KF4GKY (6406km) was the first USA station to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today at 1322z. After the dire forecasts this morning I was wondering if 10m would open to the USA at all. So far (it is now 1350z) KF4GKY is the only USA station spotting me.
UPDATE 1815z: W3GXT (5840km) was the last to spot me from the USA today at 1702z. As this was over an hour ago it was probably the last today.
23 Jan 2015
4X1RF now spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon
At last, I am now being spotted on 10m outside the local area. 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me a couple of times starting at 1056z this morning. Reports are weaker than usual.
Maybe I shall be spotted in the USA on 10m WSPR after lunch after all?4
UPDATE 1124z: So far, just a couple of weak spots by 4X1RF. Conditions on 10m do seem down on the last few months.
UPDATE 1210z: Better reports now from 4X1RF (-13dB S/N). Looks like 10m is coming to life.
Maybe I shall be spotted in the USA on 10m WSPR after lunch after all?4
UPDATE 1124z: So far, just a couple of weak spots by 4X1RF. Conditions on 10m do seem down on the last few months.
UPDATE 1210z: Better reports now from 4X1RF (-13dB S/N). Looks like 10m is coming to life.
5MHz world wide contiguous 60m amateur band?
Around the world, several administrations allow some access to 5MHz for amateurs. Mostly, these are channelised allocations, which are far from ideal. What is needed is a continuous 60m band, say 200kHz wide. There was/is some hope of this being allocated to the amateur service at WRC2015 which is due to take place late this year.
I wonder what the chances of radio amateurs getting this band are? I have rather lost touch with the news on this. Certainly it was to be an agenda item. With decreasing solar activity, this would be ideal for the amateur community. I do hope it happens. Even if allocated at WRC2015, it could be a few years before administrations can make the necessary changes. If anyone has any further news I'd appreciate being updated.
I wonder what the chances of radio amateurs getting this band are? I have rather lost touch with the news on this. Certainly it was to be an agenda item. With decreasing solar activity, this would be ideal for the amateur community. I do hope it happens. Even if allocated at WRC2015, it could be a few years before administrations can make the necessary changes. If anyone has any further news I'd appreciate being updated.
Sunspots and "poor" 10m
Sunspot number is 63 today. 10m conditions are expected to be "poor". This is the first time in a long while I've seen this. Been on 10m WSPR for 45 minutes but only being spotted by G4IKZ (18km).
UPDATE 1048z: Still just local G4IKZ spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon. No Europeans even. Conditions do feel poor today. I wonder if we'll have our usual USA 10m opening after lunch?
UPDATE 1056z: 4X1RF (3519km) spotting me at last.
UPDATE 1048z: Still just local G4IKZ spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon. No Europeans even. Conditions do feel poor today. I wonder if we'll have our usual USA 10m opening after lunch?
UPDATE 1056z: 4X1RF (3519km) spotting me at last.
22 Jan 2015
472kHz WSPR results - 5mW ERP earth electrode "antenna"
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| 472kHz 5mW ERP - result on WSPR in last 2 weeks |
UPDATE 2212z: G1GKN has only reported me today.
On receive on 472kHz WSPR I have spotted 18 unique stations in the last 2 weeks. Best DX was LA3EQ (769km).
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| 472kHz WSPR - stations spotted here in last 2 weeks |
USA 10m WSPR spots of my 500mW beacon today
KE6BID (5295km) was the first USA station to spot my 10m 500mW beacon at 1244z today. Since then, plenty of USA stations have been spotting me on 10m WSPR.
I am also active on 630m (472kHz) WSPR where I run 5mW ERP and I am on 20% TX and 80% RX. Best 472kHz WSPR DX on RX here was F1AFJ (607km). On 472kHz TX my best daylight DX today is G3THQ (8km) and M0ELS (81km).
UPDATE 1742z: Currently KB9AMG (6300km) was the last USA station to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 1722z. This may be it for the day, but we'll see.
UPDATE 2154z: KB9AMG was the last spotter on 10m of my 500mW WSPR beacon at 1722z..
I am also active on 630m (472kHz) WSPR where I run 5mW ERP and I am on 20% TX and 80% RX. Best 472kHz WSPR DX on RX here was F1AFJ (607km). On 472kHz TX my best daylight DX today is G3THQ (8km) and M0ELS (81km).
UPDATE 1742z: Currently KB9AMG (6300km) was the last USA station to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 1722z. This may be it for the day, but we'll see.
UPDATE 2154z: KB9AMG was the last spotter on 10m of my 500mW WSPR beacon at 1722z..
