Now South America too on 10m WSPR

After loads and loads of spots (both ways) with USA stations on 10m WSPR this afternoon, I now see PT2WWV (8873km), in Brasilia, is being spotted on the band, 8 times so far. 10m has been in excellent shape again. I shall leave WSPR running all this evening and maybe through the night again.  PT2WWV has been spotted at up to 0dB S/N i.e.very strong indeed. He is running 5W.

By the way, 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me 25 times today. There is also GDX about: G3RCE (185km) spotted several times this afternoon.  Even at 1826z I am still being spotted in the USA.  Incredible 10m conditions again.

UPDATE 1930z:  N2OTO and PT2WWV still both pounding in here.

UPDATE 2010z:   PT2WWV still coming through here. Spotted 18 times today so far and it may continue for longer .N2OTO coming through here,

UPDATE 2110z:  Just locals since 2010z. Is that it for the "real DX"  today? An hour gone since the last DX.

UPDATE 2112z:  I spoke too soon as N2OTO has just been spotted. The opening to the USA is still going on and on...

10m WSPR USA - too many now

The 10m band is so wide open to the USA today on WSPR that I have now lost count of all the stations spotted and spotting me. It feels more like mid-winter conditions. I wonder how conditions have been on 6m? It would not completely surprise me to hear 6m was open to the USA briefly today.

Cameroon again

TJ3TS (5478km) is spotting me again today. He was copying me yesterday too. African stations are few and far between on 10m WSPR, I guess as without a decent internet connection (problematic in some parts of the continent) it is hard to sync time and upload spots to the WSPRnet database?  WSPR seems to be more common in more developed nations.  I think CW is more common as kit is simpler and time synchronization not an issue.

10m WSPR - quiet times?

Well, 10m WSPR is certainly far from quiet again today. These are the spots this afternoon, showing plenty of USA activity. A reminder, I use 2W and an end-fed tri-band Par antenna strung to a tree in the garden and not too high up either.

Some recent 10m WSPR spots today

10m WSPR - 4X1RF

So far today, I have been spotted 25 times already by 4X1RF (3519km) in Israel. If this is Es, what happened to the "sporadic" bit??  Signal reports are generally very strong (up to +2dB S/N) , like a single hop F2?

10m WSPR - USA yet again today

N2OTO (7088km), in EL96wi square (Florida) - damn this FCC nonsense on USA call areas -53spotted me at 1322z today on 10m WSPR. Unless I am mistaken (there have been a lot of stateside spots this summer) this is the 16th USA opening I have caught this summer. The "conventional wisdom" is this is multi-hop Es, but I have my doubts. I seem to be spotted on lots of days, so hardly "sporadic".  Maybe it is F2 backscatter?  2W to my indifferent antenna seems to be enough.KZ8C

In addition, Es to Scandinavia on 10m is still good with OH6GKW spotted.

UPDATE 1400z: I now see that KC1AWS (5308km) was spotting me from near Worcester, Massachusetts, USA i.e. New England.  At 1346z I spotted him too. WG2Z (5600km) was also spotting me. They are coming in thick and fast now from the USA. KZ8C was just spotted.

Free online magazine (part English)

Steve G1KQH has made me aware of a Dutch magazine that is partly in English and you may want to read: see http://www.dkars.nl/index.php?page=magazine .

10m WSPR - brilliant start Sunday

4X1RF (3519km) has been spotting me since the early hours, At the last count 9 times already. Also spotting me be Es was LB9YE (1533km) in the middle of the night. I have spotted ZS1ANF (9720km), FR1GZ (9724km) and FR5ZX (9740km), the latter spotted 5 times already by 0928z,  all by F2 propagation.

Sunspot count today is 164 (more blackouts possible) and 20-30MHz propagation is "normal", although I have already seen very good F2 propagation. I have the feeling today will be another good 10m day.

