Well, just as I was about to QSY down to 472kHz, blow me if 10m doesn't open to the USA! N4AU (6976km) was spotting my 2W at -6dB S/N at 1854z and WA9JWL (6360km) at -17dB S/N at 1902z. 10m is an odd band - just when I was about to move off the band, it "comes good".
UPDATE 1922z: Interestingly, KZ8C was spotted by local G0LRD and KZ8C also spotted G0LRD too. But (certainly to this time) Dave has not been spotted by other USA stations.
UPDATE 2116z: KZ8C (6290km) was spotted here at 1926z. Since then, just local G0LRD.
UPDATE 2153z: A late spot at 2138z of G6NHU (78km) to end another day on the fascinating 10m band. Now QRT.
25 Sept 2014
Worldwide 136/137kHz grabbers + a simple 2200m RX (kit or ready built)
This link to a very useful list of 2200m grabbers worldwide was found on the website of Yuki JA5FP. If you are interested in 136/137kHz this list of grabbers may be very useful. A grabber is a receiver that uploads what it receives to the internet, usually as a spectrograph.
For how to make your own grabber, see how I did it. My grabber is usually only active when I do experiments. See https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/vlf-grabbers/vlf-grabber-creation . I used a public folder in Dropbox and pointed my grabber website to this location. In my case I was monitoring 8.97kHz VLF, or thereabouts, but the same idea will work at any frequency. I used Spectrum Lab or Spectran software to do the actual "grabbing". Other methods are equally valid.
Also on Yuri's site are details of his 136/137kHz receiver. See http://icas.to/lineup/idc-136ii-kit-eng.htm . This simple, but very effective, receiver uses a divided down HF crystal to give a very stable LO frequency of 130kHz. The output feeds a PC using Spectrum Lab or Spectran software. The receiver is available as a kit or ready built. Ready built the cost (with enclosure and shipped to Europe) is currently $110. I have no idea if duty is payable. Kits (less enclosure) is $75 shipped to Europe.
For how to make your own grabber, see how I did it. My grabber is usually only active when I do experiments. See https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/vlf-grabbers/vlf-grabber-creation . I used a public folder in Dropbox and pointed my grabber website to this location. In my case I was monitoring 8.97kHz VLF, or thereabouts, but the same idea will work at any frequency. I used Spectrum Lab or Spectran software to do the actual "grabbing". Other methods are equally valid.
Also on Yuri's site are details of his 136/137kHz receiver. See http://icas.to/lineup/idc-136ii-kit-eng.htm . This simple, but very effective, receiver uses a divided down HF crystal to give a very stable LO frequency of 130kHz. The output feeds a PC using Spectrum Lab or Spectran software. The receiver is available as a kit or ready built. Ready built the cost (with enclosure and shipped to Europe) is currently $110. I have no idea if duty is payable. Kits (less enclosure) is $75 shipped to Europe.
Experiments again - soon I hope
Before too long now, I hope to be able to resume driving again, following my brain bleed over a year ago.
With a bit of effort, I should then be able to resume some VLF earth-mode and 136kHz experiments, looking for my signals from home when out and about in the car, parking up at various sites in the area.
Not many months ago this would have been out of the question, but I am getting better.
With a bit of effort, I should then be able to resume some VLF earth-mode and 136kHz experiments, looking for my signals from home when out and about in the car, parking up at various sites in the area.
Not many months ago this would have been out of the question, but I am getting better.
10m WSPR - very quiet so far today
Apart from locals G0VQH (15km) and G0LRD (25km) only G6NHU (78km) has been spotting my 2W this morning. It is very quiet on 10m WSPR so far.
Sunspot count today is 76 (still OK) and 20-30MHz propagation expected to be "normal". I would have expected better results today than we have seen so far. It is early days and things may well change.
UPDATE 1128z: At 1058z I was spotted by HB4FL (835km) and PD0OHW (459km). Things may be livening up on 10m?
