Sunspots

Today's sunspot count has fallen to 61 and 20-30MHz propagation is forecast to be "poor". I am currently on 6m and I have not checked out 10m today. Long distance F2 propagation may be more problematic on 10m today.

Time to QSY to 472kHz, 6m tomorrow?

10m has been in good shape again today, but at the moment it is getting too predictable, even a little boring! Every single day it opens to the USA and frequently much further.

So, I shall be QSYing down to 472kHz quite soon this evening where there are already 37 active stations on WSPR.

Tomorrow I may well try a different band, possibly 6m.

UPDATE 1940z:  G3WCB sent this screen shot of my signal last night to the RSGB's LF group. I am the signal near 693. Weak but clear.

10m to the USA

10m WSPR opened to the USA just after 1200z here today. The 10m band has opened to the USA every day now for weeks and weeks by F2.

UPDATE 1355z:  As well as all the  USA stations, there is a wide spread of stations from across Europe too. FZ5ZX and TJ3TS are also coming through reliably from the Indian Ocean and Africa respectively. Not sure if FZ5ZX is a Reunion Is local or a visitor? FR4OZ (9733km) was spotted at 1444z. He is a new station to me, the third on Reunion Is. He claims to be using 5mW but I think this is an error. Otherwise he was putting in a remarkable signal at -3dB S/N. I find it hard to believe 5mW somehow.

100mW from RA3APW on 10m WSPR

Yet again, my old work colleague Karen RA3APW in Moscow is putting an excellent signal into the UK on 10m WSPR using a genuine 100mW from his Ultimate 3 beacon. It really is very impressive. Last time we spoke he was using a small 10m antenna in the shack as well! Not sure if the same antenna is being used.

UPDATE 1345z:  So far, 11 spots of RA3APW's 100mW beacon on 10m WSPR.

Sunspots

Sunspot count today is 75 and 20-30MHz propagation "normal".   Judging by the stations copied on 10m JT65, and recent WSPR spots, conditions on 10m seem pretty good.

10m JT65

This morning, I gave JT65 a go on 10m and managed to work Russia, Ukraine and Georgia.  Copied, but not worked, were China, Japan and New Zealand. I have now gone back to WSPR as it requires less manual intervention.

21 unique (I think) with 5mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR

As far as I can tell, I have now had reports from 21 unique stations on 472kHz WSPR when using 5mW ERP (or less). A new reporter this evening is G3ZJO (79km). Up to now,  Eddie had been unable to decode me: I was just too weak and in the noise.  Maybe he has improved his RX?  His reports (4 so far this evening) are right on the edge at -28 to -30dB S/N.

My best DX report remains GM4SLV (896km) back in the summer. My best DX reception here on 472kHz is Italy at 1815km some evenings ago.  I have still to receive any stateside stations.

On 500kHz I had far more reports. I think my antenna at the newer QTH is poorer and there are fewer different stations active within my range.

Judging by my results with NOTHING special in antennas and grounds for 472kHz. I can recommend 472kHz WSPR to everyone. Even just a few new reporters  with RX only would be very nice.

UPDATE 2145z: IZ7PDX (1815km) already spotted at 2136z. Very early on 472kHz WSPR.

UPDATE 2212z:  About to reset the PC clock and turn down the TX percentage. I want to have a good chance of copying some decent DX tonight. Conditions look very good so far.

Stateside DXing on 10m WSPR

10m really is getting too easy this autumn. These are the most recent recent spots on 10m WSPR this evening.

10m WSPR spots this early evening

Oh, G8LCO told me in an email that I missed a great opening to the USA on 472kHz last night  - of course it was the night I had everything turned OFF because of storms - Sod's Law! In earlier years I have copied the USA from my old QTH, on 500kHz,  but not yet on 472kHz and at the new QTH.

From Southgate News - very low cost 70cm handhelds

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2014/october/price_of_70cm_handhelds_falls.htm#.VDP48MnTCSo  .
This is incredible: a 5W handheld for less than £8.

Looking on eBay, just £6.99 will buy a 70cms unit with charger from Singapore. Tell  me, how can ANYONE make money on these?

Thanks to G1KQH, a link to a review:
http://hamgear.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/review-baofeng-bf-666s-bf-777s-bf-888s-and-look-alikes/

Sunspots

Today's sunspot count has slipped back to 86 but the 20-30MHz forecast is "good".   Already 10m WSPR is producing yet more F2 DX. Long may it continue. If there are USA stations looking, I might even try 6m WSPR in case there is any transatlantic F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1427z: Sadly 6m WSPR activity is very very low. I'll stick with 10m for now.