UPDATE 1020z:   FR5ZX has been spotted 10 times on 10m WSPR so far this morning already at up to -13dB S/N.  FR1GZ has also been spotted several times. F2 over the equator is solid today.

UPDATE 1042z:  Lots of Es from Scandinavia this morning on 10m WSPR.  Date check?  Oh yes Sept 14th and the Es season has ended!

UPDATE 1215z: T5/T61AA (6960km) in Mogadishu, Somalia was spotted at 1114z this morning. This is the second day running Ross has been copied here on 10m WSPR. Es is also still around.  4X1RF has been spotting me all morning. I think this must be F2 as it seems far too consistent for multi-hop Es.

10m WSPR - now Brazil

This has been a splendid day on 10m WSPR.

I was about to QSY when spots were exchanged with PT2WWV (8873km) in Brasilia, Brazil just now. Will stick around on 10m a while longer as anything seems possible.

It would not totally surprise me that much if VKs or ZLs started to come through long path later.

UPDATE 2006z:   PT2WWV is coming in on 10m WSPR very strongly.  Five exchanges so far at 2002z.

UPDATE 2035z:  Will this great 10m day never end? Now OH7AI (2000km) is being spotted here via Es. During the day we have seen Es all around Europe, GDX, near continent by Es, tropo, aircraft reflection or backscatter and really decent long distance DX to all over the place as well. Apparently I missed some VKs on 10m early this morning.

UPDATE 2125z:   All seems quiet on 10m now with just local G0LRD (25km) and I exchanging spots . Will be staying with 10m overnight, hoping to catch some breakfast time DX and maybe some fun during the night. Yet more excitement is possible before bedtime.

UPDATE 2152z:  OH5XO (1943km) using 200mW is now being spotted at -16dB S/N. It goes on and on. What next?

Yet more 10m stateside on WSPR!

I have now lost count how many times the USA has been within reach on 10m WSPR this summer. I think I have caught about 15 openings over the summer Es months.  Almost certainly I have missed some, but WSPR catches these short, fleeting openings.

Today it was near Santa Fe, New Mexico either by multi-hop Es or perhaps F2 backscatter. AF5ES (7920km) spotted my 2W at 1508z at -24dB S/N. So, not strong. No other USA stations were spotted or spotted me around that time.

Today has been excellent on 10m WSPR. 10m really is a wonderful band.I shall be interested to find out what others managed as my antenna is not the world's best and does seem to be somewhat directional, although this is not intended.

UPDATE 1630z: AF5ES has been copied 5 times so far this afternoon. Remarkable. But no other USA stations spotting me or been spotted.  4X1RF and TJ3TS are still spotting me on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1640z: I just noticed that KE5HPY (7799km) was spotting me at 1432z. He only spotted me the once.

UPDATE 1646z: W1QG (8604km) in California (I do HATE this daft FCC deregulation that makes call areas useless) was spotted at -25dB S/N.

UPDATE 1712z:  Now spotting K3NAL (5930km) in Maryland. The USA opening is widespread and long lasting. W1QG (California) is now up to -18dB S/N. 

UPDATE 1743z:  Whilst the opening to the USA continues, DO3WBL (692km) is now being copied by Es. AF5ES has now spotted me ten times this afternoon. I am sure it is not over yet either.

UPDATE 1848z:  AF5ES has now spotted my 2W WSPR 11 times in the last 3 hours and there now an Italian being spotted and a Scottish station spotting me by Es.  DK6UG is spotting me at -17dB S/N at 1846z.  All quite remarkable.

10m WSPR - 2 stations from Reunion Is and also Cameroon

FR5ZX (9740km) and FR1GZ (9724km) were copied this morning several times on 10m WSPR. FR5ZX , TJ3TS (5478km) in Yaounde, Cameroon and 4X1RF (3519km) Israel were all copying me on 10m WSPR. These were all F2 propagation.  

ON7KS (295km) was probably via tropo, aircraft reflection, or backscatter as 295km is too close for Es. G8JNJ/A (184km) is tropo with aircraft reflection.

