots of him earlier.  If there is winter Es then it would be good to get few Europeans in the log on 6m WSPR too.

Currently (and all day) I shall be on 10m WSPR and 6m WSPR. WSPRnet again seems very slow.

UPDATE 1354z:  No further 10m WSPR spots  since those by SP9LJE earlier. I have spotted G8VDQ a few more times on 6m. I'd be interested to know what gear/antenna he uses on 6m. He uses quite a bit more power than me. For aircraft reflection I am not convinced that antenna polarisation matters too much whereas for tropo it does matter.

Grass cutting - NOT amateur radio

So it is Dec 18th 2015 and as I write this I can hear someone cutting their lawn! Yesterday somewhere in Scotland hit over 17 deg C. The grass is still growing here - quite incredibly mild for mid-December.

Sunspots and 10m - Fri Dec 18th 2015

Sunspot number today is 52 (K=1) and solar flux is a respectable 117. 10m propagation is expected to be "poor". Yesterday was a washout here on 10m with no spots at all, which rather surprised me.

QSYed to 630m (472kHz) WSPR

A few minutes ago I went QRT on 6m and 10m WSPR. I am now active on 630m (472kHz) WSPR with 5mW ERP on TX from the earth-electrode "antenna" On RX (80%) I am not using the preamp. For the avoidance of doubt, I am also using the earth-electrode "antenna" on RX too.

UPDATE 2225z:  In the last 2 weeks my 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" has been copied by 23 different stations. This evening it was copied by F1AFJ (607km) in JN06HT. I am sure my earth-electrode "antenna" is not the best antenna for the band by a long way, but it shows large areas of real estate and big antennas and ground systems are not necessary to achieve decent results on WSPR on the 472kHz band.

6m WSPR

G8VDQ (93km) was again spotted on 6m WSPR. A few days ago M0ICR was copied on 6m WSPR despite only using 200mW from North London.  I am sure people don't use the band thinking it useless outside the Es season. As WSPR has again shown, paths are often possible when the band seems dead. Modes like JT65 and JT9-1 should allow 2-way QSOs. With just less than 1 minute TX time, Doppler should be less of an issue than with WSPR using these modes. On 6m I only use a V2000 vertical fed with lossy coax. With a small beam, more power, and an antenna with gain, just imagine what would be possible.

Recommendation - give 6m WSPR a try! You may be surprised.

UPDATE 1034z: It looks like WSPRnet is struggling again this morning.

UPDATE 1036z: G8VDQ (93km)  spotted 4 times so far this morning on 6m WSPR.

UPDATE 1640z:  No spots all day on 10m WSPR, but G8VDQ (93km) has been spotted 9 times so far today on 6m WSPR.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Dec 17th 2015

Sunspot numbers are falling and today SN is 49 (K=1) but solar flux is still good at 125. The 10m propagation forecast is still "fair". Yesterday was disappointing although 10m WSPR did open late morning to central Europe.

That 472kHz preamp

Well I was on 472kHz WSPR RX overnight with the preamp in circuit so at good sensitivity. Sadly, not a single new station received, although (maybe?) the S/N of those received was a little better. To be honest, with QSB it was hard to be sure.  So, in future I may use the preamp at times although I am pretty sure I have copied most of the active stations that my current system is going to copy.

UPDATE 1014z: Since before breakfast I went QRT on 630m (472kHz) WSPR. I am now active on 10m and 6m WSPR again until this evening.

472kHz WSPR - RX only now with preamp

Since 2055z I am on 472kHz RX only with the preamp in circuit. I shall stay on overnight to see if any new stations are copied. Up to now the conclusion is the preamp improves the sensitivity and S/N of stations, but I have copied the same stations without the preamp. What I need are a few new (to me) stations right on the threshold of copy.

Interest rates - NOT amateur radio

It has started.  Gradually rates will rise across the world. People had better get ready for life when borrowing costs more. I can remember when interest rates hit 15% and mortgages were very expensive.  At the moment borrowing (and being in debt) is very cheap, but history tells us these days will not last.

See  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35117405

SLOWLY declining solar activity

The slide down from a solar maximum is (usually) slower than the climb from the minimum to the maximum. Very gradually, the sun is going "off the boil" and solar activity is slowly falling away. With each year for several years to come things will get progressively harder on the higher bands. Some are predicting the next maximum may be a "damp squib", so enjoy the conditions while they last. It is quite possible that 10m will never be as good again in the lifetimes of many of us. Certainly 10m is already not as good as a year ago. Although Es is good at any part of the cycle in late spring and summer, F2 DX is best around the peak of solar activity. In the past 6m has supported worldwide DX at times, but I think those days are sadly over.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .

Pruning - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, it is unseasonably mild for December here in the UK. Often at this time of the year it is very misty and cold but at the moment it is about 14 deg C and every chance of it getting even warmer. The grass is still growing.  I cut it 2 weeks ago and it could really do with cutting yet again. Normally I stop cutting at the end of October.

Today, in between bursts of total exhaustion (stroke after-effect), I pruned two bushes in the garden. Working outside it felt more like April than December. I also noticed quite a few bulbs pushing through. Unless we get a really cold January we will soon have daffodils in bloom in the garden. Another 2 weeks? The ornamental cherry in the lawn needs a trim. This will have to wait.

More WSPRnet issues

Like many, I monitor WSPRnet to see who I am spotting and who is spotting me.  In my case I often do this from the comfort of the lounge, whilst doing other things.  I notice that WSPRnet is very slow again today. In fact, the last few times I tried it failed to connect at all.

UPDATE 1525z:  WSPRnet seems to be working at the moment with a 472kHz spot of my 5mW ERP by M0LMH (223km) a short while ago. Sadly if WSPRnet is not reliable it rather ruins the "near instant feedback" of WSPR.

UPDATE 1652z:  If WSPRnet really is just done by volunteers for free I am amazed it is as good as it is. I for one just use it and milk it. Like many, as anonymous says below, I'd happily chip in some cash to help provide a reliable service. Not all can afford to do so, but I use WSPRnet each and every day just about. Without WSPRnet, WSPR would not be a quarter as good as it is.

10m winter Es?

With several 10m WSPR spots received from Italy and Germany, I am wondering if this is winter Es? It is the right time of year and the right time of day.  The main Es peak is May, June, July but there is often Es around Dec/Jan too. The peak is smaller, but it does happen. So far, no DX spots from further afield by F2 propagation.

Bargains - really?

Many of the larger dealers are offering special deals in the lead up to Christmas. But, are you really getting a bargain? For example, MLS have the FT1200 at less than £1000 after cash back. Maybe this radio is over-stocked as people prefer the IC7300 or the FT991?

Call me a cynic, but I think we are being offered discounts on radios that have not sold. As they say, "beware of Greeks bearing gifts". If something looks too good there is probably a catch. Of course, if you really want one of the discounted rigs then now is as good a time to buy as any.

See www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/beware-of-greeks-bearing-gifts.html .

No surprises on 472kHz overnight

With the same stations logged on RX and the same stations copying me on TX, there were no surprises on 472kHz (630m) WSPR overnight. We need more active stations on 472kHz WSPR.

Sunspots and 10m - Wed Dec 16th 2015

With a solar flux of 122, sunspot number of 64 (K=1) and 10m propagation expected to be "fair" today, 10m WSPR could be in reasonable shape today.

QSYed to 472kHz WSPR

About an hour ago I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR and went QRT on 10m and 6m. Although both EA5DOM (1525km) and PA3ABK/2 (306km) have been spotted, these did not upload to WSPRnet as my shack PC lost its internet connection. I have rebooted the PC, it has done its updates and seems to have the wi-fi/internet back in service since about 1900z. Let's hope it stays working!

UPDATE 2110z:   All seems to be working on 472kHz WSPR with the internet connection to WSPRnet working from the shack PC. EA5DOM (1525km) is still the best DX on RX (no preamp) and DL-SWL (701km) the best DX on TX (5mW ERP) tonight.

6m WSPR spots of M0ICR (90km)

M0ICR (90km) has just been spotted on 6m WSPR. Good to see someone active! His drift was highish so maybe this was aircraft reflection or maybe it was just his rig stabilising? I think this is aircraft reflection as there is still what seems like Doppler on the signal after 3 spots.

I shall stay on 6m WSPR for an hour or so, then QSY for the evening and night to 630m (472kHz) WSPR and go QRT on 10m and 6m WSPR.

It is very unlikely there will be any 10m WSPR spots from the USA today, sadly.

UPDATE 1706z:   Looking at the trace of M0ICR's signal, it looks like rig drift. There are signs of aircraft reflection too occasionally, but I think it is the tropo signal that is being decoded.