UPDATE 1302z: FR1GZ (9724km) was first spotted at 1230z at -25dB S/N. 10m is definitely coming to life.
UPDATE 1600z: FR1GZ has been spotted 15 times so far today on 10mWSPR this afternoon. He has spotted my 2W 3 times. So far, I have seen not a single USA station in the log on 10m. Perhaps conditions are good N-S but not so good E-W?
UPDATE 1845z: No DX (FR1GZ) since 1540z. Still no USA here. I think today the N-S DX was all we were getting.
Sunspot count today is 76 (still OK) and 20-30MHz propagation expected to be "normal". I would have expected better results today than we have seen so far. It is early days and things may well change.
UPDATE 1128z: At 1058z I was spotted by HB4FL (835km) and PD0OHW (459km). Things may be livening up on 10m?
UPDATE 1302z: FR1GZ (9724km) was first spotted at 1230z at -25dB S/N. 10m is definitely coming to life.
UPDATE 1600z: FR1GZ has been spotted 15 times so far today on 10mWSPR this afternoon. He has spotted my 2W 3 times. So far, I have seen not a single USA station in the log on 10m. Perhaps conditions are good N-S but not so good E-W?
UPDATE 1845z: No DX (FR1GZ) since 1540z. Still no USA here. I think today the N-S DX was all we were getting.
24 Sept 2014
VK spotted on 10m WSPR today
VK3KCX (16883km) was spotted 4 times on 10m WSPR this afternoon. He was using high power (for WSPR) at 20W but his reports peaked at -19dB suggesting 5W or less would have been fine.
FR1GZ (9724km) has also been spotted 7 times today so far. He also spotted my 2W at 1338z.
...and today 10m conditions were supposed to be "poor" - VK3, TJ3, FR1 and lots of USA stations - yes "poor" conditions! Wonder what "good" 10m conditions look like?
PA0O (440km) is being spotted again. Still unsure of propagation mode.
UPDATE 1745z: OH5XO (1943km) is coming through now, probably Es?
UPDATE 1900z: 10m is open to Spain. I assume this is Es? The opening seems to be confined to Spain only. If this was F2 backscatter, I'd have expected a more widespread opening, but I am no expert.
UPDATE 2116z: EA7IHT (1643km) was still spotting me at 2112z.
FR1GZ (9724km) has also been spotted 7 times today so far. He also spotted my 2W at 1338z.
...and today 10m conditions were supposed to be "poor" - VK3, TJ3, FR1 and lots of USA stations - yes "poor" conditions! Wonder what "good" 10m conditions look like?
PA0O (440km) is being spotted again. Still unsure of propagation mode.
UPDATE 1745z: OH5XO (1943km) is coming through now, probably Es?
UPDATE 1900z: 10m is open to Spain. I assume this is Es? The opening seems to be confined to Spain only. If this was F2 backscatter, I'd have expected a more widespread opening, but I am no expert.
UPDATE 2116z: EA7IHT (1643km) was still spotting me at 2112z.
10m wakes up
TJ3TS (5478km) in Cameroon was spotting me at 1144z and ZS1ANF (9720km) was spotted here at 1210z. Both are F2 propagation. This was after a very quiet morning on 10m WSPR.
Even with 20-30MHz propagation supposed to be "poor", N-S F2 seems to be good.
OH5RM (1860km) has also been spotted several times this lunchtime - this could be late Es or F2.
UPDATE 1240z: TJ3TS was spotted here a few minutes ago.
Even with 20-30MHz propagation supposed to be "poor", N-S F2 seems to be good.
OH5RM (1860km) has also been spotted several times this lunchtime - this could be late Es or F2.
UPDATE 1240z: TJ3TS was spotted here a few minutes ago.
Free webcams across the UK (Camsecure)
Sorry, this is NOT amateur radio, but you may be interested. It is a useful place to look on a rainy day when HF conditions are poor. See http://www.camsecure.co.uk/Camsecure_Live_Demo_Index.html for a map listing many UK free webcams. You need to click on a county on the map to see what webcams are available in that county.