No Es yet today, but it is still early days.

Sunspot count is 157 (with blackouts) and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". 10m is in decent shape with decent F2 propagation about.

UPDATE 1235z:  LB9YE (1533km) spotted me via Es at 1226z and DK6UG (633km) at 1216z - yet another Es opening on 10m.  Also M6NNB (127km) spotted me by tropo. We do seem to be seeing Es at times outside the peak Es months and WSPR certainly helps find these brief openings. LB9YE running 500mW is also being spotted here.

Recent 10m WSPR spots

Return to 472kHz

As 10m seemed to be getting quieter with just locals spotted in the last few hours, I decided to QSY down to 472kHz WSPR.  Even with an ERP below 5mW, my very first MF transmission resulted in spots from 4 stations, sadly all stations were ones who had spotted me before. I'll stay on 472kHz for this evening and maybe overnight.

Recent 472kHz WSPR spots

UPDATE 2020z:  Conditions below 10MHz are supposed to be "very poor". They seem reasonable to me on 472kHz.

10m Es

Yet again 10m Es is "playing ball" with EA7 and DL (645km) copied today.  I am convinced that regular WSPR use will reveal further short Es openings when we least expect them. I hope stations stick with 10m in the quieter months so we really build a picture of 10m Es in the months outside of the peak summer months.

10m unique spots on WSPR Set 12th 2014 - far from a dead band!

UPDATE 1600z:  PA0O (440km) has been spotted just now but unsure if this is tropo or Es.  A good range if tropo but very short skip if Es.

10m GDX - M6FOJ and G8JNJ/A

M6FOJ (103km) has been spotted several times this afternoon. It looks like pure tropo GDX with not a hint of aircraft reflections. G8JNJ/A (184km) has also been seen this afternoon.

UPDATE 1526z: DL2ZQ has been spotted at 1512z at -21dB S/N. Yet more 10m Es today.

T5/T61AA and FR1GZ - real DX

T5/T61AA (6960km) in LJ22pa in Mogadishu, Somalia, East Africa has just been spotted weakly on 10m WSPR. This is Ross who was in Afghanistan.   

FR1GZ on Reunion Island has been spotted many times today, including 10 times, so far, since lunchtime.

UPDATE 1342z:  T5/T61AA is now being spotted stronger.

UPDATE 1540z:  FR1GZ has been spotted 16 times since the start of lunchtime.  He was also coming in earlier in the day too. Excellent. 

10m WSPR this morning and sunspots

I have been active for over an hour on 10m but so far no stations spotting me or being spotted. Things may liven up later.

Sunspot count today is 164 (with blackouts) and 20-30MHz propagation is "poor". Things seem very slow on 10m so far. 164 is a high sunspot number but conditions are disturbed. Let us hope things improve later and even that there is a little Es about. 

UPDATE 0935z:  FR1GZ, G4KPX and G0LRD have all been copied this morning, but spots were not uploaded to the WSPRnet database, sorry. WSPRX did not upload my spots - no idea why! I have now restarted the software.

UPDATE 0942z:  That's better! Since restarting WSPRX I see I am being spotted well by G4KPX and G0LRD.  Clearly WSPRX was NOT working for the first hour or so. My apologies. With FR1GZ being spotted we are seeing N-S F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1018z:   I am still unconvinced WSPRX is uploading my spots on RX.  As an example, EA7IHT was copied at -19dB S/N at 0940z yet this did not appear in the WSPRnet database.Neither did G4KPX. There is still Es about. I may download the V2 version (without scrolling waterfall and WSPR15) onto this Win 7 PC, which I swapped with my wife as she needed the 1TB memory for Picasa pics.

UPDATE 1032z:  My WSPRX upload issue was "finger trouble": I had left the reported band as 630m by mistake. Now corrected. I think this muddled thinking is a result of my stroke.