Sunspots - Jan 22nd 2015
Sunspot number today is 50 (gradually sliding downwards now on average) and 10m propagation forecast to be "fair". Certainly, my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has not been spotted beyond Israel so far today.
Early morning on 10m WSPR
As early as 0856z, I was getting EU spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon. 4X1RF (3519km) was not much later. Some of these spots were very strong, suggesting either single hop Es or F2 propagation. Local G4IKZ (18km) was spotting me all through the night.
21 Jan 2015
AM and UK Band Plans
Because of my poor voice (as a result of my cerebellum brain bleed) I tend to use
digital techniques, like WSPR and JT65, but I still enjoy AM. Like
many, I've worked transatlantic AMers on 29-29.1MHz with real QRP and
simple antennas using AM. It makes a great change from SSB.
One could be forgiven for thinking AM is a dirty word at the RSGB. In UK Band Plans published in the February 2015 edition of RadCom, AM gets no mention on 28MHz and 50MHz and gets a (begrudging) comment as a footnote only in the 144MHz Band Plan when other modes get "centres of activity" mentions. AM is alive and well in the 29-29.1MHz sub-band. AM on the 144MHz (2m) band here in the UK can be found on and around 144.550MHz. There has been AM on 29-29.1MHz for years and years and years - in fact almost as long as I've been active on the air. Yes, this is in the all-mode section, but why not say this is the 28MHz (10m) AM sub-band? Also, why are 144MHz AM users asked to "consider adjacent channel activity"? AM should easily fit in 6kHz!!
Yet again, AM is being treated as a dirty and outdated mode. Here in the UK, ex-PMR AM rigs ripe for use on VHF can be picked up for virtually nothing and there is certainly room for AM on all bands from 28MHz upwards. AM has its enthusiasts on other bands too, but yet again the RSGB seems keen to kill off this mode. Why I wonder?
Allegedly, a RadCom article on digital TV in the 146-147MHz band was pulled last month at the last minute because "someone at the RSGB" thought it would not fit in the new band! Sometimes one wonders. Maybe the day when I only get SPRAT is closer than I thought? Thankfully, there are many good articles in RadCom.
One could be forgiven for thinking AM is a dirty word at the RSGB. In UK Band Plans published in the February 2015 edition of RadCom, AM gets no mention on 28MHz and 50MHz and gets a (begrudging) comment as a footnote only in the 144MHz Band Plan when other modes get "centres of activity" mentions. AM is alive and well in the 29-29.1MHz sub-band. AM on the 144MHz (2m) band here in the UK can be found on and around 144.550MHz. There has been AM on 29-29.1MHz for years and years and years - in fact almost as long as I've been active on the air. Yes, this is in the all-mode section, but why not say this is the 28MHz (10m) AM sub-band? Also, why are 144MHz AM users asked to "consider adjacent channel activity"? AM should easily fit in 6kHz!!
Yet again, AM is being treated as a dirty and outdated mode. Here in the UK, ex-PMR AM rigs ripe for use on VHF can be picked up for virtually nothing and there is certainly room for AM on all bands from 28MHz upwards. AM has its enthusiasts on other bands too, but yet again the RSGB seems keen to kill off this mode. Why I wonder?
Allegedly, a RadCom article on digital TV in the 146-147MHz band was pulled last month at the last minute because "someone at the RSGB" thought it would not fit in the new band! Sometimes one wonders. Maybe the day when I only get SPRAT is closer than I thought? Thankfully, there are many good articles in RadCom.
10m USA WSPR spots
The first USA spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was at 1240z today by WG2Z (5600km). All morning I was being spotted by EU stations and 4X1RF (3519km) but no further.
Apart from one day, the 10m band has been open here to the USA every day since the early autumn.
UPDATE 2040z: My last USA 10m WSPR spot today was by K9AN (6505km) at 1858z.
Apart from one day, the 10m band has been open here to the USA every day since the early autumn.
UPDATE 2040z: My last USA 10m WSPR spot today was by K9AN (6505km) at 1858z.
10m 3 transistor DSB transceiver
In case you missed this:
http://www.cqpub.co.jp/hanbai/books/15/15061/15061_p.180-181.pdf
This gives the schematic and lots of data in Japanese.
All RF circuit inductors could be replaced by small (T50-6 or T37-6) yellow toroids and variable caps.
http://www.cqpub.co.jp/hanbai/books/15/15061/15061_p.180-181.pdf
This gives the schematic and lots of data in Japanese.