Hunting around on the site reveals worldwide webcams too.
Hunting around on the site reveals worldwide webcams too.
Return to 10m WSPR and sunspots
The return to 10m WSPR was made just before 0900z, but so far just locals G0VQH and G0LRD are spotting me. At present, 10m seems very quiet, but it is early still.
Sunspot count is 90 (up a little on yesterday) but 20-30MHz propagation is forecast to be "poor". We'll see.
UPDATE 1045z: Just locals all morning so far. A very quiet start on 10m. A very disappointing morning so far. Things may change later. We can hope!
Sunspot count is 90 (up a little on yesterday) but 20-30MHz propagation is forecast to be "poor". We'll see.
UPDATE 1045z: Just locals all morning so far. A very quiet start on 10m. A very disappointing morning so far. Things may change later. We can hope!
23 Sept 2014
472kHz WSPR
I had a very brief spell in the 50MHz UKAC contest this evening, but only worked one local. I was not helped by (a) my poor voice, and (b) using just a V2000 vertical. The latter is fine for Es DXing, but a beam is really needed to work weakish UK stations and I am not going to invest in a 50MHz beam: they are big and really for once a month just not worth the effort.
Instead, I headed down to 472kHz where my very first 5mW ERP transmission was rewarded with WSPR spots from PA0RDT (243km), G3XDV (61km) and M0LMH (223km). There are quite a few stations active on MF this evening, but very few on TX from the UK.
Best MF spot of others so far this evening is F5WK (436km) at -24dB S/N. G3WCB (101km) is the best G so far on 472kHz at -19dB S/N.
UPDATE 2128z: DJ0ABR (983km) now best DX on receive so far this evening.
UPDATE 2157z: I will be staying on 472kHz overnight. Although it would be good to spot, and be spotted, by some totally new stations, I have my doubts. Just going to check PC clock is resync'ed to internet time.
 |
| Initial results on 472kHz WSPR this evening |
Best MF spot of others so far this evening is F5WK (436km) at -24dB S/N. G3WCB (101km) is the best G so far on 472kHz at -19dB S/N.
UPDATE 2128z: DJ0ABR (983km) now best DX on receive so far this evening.
UPDATE 2157z: I will be staying on 472kHz overnight. Although it would be good to spot, and be spotted, by some totally new stations, I have my doubts. Just going to check PC clock is resync'ed to internet time.
EA7IHT - 10m Es?
The propagation within Europe is quite hard to be sure of at present, but EA7IHT (1643km) may well be Es. It is the right time (teatime) for a brief, isolated Es opening, this is the only Eu DX station seen on 10m WSPR for some time and the distance is right for Es. It is hard to be sure with so much F2 around. My bet is on late Es. Signal level at -27dB S/N was weak.
PA0O - Es, F2 backscatter, or tropo?
PA0O (440km) has been spotted 8 times since 1342z today on 10m WSPR. This is an odd distance and I am unsure of the propagation mode. It would be very short Es skip (and it is late in the Es season) and I would prefer to think this is tropo. He has been copied all afternoon. However, with HF F2 conditions good on 10m WSPR I guess it could be F2 backscatter?
No USA stations have been copied on 10m WSPR since KZ8C (6290km) at 1656z, whereas PA0O has been spotted several times since, tending to suggest tropo.
No USA stations have been copied on 10m WSPR since KZ8C (6290km) at 1656z, whereas PA0O has been spotted several times since, tending to suggest tropo.
10m - again wide open to the USA and elsewhere
My first spot (on WSPR) of a USA station was W3PM at 1302z. USA stations have been spotted, or are spotting me, still. FR1GZ has been spotted multiple times (21 times to 1604z) today and he has spotted me 4 times so far, mainly this morning and at lunch time.
