10m USA today?

It is now 1240z and there are no spots of my 500mW 10m beacon from the USA yet.  I see that the band is open between the USA and Germany so maybe I am being impatient. However, with much lower sunspot numbers it is possible I'll not be heard in  the USA on 10m today at all with my low power beacon.

UPDATE 1330z:   I spoke too soon!  WA2PJI (5550km) spotted me first at 1242z and there have been others since.

UPDATE 1752z:   At the moment KC1AWS (5308km) is the last USA station to have spotted my 500mW WSPR beacon on 10m at 1750z. This could change. 

UPDATE 1835z:   KC1AWS does appear to be the last USA station to spot me at 1750z. Since then, just local G4IKZ (18km).

Sunspot number and 10m

At just 49, the sunspot number is lower than for some time.   10m propagation is only expected to be "fair".

Last 10m USA WSPR spot today

QTH next to the windmill (LHS)

KB1VXY (5308km) was the last to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon today at 1802z. Since then, just local G4IKZ (18km) spotting me. Time to go QRT on 10m but I'll remain on 630m WSPR now and through the night. I have just resync'd the PC to internet time.

My 10m antenna is not the world's best.  At some point, when fitter, I hope to re-erect  a single band antenna for 10m use, possibly my Homebase-10 design on my main website.

472kHz - WSPR spots on TX (5mW ERP) in last 2 weeks

Using the short baseline earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz WSPR in the last 2 weeks I see my best DX on 5mW ERP was F1JBB (722km) in IN95 square. I still need to count the unique stations, squares and countries with 5mW ERP from this QTH.

472kHz TX results (5mW ERP WSPR) on earth-electrode "antenna" in last 2 weeks

USA WSPR spots

You could almost set your watch by it!  KC1AWS (5308km) was the first USA station to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today. This was at 1210z, just 2 minutes earlier than yesterday, reflecting the change in daylight hours. It will be interesting to see at what time spots from the USA stop tonight.

Errors

I know I have said something similar here before...

Almost every time I do a blog post, write an email, or post on Facebook, I seem to make at least one error that I have to go back later to correct. This may be a simple typo or perhaps my stroke leaves me unable to spot errors quickly?   Either way, I try to correct the mistake as soon as I do spot it. This seems to be nearly every time I post.  Let me know if you see any I've missed please.

The most common errors are "i" and "o" interposed, extraneous full stops, commas instead of full stops, missing full stops and "m" and "n" interposed. These could be my poor keyboard skills and nothing more, but I'm sure I'm more error-prone than I was before my brain bleed.

10m WSPR this morning

No great DX as yet on 10m. My best spot of my 500mW beacon is 4X1RF (3519km) with no DX from further afield spotting me. Even with the falling sunspots (still pretty reasonable) I expect to be spotted in the USA after lunch.

Sunspots and 10m - Jan 17th 2015

Sunspot number today is 75 and 10m propagation is forecast to be "fair". I only turned the 10m 500mW WSPR beacon on quite recently and I am still not quite stably on frequency, but so far only local G4IKZ (18km) is spotting me on 10m.

A video to enjoy (Salcombe, Devon) - not amateur radio

As a child, I was brought up in Salcombe, Devon. This remains a most beautiful area and I am still drawn to it. I know of no better place on the planet and I have been to many countries for work and pleasure. This splendid video was created using drones by Birds Eye View Productions.

First and last 10m spots by USA stations today - Jan 16th 2015

The first USA station to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was N1NCO (5283km) at 1212z and the last was K9AN (6505km) at 1712z. Considering the falling sunspots and only "fair" 10m conditions predicted, it seems to have been quite good "across the pond" today.

472kHz WSPR overnight

No great DX overnight on MF.  My best DX on RX was PA0O at 440km and on TX (5mW ERP) I was spotted by G8HUH (250km). No totally new stations spotted.

472kHz always has activity whereas the other band I sometimes use, 6m, is bad at this time of the year. So, currently I tend to use 10m (500mW, 100% TX) and 630m (472kHz with 5mW ERP 20% TX and 80%, the latter using earth-electrodes in the ground).

Falling sunspots

The sunspot number has fallen again to 62 and 10m propagation is forecast to be "fair". Nonetheless, 10m opened to the USA yet again with N1NCO (5283km) spotting my 500mW WSPR beacon at 1212z.

