The English manual for the KN-Q10 QRP radio kit from China is now available. See http://www.qsl.net/bd6cr/knq10manual.pdf .
It seems like more and more of these kits/rigs are starting to appear from China at very competitive prices. Most seem (to my eyes) to be immature (amateur looking) designs and it could be a few years yet before we see real competition to the likes of Yaesu and Icom. Up to now these Chinese radios look like "back shed" designs unlike the mature, professional jobs from Japan.
But mature Chinese designs are coming! Be in no doubt. When it happens big-time it will be a bombshell to the Japanese manufacturers: expect real price competition, leading to offshore, lower cost, assembly by Yaesu and Icom. Expect to see the FT817 back at £350 (or less) next year or the year after.
[Incidentally, every blog and Facebook entry seems to need at least one correction. I am assuming this is not my keyboard but because of my stroke. I am not a good typist and have to look at the keyboard, more so now than I recall in the past. I keep putting the letter "i" where it should be "u" and missing out the odd letter. I also seem to have lots of "n" letters where they should not be. My apologies if you see errors.]
12 May 2014
Back on the air (10m and 2m)
10m WSPR (so far this morning) is just EU stations via Es. My only report, so far, is from SM6WZI (1007km) who has spotted my 2W several times. I have spotted, several more stations too.
On 2m, GB3NGI (N.Ireland beacon) is currently just above the noise keying away at around 530km by tropo.
UPDATE 0924z: 4X1RF has just spotted me on 10m WSPR. Sunspot count 161 (good) but 20-30MHz conditions described only as "fair".
UPDATE 1105z: 4X1RF has spotted me 8 times so far today. Still no DX from further east though (well not here).
UPDATE 1150z: CX2ABP (11127km) just spotted. 10m opening to South America.
UPDATE 1450z: CX2ABP spotted 5 times now. Opening to South America looks reasonable this afternoon. But no South American has spotted me yet today.
UPDATE 1712z: CX2ABP (5W) has been spotted by me several times today, but I guess my lower power (2W ish) is enough to put my signal in "the crud" of Monte Video as he has not spotted me once yet. Maybe later? Also, no other South Americans seen here.
UPDATE 1815z: CX2ABP has spotted my 2W for the first time today at 1812z. It was a long time coming! Reports differed by around 3dB which is right for the power difference.
UPDATE 2030z : I4ZTO spotted me. Es propagation must be responsible for this strong (-7dB S/N) spot of my 2W at 2018z.
On 2m, GB3NGI (N.Ireland beacon) is currently just above the noise keying away at around 530km by tropo.
UPDATE 0924z: 4X1RF has just spotted me on 10m WSPR. Sunspot count 161 (good) but 20-30MHz conditions described only as "fair".
UPDATE 1105z: 4X1RF has spotted me 8 times so far today. Still no DX from further east though (well not here).
UPDATE 1150z: CX2ABP (11127km) just spotted. 10m opening to South America.
UPDATE 1450z: CX2ABP spotted 5 times now. Opening to South America looks reasonable this afternoon. But no South American has spotted me yet today.
UPDATE 1712z: CX2ABP (5W) has been spotted by me several times today, but I guess my lower power (2W ish) is enough to put my signal in "the crud" of Monte Video as he has not spotted me once yet. Maybe later? Also, no other South Americans seen here.
UPDATE 1815z: CX2ABP has spotted my 2W for the first time today at 1812z. It was a long time coming! Reports differed by around 3dB which is right for the power difference.
UPDATE 2030z : I4ZTO spotted me. Es propagation must be responsible for this strong (-7dB S/N) spot of my 2W at 2018z.
11 May 2014
Non-radio day
For the first time since my stroke last September I ventured out of the
county (Newmarket and Bury-St-Edmunds, Suffolk excepted), with my wife, to visit my son and family who live near
Canterbury, Kent.
So today was a non-radio day: no WSPR, no 2m or 70cm beacon monitoring, no 472kHz. Yesterday the antennas were taking quite a battering from the wind. I shall be on-air again Monday AM.
As I cannot drive (currently, as a result of the stroke) we did a day return by train. It was
seamless and travel in both directions was fast. We had from 12-4pm
with our son and family and about the same time in travel on fast
trains, especially in Kent. It was a lovely day out.
Now we have done it once we may well do it again. Being a Sunday, parking at Cambridge station was easy and cheap. Our son picked us up at Canterbury West station. There were no delays because of engineering works.
Booking in advance, via http://www.thetrainline.com/, and using our Seniour Railcards, the fares were reasonable too.
So today was a non-radio day: no WSPR, no 2m or 70cm beacon monitoring, no 472kHz. Yesterday the antennas were taking quite a battering from the wind. I shall be on-air again Monday AM.
 |
| With the grandchildren in Kent today |
Now we have done it once we may well do it again. Being a Sunday, parking at Cambridge station was easy and cheap. Our son picked us up at Canterbury West station. There were no delays because of engineering works.
Booking in advance, via http://www.thetrainline.com/, and using our Seniour Railcards, the fares were reasonable too.
10 May 2014
10m - closing down
After a distinctly average day (so far at least) I am closing the 10m station down shorty. A brief opening to South America (PY2RN, Brazil) was the only highlight. Others included 4X1RF and 4X1DA, Europeans on Es and local Gs.
On 2m the GB3NGI Northern Ireland beacon was present before lunch but was inaudible this evening in wet and windy conditions. I think this beacon is marginal: sometimes it is above the noise and other times just below.
On 2m the GB3NGI Northern Ireland beacon was present before lunch but was inaudible this evening in wet and windy conditions. I think this beacon is marginal: sometimes it is above the noise and other times just below.
What does my stroke feel like - inside?
People who see me say, "you do look well" and similar. I have then to explain how I feel on the inside.