10m WSPR
10m WSPR has been good again today with GDX, Europeans from Iberia and DX from much further afield. Although sunspot numbers have slid a bit, propagation is excellent. FR1GZ (9724km) is the best DX so far, although I see there are USA stations coming through now.
Sunspots
Sunspot count today is 87 and 20-30MHz propagation is "normal". We have already seen F2 propagation today from Reunion Is in the Indian Ocean on 10m WSPR.
Another G1KQH eBay bargain
Our old friend Steve G1KQH has found another bargain on eBay. As before, you see this as I do - I've no knowledge of the supplier or goods. At 99p it is low cost!
See:
See:
....and another handy tool Roger,
73 Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/
22 Sept 2014
10m WSPR - USA wide open again
Each two minute 10m WSPR transmission, at 2W, this afternoon receives 4-8 spots every time and the vast majority of reports are from the USA. We are clearly experiencing very fine conditions. If you want to enjoy 10m at its best get on the band in the next few months and enjoy the very good conditions while you still can as in 12 months from now it will be much harder.
UPDATE 2100z: This morning a couple of locals (G8AKL and G3ZAY) worked a ZD9 on Tristan da Cunha on 10m. The DX appears to have ended on 10m WSPR for the day with just locals being copied now.
UPDATE 2145z: Just spotted G6NHU (78km) as my best GDX today I think. He is using 200mW. Now going QRT here.
UPDATE 2100z: This morning a couple of locals (G8AKL and G3ZAY) worked a ZD9 on Tristan da Cunha on 10m. The DX appears to have ended on 10m WSPR for the day with just locals being copied now.
UPDATE 2145z: Just spotted G6NHU (78km) as my best GDX today I think. He is using 200mW. Now going QRT here.
10m WSPRing again and sunspots
10m WSPR was resumed at 0844z this morning at the 2W level. Apart from locals, the best DX (as of 0916z) is RA6AAW (2780km) by what I assume is single hop F2 propagation. Spots have been exchanged both ways.
Sunspot count today is 72 (still falling) but 20-30MHz propagation is "normal".
UPDATE 1145z: RA3APW (2443km) running 100mW to an indoor antenna has been spotted a couple of times this morning on 10m WSPR, once at a strong -9dB S/N. Karen uses an Ultimate 3 beacon into an indoor antenna. I suspect this is F2 propagation. Also OZ7IT has been spotted and I have been spotted in Finland by OH7AI (2000km) and also by UA3ARC (2436km).
Sunspot count today is 72 (still falling) but 20-30MHz propagation is "normal".
UPDATE 1145z: RA3APW (2443km) running 100mW to an indoor antenna has been spotted a couple of times this morning on 10m WSPR, once at a strong -9dB S/N. Karen uses an Ultimate 3 beacon into an indoor antenna. I suspect this is F2 propagation. Also OZ7IT has been spotted and I have been spotted in Finland by OH7AI (2000km) and also by UA3ARC (2436km).
21 Sept 2014
Now QRT. The next few years on 10m and 6m.
I decided to go QRT about 10 minutes ago. All kit has been switched off. In the morning I shall probably return to 10m. Today, the band has been in good shape again.
We are now moving into autumn conditions. With sunspot numbers still being quite high, we can expect excellent 10m conditions for months to come. If anything, 10m is going to be "too easy".
6m is unlikely to support much F2 propagation although N-S paths may open by TEP (trans-equatorial propagation) especially from latitudes closer to the geomagnetic equator. Stations in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece etc will have much better TEP chances than stations in the UK.
WSPR is likely to help "smoke out" openings on both bands, but when these bands close it is usually quite sudden. What WSPR allows is near continuous monitoring with little need for intervention. As WSPR works with signals some 12-14dB lower than CW, just a few watts should be enough to see if either 10m or 6m is "open". Of course, this depends on stations being active.
We are now moving into autumn conditions. With sunspot numbers still being quite high, we can expect excellent 10m conditions for months to come. If anything, 10m is going to be "too easy".
