Anytone 5555N and 6666 10m rigs

I am still on the lookout for a decent dedicated 10m multi-mode to use on my favorite band on SSB and CW mainly. There are a couple of new Anytone rigs at around £159 and £199 depending on power output. I need to watch for reviews of these, but both look neat units.

See http://simonthewizard.com/2014/03/14/anytone-at-6666-at-5555n-more-videos-online/ for a few videos.

Both are sold by Nevada, who also sell the President Lincoln II for around £259. The latter seems to have more features but is considerably more expensive.

474.2kHz WSPR overnight

A slightly better session on MF last evening and overnight with a few more UK stations in the log, but still way down on earlier attempts. I am trying again tonight with 5mW ERP from the 15m earth-electrode antenna on 630m, but for now have gone back to 2W on 28.1246MHz WSPR - much easier going!

Unique MF WSPR results overnight 5mW ERP

Wikipedia on QRP

Wonder what Wikipedia has to say about QRP operation?

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QRP_operation .

I find Wikipedia a great resource and have, in the past, contributed a few entries.

Back on 474.2kHz - yet again

I am having another go with the 15m earth-electrode antenna and 5mW ERP on 474.2kHz WSPR this evening. Unless UK and near continent activity picks up, it could be another fairly fruitless evening.

Certainly it is a lot easier getting DX spots on 10m.

UPDATE 1810z: Not long ago M0PPP was a reasonable signal at -23dB S/N on 474.2kHz WSPR. He is in the Barnsley, Yorks area (IO93gm) and should be "off the side" of my earth-loop. Midway through his TX burst there was a slight break and frequency shift too.

UPDATE 1940z: My only reports so far are from G6AVK (78km) again. I am copying F5WK (364km).

10m WSPRing again

This afternoon I have returned to 10m WSPR. There are lots of transatlantic reports of my signal, as well as reports of my 2W signal from Russia and Brazil.  Not sure if it is a Win 8.1 issue or just the V2 WSPR program playing up but I seem to be NOT uploading spots I see at my end. Perhaps the internet service is very weak in my shack?

UPDATE 1545z:  Restarting the program and re syncing the clock fixed it. Anyone know how to change how often the PC clock is sync'ed to internet time in Win 8.1? I need to increase the frequency I think. I don't even know how to find the control panel in Win 8.1 !

Unique 10m WSPR spots received so far this afternoon

Oscar 6 and 7

http://ukamsat.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/oscar-7-amateur-radio-satellite.gif?w=593

Many years ago when I lived in Cambridge I recall listening for the 2m transponder outputs from thse satellites at the topmost end of the band. Using my "Oscarlator" - a paper based calculator one could predict passes in range.  The best ones were late at night way out west over the Atlantic, when, for a few minutes Ws and VEs could be heard.  Also copyable was HB9HB, a 70cms beacon that got translated to 2m. I never transmitted via satellites then and used a homemade 2m converter feeding an old T28 Codar receiver. Happy days back in the 1970s. I gather Oscar 7 is still up and (sort of) functioning.

See http://www.qsl.net/pe1rah/oscarlator.htm .

630m - quiet overnight

The lack of G stations on 474.2kHz WSPR was very apparent overnight. My log is very sparse.

Unique 474.2kHz WSPR spots oveernight

From reports given and received, a lot more could have been achieved with more activity.  When I install my longer baseline earth-electrode system,  I'll have another try. I am dependent on others to help me with this because of my stroke.

Amateur satellites

I have only ever had one single SSB contact via an amateur satellite and that was one with a 29MHz downlink many years ago. I cannot recall the satellite or the uplink frequency. I have not bothered since but don't doubt I could have QSOs with a 70cm/2m transponder.  I see from the Southgate amateur radio news pages that the transponder on the FUNcube-1 satellite is to be switched on tomorrow for the weekend.

630m - very quiet so far

With so little local and semi-local activity, I am getting no WSPR results so far this evening on the 630m band. This is more to do with low activity than the earth-electrode antenna system. Lack particularly of G activity is a serious issue: I shall have to abandon the band (with QRP ERP at least) unless more Gs and nearer continentals become active.

UPDATE 1830z:  PA3ABK/2  (306km) was a strong -8dB S/N at 1814z. No-one else!