UPDATE 1214z:  FR1GZ (9724km) was copied at -22dB S/N. N-S F2 propagation. He was copied much earlier in the day too, but the spots failed to upload as mentioned above.

472kHz overnight

I ran WSPR on 472kHz overnight. It ran until about 0320am when the Win 7 PC decided to do updates and closed the PC. No new reports or reporters overnight, just stations that I had seen before or who had spotted me before. All rather disappointing. I feel that radically improving the antenna (and hence ERP) won't make a huge difference. On RX the system works very well and hears most active stations. To be honest, I am losing interest a bit in MF as there are far too few stations active especially here in  the UK.

Over 1000km on 472kHz WSPR RX

This evening LA4ANA (1042km) running 50mW ERP has been spotted 3 times so far. Not strong, but there. Several DLs also in the log too out to 995km.

UPDATE 2220z:  LA4ANA has been spotted 5 times so far.

10m operation

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/10m_op .

The above link (on my main website) is my "take" on 10m operation. Although I have never applied for a DXCC certificate I have worked well over 100 countries on 10m with QRP and small wire antennas. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the best amateur band we have. Low cost CB type all mode rigs means it can be accessed at low cost, even buying new. A small dipole is effective and need not be too high.

472kHz this evening and 10m tomorrow

Yet again, 472kHz is proving a real disappointment. Not long ago I found a list of all the stations that had copied me on 500kHz WSPR with very similar ERP to my present 472kHz ERP. The list was about 5 times longer, showing the level of WSPR activity on 500kHz a few years ago. Although I'll leave 472kHz WSPR running through the night I very much doubt I'll see new reporters by the morning.

Tomorrow, I shall try 10m WSPR instead.

Back on 472kHz WSPR

We arrived back from Cheshire about an hour ago. Having checked the post, I decided to come on 472kHz WSPR. Spots so far from G0LRD (25km) and M0LMH (223km). No totally new reporters yet this evening.

G3WCB (101km) has been spotted well.

My old friend G3WKW (Bob) kindly sent a book through the post about one of my stroke problems. Bob has been so kind. Thank you Bob.

Sunspots and HF

Sunspots count today is 161 (blackouts) with 20-30MHz propagation "poor". Today could be another disturbed day.

Returning home

After 3 nights staying in Goostrey, Cheshire with my brother in law and his wife we return home later. Back to WSPR later today. After the blackouts on HF yesterday propagation looks more promising.

FT991 - late 2014?

According to the Yaesu website this new radio is due to be released later this year.

10m transatlantic again

Although away from home and not able to operate on 10m, I see from WSPRnet that 10m was open from the USA to Germany today.

Sunspots

Count today is a good 158 and 20-30MHz propagation "normal"

FT991

The FT991 is unlikely to be available in UK until next year says the MLS website according to G1KQH.  Price likely to be just under £1000. That would be a LOT more than the FT450D.

Sunspots

Sunspot count today is 154 (with blackouts) with 20-30MHz propagation described as "normal". This means some N-S 10m F2 propagation is quite probable.

Yesterday was quite a productive day on 10m with GDX, Es amd F2 all in evidence.  Best DX was CX2ABP in Montevideo at 11127km.

10m Es and F2 - this evening

It was worth waiting for. Since 1834z OH5XO (1943km) has been spotted 4 times already. This is the second station on Es seen here today. I am glad I did not QSY to 472kHz too early.

      OE6PWD 
      OH5XO

Yet again, 10m Es is still with us.

UPDATE 1946z:  Now DK6UG (633km) has spotted me a couple of times. Es a May, June, July phenomenon?  No - with WSPR it is longer.

UPDATE 1958z:   CX2ABP (11127km) in Uruguay is now spotting me via F2. This was a long time coming, but come it did.

UPDATE 2130z:  No DX (Es and F2) for the last hour and a half. Is that it for the day?  Time to go QRT now.

