2 countries worked on 500kHz with JT9-1 mode

Well, the JT9-1 test QSO with G3ZJO was a total success and completed in around 10 minutes this evening. Later, I called CQ on JT9-1 and got a reply from OR7T in Belgium who is 334km away. We worked, exchanging reports and 73s but I am not quite "all with it" with the sequencing of reports, R, RRR etc in JT mode exchanges.I am learning, HI.

G3ZJO in QSO with G3XBM this evening on 500kHz

The WSJT digital mode JT9-x is certainly an interesting mode. There are a few bugs in the code still, and more bugs in the operator using it (me!) but I am sure to use this mode more in future on 472kHz and 136kHz.

International DX on 500kHz WSPR

Just received my first 500kHz report from outside England at -26dB S/N from OR7T in JO20ix which is 337kms away.

Using the formula in the RSGB LF Handbook I just calculated my ERP on 500kHz assuming an effective antenna height of 6m (probably less than this in reality) and a measured antenna current of just 20mA. It works out at 315uW ERP. Based on earlier measurements by M0BMU it should now be around 60uW. I suspect he is nearer than the theory suggests. Anyway, still a long way below 1mW ERP even but getting great results with WSPR.