UPDATE 1915z:  a few spots of me by G6AVK (78km).  No-one else so far this evening.

UPDATE 1940z:  F4DTL (431km) and DF2JP (461km) spotted.

MF again and plans for VLF

This evening, I am re-trying my 15m baseline earth-electrode "antenna" on 474.2kHz WSPR (approx. 5mW ERP) but at the moment there is a distinct lack of in-range stations. I shall keep the system running until tomorrow to see who appears.

The next test may be WSPR at 8-9kHz earth-mode with the same antenna. I may persuade G6ALB to appear on VLF WSPR (3km + away). The match here needs better optimising at VLF.  Presently the earth system looks more like 300ohms resistive at 474.2kHz - a lot higher than at the old QTH.

10m WSPR with new PC

10m WSPRing again now, but with the new Win 8.1 Dell Inspiron 15R PC and 2W RF from the FT817. Immediate success this morning with reports from Russia and Japan in the very first transmission slot. All seems to be well with the new PC.

I am spotting lots of EU stations too as well as PY2WG (9562km) and it is not yet 0930z.

UPDATE 1300z: LZ1OI  is putting in a huge WSPR signal today and I am wondering if this is via Es rather than F layer? 

UPDATE 1350z: as well as transatlantic stations, there are more Europeans in the 10m log today.

WSPR with new Win 8.1 PC

I had a surprise today: my Inspiron 15R does NOT have a touch sensitive screen after all. Dell assure me I did not order, or pay for such a screen  This is not an important feature.

The next surprise was a sort of malware program called "optimizer pro" which managed to install itself and wanted me to buy a subscription to reomve hundreds of errors. A free call to 0800 028 2660 ( the FREE Dell support number) soon had this removed and the PC fully checked remotely. WSPR, Spectran and Ccleaner all installed and worked without issues. Ccleaner is a recommended free download to do the same and a lot more. I run Ccleaner regularly to check PC health.

I tried WSPR on 20m and 10m and the software ran without issues under Win 8.1. A nice surprise with Win 8.1 was that the PC's clock is already sync'd to an internet time server so that timing was not an issue with WSPR. No need to install special software for this purposes.

As far as I can see, Win 8.1 seems to do all I need.

Our bungalow from the top of the Burwell windmill next door

Our bungalow from up the windmill next door

In my present (wobbly balance) state of health because of my stroke , I cannot climb up the inside of the fully restored windmill (above) that is right next door to us.  This morning, our son managed a sneak preview and he took some photos of our bungalow from the very top floor of the mill.

You may see my V2000 vertical and 2m halo on the garage roof if you look at the blown up photo. You may JUST be able to see my HF Par end-fed wire too but you will need to look carefully at the full sized photo.

For the second time this year, a party of school children is visiting the museum, and windmill. The windmill has its official opening on Sunday April 13th.

See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk.btck.co.uk/StevensMill

The windmill, next to our bungalow, is the highest spot in the village. The church, about 400m away, is on the second highest ground.

A friend has suggested I string a 472kHz antenna up to the top of the windmill! Actually I don't need this - I prefer the view as it is.

Burwell Church from up the windmill

AM and SSB available to UK CBers from July 1st 2014?

According to the Rocket Radio website, AM and SSB will be allowed for UK CB users (for the first time) from July 2014. There will no doubt be a spate of multi-mode rig sales before then. I have no data on frequencies yet. Rigs like the President Lincoln II are 28-29.7MHz only and it is NOT legal to modify these for CB coverage. I guess they will have to get OFCOM type approval for CB versions in the next few months?

New PC due any time now.

According to the tracking data, my new Dell PC has been dispatched from their factory and should be here soon. Assuming all is well, I shall load Spectran and WSPR software and start WSPR tests again. My shack is currently out of action as it is housing my little granddaughter's cot. They go home tomorrow. We will miss them as they have been nice company.

UPDATE 1700z: The new PC has arrived.  I shall start configuring it tomorrow when the grandchildren have gone home.

Netgear Wi-fi Extender

Netgear Wifi Extender

We had intermittent internet coverage in our main bedroom so I invested in a Netgear wi-fi range extender this week from Amazon.co.uk.  Price was just under £28. The unit simply plugs into a free 13A socket with no ugly wires.