Outwardly I do look pretty good: I have put back lost weight, got colour back in my cheeks and am looking more and more like my "old" self. Inside it is (still) a very different story. The best way to describe how I feel is by saying I feel wobbly all the time when walking - like I have had 8 pints of beer - always giddy and unsteady when on the move. Any physical exertion, like a tiny bit of gardening, leaves me shattered and in need of a sit-down and rest. I also feel near constant, low level, nausea in my stomach and gut.
Overall, I am making progress but this is too slow: I desperately want to be "normal" again . At present, it seems 3 steps forwards and 2 backwards. I should be off the stomach (via peg) liquid feed by June/July and already the amount through the peg is vastly reduced compared with when I first came out of hospital. I think my giddiness and sickness/nausea are slowly improving. I am eating more by mouth.
So, I may look OK but inside I still feel rough at the moment. Normality is a way off yet still, sadly. Thankfully I sleep very well: when I drop off it is (usually) a long and good quality sleep. Sleep is the only time in the day I feel properly OK. The rest of the time is still a struggle.
Amateur radio remains a Godsend. I tend to use WSPR as I don't have to speak and can monitor progress from the lounge if I want. I am also enjoying beacon hunting on 2m and 70cm with the new small beam. Using SSB in the 2m UKAC last Tuesday evening was a struggle, as is speaking on the local Monday 2m FM net. My voice is still poor and I get breathless. I have appreciated visits from friends and the help of Andrew G6ALB with antennas.
The days are long and I miss not driving currently. With hard work, things will get back to normal again. I have no limb paralysis, hearing and sight are fine, my intellect is intact, so really I have a lot to be grateful for compared with many. The fact I have a good prospect of a full recovery keeps me going.
Outwardly I do look pretty good: I have put back lost weight, got colour back in my cheeks and am looking more and more like my "old" self. Inside it is (still) a very different story. The best way to describe how I feel is by saying I feel wobbly all the time when walking - like I have had 8 pints of beer - always giddy and unsteady when on the move. Any physical exertion, like a tiny bit of gardening, leaves me shattered and in need of a sit-down and rest. I also feel near constant, low level, nausea in my stomach and gut.
Overall, I am making progress but this is too slow: I desperately want to be "normal" again . At present, it seems 3 steps forwards and 2 backwards. I should be off the stomach (via peg) liquid feed by June/July and already the amount through the peg is vastly reduced compared with when I first came out of hospital. I think my giddiness and sickness/nausea are slowly improving. I am eating more by mouth.
So, I may look OK but inside I still feel rough at the moment. Normality is a way off yet still, sadly. Thankfully I sleep very well: when I drop off it is (usually) a long and good quality sleep. Sleep is the only time in the day I feel properly OK. The rest of the time is still a struggle.
Amateur radio remains a Godsend. I tend to use WSPR as I don't have to speak and can monitor progress from the lounge if I want. I am also enjoying beacon hunting on 2m and 70cm with the new small beam. Using SSB in the 2m UKAC last Tuesday evening was a struggle, as is speaking on the local Monday 2m FM net. My voice is still poor and I get breathless. I have appreciated visits from friends and the help of Andrew G6ALB with antennas.
The days are long and I miss not driving currently. With hard work, things will get back to normal again. I have no limb paralysis, hearing and sight are fine, my intellect is intact, so really I have a lot to be grateful for compared with many. The fact I have a good prospect of a full recovery keeps me going.
10m- only average today?
So far today it has been the usual reports from 4X1RF, a few Europeans and a local copying me, all on WSPR. Just now PY2RN has spotted me so may be conditions will open to South America this afternoon and even North America later?
Sunspot count is 123 and the 20-30MHz forecast is "good". Up to now conditions seem very average. Earlier there was a ZS1 and a VK6 coming through on JT65, although not worked, on 10m.
Sunspot count is 123 and the 20-30MHz forecast is "good". Up to now conditions seem very average. Earlier there was a ZS1 and a VK6 coming through on JT65, although not worked, on 10m.
9 May 2014
10m coming to life - late
After a pretty quiet day on the 10m band, I have just exchanged strong WSPR reports with PY2RN (Brazil). It looks like the band has suddenly woken up. This is 10m and this sort of thing does happen. Judging by the drift I'd say TEP mode.
UPDATE 2050z: Only decent DX has been PY2RN. Several recent spots from GM4WJA (624km) in mid-Scotland, an odd distance really and I am still unsure of the mode as too close (?) for F layer and too regular for Es?
UPDATE 2050z: Only decent DX has been PY2RN. Several recent spots from GM4WJA (624km) in mid-Scotland, an odd distance really and I am still unsure of the mode as too close (?) for F layer and too regular for Es?
Cornish 2m beacon GB3MCB
I have still to copy this beacon on my FT817ND and 3el from a decent site! Beam heading is right, so I guess it must be too weak to copy except in lifts. I could copy GB3CTC years ago, weakly but 100% of the time, from a poorer site in this village on a 5el with more lossy coax. Is GB3MCB much weaker in East Anglia or is it me? I am listening on 144.4690MHz with a 250Hz filter, so very surprised not to have had even a brief ping to ID it by. Is the beacon GPS locked? Is the 2m beacon transmitting even? I am beginning to think it is off-air.
By contrast GB3NGI (further away in N.Ireland) is nearly copyable all the time.
By contrast GB3NGI (further away in N.Ireland) is nearly copyable all the time.
Good start on 10m today - disappointment later
Sunspot count 124 and 20-30MHz conditions supposed to be only "fair" so not expecting great things today.
However, HS1EAX (9858km) was spotted on WSPR at 0902z and 4X1RF spotting me at good strength, so things are promising to the east. Let us see how the remainder of the day develops. This 10m , so conditions can rapidly change.
UPDATE 1647z: Well,, it looks like HS1EAX was the only excitement here on 10m today, with just 4X1RF, 4X1DA and European stations in evidence otherwise. So far, disappointment.
