630m WSPR with a different antenna

Last evening and overnight I tried 630m WSPR RX using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 

There were fewer stations received and the reports were weaker than the night before when I was using the coax up to my 2m big-wheel via an ATU.

It is hard to be categorical as conditions might have been different, the antennas better in some directions, etc..

My overall conclusion, with these caveats, is that the earth electrode was, at worse, about 1 S point inferior to the antenna used on the night before. I would expect this to be somewhat down on an antenna optimised for the band. So, maybe just 2 S points down. Considering the total lack of hassle, it is far from bad.

10m 200mW WSPR (Monday)

 When I get home later I expect to go on 10m 200mW WSPR TX.

Sunspots - Monday February 9th

 Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 118.  A=8 and K=1.

630m WSPR RX - with a different antenna

 This evening and overnight I am on 630m WSPR RX with the Zachtek RX using instead my earth electrode "antenna" in the ground to see how this compares with the coax to my 2m big-wheel via an ATU

10m WSPR RX with the Zachtek RX (Sunday)

So far, I have not tried the Zachtek WSPR RX on 10m, so I am trying it now. 

The impression I am getting on other bands is good. It is small and works on all the bands I have tried.

UPDATE 1550z:  3 stations spotted on 10m WSPR RX this afternoon with the best W3HH (7005km).

10m FT8 RX with the Zachtek WSPR RX

 Even though there is a 400Hz wide audio filter I am still spotting lots of FT8 stations including the USA.

10m 200mW WSPR (Sunday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 1030z.

UPDATE 1050z: So far just lots of spots of me by EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1418z: Spotted by 23 stations. See table.

Burwell, UK

This is the village near Cambridge where I live. It is mix of old and new buildings. This photo dates from 2007, but not much has changed.

Sunday plans

Later, I shall probably try 10m 200mW WSPR TX with my Zachtek beacon. I have yet to try it stepping through different bands as 10m seems good at the moment.

Once set up the TX does not need a PC and gets all its timing and Maidenhead info from GPS. Ideal for /P operation.

Although the RX has a 400Hz wide audio filter I might try it later on FT8 RX. Some signals will go through the filter towards the middle of the pass band.

630m WSPR RX overnight

Last evening and night I was monitoring 630m WSPR with my Zachtek WSPR RX using the outer of the coax up to my 2m big-wheel antenna via a ferrite rod ATU and a mains plug ground. 7 different stations were copied. The RX certainly works with DX over 1000km with this poor setup.

Although more expensive, I preferred to buy from Zachtek in Sweden although I know there is a Chinese copy of the Zachtek TX and probably the RX now.