27 May 2024

630m QRPP WSPR overnight

Well, either the internet was not working here from the shack or there was an issue with WSPRnet. Although I was spotting DX on 630m WSPR and was sending all night, no spots at all. I shall probably try again tonight.

6m 10mW FT8 (Monday)

My QRPP 6m FT8 has been on since about 0815z. No spots.

UPDATE 1601z:
  32 spots of my 6m 10mW FT8 (see map). This proves that very little power is needed when Es is good.

Sunspots - Monday May 27th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 148. A=10 and K=1.

26 May 2024

Is there a problem with WSPRnet?

 At the moment I am on 630m WSPR with my usual 10mW ERP. I am seeing no spots on RX or TX. This could be that I cannot connect to the internet or there’s a problem with WSPRnet. I shall leave it on overnight.

Distant thunder - NOT amateur radio

Between the showers, we were trying to do some gardening. 

The photo (yet again!) is of the windmill next door with storm clouds behind just now.

Low cost 70cm QRPP modules

Before anyone tells me I know Baonfeng and Quansheng handhelds are available at very low cost, but I wonder if any experimenters are experimenting with low cost modules designed to send digital signals at short range?  

Many are available on Amazon.

500uW 10m WSPR (Sunday)

Quite surprised to see my 500uW QRPP 10m WSPR had been spotted this morning by GM4WJA (624km). I suspect this is Es as I have been spotted in N.Ireland when I was running just 10mW FT8 on 6m.

6m 10mW FT8 (Sunday)

My 10mW 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on, but no spots at 0858z. 

UPDATE 0950z:  Spotted by GI0OTC (560km) in Northern Ireland. I suspect this is Es as I have also been spotted running just 500uW in Scotland on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1459z: No more spots of me on 10mW 6m FT8 surprisingly. No further Es reports of my QRPP. Perhaps later?

UPDATE 1735z: Some Es now. 4 spots of my 10mW 6m FT8 so far.

Es (Sunday)

At the moment Es looks quite promising in Eastern Europe. Let's hope this spreads west.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

QMX+ from QRP Labs

Yesterday evening I heard that QRP Labs had received my payment, although I do not know what the delivery date will be for my QMX+.

See https://qrp-labs.com/qmxp.html .