UPDATE 1800z: Conditions 20-30MHz now shown as "good". Perhaps things on 10m will get better tonight?
UPDATE 1915z: Very strong signal from PY2RN (9550km) suggesting TEP.
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| 10m WSPR 9.5.14 early morning |
UPDATE 1647z: Well,, it looks like HS1EAX was the only excitement here on 10m today, with just 4X1RF, 4X1DA and European stations in evidence otherwise. So far, disappointment.
UPDATE 1800z: Conditions 20-30MHz now shown as "good". Perhaps things on 10m will get better tonight?
UPDATE 1915z: Very strong signal from PY2RN (9550km) suggesting TEP.
8 May 2014
Small 2m beam or a pair of stacked big wheels?
At the moment I am enjoying 2m and 70cm horizontal using a small yagi with 3 elements on 2m and 5 elements on 70cm. Both sets of elements are on the same boom and fed with a single 17m length of Westflex low-loss coax. Last Tuesday was the first chance to try the beam in a 2m contest. Although I have still to try the beam in a 70cm contest, I am wondering about 2 stacked big-wheels just for 2m.
A pair of big wheels are reported to have a horizontal gain of around 5dBd, which is comparable to the gain of my 3el beam, but without the necessity to rotate the antenna. In a 2m UKAC contest this arrangement may well be better? With the beam I was constantly wanting to adjust the beam direction. On my little halo (and big-wheel) I'd have no choice.
For now, I shall stick with the dual-band beam, but I would be interested to hear your views on big wheels as gainy 2m horizontal antennas. I could probably mount the big-wheels slightly higher too.
Unlike many, I am not so keen that I want huge beams and high power. My interests are beacon hunting and casual contesting. In the last UKAC 2m contest I ran 5W.
A pair of big wheels are reported to have a horizontal gain of around 5dBd, which is comparable to the gain of my 3el beam, but without the necessity to rotate the antenna. In a 2m UKAC contest this arrangement may well be better? With the beam I was constantly wanting to adjust the beam direction. On my little halo (and big-wheel) I'd have no choice.
For now, I shall stick with the dual-band beam, but I would be interested to hear your views on big wheels as gainy 2m horizontal antennas. I could probably mount the big-wheels slightly higher too.
Unlike many, I am not so keen that I want huge beams and high power. My interests are beacon hunting and casual contesting. In the last UKAC 2m contest I ran 5W.
10m today - a washout?
Apart from multiple reports from 4X1RF and a scattering of European reports, today, so far, conditions have been worse today than I can recall in a very long time. This is 10m and things can quickly change but the most probable summary for 10m today is a WASHOUT!
Yesterday was generally better, but far from brilliant. I think we are being reminded that we are approaching summertime when 10m conditions fall off. N-S conditions may still be reasonable, but E-W openings will be rare.
Yesterday was generally better, but far from brilliant. I think we are being reminded that we are approaching summertime when 10m conditions fall off. N-S conditions may still be reasonable, but E-W openings will be rare.
Bird migration and man-made electronic noise
See http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature13290.html .
Evidence that bird migration is affected by human EM noise pollution - article in Nature journal.
Evidence that bird migration is affected by human EM noise pollution - article in Nature journal.
10m Maritime Mobile and lack of DX
W3PM/M was being spotted here this morning on 10m WSPR. This ship was 1982km out in the Atlantic in HN68lf square. As far as I remember, this is the first 10m maritime mobile WSPR station I have copied.
UPDATE 1400z: 4X1RF (3519km) has just spotted me on a day with no DX worth noting in evidence so far.
UPDATE 1500z: Still no DX (e.g. South America) here.
UPDATE 1735z: Conditions are still appalling here on 10m. Just 4X1RF and EU stations by Es.
UPDATE 1905z: Conditions STILL poor on 10m with just 4X1RF spotting me now. Little chance of 10m DX today I fear unlike yesterday, that turned out quite well in the end, with long-path open to Tasmania (VK7) at 2208z (around 20000km over the Pacific). Based on last night's surprises, I shall be monitoring 10m way past midnight in case of late openings.
UPDATE 1400z: 4X1RF (3519km) has just spotted me on a day with no DX worth noting in evidence so far.
UPDATE 1500z: Still no DX (e.g. South America) here.
UPDATE 1735z: Conditions are still appalling here on 10m. Just 4X1RF and EU stations by Es.
UPDATE 1905z: Conditions STILL poor on 10m with just 4X1RF spotting me now. Little chance of 10m DX today I fear unlike yesterday, that turned out quite well in the end, with long-path open to Tasmania (VK7) at 2208z (around 20000km over the Pacific). Based on last night's surprises, I shall be monitoring 10m way past midnight in case of late openings.
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| 10m WSPR this afternoon/early evening |
10m - Australia late at night
VK7AM (17366km) Tasmania, Australia running 5W was spotted on 10m WSPR at 2208 last night and I am wondering if this was long-path over the Pacific? At this time the WSPRnet database often shows stateside stations being spotted in Australia. This was a total surprise as conditions on the band did not seem that brilliant really. It goes to show that 10m really is a band filled with surprises! Even from hour to hour, conditions change and results can be surprising. I guess it is a reminder never to give up on the 10m band.
This morning so far just Italians copied, sunspot count is a more modest 105 with 20-30MHz propagation forecast to be "poor".
This morning so far just Italians copied, sunspot count is a more modest 105 with 20-30MHz propagation forecast to be "poor".
7 May 2014
10m early start
4X1RF was spotting me from 0442z today which is very early indeed. Are we in for a good day? Sunspot count is 137 and 20-30MHz conditions meant to be "good". We'll see.
At the moment (0830z) 4X1RF and 4X1DA are the only stations spotting me. Sometimes their reports are identical whereas at other times they differ by 11dB, I assume because of different antennas and the exact path by which my signal arrives at their stations. Fascinating.