6m is unlikely to support much F2 propagation although N-S paths may open by TEP (trans-equatorial propagation) especially from latitudes closer to the geomagnetic equator. Stations in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece etc will have much better TEP chances than stations in the UK.
WSPR is likely to help "smoke out" openings on both bands, but when these bands close it is usually quite sudden. What WSPR allows is near continuous monitoring with little need for intervention. As WSPR works with signals some 12-14dB lower than CW, just a few watts should be enough to see if either 10m or 6m is "open". Of course, this depends on stations being active.
PT2WWV - multiple 10m WSPR spots
PT2WWV (8873km) in Brasilia, has been spotted 7 times this evening so far up to 1900z. I suspect he'll be coming through for a while longer. I wonder if he is monitoring too and if he will be able to decode my 500mW TX?
UPDATE 1945z: PT2WWV has been spotted 11 times so far this evening.
UPDATE 1945z: PT2WWV has been spotted 11 times so far this evening.
Another G1KQH eBay find - pen multimeter
Another G1KQH eBay find:
At £15.11 this looks good value with free post and packing. Of course, the supplier is in China.
Time to reduce 10m power to 500mW?
My 2W 10m WSPR is getting me daily spots from the USA now. I think I should drop to 500mW now to see how it goes. USA spots of my signal will be fewer, but it is probably more than enough for a lot of the stations to still copy me as long as the noise floor is not the limitation at the RX end of the path. Sometimes, especially in urban areas, this can be a real issue.
UPDATE 1725z: I reduced power to 500mW and my first spot was from AB4DF (6436km) in EM8ti square (at -20dB S/N). Both locals G0VQH and G0LRD also spotted me. I shall stick with 500mW for the rest of the evening on 10m WSPR. In the next 500mW TX transmission I got 4 WSPR spots with best DX spot being from KD6RF (7547km) near Fort Worth, Texas.
UPDATE 1725z: I reduced power to 500mW and my first spot was from AB4DF (6436km) in EM8ti square (at -20dB S/N). Both locals G0VQH and G0LRD also spotted me. I shall stick with 500mW for the rest of the evening on 10m WSPR. In the next 500mW TX transmission I got 4 WSPR spots with best DX spot being from KD6RF (7547km) near Fort Worth, Texas.
G3TFX visit
This is a photo of us in my shack. Richard is on the left. He is a regular visitor.
It was Richard's alertness that probably saved my life a year ago. I shall always owe him a debt of gratitude. Richard has recently returned to the hobby. He is usually on 40m SSB, but is fighting a very high noise level on RX. Already he has worked some impressive DX.
Sunspots and 10m WSPR
Sunspot count today is 75 (falling a bit) and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". I went on 10m today and was immediately spotted in Finland.
Around lunchtime spots were exchanged with N2OTO (Florida) and this afternoon many USA stations have been spotted or were spotting me. I got excited (at first) to see KH6 in the log only to find out that the station was not in Hawaii, but near the Gulf of Mexico. Darn FCC!!!
Around lunchtime spots were exchanged with N2OTO (Florida) and this afternoon many USA stations have been spotted or were spotting me. I got excited (at first) to see KH6 in the log only to find out that the station was not in Hawaii, but near the Gulf of Mexico. Darn FCC!!!
20 Sept 2014
6m WSPR DX
As G4IKZ (14km) was looking, I decided to QSY up to 50MHz to see what was happening, expecting to be spotted only by G4IKZ. Sure enough, I got a few spots from G4IKZ but I was nicely surprised to see I had spotted IK1WVQ (1084km) on 6m too at a strong -12dB S/N. This is Es. So, there is life on 6m too.
With this promising start, I shall remain on 6m for a few more hours in case any other Es turns up.
UPDATE 1500z: G6AVK (78km) being spotted at 1428z.#
UPDATE 1620z: Just spots from G4IKZ for nearly the last 2 hours on 6m WSPR. It may get better around teatime? IK1WVQ was spotted twice early afternoon at up to 0dB S/N.