All RF circuit inductors could be replaced by small (T50-6 or T37-6) yellow toroids and variable caps.
Sunspot number - Jan 21st 2015
Sunspot number today has risen slightly to 57. 10m propagation is expected to be "fair". Already being spotted by 4X1RF (3519km) on 10m WSPR with my 500mW 10m beacon.
20 Jan 2015
10m 3 transistor DSB rig video, and more on the Minima
Stephen G7BFY sent me a link to a video on YouTube of the Japanese 3 transistor DSB transceiver featured in this blog some years ago. It is being tested by some Italian stations over a 10km path. Sorry this video is in Italian.
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqpfLSqtVgs
Minima Video
The video below is of the Minima SSB/CW transceiver. The transceiver is towards the end of the (rather noisy) video. This is the creator, Ashaar Farhan, in the (Indian?) video.
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqpfLSqtVgs
Minima Video
The video below is of the Minima SSB/CW transceiver. The transceiver is towards the end of the (rather noisy) video. This is the creator, Ashaar Farhan, in the (Indian?) video.
472kHz WSPR
All day and overnight I have been on 472kHz WSPR using 5mW ERP from my earth-electrode "antenna". Although I have been copied by no new users in recent weeks, I have been spotted by G4JVF (151km) and G8HUH (250km) amongst others today. My best DX on TX with the earth-electrodes is 722km.
On RX I am consistently copying PA stations at over 400km. Although people tell me there is less WSPR activity on the band lately, I never fail to spot, or be spotted, on this MF band even with my compromise antenna and very low ERP.
On RX I am consistently copying PA stations at over 400km. Although people tell me there is less WSPR activity on the band lately, I never fail to spot, or be spotted, on this MF band even with my compromise antenna and very low ERP.
160m/80m DC transceiver
These are bands I rarely use, but some readers may be interested in the Hendricks Kits dual band transceiver. 5.5W sounds enough to work plenty.
These days, the main issue on these bands can be man-made noise from TVs, SMPUs and similar. At my old QTH I had an S7-8 noise floor on 160m and 80m. At the new QTH the noise floor on these bands is low currently, but this could change overnight. Some people use loops and nullers on RX to minimise problems. If you have a quiet noise environment then this transceiver may fit your needs. Don't forget you will need a reasonably big antenna to get decent results. A half wave 160m dipole antenna is around 240 feet long.
In my youth we had rigs like the Codar AT5 12W AM/CW 160m/80m transmitter and companion T28 RX. I had the RX but not the TX although I did use an AT5 from the QTH of the late G4PJ. The T28 was mainly used as a tunable IF for my 2m converter. I heard my first 2m satellite signals via Oscar 6 and 7 using the T28 as a tunable IF. I remember being very thrilled hearing my first transatlantic stations on the top end of 2m.
See http://www.qrpkits.com/mbdc.html .
These days, the main issue on these bands can be man-made noise from TVs, SMPUs and similar. At my old QTH I had an S7-8 noise floor on 160m and 80m. At the new QTH the noise floor on these bands is low currently, but this could change overnight. Some people use loops and nullers on RX to minimise problems. If you have a quiet noise environment then this transceiver may fit your needs. Don't forget you will need a reasonably big antenna to get decent results. A half wave 160m dipole antenna is around 240 feet long.
In my youth we had rigs like the Codar AT5 12W AM/CW 160m/80m transmitter and companion T28 RX. I had the RX but not the TX although I did use an AT5 from the QTH of the late G4PJ. The T28 was mainly used as a tunable IF for my 2m converter. I heard my first 2m satellite signals via Oscar 6 and 7 using the T28 as a tunable IF. I remember being very thrilled hearing my first transatlantic stations on the top end of 2m.
See http://www.qrpkits.com/mbdc.html .
Last 10m WSPR spot today
W3CSW (5886km) was the last USA station to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today at 1658z. I guess the last 10m spot depends on several factors: propagation/conditions, daylight on the path, active stations etc. Last night the I was getting spots later.
First 10m WSPR spot today (500mW beacon) from the USA
N1NCO (5283km) was the first USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon on 10m today at 1238z. Several EU spot this morning plus 4X1RF (3519km) who often spots me. This is Asia.
Sunspots
Sunspot number today is 62 and 10m propagation is expected to be "fair" . Just turned on the 500mW 10m WSPR beacon at 0945z.Already LZ1OI (2153km) is spotting me well.
