At the moment it looks like 10m is now quiet with just locals and the odd European. There seems to be a total lack of North Americans now on the band. I'll be monitoring for a few hours more and things may yet change. 10m has a habit of throwing surprises.
UPDATE 2045z: Yep, surprises! Just been spotted on 10m WSPR by three north eastern USA stations. As I half expected, just when the band seems "closed" it opens again to the USA. 10m is indeed a band of surprises!
28 Sept 2014
Long sunny days no more? Until next year.
As the nights get longer and the days get shorter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is useful to know when the sun rises and sets. A useful UK reference is http://astro.ukho.gov.uk/nao/miscellanea/UK_SRSS/.
It amazes me that we are half way already to the shortest day! I don't want to wish my life away, but I always welcome the time when the days start to lengthen again. Even more, I welcome the return of migrant birds from Africa in April such as Swallows, House Martins and Swifts.
It amazes me that we are half way already to the shortest day! I don't want to wish my life away, but I always welcome the time when the days start to lengthen again. Even more, I welcome the return of migrant birds from Africa in April such as Swallows, House Martins and Swifts.
10m WSPR active stations
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| Active 10m WSPR stations |
Note the total absence of stations from South America! This make it look like the band is closed in that direction, which I am sure is not the case.
10m WSPR - plenty of DX about
10m has (again) been good today with plenty of USA station spotted and spotting me. Also, as of 1633z FR1GZ has now spotted me 7 times so far.
UPDATE 1840z: WG2Z (5600km) was still being spotted here at 1826z, but at present there is a shortage of South Americans on 10m WSPR. This, I think, is a lack of active 10m WSPR stations rather than poor conditions. No doubt other modes like PSK31 and JT65 may be "humming" with South Americans! Europeans seem plentiful with several 10m WSPR stations logged presumably Es or F2 backscatter.
UPDATE 1840z: WG2Z (5600km) was still being spotted here at 1826z, but at present there is a shortage of South Americans on 10m WSPR. This, I think, is a lack of active 10m WSPR stations rather than poor conditions. No doubt other modes like PSK31 and JT65 may be "humming" with South Americans! Europeans seem plentiful with several 10m WSPR stations logged presumably Es or F2 backscatter.
USA (again) on 10m WSPR
Right on time, the USA is coming through yet again on 10m WSPR. K3GEN (5883km) was copied at 1514z and again at 1524z. So far (at 1534z) he has spotted me once. FR1GZ has been copied 4 times so far this afternoon. KZ8C was copied at 1528z.
The band is opening by F2 to the USA.
UPDATE 1833z: WG2Z (5600km) is still being spotted here at 1826z at a fairly weak -26dB S/N. The surprise (here at least) is the total absence of any stations from South America so far. I would have expected to spot a few by now.
The band is opening by F2 to the USA.
UPDATE 1833z: WG2Z (5600km) is still being spotted here at 1826z at a fairly weak -26dB S/N. The surprise (here at least) is the total absence of any stations from South America so far. I would have expected to spot a few by now.
Sunspots and a return to 10m
Sunspot count today is a respectable 159 (but with blackouts) and 20-30MHz conditions are described as "normal". Having been excluded from my shack for the last 2days (nearly - granddaughter's cot), I have just returned to 10m WSPR to see how conditions are.
Already EA5WO (1428km) and FR1GZ (9724km) have been spotted here and local G0LRD (25km) has spotted me. Conditions on 10m look normal for late September not long after a weak solar peak. Next year is likely to be harder going.
On current form, South and North America will appear soon on 10m.
Already EA5WO (1428km) and FR1GZ (9724km) have been spotted here and local G0LRD (25km) has spotted me. Conditions on 10m look normal for late September not long after a weak solar peak. Next year is likely to be harder going.
On current form, South and North America will appear soon on 10m.
27 Sept 2014
Early QRT this evening
As I have a very young granddaughter in a cot in the shack, I have now gone QRT and no doubt missed some choice DX on 10m WSPR! It is always the case that best conditions occur just after I close down, irrespective of the band.
This afternoon, PT2WWV (8873km) was spotted here 20 times. He spotted my 2W WSPR 6 times before I went QRT. Another new station and country was TA2AEG (Turkey) who was a huge signal but he was using 50W. I don't think he knows that WSPR only needs a few watts. He'll soon realise he can save on his fuel bills!