WSPRnet issues?

Several people have mentioned that WSPRnet is suffering of late. Certainly the number of times connecting has been problematic seems to be increasing. Is this because the server is getting too busy? Maybe the server just cannot cope with all the WSPR activity any more? I'd be interested to hear your views.

Spotted in Brazil on 10m WSPR

KD0VWO (7412km) monitoring in Brazil has spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon this morning at 1154z.  At -20dB S/N this was not a bad report either.  This is a promising start on 10m.  Let us hope I get some USA spots later.

UPDATE 1212z:  Still no spots on 6m WSPR today.

UPDATE 1605z:  It looks like the single spot on 10m from Brazil was "it" today. Again, well at least so far, no spots on 10m WSPR from the USA yet again today.  G8VDQ (93km) was spotted on 6m WSPR this morning, although this does not seem to have been uploaded to WSPRnet.

M0EMM (192km) reports me on 472kHz WSPR

Right on the lowest threshold M0EMM (192km) spotted my 5mW ERP 472kHz WSPR signal before breakfast today. He is the 23rd station to report my 5mW ERP signal on 472kHz WSPR in the last 2 weeks. G0HWW (29km) spotted me overnight too.

UPDATE 1130z:  Still all quiet on 10m and 6m WSPR.  I have been QRT on 630m (472kHz) since breakfast time.

FTSE 100 - NOT amateur radio

At the start of the year, some commentators were predicting the FTSE 100 UK share index would end the year above 7000.  It briefly exceeded this, although currently it is below 6000. A late rally might see it end the year in the low 6000s. I think expecting it to end the year above 7000 is wishful thinking.

Sunspots and 10m - Tues Dec 15th 2015

Solar flux is good at 124, sunspot number is 84 (K=3) and the 10m propagation forecast is "fair". Although yesterday was disappointing on 10m, today could be reasonable on 10m WSPR. We will see!

UPDATE 1028z:  All very quiet on 10m WSPR and 6m WSPR so far today.

New 472kHz reporter

 Yesterday I had several spots on 472kHz WSPR from M0JEK (68km). It is good to get spots from someone new. Overnight several spots of EA5DOM (1525km) on 472kHz WSPR. I have now gone QRT on MF and am active on 6m and 10m WSPR.

VERY late swallow - NOT amateur radio

According to my report on Devon birds, I see a swallow was sighted in Slapton, Devon on Dec 11th 2015. This is very late. It was probably from a late brood and stayed because of the mild weather. There have been rare, late, swallows before living off insects around seaweed in Cornwall, but I not aware of any proven records of over-wintering swallows staying in the UK. With our winters getting less cold it will happen some day.

The image is located at https://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/swallow_tcm9-18469.jpg?width=530&crop=(44,262,948,770) . If linking to it is problematic please let me know and I will remove the link.  I hope the free RSPB publicity is appreciated!

I have seen swallows in Devon in early December at Bolt Head, near Salcombe. Most make the hazardous journey to South Africa each September and return in April to these shores. Some arrive earlier, but most arrive by mid April, with swifts a few weeks later.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swallow/ .

MF and 10m WSPR today so far

All quiet on 10m WSPR, so far. I was expecting a few spots by now.

On 472kHz (630m) I am spotting G8VDQ (93km) and being spotted by M0LMH (223km) in daylight. Overnight the usual stations were being spotted and spotting me. Best DX on RX (no preamp) was EA5DOM (1525km) and on TX (5mW ERP) with earth-electrodes was DL-SWL (701km). I wish there were some new stations.

UPDATE 1308z:  Still nothing on 10m WSPR.  I am surprised.

Sunday on 10m WSPR

More signs of possible wintertime Es with spots of my little 10m 500mW WSPR beacon from Italy. No sign of spots from the USA though.

Christmas concert - NOT amateur radio

London Eye at night

Yesterday we went by coach to London for a Christmas concert in the Festival Hall, South Bank, London given by the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Bach Choir  and Young Singers. It was excellent and felt very Christmassy.

When we returned to the coach, the London Eye was illuminated. You can just see Big Ben across the river.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon Dec 14th 2015

With a good solar flux level (122) and a sunspot number of 74 (K=2) there is a good chance of half decent propagation on 10m today. For the first time in a while 10m propagation is expected to be "fair".