The extender takes the off-air packets and regenerates them so the remote signal is considerably improved. It does NOT use the mains wiring to send the signal over. First impressions are good, with a strong signal now in the bedroom. Setting up the extender was simplicity itself.  We'll see how it works over the next few weeks.

See http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009C9FQNQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 .

I may invest in another for the radio shack where coverage is not that brilliant. I need to watch switch-mode PSU noise though. This is unimportant in the bedroom but might be an issue with weak signals. At least I can try the bedroom unit in the shack first before buying another.

10m AM Operation

Ignore what recently published 10m band plans may say - 10m AM is alive and well just above 29MHz with most 10m AM between 29 and 29.1MHz.

Many recent band plans talk of 2700Hz wide SSB in the 29 to 29.1MHz slot. This is rubbish written  by people who don't have a clue! Just take a listen between 29 and 29.1MHz next time the band is open and make up your own minds.

Write to your band plan scribes and ask them to actually USE 10m next time before putting pen to paper. I have written to the RSGB to express my displeasure with their latest 10m attempt:  they blame the IARU.  I see on the RSGB website they have made a half-hearted attempt to clarify 10m AM use - a very poor attempt in my view.

28 to 29MHz is plenty of room for narrow-band modes, even when there is a major contest or the band is wide open. There is space above 29MHz for AM, FM and satellites. 29 to 29.1MHz has lots of AM often with beautifully modulated signals: it is a pleasant change.

In a few years time the whole of 10m will be largely quiet again and we amateurs need to use it for local comms, Es, and the occasional N-S DX or risk losing it to CBers and taxis.

There are plenty of 10m projects on my main website.

No amateur radio

At the moment I am unable to do any amateur radio operation in my shack for the next few days.

Firstly, my shack  has been taken over to house my 2 year old granddaughter in her cot.

Secondly, the XP shack PC seems to have terminally died. It has served me well for very many years, but now is the time to replace it. The new PC is apparently ready and is in the process of being delivered.

My little granddaughter goes back home on Wednesday and my new PC is likely to arrive shortly afterwards. I will need to load WSPR and other software and check all is well with the new machine. As a 64 bit Win 8.1 machine, some software may prove incompatible.

PCs playing up

Both my PCs are playing up today.

Firstly, the Dell Inspiron 630m, XP OS, is getting very tired and refuses to boot up today.  Several keys are broken and sadly XP will shortly no longer be a supported OS.

Secondly my little Asus,Netbook with Win 7 Home OS, not used for several months, is taking forever to start, even on mains power. It may have to be returned. When new it was fine for portable, in-field, use with Spectran software, as long as ready-boost was used.

Now finally it is time to invest in a new PC for home use , so I am buying an i5 Inspiron 15R touch screen 1GB hard-drive, laptop, with 3 yrs hardware and software support. It should serve me well. We'll see.

New UHF beacon GB3UHF

I am looking forward to this new GPS frequency locked 432.430MHz beacon GB3UHF near Wrotham Kent (IO91) becoming active. It is to be co-sited with GB3VHF. It is at an interesting distance and should be copyable on my 2m halo, even though I shall be slightly off the main beam. Approved by OFCOM, it is now awaiting a site sharing agreement that could take some while. It is NOT yet on-air as far as I know. There is a real shortage of UHF beacons in the UK. GB3BSL (Bristol 432.934MHz)  is off air I believe.

The new beacon's frequency will be 432.430MHz to a pair of 3 el J-Beam yagis beaming roughly towards the Midlands (288 and 348 degrees headings). Being 3 el beams, the aim is quite broad.

See http://www.gb3vhf.co.uk/GB3UHFdetails.html

Back on 474.2kHz WSPR

Today I have returned to MF WSPRing., The antenna is currently my very short Marconi which consists of a very short vertical wire (1.5 to 2m?) with about 15m of wire run horizontally along the top of fence and trellis. This is a shorter (horizontal) distance than an earlier version that did not work well, probably because of foliage losses. The whole antenna uses the mains earth.

Matching is via a 110mm diameter loading coil and a 3C90 toroid to step up from 50ohms to several hundred ohms resistive.
 
So far PA3ABK/2 is a good consistently strong daytime signal at -10dB S/N with 0.5W ERP. There are very few G stations active, so no reports of my own signal yet.