UPDATE 0840z: Just been spotted in Norway by LB9YE (1533km) presumably by Es. No "decent" DX yet.
UPDATE 1245z: Still very quiet on 10m WSPR. Mainly 4X1RF and a few spots from LB9YE. A very quiet day on 10m.
UPDATE 1515z: Just one South American spotted me - PU8MET (7842km). So far today conditions have been dire.
UPDATE 1745z: 10m is an amazing band: just when I was ready to give up on the band WA6JRW (8664km) in DM14he was spotting me at -24dB S/N. A little earlier I spotted K9AN. Maybe there will be others?
UPDATE 2020z: No more North or South Americans? I think the DX has passed now: 4X, DH and GM only now.
UPDATE 2015z: Sorry, this is 10m, the band filled with surprises! In the last few minutes W1 call area spotted and being spotted. Probably yet more to come?
UPDATE 2100z: WSPR spots exchanged 2-way with a couple of stations in the W1 call area. Conditions really are surprising after the lack-luster N-S conditions earlier in the day.
UPDATE 2130z: Still DX about and those mysterious spots from Scotland again:
At the moment (0830z) 4X1RF and 4X1DA are the only stations spotting me. Sometimes their reports are identical whereas at other times they differ by 11dB, I assume because of different antennas and the exact path by which my signal arrives at their stations. Fascinating.
UPDATE 0840z: Just been spotted in Norway by LB9YE (1533km) presumably by Es. No "decent" DX yet.
UPDATE 1245z: Still very quiet on 10m WSPR. Mainly 4X1RF and a few spots from LB9YE. A very quiet day on 10m.
UPDATE 1515z: Just one South American spotted me - PU8MET (7842km). So far today conditions have been dire.
UPDATE 1745z: 10m is an amazing band: just when I was ready to give up on the band WA6JRW (8664km) in DM14he was spotting me at -24dB S/N. A little earlier I spotted K9AN. Maybe there will be others?
UPDATE 2020z: No more North or South Americans? I think the DX has passed now: 4X, DH and GM only now.
UPDATE 2015z: Sorry, this is 10m, the band filled with surprises! In the last few minutes W1 call area spotted and being spotted. Probably yet more to come?
UPDATE 2100z: WSPR spots exchanged 2-way with a couple of stations in the W1 call area. Conditions really are surprising after the lack-luster N-S conditions earlier in the day.
UPDATE 2130z: Still DX about and those mysterious spots from Scotland again:
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| Recent 10m WSPR spots |
6 May 2014
GM4WJA yet again on 10m WSPR
Yet again GM4WJA (624km) has been spotting me on 10m WSPR. This is an odd distance as it seems far too close for F2 propagation. He must have spotted me nearly 60 times in all now.
There was an absence (here) of DX from South and North America: I was expecting decent conditions on the band but here at least there was nothing like real DX around.
There was an absence (here) of DX from South and North America: I was expecting decent conditions on the band but here at least there was nothing like real DX around.
2m UKAC this evening
The 2m UKAC contest was my first opportunity to try 2m under contest conditions with the FT817ND and the 3 el beam (hand rotated). In all I operated for 90 minutes before I had to stop because of my strained voice (stroke). Using my voice was hard work this evening!
Best DX was G4CZP/P in IO90jo (212km) and M0KJR in IO81vh (202km) but I heard (but did not work) GD8EXI on the Isle of Man who was called several times without success at the 5W level. To be honest, turning the beam was a pain and I suspect results would have been (at least) as good on a pair of stacked and phased big wheels (5dBd). Perhaps it was my technique with the beam that needs to be learned? I wanted to peak the beam whereas I should have kept the beam heading and tried to work what I could hear well?
Conditions did not seem above normal to me. It was raining during the contest here. Compared with the halo (used before), results were definitely better.
Next Tuesday it will be the 70cm UKAC contest - that will be interesting if my voice is any good.
Best DX was G4CZP/P in IO90jo (212km) and M0KJR in IO81vh (202km) but I heard (but did not work) GD8EXI on the Isle of Man who was called several times without success at the 5W level. To be honest, turning the beam was a pain and I suspect results would have been (at least) as good on a pair of stacked and phased big wheels (5dBd). Perhaps it was my technique with the beam that needs to be learned? I wanted to peak the beam whereas I should have kept the beam heading and tried to work what I could hear well?
Conditions did not seem above normal to me. It was raining during the contest here. Compared with the halo (used before), results were definitely better.
Next Tuesday it will be the 70cm UKAC contest - that will be interesting if my voice is any good.
2m GB3MCB - 410km: no luck at all
The mid-Cornwall 2m beacon GB3MCB is 410km away on an all-land path and, as yet, I have still to receive it, even for very brief periods. I keep looking, but without any success so far. By now I would have expected the odd MS ping or aircraft reflection but, so far, an absolute blank.
Can anyone confirm it is on-air?
UPDATE 1900z: A very weak signal,somewhat low (144.46802MHz CW) may have been a weak ping from this beacon? Too weak to tell and no callsign copied.
Can anyone confirm it is on-air?
UPDATE 1900z: A very weak signal,somewhat low (144.46802MHz CW) may have been a weak ping from this beacon? Too weak to tell and no callsign copied.
10m WSPR - the same faces?
One of the drawbacks of WSPR is that you seem to have the same people on day after day. This is "a good thing" if comparing reports day to day, but it means the reports tend to be from the same sub-set of the amateur community. There would be more variety on some other modes. For this reason, I shall be trying some other modes in the coming days. The advantage of WSPR is it does not require me to speak (good with my stroke) and it works with very low power. As I tend to use 2W and very modest (low gain) antennas, this mode usually suits me fine.
UPDATE 1645z: Openings to South and North America have been noticeable by their absence here so far today. Yesterday, when conditions were supposed to be worse, the openings were quite decent. This afternoon 4X1RF and DK6UG were my main spotters, in fact my only spotters.
