Back on 472kHz

After messing about on 10m and 20m earlier, I have now QSYed down to 472kHz WSPR. So far M0MLH (223km) and G0LRD (25km) have spotted me and G3WCB (101km) spotted here. As before, I am seeing the same old stations.

Recent 472kHz WSPR spots

Using the PAR triband end-fed (strapped feeders) as a compromise MF antenna with very low ERP.

UPDATE 1812z:   DK7FC (669km) copied on 472kHz WSPR. Stefan is always a good signal with his 1W ERP station. This is considerably higher ERP than I use.

UPDATE 1850z:  F5WK (436km) copied at 1842z.

JT65, JT9-1 and WSPR

After brief outings on 10m and 20m JT65 and JT9-1 (nothing worked but W and LU seen on 20m JT65) I returned to 10m WSPR. I changed power to 500mW on 10m WSPR and was spotted by local G0LRD and 4X1RF. For now I have settled on 1W WSPR and 4X1RF,  G0LRD,  DK6UG and DK8FT are all copying this level just fine so far.  I think the DKs were by Es, although I think the 4X is F2 propagation. So  far today, 4X1RF has spotted me 8 times at output powers between 2W and 500mW.

10m WSPR wakes up

Just when I was about to write off 10m WSPR, it springs into life with spots from CT1JTQ (1843km) and 4X1RF (3519km) - the latter 4 times already by 1008z.  10m continues to be a band filled with surprises, quite unlike other HF bands.

By the way, outside the sun is trying to shine too.

Dinky Toys Club

A blast from the past...

Dinky Toys Club.

My brother sent me this certificate of mine in the post.  To be honest I don't remember joining! I was more into Matchbox Toys. These used to be 1s 6d  and came in packets like large matchboxes.

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

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchbox_%28brand%29 .

Stroke frustrations

Although I can manage digital modes like WSPR, JT65 and JT9-1 OK, I find speech modes very hard work at present: my voice is hard to understand and tires easily. I make errors writing the blogs (usually corrected)  and am clumsy with almost all electronics building work, so the experimental field and bench work I enjoy are, for now, on hold.

By the end of August I was hoping to feel almost no giddiness, but a twice daily 366m walk makes me feel wobbly still. I am told this will eventually go. It can't happen soon enough. Improvements are happening but all too slowly.

To be honest, my stroke, a year on now, is getting me down.  There is so much I want to do but cannot.  It is hard on my wife, children and grandchildren.

10m WSPR - a different day ahead?

Having turned on 10m WSPR about 15 minutes ago, it looks like conditions today are quite different. No DX at all coming through yet, just G0LRD (25km) away spotting me.

Sunspot count is 75 (disturbed) and 20-30MHz propagation is forecast to be "poor". It feels poor although a look on WSPRnet shows some impressive DX into Europe. Maybe it is just a blip?

 Even the weather has changed! Outside it looks wet and autumnal for the first time.  Summer is ended.

Maybe I should try JT65 or JT9-1 on 10m or 20m today?

10m still WIDE open to the USA at 2100z

At 2104z I am still spotting loads of USA stations on 10m WSPR. It is likely the opening will go on for a while yet. This is F layer propagation and not Es. Today has been another excellent day on 10m.hrs

UPDATE 2230z:  No DX on 10m for almost 1.5hrs. Time to go to QRT and to bed - early start tomorrow to see how Scotland voted.

Low cost earth-mode beacons?

G1KQH has found some very low cost TDA2003 ICs.  I use one of these in my VLF beacon shown in my RSGB RadCom article and on my website. Best range is just short of 6km by "utilities assisted" earth-mode.  When fitter again (currently I am not allowed to drive and I am still too clumsy when on my feet and moving because of my brain bleed last year) I intend to continue my VLF experiments. I have used these ICs at 8.97kHz, twice, and sub-multiples of that frequency.  Beyond 20kHz would be outside their spec limits, but they may still work?