UPDATE 1720z: G8JNJ/A (184km) spotted me at 1652z at -23dB S/N for my best 6m GDX spot today. 6m has pleasantly surprised me today and all the more reason to leave the V2000 vertical in place.
 |
| 6m WSPR this afternoon |
UPDATE 1500z: G6AVK (78km) being spotted at 1428z.#
UPDATE 1620z: Just spots from G4IKZ for nearly the last 2 hours on 6m WSPR. It may get better around teatime? IK1WVQ was spotted twice early afternoon at up to 0dB S/N.
UPDATE 1720z: G8JNJ/A (184km) spotted me at 1652z at -23dB S/N for my best 6m GDX spot today. 6m has pleasantly surprised me today and all the more reason to leave the V2000 vertical in place.
More low cost parts (via G1KQH)
Once again, I have no knowledge of this supplier or if the goods are genuine, or "ripped off", but the prices are very good. My thanks to Steve G1KQH once again.
Other valuable finds which may prove useful to constructors or groups:5V 100mA regulators per 100 ( I had some of these).Mixed Zeners pack:1N4148sPrecision Ref board (ideal for checking Cal of your DMM) could be used for stable VXO supply:If you put the word “Transistor” in the search on Banggood quite a variety of well known general purpose come up at good prices..Orders seem to take about 7 to 10 days to the UK
No storms here
The thunder and lightning that got quite close earlier today seems to have abated, for now at least. The lightning map now shows storms in the North Sea and Northern France, but not in the UK. This means I can leave 10m WSPR running this afternoon and probably early evening.
See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . Always worth keeping an eye on this for approaching storms. I find these maps fascinating. Although not perfect, they give a good indication of when antennas and rigs need to be made safer.
UPDATE 1341z: It is raining here now. Storms seem plentiful on the continent, but not in the UK.
See http://www.lightningmaps.org/realtime?lang=en . Always worth keeping an eye on this for approaching storms. I find these maps fascinating. Although not perfect, they give a good indication of when antennas and rigs need to be made safer.
UPDATE 1341z: It is raining here now. Storms seem plentiful on the continent, but not in the UK.
10m WSPR - USA again
N2OTO (7088km) in EL96wi square (Miami, Florida) has already spotted me a couple of times. This definitely F2 propagation and not Es. Every day now, the 10m band opens to the USA.
I do hate FCC rules than do away with call USA areas. You now have no idea where a USA station is located: in the past "2" would have been somewhere in/near New York and "4" would probably be Florida or nearby. Also the FCC seem unbelievably slow releasing the 472kHz and 136kHz amateur bands in the USA. Are you all stupid at the FCC?? Get into the real world. The world looks at the FCC and thinks it is daft. When the rest of the world seems "with it" the FCC seems to behave like a backward little baby, slow to grow up, still wanting baby toys to toss out of the pram. Pathetic, truly pathetic.
UPDATE 1223z: PT2WWV (8873km) is spotting me now from Brasilia, Brazil. He was copying me again at 1315z.
UPDATE 1238z: Plenty of European activity on WSPR. I assume this is probably Es, especially as lunch and teatimes are peak Es times. Stations from all across the continent.
UPDATE 1252z: Now spotting ZS1ANF (9720km) weakly at -26dB S/N. This station is just north of Cape Town, which is a beautiful city. We spent a few weeks in South Africa on holiday a few years ago and very much enjoyed it. We experienced no violence, but this can be an issue. You are advised not to go out at night in some parts. We traveled with Saga and never once felt unsafe. I can recommend Saga Holidays. They really are very very good. Excellent hotels, food and travel. No worries and door to door service.
UPDATE 1315z: My last 2 minute 10m WSPR TX transmission resulted in 10 different spots in 3 continents with my 2W to an indifferent antenna. 10m at its best.
UPDATE 1355z: PT2WWV (8873km) has spotted me 5 times today already.
