Return to 472kHz WSPR RX

After a break, I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX at about 1950z. Quite a few spots already including some stations I have not seen before this season. As before, I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. There would seem to be far more stations on MF WSPR than on LF WSPR.

UPDATE 2020z: So far, 11 unique stations spotted.

UPDATE 2310z:  For a while I have the shack PC on charge, so I can go on 472kHz WSPR RX overnight with a low noise floor. I'll put the shack PC back on battery power for the overnight period.

630m

Last night I did not go on 630m WSPR RX. The rigs and PC were rested overnight. Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX.

630m WSPR RX

Although I am currently monitoring 630m WSPR RX, I am not sure about monitoring overnight. I may continue (shack PC on batteries) until bedtime. So far the best DX is EA5DOM (1525km). In all, 5 uniques spotted this evening so far.

630m overnight

Last night I returned to 630m WSPR RX. In all, 12 uniques were spotted, all EU. Overall, not a brilliant night.

QSYed to 630m WSPR RX

At 1724z I QSYed to MF from 10m. I am again running the shack PC from batteries with a preamp and earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Late this evening I shall have to take a break so the shack PC batteries can be charged for the overnight period.

UPDATE 1744z: First spot was DL3NDR (814km) shortly followed by G0MRF (139km) and DH5RAE (995km). Whilst it is good to spot these stations, it would be great to spot some new stations. 

UPDATE 2142z: About 30 minutes ago I went QRT to charge the shack PC battery.  Up to this point I had spotted 9 uniques. This is typical. I shall go on again later.

Not on 630m WSPR RX overnight

Overnight I did not go on 630m WSPR.  Instead, I remained on the band during yesterday afternoon and evening. One reason was we had grandchildren staying, so access to my shack was limited. I am now on 10m FT8 RX.

Daytime 630m WSPR RX

For a change, I am on 630m WSPR RX in the daytime. A couple of spots with best DX PA3ABK/2 (306km).

UPDATE 1308z: G0MRF (139km) is always a good signal with me, but his daytime S/N is much worse than in the middle of the night. I presume this is due to my local noise level being higher rather than propagation.

UPDATE 1420z: 3 different stations in 3 countries spotted so far. Best DX spotted F5WK (364km).

UPDATE  1615z: LA3EQ (769km) is currently the best 630m WSPR spots today.

UPDATE 1745z: 5 uniques in the last hour with best DX DH5RAE (995km).

UPDATE 2245z:  My last spot was at about 2116z, so the PC lasted over 9 hours on its internal battery - impressive!

Last night on 630m WSPR RX

Again, an average night here with 15 uniques copied. As far as I know, these were all stations spotted before and all EU stations. G3XIZ was actually very very strong (+9dB S/N). What is shown here is a second spotting probably as a result of my system handling strong signals!

630m WSPR RX

Just before 1900z, I decided to go onto 630m WSPR RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" that has been successfully used on previous nights with the preamp and shack PC on battery power. Already 3 spots in the very first period.

Last night on 472kHz WSPR RX

Overnight I was on 472kHz WSPR RX using the earth-electrode "antenna", a preamp and the shack PC on battery power. In all, 15 unique stations spotted. Not bad, but not the best.

QSYed to 630m WSPR RX

At about 1915z I QSYed to MF. Using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, a preamp into the FT817, the shack PC on batteries, I have the best chances. Already many countries have been spotted.

UPDATE 2212z: After a break so the shack PC batteries could be fully charged before the overnight period, everything is now ON for the overnight run on 630m WSPR RX. Noise floor is as low as I can get it with this setup.

Success on 630m WSPR RX with earth-electrode "antenna"

Last night I was on 630m WSPR RX using my earth-electrode "antenna" with a preamp and the shack PC on battery power. It was my best night yet with 23 unique stations spotted. This haul included 4 different Spanish stations and 2 different Norwegians.

630m WSPR RX tonight

About 15 months ago (although it may be longer!) an anonymous friend just sent me a 472kHz preamp. This was very kind and I never did find out who sent this. To whoever the kind mystery person was, thank you again. This was a kind act and it was generous hearted of you.

Tonight I have returned to 472kHz WSPR using this pre-amp with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Sensitivity should be fine, so it is a good test of this "antenna" on this band.

The shack PC is on battery power so the noise floor should be pretty low.

UPDATE 2135z: Since just before 2100z the shack PC has been on mains power with its internal battery on charge. So, until I go back to battery power, the noise floor will be poorer. Before bedtime I shall return to battery power to give me best chances overnight.

UPDATE 2200z: Back with shack PC on battery power, so this should last most of the overnight period woth a low noise floor. Looking at G3KEV and G0MRF the noise from the SMPSU for the shack PC made a huge difference (much worse) to my S/N reports. Now noise floor much lower again.

Best night ever on 630m WSPR RX

Despite my unbelievably poor 472kHz setup, last night I spotted 18 unique stations on the band including 2 USA stations. WA4SZE (6802km) is the furthermost I have ever spotted on the band.  Running the shack PC off batteries makes a huge difference.

630m WSPR RX

At about 1946z, I went QRT on all bands and moved to 630m WSPR RX. Within minutes a couple of stations spotted with DH5RAE (995km) as best DX. This was on the shack PC on its internal batteries. For a while now I have been charging the batteries so I can run the shack PC overnight on its battery, so the noise floor is lower.

UPDATE 2055z: Now back with shack PC on battery power, which should last most of the night.

630m WSPR overnight and this morning

Overnight, 14 unique stations spotted, but all Europeans.

Windows 10 decided it needed a big update this morning, so I am still on 630m WSPR RX at the moment to check things still work. At the moment the PSU is connected so G0MRF (139km) has a lower S/N than usual.

The PC still synchronises to internet time and WSJT-X v1.8 still seems to work.

QSYed to 630m WSPR

At about 1950z, I QSYed to 630m WSPR RX. A couple of stations immediately copied with several more shortly afterwards.

UPDATE 2044z: Already 6 unique stations spotted with best DX EA5DOM (1525km).

UPDATE 2214z: 10 uniques so far tonight. For a little while I have gone QRT to let my shack PC batteries charge. Later, I'll run the shack PCs from batteries again, so I have a lower noise floor.

630m WSPR RX last night

With 14 unique stations spotted, it was a reasonable night. No USA stations but a couple of Spanish stations, with one quite far south.

630m WSPR RX overnight

I was on 630m WSPR RX again last night. Overall, 10 unique stations were spotted with the best being EA7HPM (1726km).

630m WSPR RX

A few moments ago I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR RX with the shack PC on battery power. This should last until breakfast. So far, 3 uniques spotted in a few minutes.