EME

Moonbounce (EME) impresses me as I know some work really hard to optimise their stations to achieve this most difficult aspect of our hobby. In recent years it has become a little easier (although still hard) with the advent of digital modes optimised for EME paths.

Jan, LA3EQ posted a video on YouTube showing his SSB reception of HB9Q via the moon. Amazing!

472kHz (630m) WSPR to Norway

LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted here many times this afternoon on 472kHz WSPR.

Last night Jan, LA3EQ (769km) spotted me - thank you Jan - and he kindly sent a link to a screen shot of my signal with him which I have attached here. To spot me, I reckon Jan must have good gear and a quiet noise floor.

On 10m WSPR TX, no spots at all.

On 630m WSPR I have now got the PC on the SMPSU, so my RX noise floor will be too high now to spot any but very strong signals.

A good evening on 500kHz

This evening I was well pleased with my simple 500kHz transverter and the vertical wire loop antenna in the garden producing around 2mW ERP. The map shows stations that reported me on WSPR including LA3EQ at 769km, which is the best DX so far on the loop. The loop doesn't seem to be that directional surprisingly.

New square and reporter on 500kHz

Just had a report from DK8ZJ on 500kHz WSPR from JO54ag at a distance of 685kms. This brings my total now to 51 unique reports on the band since I started in September 2009. Still just running 1mW ERP.

Conditions must be good as I've just had another report from  LA3EQ in JO28 at 769kms as well. I'll leave the WSPR beacon running overnight tonight.