12 Sept 2015

10m F2?

EA8BVP (2986km) spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon this evening several times. I think this may be the first F2 propagation seen here on 10m this season. There was no Es around at the time and the distance is right for F2.  Last winter and spring this station copied my beacon just about every day for months on 10m.

6 comments:

Jan, OZ9QV said...

This seems in line with the F2 QSO I made a few evenings ago into PY on 15m.
Looks like the F2 season is just about to begin on the higher HF bands. I certainly intend to be active on 10m this winter season.
May I ask which antenna you are using on 10m, Roger ?

73, Jan

Roger G3XBM said...

Jan - let us hope so! I am looking forward to USA stations by F2 for one more season before the 10m band becomes more a VHF band. I think this autumn, winter and spring will hold up on 10m but next autumn things may be a LOT harder.

Roger G3XBM said...

Jan - my antenna is very much a compromise: a low Par End Fed covering 10/20/40m. At its highest it is about 4m above the ground. Last winter my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon was copied worldwide using this antenna.

Jan, OZ9QV said...

Thanks Roger, my HF antenna is a multi-dipole, officially for 10,15,20,40,80. Feed point about 7m a.g.l.

Thinking of setting up a lambda/2 antenna for 10, we shall see if I find the space (and time) to do it.

One thing is, the decline of solar activity is usually slower than the increase, so we might be lucky to have 2 more winters before 10 goes down. Yes, I am being optimistic ...

Jan, OZ9QV said...

- and about the antenna, I mean a vertical ...

Roger G3XBM said...

No verticals - just the Par 10/20/40m end-fed Jan. I could do with a better 10m antenna! My 10m wire halo (see my main website) worked well. Or I could erect a magnetic loop.