UPDATE 1645z: Openings to South and North America have been noticeable by their absence here so far today. Yesterday, when conditions were supposed to be worse, the openings were quite decent. This afternoon 4X1RF and DK6UG were my main spotters, in fact my only spotters.
10m good today?
With a sunspot count of 131 and a forecast of "good" 20-30MHz conditions, 10m ought to be good today. Already UA6AAK has been spotted many times at 2780km and, as usual, 4X1RF has spotted my 2W. I confidently expect the band to open to South America shortly and to North America later.
If we didn't have visitors this afternoon, it would be time to try JT65/JT9-1 on 10m for some 2-way QSOs.
UPDATE 1035z: FR1GZ (9724km) has just been spotted at 0950z and 1030z.
If we didn't have visitors this afternoon, it would be time to try JT65/JT9-1 on 10m for some 2-way QSOs.
UPDATE 1035z: FR1GZ (9724km) has just been spotted at 0950z and 1030z.
5 May 2014
Surprise, surprise! North America on 10m
K3NAL has been spotted here on 10m WSPR at 1918z, 1948z and 2008z. At 1936z, 1942z and 2016z WB5WPA (7591km) was spotted.
I was quite surprised to see the band open in this direction. Conditions N-S were just average only so I thought N.America was unlikely. Again, WSPR indicating openings. WB5WPA and CX2ABP had quite a bit of Doppler at times - equatorial spread-F the mode involved indirectly or directly? Wondering if the N.Americans we coming in via an indirect path?
UPDATE 2050z: Just been spotted by VE1MDO at 2046z.
I was quite surprised to see the band open in this direction. Conditions N-S were just average only so I thought N.America was unlikely. Again, WSPR indicating openings. WB5WPA and CX2ABP had quite a bit of Doppler at times - equatorial spread-F the mode involved indirectly or directly? Wondering if the N.Americans we coming in via an indirect path?
UPDATE 2050z: Just been spotted by VE1MDO at 2046z.
South America on 10m WSPR
Another relatively quiet day on 10m but CX2ABP was spotted just now so the band was open (still is?) to South America. Sadly no North Americans yesterday here, despite reasonable sunspot numbers and the band opening well N-S. I do not expect 10m to open to the USA or Canada today, but this band is full of surprises.
UPDATE 1908z: CX2ABP still being spotted, seen 9 times so far this evening, but seen no others from that continent here .
UPDATE 1908z: CX2ABP still being spotted, seen 9 times so far this evening, but seen no others from that continent here .
Doppler on WSPR
On shortish distance WSPR , especially on 6m and shorter wavelengths, Doppler shift from aircraft is a real issue: signals arrive directly and reflected off aircraft and sometimes WSPR cannot decode (often quite strong) signals. G0LRD has been analysing my signals and believes these have been frequently reflected off planes around Stansted Airport.
I have also seen large Doppler shifts on some trans-equatorial 10m signals and wonder if this is spread-F , moving F layers either side of the equator? Sometimes it is kit warming up, but I quite often see large Doppler on TEP signals and also signals crossing auroral (polar) paths.
On 6m and 2m, Doppler can make some VHF paths inter-G almost unworkable - strong signals but too much Doppler for the software to cope.
I have also seen large Doppler shifts on some trans-equatorial 10m signals and wonder if this is spread-F , moving F layers either side of the equator? Sometimes it is kit warming up, but I quite often see large Doppler on TEP signals and also signals crossing auroral (polar) paths.
On 6m and 2m, Doppler can make some VHF paths inter-G almost unworkable - strong signals but too much Doppler for the software to cope.
4 May 2014
2008/2009 sunspots
Just looking back and I noticed a graph showing solar activity just 5-6 years ago. When conditions are pretty decent - as at present - it is hard to remember just how dire they were back then. We thought the minimum would never end - it went on for years and years with hardly any sunspots. Next time, around 2019/2020, the minimum may last for many years if we are indeed entering a Maunder minimum. It is possible hardly any sunspots will be present even at the next maximum. Only time will tell. Whatever happens we have to enjoy our bands in an appropriate way.
Early start on 10m WSPR
Switched on 10m WSPR at 0850z this morning.
There are a few EU stations (Spain and Italy) coming in by sporadic-E (Es) as well as FR1GZ (9724km) on Reunion Is in the Indian Ocean.
Sunspot count is 121 with 20-30MHz conditions described as "poor".
UPDATE 1130z: Puzzled why I was spotting lots of stations but no-one was spotting me, I realised I had my external LS output muted (doh!) so no modulation was being applied to the TX! When (easily) fixed I was immediately spotted on 10m by 4X1RF at a strong -5dB S/N on WSPR. What with precise frequency, clock and audio, there are a lot of things to set when running WSPR and similar modes.
UPDATE 1228z: No more spots until 4X1RF spotted me again at 1222z. Conditions do seem poor.
UPDATE 1508z: Mainly Israel and one report from Brazil, so far, on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1915z: Looks like we were lucky to see South American openings this afternoon and this evening (just been spotted by CX2ABP). A few Es signals in evidence now too. No sign of North Americans (yet) - maybe later?
UPDATE 2130z: All has gone quiet with 4X1RF last spotting me over 2 hours ago.
There are a few EU stations (Spain and Italy) coming in by sporadic-E (Es) as well as FR1GZ (9724km) on Reunion Is in the Indian Ocean.
Sunspot count is 121 with 20-30MHz conditions described as "poor".
UPDATE 1130z: Puzzled why I was spotting lots of stations but no-one was spotting me, I realised I had my external LS output muted (doh!) so no modulation was being applied to the TX! When (easily) fixed I was immediately spotted on 10m by 4X1RF at a strong -5dB S/N on WSPR. What with precise frequency, clock and audio, there are a lot of things to set when running WSPR and similar modes.