19 Jan 2015
Lighter evenings
Since the shortest day, the evenings continue to lighten. In the evening it is now light some 30 minutes later than it was at the shortest day. Even the mornings are starting to get a bit lighter earlier at last. The days are lengthening about 2.5 minutes a day and the rate of change speeds up as we approach the equinox. I much prefer lighter days! Already it is just about light still at 5pm.
See http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/cambridge .
See http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/cambridge .
Last USA 10m WSPR spot tonight
The last spot of my 500mW WSPR beacon on 10m was at 1714z by KK4MIP (6704km). It is still possible other spots may yet come in but this is now unlikely.
First 10m WSPR spot from the USA today
N1NCO (5283km) was the first USA station to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 1236z. There have been plenty of spots by USA stations since that time.
More EU spots of my 10m 500mW beacon
LZ1UBO (2039km) and UR/SWL56 (2283km) have been spotting me this morning. I think LZ1UBO is a new station reporting me who has not been in the log before. I think propagation is F2 judging by the distances.
More on the Minima transceiver
My mention of this Ashaar Farhen design yesterday seems to have been very popular, so I have dug out a bit more information. As it stands it produces 1W pep but it is easy to add a further PA.
See http://www.sarfata.org/ham/minima/ .
Although a kit of parts is available, I am not aware of a full kit with enclosure and a PCB being available as is the case with the BitX from Hendricks Kits.
See http://www.sarfata.org/ham/minima/ .
Although a kit of parts is available, I am not aware of a full kit with enclosure and a PCB being available as is the case with the BitX from Hendricks Kits.
Daytime 472kHz WSPR 5mW ERP and earth-electrode "antenna"
Nothing exceptional overnight.
This morning, I see I am being spotted by G4JVF (151km), M0ELS (81km) and G8HUH (250km). I am spotting PA0O (440km) and PA3ABK/2 (306km). All not bad for full daylight propagation.
This morning, I see I am being spotted by G4JVF (151km), M0ELS (81km) and G8HUH (250km). I am spotting PA0O (440km) and PA3ABK/2 (306km). All not bad for full daylight propagation.
Sunspots up today
Sunspot number is climbing again and stands at 78 today (was 49 yesterday). 10m propagation is again expected to be "fair". So far just local G4IKZ (18km) and LZ1OI (2153km) copying my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon but it is still very early.
18 Jan 2015
The Minima transceiver
See http://www.phonestack.com/farhan/minima.html
This is the latest project from Ashaar Farhan. Component cost is said to be less than $100. This is based around a Si570 sythesiser and a programmed Arduino micro-controller IC. It looks a simple to duplicate rig covering up to 30MHz. It is the successor to the BITX rig I think. The IF is 20MHz. If you only want 0-15MHz or 15-30MHz (i.e. not both) the rig get even simpler.
This is the latest project from Ashaar Farhan. Component cost is said to be less than $100. This is based around a Si570 sythesiser and a programmed Arduino micro-controller IC. It looks a simple to duplicate rig covering up to 30MHz. It is the successor to the BITX rig I think. The IF is 20MHz. If you only want 0-15MHz or 15-30MHz (i.e. not both) the rig get even simpler.
Crystal alternative?
Buying crystals for specific frequencies is now getting very expensive. There may be a newer alternative.
See https://aa7ee.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/a-crowdfunded-si5351-breakout-board-from-jason-nt7s/ .
This synthesised solution allows any frequency from 8kHz to 160MHz to be generated.
See https://aa7ee.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/a-crowdfunded-si5351-breakout-board-from-jason-nt7s/ .
This synthesised solution allows any frequency from 8kHz to 160MHz to be generated.
Solar activity
See http://www.solen.info/solar/.
It is easy to overlook the peaks and troughs of solar activity when looking at averages. When solar activity has brief peaks, conditions can often be way above average. Some have even caught brief 6m F2 openings by remaining alert.
That is why 10m is such a fascinating band . Even in years with almost zero or no sunspots I have worked South Americans with QRP SSB with simple wire antennas. Never give up just because the average sunspot number is low.
It is easy to overlook the peaks and troughs of solar activity when looking at averages. When solar activity has brief peaks, conditions can often be way above average. Some have even caught brief 6m F2 openings by remaining alert.
That is why 10m is such a fascinating band . Even in years with almost zero or no sunspots I have worked South Americans with QRP SSB with simple wire antennas. Never give up just because the average sunspot number is low.
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).
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".
17 Jan 2015
Last 10m USA WSPR spot today
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| QTH next to the windmill (LHS) |
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.
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| 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.
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.
16 Jan 2015
A video to enjoy (Salcombe, Devon) - not amateur radio
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).
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.
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