G3XBM 5W VLFearth-mode CW/QRSS beacon

Evening Roger,

Used in your LF PA 10p each nuts!

http://www.banggood.com/100pcs-TDA2003-10W-IC-Car-Radio-Audio-Amplifier-Integrated-Circuit-p-944202.html

Or you can buy in 10s @ 16p each inc delivery!

http://www.banggood.com/10pcs-TDA2003-10W-IC-Car-Radio-Audio-Amplifier-Integrated-Circuit-p-922620.html

Banggood sounds Chinese. I have no idea if these are genuine parts or not. They are advertised as 10W car radio audio parts.

10m - wide open

Loads of USA stations are spotting me, or being spotted, on 10m WSPR. Conditions on the band have been excellent again today. Forecasts for October 2014 are also very good. Enjoy the excellent conditions as a year or two from now it will be much harder going, although with WSPR DX reports should still be possible in the N-S direction.

UPDATE 1830z: Plenty of USA spots still. 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me 25 times today so far since breakfast time.

Neglecting 630m

With good conditions on 10m, I have been neglecting 472kHz (630m) of late. On MF I run, as you know, 5mW ERP only whereas on 10m this is 2W.

I may go back onto MF this evening as 10m is becoming almost predictable of late. I am told (by G3WKW) that there are far more 10m stations on JT65 than on WSPR. It is certainly true that one does see the same stations again and again on WSPR. At least with WSPR I can set it running and monitor results on the PC in the lounge. This cannot be done so easily with JT65 or JT9-1 where you really have to be "on-hand" to answer calls. With my stroke, I find WSPR suits me well right now.

Sunspots

Sunspot count today is 91 and 20-30MHz propagation described as "normal".  Judging by 10m WSPR results I translate this to be very good. Certainly 10m conditions (using WSPR at least) are as good as I remember. Cycle 24 has a lot of kick in it still.

10m WSPR is "humming"

With 12 spots (already) of FR1GZ (9724km) in the log since before breakfast and he is spotting me too, and with KD6RF (7526km) in the log again 10m WSPR is again "doing the business". These are all F2 propagation I am sure. Nice to see transatlantics just about daily.

Overnight, M0EMM (193km) was a consistently spotted GDX station.

At 1210z  DU1MGA (10674km) in the Philippines was spotting my 2W at -25dB S/N.

This morning, an old colleague, Karen,from Sepura days, was spotted many times running 100mW to an indoor antenna on 10m WSPR: RA3APW (2443km) in Moscow. At best, he was -7dB S/N with just 100mW (measured carefully). Incredible.

Yet again, 10m is in good shape.

10m WSPR - USA again and Brazil

Yet again 10m WSPR has "come up trumps" with several spots of PT2WWV (8873km) in Brasilia by F2 and recently WG2Z (5600km) spotting my 2W. No other USA stations seen here, or seeing me, as yet.

The USA must surely be F2 or F2 backscatter rather than Es?  Interesting that propagation into the USA started coming through after Brazil. Almost like there had to be F2 over the equator for signals to get through, although, at the moment, it is just the one station copying me. I would have expected F2 or F2 backscatter to be far more widespread.

4X1RF and DK6UG are both still spotting me at just before 1800z.

UPDATE 1802z: I spoke too soon: KD6RF (7526km) near Dallas, Texas, running 5W, is now being spotted here at -20dB S/N at 1758z.  GM4WJA (624km) is spotting me now. If the Scots vote to leave the United Kingdom,  presumably they will have to have their own version of OFCOM and new callsigns. It will be interesting to see how Scotland votes.

UPDATE 1836z: Plenty of USA stations spotting me now e.g. WB8ELK/01 (6872km).  PT2WWV has been spotted 5 times already. He has spotted my 2W 2 times so far tonight.

UPDATE 2058z: All quiet on 10m (just locals) in nearly the last hour. Is that it for today? Clock checked and WSPR will be running overnight.

Antennas

I was going to take down my V2000 and replace with a 10m halo to give me better performance on 10m than the tri-band end-fed Par wire to the tree (tree is visible but Par wire is not visible in picture).
However, I would lose 6m, 2m and 70cm vertical coverage and the Par seems to be doing a credible job on 10m, 20m and even on 40m. It is very low for 40m. On 10m it seems to be a few dB down on better antennas, but I can live with this. The V2000 works pretty well on 6, 2 and 70cms.