UPDATE 1228z: No more spots until 4X1RF spotted me again at 1222z. Conditions do seem poor.
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| Recent 10m WSPR spot |
UPDATE 1915z: Looks like we were lucky to see South American openings this afternoon and this evening (just been spotted by CX2ABP). A few Es signals in evidence now too. No sign of North Americans (yet) - maybe later?
UPDATE 2130z: All has gone quiet with 4X1RF last spotting me over 2 hours ago.
First 70cm beacon copied - 70cm PI7CIS
This morning, I managed to copy the 70cm beacon at PI7CIS (by ear) using my 5 ele yagi. On my FT817ND dial it was at 432.41536MHz, somewhat lower than the supposed frequency (432.416MHz) , as a result of RX drift at my end and thermal drift of the TX. I would guess it is at least 10dB down on the co-sited 2m beacon. Neither signals move the FT817ND's S-meter. As my first 70cm SSB/CW reception I was very pleased. Conditions may be marginally up in that direction, but not by very much.
It looks like this 70cm beacon is just below the noise floor here normally, so a slight lift is needed to detect it.
It looks like this 70cm beacon is just below the noise floor here normally, so a slight lift is needed to detect it.
3 May 2014
ON0VHF 2m beacon 144.418MHz
The 2m beacon ON0VHF seems to be copyable at all times at a distance of just over 350km. It is located just the far side of Brussels.
Imagine my surprise when I found out it is only running 15W to a single big wheel antenna with a gain of around just 3dBi. At one time I was considering a stacked pair of big wheel antennas here. In theory, properly phased, a pair of big wheels should give omni-directional horizontal gain of around 5dBd, which is similar to a small beam without having to turn it.
Imagine my surprise when I found out it is only running 15W to a single big wheel antenna with a gain of around just 3dBi. At one time I was considering a stacked pair of big wheel antennas here. In theory, properly phased, a pair of big wheels should give omni-directional horizontal gain of around 5dBd, which is similar to a small beam without having to turn it.
GB3ANG (Angus 2m beacon)
Have now turned the beam about 20 degrees further north and looking for GB3ANG. Unlike GB3NGI this one seems a little low in frequency, as if the stability is not as good. I have had 2 brief periods of copy and these may have been off an aircraft or by MS. This beacon is considerably weaker than the one in Northern Ireland and below the noise floor here. Being just below the noise floor means it will be a useful indicator of conditions to Scotland: if the beacon is audible it will suggest a lift in that direction.
10m - South America
At the moment I am spotting CX2ABP (11127km, 5W)) on 10m WSPR. The band is open(ing) to that part of the world, although there are no signs yet of North Americans. Maybe these stations will appear later? No other South Americans yet seen. Just 4X1RF (Israel) and DK6UG (Germany) around closer to home.
On 2m, beacon GB3NGI (530km) is still coming in here just above the noise - callsign and QTH locator can be copied. I have not listened for other beacons yet. Quite amazed the Northern Ireland beacon near Ballymena is so consistent here. I don't think conditions on 2m tropo are above average? Should I expect to copy some beacons at 530km regularly? Seems like this is a good one. Not sure about GB3ANG (near Dundee) yet - will have to beam further north to see.
Based on these 2m CW beacons, WSPR or JT9 at similar ranges should be possible for stations with even small beams. I did have a quick try on 10m JT9 (supposed to be just 2dB worse than WSPR but fully 2-way) but no stations seen. A 2W CQ brought no replies.
On 2m, beacon GB3NGI (530km) is still coming in here just above the noise - callsign and QTH locator can be copied. I have not listened for other beacons yet. Quite amazed the Northern Ireland beacon near Ballymena is so consistent here. I don't think conditions on 2m tropo are above average? Should I expect to copy some beacons at 530km regularly? Seems like this is a good one. Not sure about GB3ANG (near Dundee) yet - will have to beam further north to see.
Based on these 2m CW beacons, WSPR or JT9 at similar ranges should be possible for stations with even small beams. I did have a quick try on 10m JT9 (supposed to be just 2dB worse than WSPR but fully 2-way) but no stations seen. A 2W CQ brought no replies.
GB3NGI - there again today
A few moments ago I came into the shack to start 10m WSPR (immediately spotted by 4X1RF).
I turned on the other rig to 144.482MHz CW and the GB3NGI N.Ireland beacon (530km) was immediately copied and is still there keying away with callsign, QTH locator and a dash. Maybe this is audible more often than not? It may be GPS locked as the frequency is very accurate. Here it is spot on 144.482MHz dial.
Someone asked about the noise floor here on 2m. Well, currently I am lucky as on any beam heading man made noise is very low, not lifting the FT817ND's S-meter at all. For reasons I don't understand it is quieter here than at the old QTH which was on the village edge. Maybe the slightly greater distance from other houses is helping? I can hear the odd whistle as I tune through the beacon band. These are very weak though.
Back on 10m, nothing around yet apart from 4X1RF. Conditions 20-30MHz are meant to be "good". Not here as yet! On 10m WSPR RX only a few wispy traces, none decoded.
I turned on the other rig to 144.482MHz CW and the GB3NGI N.Ireland beacon (530km) was immediately copied and is still there keying away with callsign, QTH locator and a dash. Maybe this is audible more often than not? It may be GPS locked as the frequency is very accurate. Here it is spot on 144.482MHz dial.
Someone asked about the noise floor here on 2m. Well, currently I am lucky as on any beam heading man made noise is very low, not lifting the FT817ND's S-meter at all. For reasons I don't understand it is quieter here than at the old QTH which was on the village edge. Maybe the slightly greater distance from other houses is helping? I can hear the odd whistle as I tune through the beacon band. These are very weak though.
Back on 10m, nothing around yet apart from 4X1RF. Conditions 20-30MHz are meant to be "good". Not here as yet! On 10m WSPR RX only a few wispy traces, none decoded.