USA 10m WSPR spots today

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has again been spotted many times in the USA today. My first spot was by  KC1AWS (5308km) at 1158z. The last spot was by K9AN (6505km) at 1734z. This is the first time for a while I have been spotted in the USA on 10m before lunch.

Even lower cost TCXOs

This information comes again from Steve (font of all knowledge) G1KQH:

Getting cheaper!!

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compensated-crystal-components-YAESU-FT-817-FT-857-FT-897-/291340980542?tfrom=281546626804&tpos=top&ttype=price&talgo=undefined

 

73 Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/

Sunspots and 10m - Jan 17th 2015

Sunspot number today is 89 and 10m propagation forecast to be " good". SN seems to be falling in recent days. Maybe, on average, we are seeing the start of the slide?

Various modes compared

Comparisons were recently posted on the RSGB LF reflector. I am sorry but I cannot recall the author, although I think it was by a Dutch station.  Basically it showed (using 2500Hz bandwidth) that WSPR2 (2 minute WSPR) is some 29dB better than SSB and 12wpm CW some 15dB better than SSB. Of course there are all sorts of provisos and caveats, but it goes to show why WSPR is so very good with very weak signals although only basic data is usually exchanged with WSPR.

472kHz WSPR

Again, I stayed on MF rather than going on 6m today. The PC turned off in the early hours to load Windows updates so I rebooted the PC and reset the PC clock to internet time after breakfast. Only spots by G7NKS (46km) and G8LCO (58km) so far today. PA0O (440km) is my best spot today on MF on receive.

10m WSPR spots by USA stations

The first USA spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today was by KC1AWS (5308km) at 1316z. At the moment, the last WSPR spot by a USA station was KU4PY (6991km) at 1748z.

Best DX today was AE7YQ (8533km) late afternoon. No DX further than the USA today.

Sunspots and 10m WSPR

Sunspot number today has fallen to 93 but 10m propagation is again forecast to be "good".

So far, my 500mW 10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon has been spotted by the usual scatter of Europeans, but no further. The band may open to the Indian Ocean, Africa and South America. I confidently predict it will open to North America this afternoon.

Time to go QRT on 10m WSPR but leave 630m (472kHz) on

As it is just local G4IKZ (18km) spotting me now, I shall go QRT on 10m WSPR.

I'll leave 630m (472kHz) WSPR running to see what tonight and overnight brings. Last night my best MF DX on receive was LA (Norway) on the earth-electrode "antenna". Spots have been exchanged both ways this evening with G3WCB (101km) but not further so far on MF today. Best DX on 630m (472kHz) RX today is PA0O at 440km.

UPDATE 2238z:  On 472kHz WSPR the best DX received here this evening is F1AFJ (607km). My best DX on TX, again using the earth-electrode "antenna" with 5mW ERP is currently G8HUH (250km).

UKAC contest - 70cms

This evening being the second Tuesday of the month is the first 70cm leg of the monthly UKAC activity contests. The contest runs from 2000z to 2230z   However, I have a problem. My antenna  (5 el) is stuck aiming SW. I'll give the contest a brief go, but with 5W, being unable turn the antenna and my poor voice I don't think I shall be on too long!

70cm QSOs this evening

UPDATE 2130z:   I was on for only 1 hour (poor voice!) but, at this time of year, most activity was from fixed stations. Even with a beam fixed in a SW direction, I managed to work 5 stations with 5W on 70cms. Best DX this evening was G3MEH (84km) in IO91QS although I was copying further. By next month the beam should be rotatable again and there may be more /P activity I hope. One of the stations heard (but not worked) was my old university colleague G3XBY who was giving a JO02 locator, so I am wondering if Dale has retired not too far from here?

10m USA spots today

The days are getting slightly longer now.  The very first USA spot of my 10m 500mW beacon today was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1204z. The openings seem to be getting slightly longer? Several spots by 4X1RF (3519km) in the 10m log too today.

UPDATE 1835z: at the moment, the last spot from the USA was WG2Z (5600km) at 1824z.

UPDATE 1925z: WG2Z does seem to have been the last USA station to spot me today. Only local spots since 1824z.

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number has fallen back a little to 111 (still respectable) but 10m propagation is forecast to be "good" today. Getting spotted by the usual Europeans (LZ,OH, UR).