UPDATE 2005z:  Only 2 stations copied (PA and DF) and just 3 reports from a single station PA3ABK/2.   Very disappointing so far. There is a lack of G stations active on WSPR this evening so far.

10m TEP?

PY2RN is putting in a COLOSSAL +9dB S/N signal on 10m WSPR at 1854z with 5W and I just wonder if this is perhaps TEP assisted? Chordal hop across the equator could account for the very low attenuation. Just a thought.

UPDATE 2206z:  WA6JRW in DM14he in California (8664km) was reporting my 2W WSPR at 2024z. The band is still open transatlantic here at this QTH at 2152z. W8QYT (5W 5807km) was a good +4dB S/N here at 2144z and he was spotting my 2W at -5dB S/N at 2138z.   I am still getting transatlantic spots at 2W as late as (at least) 2200z (4 transatlantic spots from the 2W 2200z TX burst).

One thing I have noticed  is signals on long 10m DX paths are often strongest just before the band dies out. This is often the most productive time with QRP power levels.

I stopped monitoring on the WSPR.net database at 2208z.

QSY to 10m

After a few days on 40m, I have QSYed back to 2W on 10m WSPR. 4X1RF is already spotting me  but no signals at any real distance are yet being copied apart from EX1UN  in central Asia.  Sunspot count is pretty good, so I expect some decent DX during the day. No JAs yet copied, which is a little odd.

UPDATE 1052z:  Just seen PY2RN in my log at 1038z at 9950km running 5W and I've just been spotted at 1050z by JH3APN at 9419 km.

UPDATE 1138z:  1118z saw my first stateside report, from WA3QJU at 5695km. At 1138z CX2ABP was copied at 11127km.

UPDATE 1610z: Very pleased to see my old work colleague G3WKW in the 10m WSPR log. 134km GDX path and copied 7 times between 1610z and 1806z.

Chinese SDR transceiver

Just seen this on a Russian site: http://www.cqdx.ru/ham/qro-qrp/chinese-sdr-based-hf-one-mkii-qrp-transceiver. Looks like an interesting rig.

See also http://yo9irf.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/hf-one-mkii-cheap-mobile-transceiver.html

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKY7_je5IJYmNzG8H0xyX_CQ2KcEJlA8f0yq9DbPZ3pRMq2M6IzSdB1Pl77duOAoN0-fOW8SLgzkg7RiCJXeHxre1N7VRGLVsdEdeZcrzgBdOKFzH7Pnmn7vCMbFLJdh0Kau6oaGsqvIe/s1600/HF-ONE-MKII-QRP-Transceiver-Kits+(3).jpg

Ten-tec Argonaut VI

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server1500/ooh0w/products/358/images/724/539_web_photo__37987.1373600182.1280.1280.jpg?c=1

Although outside my price range at £995 in the UK, the Ten-Tec Argonaut VI gets rave reviews from its fans. On www.eham.net it usually scores very well apart from those who hate the lack of 60m and 12m coverage.  I cannot see me ever buying one but if you want a QRP rig (10W) mainly for home use, this could be for you, if you can afford one. RX performance is certainly very good.

40m WSPR - using 500mW

Since last evening I QSYed from 6m down to 40m using just 500mW to my low Par 10/20/40m end-fed antenna. I am pleased to report that my signal was copied by K9AN at a distance of 6505km during the late evening. I copied a PY (Brazil) at -10dB S/N (9550km) but he was running a ridiculous (for WSPR) power of 50W.   5W would easily have been copied.  Perhaps he is new to WSPR does not realise just how effective WSPR is yet?

Some of the reports below show 2W before I reduced power to 500mW, but best DX reprts were at the 500mW level I am pleased to say.

40m unique WSPR spots - last 24hrs

6m WSPR summary

After several days on 6m this is the total summary of WSPR reports (none of me!). All attempts to reach TEP "ends" failed, on this occasion, as there was no Es about. I did see some weak MS bursts of very short duration but these are not suitable for WSPR. The drift on G3XGS's signal suggests aircraft Doppler too. Now I shall turn my attention to another band. No 6m TEP I am afraid.  

6m WSPR spots

CN8LI seems to have been in the right place with plenty of TEP WSPR spots exchanged with FR1GZ at 8981km.