This afternoon, PT2WWV (8873km) was spotted here 20 times. He spotted my 2W WSPR 6 times before I went QRT. Another new station and country was TA2AEG (Turkey) who was a huge signal but he was using 50W. I don't think he knows that WSPR only needs a few watts. He'll soon realise he can save on his fuel bills!
Sunspots and 10m
Sunspot count today is 203 (high, but with blackouts), yet 20-30MHz conditions are only forecast to be "fair". It remains to be seen how 10m performs today, but already we have seen a wide geographical spread of Europeans on 10m WSPR, presumably Es, but just possibly F2 backscatter.
Last night the last USA station spotted here was WG2Z (5600km) at 2222z, very late indeed. SI9AM (1503km) was being spotted early this morning at 0512z here (before breakfast). I only noticed this station as I'd been running WSPR overnight, during which time only locals and GDX copied.
I have the feeling today will be a good 10m day.
UPDATE 1020z: FR1GZ (9724km) copied for the first time today at 1008z.
UPDATE 1342z: Already PT2WWV (8873km) has been spotted 7 times this lunchtime on 10m WSPR. He has also spotted my 2W a few times too.
Last night the last USA station spotted here was WG2Z (5600km) at 2222z, very late indeed. SI9AM (1503km) was being spotted early this morning at 0512z here (before breakfast). I only noticed this station as I'd been running WSPR overnight, during which time only locals and GDX copied.
I have the feeling today will be a good 10m day.
UPDATE 1020z: FR1GZ (9724km) copied for the first time today at 1008z.
UPDATE 1342z: Already PT2WWV (8873km) has been spotted 7 times this lunchtime on 10m WSPR. He has also spotted my 2W a few times too.
26 Sept 2014
10m WSPR - overnight
As 10m is still wide open I shall leave 10m WSPR running overnight to find out when the opening to the USA/Canada ends. If it follows the pattern of previous evenings it will draw to a close soon but this is 10m, a band full of surprises.
It will be interesting to see if any Europeans are copied during the night.
I shall check the PC clock sync before I go to bed.
UPDATE 2144z: KC1AWS is still spotting my 2W on 10m WSPR.
It will be interesting to see if any Europeans are copied during the night.
I shall check the PC clock sync before I go to bed.
UPDATE 2144z: KC1AWS is still spotting my 2W on 10m WSPR.
Evening on 10m WSPR
The last USA station spotted here on 10m this evening was at 1902z and that was KZ8C. There may be others later, but at the moment that looks like it for the day.
EA7KZ is still coming in (Es?) at 2000z and I suspect will be coming through for a while yet.
UPDATE 2040z: Well I was wrong as K9AN was spotted at -24dB S/N at 2038z. A few minutes later quite a few North Americans were spotting me. The opening to the USA and Canada is far from over. The band may have been late coming to life, but it is good now. 10m - another magic band.
EA7KZ is still coming in (Es?) at 2000z and I suspect will be coming through for a while yet.
UPDATE 2040z: Well I was wrong as K9AN was spotted at -24dB S/N at 2038z. A few minutes later quite a few North Americans were spotting me. The opening to the USA and Canada is far from over. The band may have been late coming to life, but it is good now. 10m - another magic band.
Sunspots and 10m WSPR
Sunspot count today is a decent 139 (with blackouts) and 20-30MHz propagation is "good". And yet, 10m has been disappointing.
I started on 10m WSPR quite early but FR1GZ (9724km) has only been spotted 3 times so far and USA stations only started coming through quite late this afternoon. There have been some Europeans spotted and spotting me as there has been many times in recent weeks. 10m has been rather disappointing today really. Yes,there is DX about, but it is not what I would call "wide open" as the forecasts might suggest.
10m is another "magic band". It rarely behaves quite as one might expect.
I started on 10m WSPR quite early but FR1GZ (9724km) has only been spotted 3 times so far and USA stations only started coming through quite late this afternoon. There have been some Europeans spotted and spotting me as there has been many times in recent weeks. 10m has been rather disappointing today really. Yes,there is DX about, but it is not what I would call "wide open" as the forecasts might suggest.
10m is another "magic band". It rarely behaves quite as one might expect.
25 Sept 2014
USA at last on 10m WSPR today!
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.
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.
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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