Ultimate 3 Beacon
So far today I have not yet been on the radios at all. No 10m WSPR, no 2m/70cm beacon hunting.
Later, if I feel well enough, I may make a start on my Ultimate 3 Beacon Kit. It would be good to get this running but I have been waiting until I felt a bit better (less giddy). Now is maybe the time? Perhaps I'll start on an easy board today.
Later, if I feel well enough, I may make a start on my Ultimate 3 Beacon Kit. It would be good to get this running but I have been waiting until I felt a bit better (less giddy). Now is maybe the time? Perhaps I'll start on an easy board today.
2 May 2014
2m - GB3NGI Ballymena beacon
This beacon is about 530km from me yet it appears to be on the edge of copy at all times - wait a few minutes and out of the noise pops the callsign and QTH locator. This appears to be a high powered beacon at an excellent site. Its 4 el beam aims towards England so is just about optimum. This is another useful propagation indicator and at a good distance too.
I am still in the process of finding out which 2m beacons are always there, which are usually below the noise floor and which ones can be expected to be copied in reasonable lifts. At the moment it looks like this:
GB3VHF (Kent) always there
ON0VHF (Belgium) always there
PI7CIS (Holland) always there
GB3NGI (N.Ireland) just below noise (peaks copied)
GB3ANG (Angus, Scotland) just below noise (peaks copied)
GB3MCB (Cornwall) below noise - not yet copied
Others - still TBA.
As a reminder, I am using a barefoot FT817ND with a 3 el 2m yagi (5m AGL) fed with 17m of low loss coax. My site is on top of our local"hill" (20m ASL) next to the windmill with a decent take-off in nearly every direction.
On 70cms SSB/CW I have still yet to hear anything - no beacons or stations yet, but I am still looking. The antenna is a 5 el with the same low-loss Westflex coax feeder.
I shall be active in the next 2m and 70cm UKAC contest sessions (next 2 Tuesday evenings) trying to find out how well the station works.
I am still in the process of finding out which 2m beacons are always there, which are usually below the noise floor and which ones can be expected to be copied in reasonable lifts. At the moment it looks like this:
GB3VHF (Kent) always there
ON0VHF (Belgium) always there
PI7CIS (Holland) always there
GB3NGI (N.Ireland) just below noise (peaks copied)
GB3ANG (Angus, Scotland) just below noise (peaks copied)
GB3MCB (Cornwall) below noise - not yet copied
Others - still TBA.
As a reminder, I am using a barefoot FT817ND with a 3 el 2m yagi (5m AGL) fed with 17m of low loss coax. My site is on top of our local"hill" (20m ASL) next to the windmill with a decent take-off in nearly every direction.
On 70cms SSB/CW I have still yet to hear anything - no beacons or stations yet, but I am still looking. The antenna is a 5 el with the same low-loss Westflex coax feeder.
I shall be active in the next 2m and 70cm UKAC contest sessions (next 2 Tuesday evenings) trying to find out how well the station works.
More 2m beacons
This morning (around 1100z) I positively identified - full calls and QTH locators by ear - GB3ANG (Angus,Scotland) and ON0VHF (144.418MHz, 350km - Belgium). As yet, I'm not sure if I can copy these in totally flat conditions, or not, but certainly ON0VHF is a very solid signal and is still there now hours later. It is weaker than the Kent VHF beacon, but not too much. This should be a very useful marginal signal.
Tuning through the beacons there are a lot of very weak carriers that are not beacons, so it is important to listen for callsigns and QTH locators to be sure of the beacon ID. I am still exploring beacons and beam headings, so it will be some time before I know what can be copied at any time on 2m. On 70cms I have hardly started looking.
UPDATE 1900z: ON0VHF is still audible, so I think this beacon will be a very good propagation indicator in that direction. Likewise PI7CIS (2m).
Tuning through the beacons there are a lot of very weak carriers that are not beacons, so it is important to listen for callsigns and QTH locators to be sure of the beacon ID. I am still exploring beacons and beam headings, so it will be some time before I know what can be copied at any time on 2m. On 70cms I have hardly started looking.
UPDATE 1900z: ON0VHF is still audible, so I think this beacon will be a very good propagation indicator in that direction. Likewise PI7CIS (2m).
After local midnight transatlantic on 10m
Well, 10m is full of surprises!
As late as 2318z (after our local midnight) I was still spotting K3NAL on 10m WSPR. He was using just 5W and was a decent -17dB S/N suggesting he could still have been copied at 500mW on a clear noise-free frequency. This is very late for 10m and way after dark here. I was surprised to see the band open to the USA at all. W4MO was also copied until quite late.
This morning, 4X1RF was spotting me on 10m as early as 0636z, so maybe conditions will be good again today? Sunspot count is 93 (a tad higher than yesterday) with 20-30MHz conditions shown as " normal" whatever normal means! The WSPR kit is running on 10m in readiness.
UPDATE 1000z: Apart from 4X1RF, all reports so far have been Europeans, presumably by Es propagation. Nothing special as yet.
UPDATE 1615z: DX into South America (PY2RN) in evidence, but no signs here of North Americans. Maybe the 10m band will open up to the USA and Canada much later this evening as it has done a few times this week?
UPDATE 1800z: 4X1RF has been pretty consistent on 10m all day. Several Europeans are coming through now, presumably by Es.
As late as 2318z (after our local midnight) I was still spotting K3NAL on 10m WSPR. He was using just 5W and was a decent -17dB S/N suggesting he could still have been copied at 500mW on a clear noise-free frequency. This is very late for 10m and way after dark here. I was surprised to see the band open to the USA at all. W4MO was also copied until quite late.
This morning, 4X1RF was spotting me on 10m as early as 0636z, so maybe conditions will be good again today? Sunspot count is 93 (a tad higher than yesterday) with 20-30MHz conditions shown as " normal" whatever normal means! The WSPR kit is running on 10m in readiness.