10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon, no PA

I turned on my 10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon and resync'd the clock at 1007z this morning. Up to that time the PA had been off since yesterday. Imagine my surprise to see 3 spots in the log before that time from CT1JTQ (1843km). These were about 16-18dB down on normal levels but would have been at the low milliwatt level - whatever the beacon power is with the PA off. Even though reporting I was running 500mW (this is hard programmed in) I was using very low power indeed. Seasoned WSPR users will not be amazed.

I have now turned the PA on again, so am using close to 500mW again on 10m WSPR. This now seems like high power!

Eclipse in UK in March

 This was posted on the RSGB's LF reflector a few hours ago:

Alan Melia	15:37 (2 hours ago)
To rsgb_lf_group, rsgb_lf_group

Hi all, it may not have registered with many yet as it has not made the National TV news but there is a partial eclipse of the sun due on March 20th 2015.

As part of my involvement with the RSGB Propagation Studies Committee it occurs to me that this is a fine opportunity to roll out the capabilities of Opera, and WSPR and the monitoring network on 136 and 477kHz.

The path of the totality passes due north of the UK with only Shetland seeing a full eclipse. The majority of the UK is rated around 80%. The most interesting paths are those from the opposite side of the path of totality. Unfortunately (or otherwise :-))  ) the only LF-active area on the other side is Iceland, and I know there is a "grabber" operator active there. I suggest some interesting results could be obtained if European stations could be active into the Iceland grabber during the period of the eclipse which is 07:40 to 11:40 UTC (I think we should be on GMT still in the UK at that date :-))  ) I am not fully sure what facilities the Icelandic operator has but maybe someone who knows him better could liaise a suitable set up.

It is obviouly not as big an event as 1999 but could prove interesting.

USA 10m WSPR spots today

KC1AWS (5308km) was again the first to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon today, at 1218z. He was first yesterday too. Since then, other USA stations are spotting me.

UPDATE 1752z:  At the moment it looks like KB9AMG (6300km) was the last USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon at 1706z at -17dB S/N. No other stateside station has spotted me since then. It is interesting that the report suggests 20mW would have been enough. Then the path just dies out within minutes.

ARRL membership renewal - no thanks

Living in the UK, last year I joined the ARRL so I could access the digital edition of QST. I shall not be renewing. Why? Well, the ads are the same, more or less, as those in RadCom and Practical Wireless and there are better articles in SPRAT. Most of all it took over a week to sort my access out when I mislaid my password. The online help was, for me, useless. No, I am happy to let others join their national amateur radio society but I shall not be renewing my ARRL membership. I remain an RSGB member and GQRP Club member.

MF instead of 6m WSPR

This morning, I have decided to give 6m WSPR a miss: for several days I have been trying but with very limited success at this time of the year. Instead, I am using the FT817, transverter and earth electrode "antenna" with around 5mW ERP (probably less) with success on 472kHz WSPR. G7NKS (46km) has copied me well on several occasions already. As yet, no other spots given or received on MF this morning so far.

I am also active (500mW) on 10m TX only.

UPDATE 1125z:  12 spots so far of my 5mW ERP and all from G7NKS (46km).

UPDATE 1345z:  27 spots by G7NKS (46km) so far today. Almost all his spots are within +/-1dB of -15dB S/N.

UPDATE 1633z:   Now 44 spots on 472kHz from G7NKS today so far, but no-one else spotted or spotting me, as yet.

UPDATE 1757z:  Now 52 spots of me by G7NKS.  Still no-one else.

UPDATE 1846z:   G3YXM (148km) was the first MF station to be received here this evening at -9dB S/N, i.e. strong.

Recent 472kHz WSPR results on TX and RX this evening

Sunspots and 10m propagation

Sunspot number today is a respectable 133 and 10m propagation is forecast to be "good".

Almost since I switched my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon on, I have been copied by the usual European stations and 4X1RF (3519km) in Israel.  No real DX seen on 10m WSPR as yet, but it is early in the day still. An opening to the USA after lunch on 10m is almost a certainty.  It would be good to have my 500mW WSPR beacon copied in Australia,  S.Africa and S.America today.

QRT on 6m and 10m WSPR

At 2300z I went QRT on 6m and 10m WSPR. Will be on 10m again after breakfast. I shall probably give 6m a miss though.