10m Es and F2 today

Es is still there today on 10m in the form of OE6PWD (1232km) spotted strongly (-13dB S/N) at 1238z. ZS1ANF was again being copied at 1240z, 1252z and 1300z. It appears I was using 500mW and not 2W on 10m this morning - wrong settings on FT817 - as I forgot to change from the FT817 settings used on 630m (472kHz) into the transverter on that band.

UPDATE 1342z:  The solar forecast has improved with 20-30MHz propagation now "good" (was fair). Is solar forecasting like weather? Hang up better seaweed or look out the window?

UPDATE 1347z:  There are currently 41 active 10m WSPR stations, but a total absence of stations in S.America at the moment. Great pity as that is where the N-S F2 will be next.
UPDATE 1550z:   There are now 44 active stations on 10m WSPR but still no South Americans on. V53ARC in Namibia (Africa) is the nearest active station. Such a pity. Not copied V53ARC here today though. ZS1ANF seems to be QRT now.

UPDATE 1835z:  No DX seen here since 1300z.  Thinking about QSYing to 472kHz but may wait another hour or so in case some 10m surprises appear. CX2ABP is monitoring 10m WSPR: if the band opens he may copy me. 38 active 10m WSPR stations listed currently - far too few.

10m F2 this morning on WSPR

This morning has started promisingly on 10m WSPR with ZS1ANF (9720km) logged at 1034z by F2 and a few GDX stations out to 184km. All stations were using 5W or less.

Sunspot count today is 170 (good) but 20-30MHz propagation described as only "fair".

UPDATE 1326z:  ZS1ANF has already been spotted 5 times today. F2 seems pretty good N-S on 10m today.

2m contest this weekend

Using my voice in an SSB contest is very hard work, so I tend to have short bursts of operation. It really does EXHAUST me!

Stations worked (from home, 5W 3 el) include:

F6KCZ/P  IN99pi (332km)
ON4KHG  JO10xo
PA6NL   JO21bx

Stations nearly worked (call got wrong or lost) included:
GD8EXI  IO74pc (got "BM" but missed the rest)

Several new UK squares worked too. In the end, I had to give in: my voice cannot yet cope.

10m Es - good yesterday

Yesterday was pretty good for Es with the following stations in the log spotted:
HB4SL
HB9FGQ
SI9AM
OH5XO
OK2SAM

Spotting me was:.
GM4WJA

OK, there were long gaps in between sometimes but it goes to show how WSPR is able to seek out weak, fleeting openings on 10m.  Did someone tell you Es is a May, June, July phenomenon? It is September 6th and I am still seeing Es every day on 10m.

10m and sunspots

Returned to 10m WSPR this morning around 1020z, but so far very quiet with just G0LRD and I exchanging WSPR spots.

Sunspot count is 124 (with blackouts) and the forecast for 20-30MHz is "fair". I'll be lucky to catch any F2 propagation on 10m today but Es remains a possibility around lunch and tea times.

UPDATE 1120z:  Still very quiet on 10m here.

UPDATE 1200z:   Such is Es - out of the blue pops OH5XO (1943km) three times so far. Nothing since, but 10m is still producing daily Es propagation.

UPDATE 1255z:   At 1214z GM4JWA (634km) was spotting my 2W at -24dB S/N on WSPR.

UPDATE 1430z:  SI9AM (1503km) in Northern Sweden copied at 1352z.

UPDATE 1620z:  Since SI9AM at 1352z it has been very quiet here. Even G0LRD seems to have gone QRT on 10m.

UPDATE 1850z: At 1842z OK3SAM (1283km) was coming in here weakly at -26dB S/N on 10m WSPR.   No F2 seen here all day

Yaesu FT991 prices?

Has anyone any idea of the likely UK price of this new radio?

It would be excellent if they released one of the low powered versions (normally available in Japan) for UK and Europe too. I think the lower powers are for some Japanese licence classes? It is a lower powered version I quite fancy. 10W or 30W max.

My FT817 units have been excellent buys as have the VX1 and VX2 handhelds. You could call me a Yaesu fan.