One more day on 6m

For the last few days I have been patiently trying to find some TEP-Es on 6m WSPR, to no avail. Although 6m TEP (trans-equatorial propagation) is being reported in Israel, Italy, the Balearics and Morocco, here in the UK all remains quiet. I have only spotted a couple of G stations at around 70km - absolutely nothing else!

Although I shall try again tomorrow, that will probably be my last day. A pity as I was quite hoping we might get an Es opening to link up to some TEP, but it looks unlikely now that I shall be in luck.

Later this week I may return to VLF earth-mode if I can optimise my TX earth-electrode match at 8.97kHz and re set-up my RX loop. My wife will have to drive me to my usual test sites as I am not allowed to drive yet.

6m Trans-equatorial propagation (TEP) - update

Again today, Israel, Morocco and Italy have been enjoying TEP propagation deep into the Southern Hemisphere on 6m. In vain, I've been on 6m too hoping that some early Es might link me into the 6m TEP propagation areas. Up to now I have had no luck at all, copying just G6AVK and G3XGS only on 6m WSPR at around 70km.

Here is another TEP article: http://www.qsl.net/vk2kfj/tep.html . This states that TEP can occur up to at least 432MHz.  I'd settle for a little at 50MHz!

146-147MHz: an extended 2m amateur band in the UK?

It looks highly likely that amateurs in the UK will get access to this additional slice of the 2m band later this summer. When it comes I shall no doubt use it, but feel spectrum elsewhere would have been much more useful for self-training in radio science.

Silly boy! I forgot - we only use ready-made black boxes on 2m and very few amateurs have the least idea how they work. Self training is a nonsense these days.  Oh and of course the revised UK 2m band plan will still have no space for AM people trying to self-train. Sorry, but I fail to see how another 1MHz at 2m will really benefit any real radio amateurs, just even more space for black box operators?

I know I should be grateful for another whole 1MHz to use, but I really cannot get excited about this at all when the current 2m band is vastly under-used. Even in contests there is still plenty of space for all.

Personally I'd like easy access below 8.3kHz, access again around 73kHz and a new 100kHz slot around 40MHz. Sadly all unlikely. WRC-2015 may grant us a contiguous international 60m band and that could be useful.

UPDATE 24.3.14 1845z: looks like the allocation may be temporary and only available by NOV. See http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/vhf-143-169mhz/summary

6m Trans-equatorial propagation (TEP)

4X1DA and 4X1RF have been copying FR1GZ (over 6200km) away on Reunion Is, Indian Ocean, on and off today on 6m. Signals can be very strong. CN8LI has done even better at over 8000km 2-way. Here in the UK we are normally too far north to catch these TEP openings so we need some Es as well to link up with such openings. I keep trying in vain on WSPR. Best so far is 78km, hardly in the same league!

http://www.amateur-radio-wiki.net/images/8/89/Vk4yeh_TEP_1.jpg

HF forecasts are pretty good with stable conditions and a high sunspot count. Of course Es (needed to reach the TEP propagation areas) is not that predicatable.

See http://www.amateur-radio-wiki.net/index.php?title=Trans-Equatorial_Propagation

Normality

When unwell, you almost forget what "being normal" is.  Last night,  I was given a lift to my wife's Brahms concert and most people were totally unaware of my current disabilities.  I am gradually on the mend,  but my biggest issue is wobbliness on walking or doing any activity.  Most people are totally unaware of this. I hope my brain rewires so this goes with time. 

It means normal radio tasks , especially building, are all but impossible for me still.  Using WSPR is one thing I can still do, but actually TALKING on the radio is still hard work.

Brahms' German Requiem - Cambridge
March 22nd 2014

Our good old friends Peter and Chris Branson, came to stay over the weekend and it was them who gave me the lift to the concert. Peter kindly cut our hedges and front lawn and did a pile of weeding (without being asked) - such GOOD kind and generous friends. It was Peter who helped with some VLF tests a few years ago. There is a photo of him on my main Sub-9kHz website https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/earthmode .

See  https://sites.google.com/site/cambschoral/  for details of the Cambridgeshire Choral Society (CCS) including how to join and details of other concerts you might enjoy.

My wife is 7th in on the LHS . She is a short lady, 2nd row back, with short greyish hair - now I shall be in trouble!