I do hate FCC rules than do away with call USA areas. You now have no idea where a USA station is located: in the past "2" would have been somewhere in/near New York and "4" would probably be Florida or nearby. Also the FCC seem unbelievably slow releasing the 472kHz and 136kHz amateur bands in the USA. Are you all stupid at the FCC?? Get into the real world. The world looks at the FCC and thinks it is daft. When the rest of the world seems "with it" the FCC seems to behave like a backward little baby, slow to grow up, still wanting baby toys to toss out of the pram. Pathetic, truly pathetic.
UPDATE 1223z: PT2WWV (8873km) is spotting me now from Brasilia, Brazil. He was copying me again at 1315z.
UPDATE 1238z: Plenty of European activity on WSPR. I assume this is probably Es, especially as lunch and teatimes are peak Es times. Stations from all across the continent.
UPDATE 1252z: Now spotting ZS1ANF (9720km) weakly at -26dB S/N. This station is just north of Cape Town, which is a beautiful city. We spent a few weeks in South Africa on holiday a few years ago and very much enjoyed it. We experienced no violence, but this can be an issue. You are advised not to go out at night in some parts. We traveled with Saga and never once felt unsafe. I can recommend Saga Holidays. They really are very very good. Excellent hotels, food and travel. No worries and door to door service.
UPDATE 1315z: My last 2 minute 10m WSPR TX transmission resulted in 10 different spots in 3 continents with my 2W to an indifferent antenna. 10m at its best.
UPDATE 1355z: PT2WWV (8873km) has spotted me 5 times today already.
10m WSPR, sunspots and storms
Just turned on 10m WSPR about 12 minutes ago. Already being spotted by CT1JTQ (1843km) several times and I am spotting IK1WVQ (1084km). I would have thought Portugal and N.Italy would have been much the same distance. Not so. Portugal is much further. I assume this is Es? G0LRD (25km) and I are exchanging WSPR spots at around -14 to -16dB S/N.
Sunspot count today is 91 and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". We should expect some F2 DX later.
The thunder storms are, currently, well south of here. I am still watching the lightning map though. Last night I went QRT but heard no storms overnight.
UPDATE 0942z: Now EA5CYA is being spotted. Still plenty of EUs around on 10m either Es or F2 backscatter. A great pity I am spotting the same stations . Where is everyone else?
UPDATE 0954z: 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me for the first time today. I think this is F layer propagation.
Sunspot count today is 91 and 20-30MHz propagation "normal". We should expect some F2 DX later.
The thunder storms are, currently, well south of here. I am still watching the lightning map though. Last night I went QRT but heard no storms overnight.
UPDATE 0942z: Now EA5CYA is being spotted. Still plenty of EUs around on 10m either Es or F2 backscatter. A great pity I am spotting the same stations . Where is everyone else?
UPDATE 0954z: 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me for the first time today. I think this is F layer propagation.
19 Sept 2014
Storms and lightning
Although dry here at present, a look at the lightning map shows there are nasty storms not that far east of this QTH. I shall have to watch the maps carefully and disconnect antennas, PSUs and PC if it gets close. Currently, these are configured for 472kHz use.
UPDATE 2200z: Storms are too close for comfort, so going QRT on 472kHz WSPR overnight and unplugging antennas and PSUs. Although I have spotted, and been spotted, by a wide variety of stations, not one is new.
UPDATE 2200z: Storms are too close for comfort, so going QRT on 472kHz WSPR overnight and unplugging antennas and PSUs. Although I have spotted, and been spotted, by a wide variety of stations, not one is new.
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.
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.
 |
| Recent 472kHz WSPR spots |
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.
By the way, outside the sun is trying to shine too.
Dinky Toys Club
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.
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?
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?
18 Sept 2014
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.
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 |
Banggood sounds Chinese. I have no idea if these are genuine parts or not. They are advertised as 10W car radio audio parts.Evening Roger,Used in your LF PA 10p each nuts!Or you can buy in 10s @ 16p each inc delivery!
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.
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.
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.
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