So, for the foreseeable future, I'll stick with the current antennas. Getting up ladders to work on antennas is currently out of the question (health issues) but lots of kind people would help, I know. 

Although not the world's best, I can cover 40, 20, 10, 6, 2 and 70cms pretty well with the current antennas in the air. Using strapped feeders and an ATU, other MF and HF bands can be covered too. I can also work MF with the earth-electrode system in the ground.

Rotating by hand the 2m/70cm antenna for UKAC sessions is not a problem, judging by results.

10m WSPR and sunspots

Sunspot count continues to slide with the sunspot count today being 85.  The 20-30MHz propagation forecast is "normal" however.

Already TJ3TS (5478km) in Yaounde, Cameroon is exchanging WSPR spots with me lots of times. He has been doing so since well before breakfast time. F2 propagation is looking good on 10m.

UPDATE 1110z:  I see DK6UG (633km) is spotting me now. I assume this is Es.

UPDATE 1114z:   TJ3TS has spotted me 14 times already since before breakfast. Excellent N-S F2.

UPDATE 1124z:  CT1JTQ (1843km) is now spotting me. I assume this is Es.

UPDATE 1337z: OZ7IT (853km) has been spotting me, and been spotted, and a few German stations have been spotted me too. I assume these are all Es. 4X1RF (3519km) has also spotted me 7 times since lunch so far - I assume this is Es or maybe F2 propagation. TJ3TS continues to spot me.

UPDATE 1535z:  Plenty of Es (?) coming through - IK, CT , HB9 etc all coming through.

10m - quiet overnight

10m WSPR was left running through the night but only spots were exchanged with locals. No DX seen here on the band overnight until just before breakfast time.

10m WSPR transatlantic again

As late as 1924z KD6RF (7526km) was being spotted from EM22lr square near Dallas, Texas. There were other USA stations being spotted here earlier too. In addition, CX2ABP (11127km) was spotting me at 1850z (and several times earlier) and there is extensive Es about (this could be F layer backscatter I suppose). Conditions on 10m WSPR remain good.

UPDATE 1955z:  KC1AWS (5308km) was spotting me at 1940z.

UPDATE 2025z:  CX2ABP (11127km) in Uruguay still spotting my 2W at 1958z.

UPDATE 2240z:  Just locals for the last 2.7 hours. The real DX has now ended for the day. I shall leave 10m WSPR running overnight to see what turns up. The clock has just been resynchronized to internet time.

Not ham radio......

See http://qss2.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/spre-2m-anyone.html .

http://search.savills.com/content/assets/properties/gbetrsexs140087/EXS140087_02_gal.JPG

There is a house on the market (Landmark) in Salcombe, Devon, the seaside town where I was brought up as a child, that is likely to be sold to the highest bidder and the site redeveloped purely for greed and a quick profit.

The house was the home of author Paul Gallico and is in the "Arts and Crafts" style. It is a rare gem. Ideally, it should be a listed building. Locals are being priced out of their own town by those with "loads of money" but very little sense.  The lovely home is on the market for £1.95M - far too much for me!

Please, write to English Heritage to see if the building can be listed to stop redevelopment of the home and site.   Write to customers@english-heritage.org.uk .

10m - a repeat of yesterday?

Conditions on 10m today seem to be similar to those yesterday. FR1GZ (9724km) and I have exchanged spots several times, mainly this morning, and KD6RF (7526km) was spotted at 1436z. TJ3TS (5478km) has spotted me a few times. F2 conditions appear good on 10m again.

Sunspot count today is 92 (gradually dropping) and 20-30MHz propagation is "normal". We have already had excellent F2 propagation on 10m today. I am convinced that the USA is coming in by F2 or F2 backscatter and not multi-hop Es.

DK6UG is spotting me by Es (I think) or F2 backscatter perhaps. Also, probably Es, GM4WJA (624km) is spotting me.

WB8ELK/01 (6872km) is spotting me now.

10m transatlantic - yet again

Surely, these 10m openings - there yet again today - must be F2 and not multi-hop Es? Already spotted are K3NAL (5930km) and KZ8C (6290km).