6m update

No TEP sadly but I did spot G6AVK at 78km on 6m last evening at -25dB S/N. This is a strange distance on 6m.  The -2 drift is almost certainly aircraft scatter, quite a common issue with inter-G paths on both 6m and 2m. It often makes decent signals not decode-able.

I do have a 0.5ppm TCXO fitted (it belongs to G3WKW) to the FT817 which helps minimise drift especially at VHF.  I plan to stay on 6m for more tries with TEP/Es today.

6m TEP

I notice from WSPRnet that there is some TEP (trans-equatorial) propagation in Africa on 6m. I have now switched to 6m (2W) to see if there is any chance of this reaching the UK.  It is a long shot I know,  but worth a try. On 6m I only have a V2000 vertical with little 6m gain. I assume Es and TEP will twist polarisation.

Longer low Marconi - not too good on 474.2kHz

Overnight with my 5mW ERP on 474.2kHz reached 3 Dutch stations, 1 Belgian and one English. This is a low number so I conclude the longer low Marconi is NOT a good antenna configuration for 474.2kHz.

Back on 474.2kHz

I changed my slightly longer baseline earth-electrode antenna into a longer, low height Marconi with the horizontal top going even further around the fence/trellis. I am currently evaluating it. Although copying a couple of Germans OK, my impression is it is not very good and the shorter Marconi was better (less loss?).  I shall leave it on overnight before judging results. There is a distinct lack of active G stations this evening, which doesn't help. G6AVK came on for about 30 minutes but his reports were worse than when testing a few weeks ago.

10m - harder work today (March 21st)

Although paths are open, it seems much more difficult on 10m this morning compared with recent days. Sunspot count is still 137 but solar conditions are more disturbed and these are noticeable. Even at 2W (quite QRO on WSPR!), spots are less easy to get.

UPDATE 1110z:   LZ1OI  is coming through at up to +8dB S/N on WSPR with 5W and this is a COLOSSAL signal.

UPDATE 1245z:  First transatlantic 10m RX spot was VE2PEP at 1240z at 5037km.

UPDATE 1500z: Conditions may a bit better than this morning. Quite a few transatlantic spots now but less easy than on recent days.

UPDATE 1536z:  HS0ZKM  in Bangkok being spotted - 9485km.

UPDATE 1555z: 17 spots from just one 10m 2W WSPR transmission is not bad with 11 transatlantic spots.

Some of the 10m WSPR spots on RX this afternoon - plenty of DX

WSPRing on other bands

Today I ventured onto 60m, 40m and 20m WSPR for a change. A few spots out to 448km on 5MHz and plenty of EU spots on both 40m and 20m.

I returned to 10m to see what was doing.  At this time of day 10m is THE place to find stateside DX in abundance. Conditions like this unfortunately cannot last.

I have now decided to take a look on 136kHz with the earth-electrode antenna and the VERY deaf  FT817ND.  I might JUST be able to copy DK7FC and possibly G8HUH but I do need to make a preamp.

UPDATE 2025z: absolutely nothing copied on 136kHz WSPR. I need a preamp!

Last day on 10m?

It is probable that today will be my last day on 10m for a while as I am no longer gaining data by being active on the band. 500mW, even with my compromise antenna, is enough to be spotted all over the world. I may try MF again, 60m or even 6m for some TEP, although there is sadly very little activity on 6m in this part of the world.

Last night, my last spot with 500mW on 10m was K9AN  at 6505km at 2114z, along with others. I spotted other transatlantic 10m signals until 2134z.

This morning, my 10m 500mW WSPR is reaching LZ1OI and 4X1RF only - conditions seem less good than recent days. I wonder how soon transatlantics will appear today? Sunspot count is 137 and conditions stable - looks quite promising.

I notice that  EX1UN (5423km) was being decoded here as early as 0628z today. PA4PS (436km), in JO33 square, is being regularly copied, I presume by tropo or backscatter. My first USA report today (10m 500mW) was AI4RY at 1228z at  6931km.

10m - overwhelmed by results

Just 500mW on 10m WSPR seems to get spectacular results with the band in its current excellent shape. As conditions go downhill as we slide down from the peak more power will help, for certain.

34 unique reports at 500mW in the last 24hrs alone:

10m 500mW WSPR - 34 unique spots in last 24hrs