Last WSPR spot from the USA

At 1746z KC1AWS (5308km) was the last USA station to copy my 500mW WSPR beacon today.

Low cost Chinese TCXO for FT817

In a recent email from Steve G1KQH he brings to our attention a very low cost TCXO for the FT817 from China:

"Greetings!

You still standing after the winds?

Did you see that mention in PW about that Chinese TCXO for the 817 at a 1/4 of the price of the Yaesu one:

http://zl2bkc.com/2014/10/29/stability-of-chineese-tcxo-9-in-ft817/

I searched TCX0-9 on ebay and quite a few came up his is the best price so far, if I find better I will let you know

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Compensated-Crystal-Components-Module-for-FT-817-857-897-TCXO-9-22-625MHZ-/281537625385?pt=UK_Mobile_Phones_Communication_Radio_Parts_Accessories&hash=item418cf33d29

Now who is going to try one first?

73 Steve G1KQH"

Australian 10m WSPR spot

This morning at 1124z, VK5MR (16144km) copied my 10m 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon for what will probably be my best DX today. His report of me was -26dB S/N, i.e. not strong. No other great DX reports received on 10m. First USA WSPR spot of my 500mW was by KC1AWS (5308km) at 1220z. He was spotting me well at -16dB S/N.

So far, 6m WSPR as been a dead loss again. I sync'd to internet time twice today on the 6m kit. Not a single 6m spot given and received since I started just after breakfast. Really I am wasting effort of 6m currently.   I would be better on a totally different band for a change.

Sunspots and 10m - Jan 11th 2015

Sunspot number today is up again, to 146 and 10m propagation is expected to be "good". Yet again, the 10m band has opened to the USA after lunch, and Australia this morning.

Time to go QRT

I am still active on both 6m and 10m WSPR but I shall close down on both bands very soon. On 6m I have seen no activity since G0LRD (25km) at 1922z, and on 10m only G4IKZ (18km) is spotting me since the band closed to the USA. I shall be back on again after breakfast.

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number has climbed to 125 and 10m was forecast to be "good" today.

The first 10m USA WSPR spot of my 500mW beacon today was by K3ZV (5692km) at 1242z.

UPDATE 1804z:  At the moment KB1VXY (5308km) looks like being the last USA station to spot my 500mW this evening. He was still spotting me a few minutes ago. There could still be others though.

UPDATE 1912z:   KB1VXY was the last station in the USA to spot me on 10m WSPR. Since 1748z just local G4IKZ (18km) spotting me.  Early this morning OZ1IT (853km) was spotting me at 0518z and I see CX2ABP/D (11080km) was the best DX spot of me today (mid-afternoon).

Some 6m results (1W ERP)

After resetting my PC clock (it was set this morning so not sure why it was off so badly) I have been exchanging WSPR spots with G0LRD (25km). Apart from G6AVK a week or so back, I'd had no spots at all on 6m in recent months. I am still hopeful I might catch some winter Es. I think any TEP or F2 DX is pretty unlikely.

GQRP Club

See http://www.gqrp.com/ .

Many times before I have said that SPRAT is the last magazine I would give up if I had to. GQRP Club membership is very reasonable indeed and I highly commend it to you. They now sell a DVD which has the first 160 copies of SPRAT on it.   If you join the club,the DVD is very inexpensive plus you get the next 4 SPRATs with the subscription. SPRAT is always filled with good stuff and always plenty of projects to build.

Go on, join!

6m - magic band, really?

Why do I bother on 6m WSPR? Apart from G6AVK (78km) with whom I exchanged spots more than a week ago I have had no success at all on 6m WSPR out of the Es season.  I get plenty of success on 10m with less power.  I go on 6m WSPR because I can do so at the same time as being on 10m. I get far more success on 630m with an ERP of just 5mW. I think I am going to give up on the "magic band" until April or May. Maybe I really do need 100W and a big yagi up high in the sky to make the band "magic" at this time of the year. My 1W ERP from a V2000 vertical omni antenna just isn't enough or maybe all the activity is on other modes?

USA 10m WSPR spots today

The first USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon today was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1220z.

At the moment WG2Z (5600km) was the last to spot me this evening from the USA at1722z.

UPDATE 2122z:  WG2Z was the last USA station to spot me on 10m today.