FR1GZ (9724km) on Reunion Is, Indian Ocean, has also been spotted here several times and TJ3TS (5478km) in Cameroon is spotting me too.

It seems to me we are experiencing decent F2 propagation on 10m, and it is only mid-September. Maybe it is WSPR being so sensitive that openings that would have been missed in the past are now being noticed?

UPDATE 1639z:  10m has been open to the USA all afternoon on WSPR. This must be F2 rather than Es as it is almost predictable.

UPDATE 1845z:  I went QRT on 10m just before teatime as I needed the PC for something else. When closing, the band was still wide open to the USA.

UPDATE 2210z:  I returned to 10m WSPR at 1912z. The last USA station to spot me was AF5ES at 2008z. CX2ABP (11127km) was spotted here at 1944z.

10m WSPR - plentiful Es today

OH, OK, LB9, EC, DK ) seen via Es on 10m already today and maybe 4X is by multi-hop Es? WSPR showing there are still lots of Es openings on the band.

Sunspots

Sunspot count is 120 today and 20-30MHz propagation is expected to be "good".  Already 10m has been open to Australia so good F2 propagation is already evidence of this. Conditions E-W should continue to improve in the coming months even though, on average, sunspot numbers are now falling. Of late, 10m has been better than might be expected.

Nanowaves in Finland

My own red LED and IR experiments have had to stop as my brain bleed last year has left me (for now) too clumsy. People are still active though. In the Cambridge, UK area there are both IR and visible red beacons GB3CAM active from RAF Wyton. See http://www.earf.co.uk/light_beacon.htm .

This was posted on the UKnanowaves Yahoo Group:

Greetings you light headed fellows :)

 .

 Darker times are coming and the sun is going down earlier and earlier here in Finland.

 I've been designing an IR based repeater/beacon. When not in repeater use, it transmits FSK441 and CW. It has 6 of 850nm RX heads 0, 60, 120, 240, and 300 degree directions. This enables some selectivity by choosing best RX head by SNR from the received signals. It scans through all of the RX:s and if it detects an signal, it will switch to the best SNR (this is done by MCU).

 The TX is basically 10 IR leds transmitting simultaneously in all directions (they are spread over circular 360 degree form with 36 degree increments).

 I have 6 credit card size fresnel lenses that I was thought using in front of the six BPW34. I thought that a little off-focuse would make the system less prone about the direction of the signals. What worries me is the sun. This system will be installed relatively high and it is certain that the sun will be focused to the photodiodes time to time. 

 Using a small IR filter in front of the BPW34 probably isn't the the best idea, because all of the energy from the sun is already focused to a relatively small area. Probably the best idea is to use the same sized IR filter than the primary antenna - the fresnel is. I've heard that exposed colour film would do a good job in this? Any experience?

Why I put two subjects under one message is that I just wanted to let you know what I'm doing, hi.  And all the ideas will be taken in!

73 de Janne OH1SDR

PS. This repeater will have THz input and 70cm output and vice versa.

VK5MR (16144km) on 10m WSPR

Having stayed on 10m WSPR overnight I caught an opening to Australia this morning. VK5MR (16144km) was spotted at 0912z today.  I know others e.g. G0LRD, have regularly spotted Australians but I tend to be still on MF early mornings, but not today.

10m WSPR - a good start today

4X1RF has spotted me 4 times already (still only 0722z) and DK0SC was spotting me during the very early hours. I assume DK was Es but 4X may be F2?

UPDATE 0935z: I have now been spotted 11 times already in Israel on 10m WSPR today between 0614 and now.

UPDATE 1015z: LB9YE (1533km) spotted by Es at 1002z. 4X1RF has now spotted me 12 times already today by multi-hop Es or F2, not sure which.

UPDATE 1123z:  Looking at the 13 spots of my 10m signal this morning monitored by 4X1RF there appears to be a slow QSB on the signal with peak levels separated by 90-120 minutes. I shall continue to look for this but there is a pattern. WSPR is ideal for seeing this sort of phenomenon.

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.