I want to concentrate on operating for the next few years. My stroke currently gives me little choice as building and real field experimentation are out of the question, sadly, for a while.

Evening off radio

This evening I closed down quite early.

My usual pattern, at present, is to go on 10m during the day and then switch to 630m (472kHz) during the evenings and sometimes overnight. Tonight, as 472kHz WSPR has failed to turn up any new stations lately, I watched some recorded TV instead. All being well I shall be back on 10m tomorrow. If 10m is very quiet, I may try JT65 and JT9-1 on 20m.
 
With the ENT examination (see earlier post) today has been quite stressful, although the outcome was far better than I could have hoped for.

Stroke update

Today I had an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) exam by camera of my vocal chords. Thankfully, like my MRI scan last month, the outcome was good.  My vocal chords are working fine and it is the communication between my brain and vocal chords that is not working correctly.  I can speak if I pronounce words carefully and slowly. With time, this should improve.

My other remaining symptoms are giddiness (when moving), sick feeling and extreme fatigue. I am still very clumsy, making amateur radio building and antenna work all but impossible at the moment. With time, all should improve. Recovery is taking a LONG time!

10m - very quiet early and afternoon, but lunchtime Es.

Sunspot count is 136 (with blackouts) and 20-30MHz propagation is described as "normal" yet 10m is very quiet with just G0LRD (25km) spotting me this morning. Let us hope things improve soon. 

UPDATE 1156z:  HB4FL (835km) just spotted by 10m Es at 1154z. I just had to be a little patient.

UPDATE 1735z:  Apart from HB4FL at lunchtime, it has remained quiet on 10m all afternoon with just G0LRD copying me. I will stick on the band a while longer to see if things improve. To be honest, I was expecting better on 10m today.

Back on 472kHz this evening

For the last hour or thereabouts I QSYed down to MF (472kHz). I have been trying my various compromise (strapped feeder) antennas and the earth-electrode antenna. Interestingly G0LRD was copying me only 1dB weaker on the earth-electrode antenna than the best of the "wire in the air" antennas. He is probably off the end of the "loop in the ground" (in the line of the wire,  as for a true loop). For a very short while I was reporting the wrong band as I accidentally clicked the wrong button in WSPRX.

Antenna current measures less on the PAR end-fed with strapped feeders yet this seems the most effective of these antennas. ERP is less than 5mW.

472kHz WSPR unique reports Sept 4th 2014 to 2028z

DH5RAE (995km) is my best DX spot so far this evening. I received him. On TX my best spot so far is from M0MLH (223km).

UPDATE 2100z:  Best spot of my 472kHz WSPR signal this evening is now from  PE1RKT (285km).

UPDATE 2140z: DK7FC continues to put out a huge WSPR signal on 472kHz. He was audible by ear at -3dB S/N a little while ago. He runs 1W ERP.

UPDATE 2200z:  Each TX transmission period gets me 4-5 reports,  which goes to show how effective less than 5mW ERP on 472kHz can be.

10m F2 good this afternoon

FR1GZ http://files.qrz.com/z/fr1gz/FR1GZsat.JPG

FR1GZ (9724km) has been copied several times this early afternoon on 10m WSPR by F2 propagation.  

4X1RF (3519km) has copied me 17 times so far on 10m WSPR today.

If there are South Americans active, I expect to see these later in the day. Long distance propagation seems better on 10m today than yesterday.

Currently there are just 22 active stations in the world on 10m WSPR. It is a real pity it isn't 4 or 5 times this number. I am sure openings are being missed due to the low WSPR activity.  Let us hope activity picks up soon on this special band.

UPDATE 1640z: Since FR1GZ earlier, it has been quiet on 10m with just M0EMM (192km) and local G0LRD (25km).

UPDATE 1645z: There is an absence of South Americans on 10m WSPR, but quite a few USA stations. I hope some South Americans come on soon, as I think 10m will be open in that direction soon.