UPDATE 1000z: Apart from 4X1RF, all reports so far have been Europeans, presumably by Es propagation. Nothing special as yet.
UPDATE 1615z: DX into South America (PY2RN) in evidence, but no signs here of North Americans. Maybe the 10m band will open up to the USA and Canada much later this evening as it has done a few times this week?
UPDATE 1800z: 4X1RF has been pretty consistent on 10m all day. Several Europeans are coming through now, presumably by Es.
1 May 2014
10m opens to the USA (after all)
Much to my surprise W4MO (7177km) running 1W from Florida, has just been spotted, by me, on WSPR at 2120z and 2128z.. After the mainly N-S propagation this came as a surprise.
With a lot of Doppler (2Hz) I wondered at first if this was coming by moving spread-F from clouds close to the equator? We saw similar a few evenings back. He has just spotted me (-26dB S/N) with 0Hz drift, so that is my spread-F theory gone out of the window!
Still puzzled why just W4 (Florida) call area though i.e.. only lower latitudes of the USA.
With a lot of Doppler (2Hz) I wondered at first if this was coming by moving spread-F from clouds close to the equator? We saw similar a few evenings back. He has just spotted me (-26dB S/N) with 0Hz drift, so that is my spread-F theory gone out of the window!
Still puzzled why just W4 (Florida) call area though i.e.. only lower latitudes of the USA.
GB3VHF
The GB3VHF beacon on 144.430MHz (and soon to be GB3UHF on 432.430MHz) is 107km more or less due south of here. Although it is decent signal on the 3el beam, it does not move the FT817 S-meter.
Does anyone know roughly the difference in the Cambridge area of this compared with the old Wrotham beacon? As I recall it Wrotham was a lot stronger.
A weaker signal is no problem, but I hope it is not just me that gets the Fairseat beacon on the North Downs in Kent weaker than the old Wrotham beacon used to be.
I expect to be able to copy the GB3UHF beacon when it comes on-air on 432.430MHz. Currently it is awaiting site sharing permission. It already has a licence from OFCOM.
Does anyone know roughly the difference in the Cambridge area of this compared with the old Wrotham beacon? As I recall it Wrotham was a lot stronger.
A weaker signal is no problem, but I hope it is not just me that gets the Fairseat beacon on the North Downs in Kent weaker than the old Wrotham beacon used to be.
I expect to be able to copy the GB3UHF beacon when it comes on-air on 432.430MHz. Currently it is awaiting site sharing permission. It already has a licence from OFCOM.
10m - all N-S so far today
No signs (yet anyway) of North American stations. PY4AJ and FR1GZ are there, along with others, but all these are N-S rather than E-W paths. I suspect this is going to be the pattern in the months ahead with fewer openings across the N.Atlantic. Summer time we will get a few E-W openings on 10m and 6m by multi-hop Es too.
The path to 4X1RF seems to be regularly open. This is a single hop by F-layer.
UPDATE 1800z: IK1WVQ has been consistent in the last hour. I assume the propagation is Es. IZ6QZB is spotting me.
UPDATE 1902z: EA5CYA being spotted. Es.
UPDATE 2050z: M0MVB (30km) the only station exchanging spots with in last hour. Has the 10m band died out for today? No, then I spot EA5CYA again!
UPDATE 2110z: After resetting the clock and restarting the WSPR software (yes, it had stopped) I see that EA5CYA running 200mW WSPR is still a decent signal. This must be Es.
The path to 4X1RF seems to be regularly open. This is a single hop by F-layer.
UPDATE 1800z: IK1WVQ has been consistent in the last hour. I assume the propagation is Es. IZ6QZB is spotting me.
UPDATE 1902z: EA5CYA being spotted. Es.
UPDATE 2050z: M0MVB (30km) the only station exchanging spots with in last hour. Has the 10m band died out for today? No, then I spot EA5CYA again!
UPDATE 2110z: After resetting the clock and restarting the WSPR software (yes, it had stopped) I see that EA5CYA running 200mW WSPR is still a decent signal. This must be Es.
Unique 10m WSPR spots to 1420z
No stateside spots yet today. These are the unique station spots on 10m WSPR today. Most were spotted many times.
Slow deep fading on 2m
As the PI7CIS beacon on 2m seems a good propagation indicator it was interesting to see what happened in the rain today around 1325z. Whereas the beacon seems to be nearly always copyable, but not moving the S-meter on the FT817, it was in a deep,slow fade around 5 minutes long just now - still there, but maybe 6dB weaker. Looks like it is copyable most of the time but a bad fade would make it not readable.
10m WSPR - 0845z start today
An earlier 10m WSPR start today. Sunspot count 81 and 20-30MHz conditions "normal" so expect some Asians and South Americans and even a chance of N.America later in the day.
On 2m, the PI7CIS beacon (228km) is a consistent, if weak but fully readable, signal but the co-sited 70cm beacon cannot be detected at all.
By 0854z EX1UN and DL5ZBS had been spotted here and 4X1RF has spotted my 2W strongly twice. At 0907z FR1GZ (9724km) was spotted with a good signal. Everything as expected.
UPDATE 1120z: As well as a good crop of DX, there are plenty of EU stations in this morning's WSPR log including F, LA and DL These could well be by Es propagation.
On 2m, the PI7CIS beacon (228km) is a consistent, if weak but fully readable, signal but the co-sited 70cm beacon cannot be detected at all.
By 0854z EX1UN and DL5ZBS had been spotted here and 4X1RF has spotted my 2W strongly twice. At 0907z FR1GZ (9724km) was spotted with a good signal. Everything as expected.
UPDATE 1120z: As well as a good crop of DX, there are plenty of EU stations in this morning's WSPR log including F, LA and DL These could well be by Es propagation.
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