10m yet again opened to the USA this afternoon. First USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR was K4RCG (5995km) at 1312z.
UPDATE 1410z: It was a pretty uneventful morning on 10m WSPR. The usual stations on the eastern fringe of Europe spotting me plus a few inter-G stations until the band opened to the USA. At the moment the 10m band does not feel as lively as it did yesterday. Only 2 different USA stations spotting me so far today.
UPDATE 1506z: 10m seems to be lively now with all the usual USA suspects now spotting me again.
UPDATE 1920z: The 10m opening to the USA ended at 1928z with WG2Z (5600km) being the last to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon. Since that time just locals. Time to go QRT on 10m.
12 Mar 2015
SDR transceivers (more)
Several people have contacted me - thank you for the feedback so far. I have been reminded that the Elecraft KX3 has an SDR architecture and retails from about £850, ready built, in the UK, Of course with all the leads and options it works out considerably more expensive, but it is a very good unit.
Sunspots and 10m - March 12th 2015
Sunspot number is little changed on yesterday. It is 42 today. 10m propagation is expected again to be "fair" whatever this means.
I turned on my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon a few minutes ago. It usually takes about 20 minutes for the PA to warm and the box stabilise. I see a few Hertz drift in my very first reports then it is stable all day long.
UPDATE 0950z: My little beacon is still stabilising, so no reports as yet on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1020z: Almost as I was writing the above, G4CUI (172km) started to spot me on 10m. The unit has now fully stabilised. Reports are at the -24/-25dB S/N level. This is probably tropo and aircraft reflections. 172km is quite a distance for regular spots by tropo, but certainly possible. It would be interesting to see the screenshots from G4CUI to see if there are multiple Doppler shifted signals, which would suggest aircraft reflection. An absence of Doppler might suggest pure 10m tropo.
I turned on my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon a few minutes ago. It usually takes about 20 minutes for the PA to warm and the box stabilise. I see a few Hertz drift in my very first reports then it is stable all day long.
UPDATE 0950z: My little beacon is still stabilising, so no reports as yet on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1020z: Almost as I was writing the above, G4CUI (172km) started to spot me on 10m. The unit has now fully stabilised. Reports are at the -24/-25dB S/N level. This is probably tropo and aircraft reflections. 172km is quite a distance for regular spots by tropo, but certainly possible. It would be interesting to see the screenshots from G4CUI to see if there are multiple Doppler shifted signals, which would suggest aircraft reflection. An absence of Doppler might suggest pure 10m tropo.
11 Mar 2015
472kHz WSPR
At the moment my 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna") is being copied by the usual suspects with the best DX spot being by being PA0RDT (243km). Although I shall go QRT on 10m shortly I will stay on 472kHz overnight.
SDR transceivers?
Recently I mentioned the 5W SDR transceiver from Italy by Elad which retails for £899 in the UK. This can be used with or without a PC. Clearly with a PC more features are available.
There are several more SDR based transceivers on the market such as the Flex 1500. There are also a few SDR transceiver kits. I wonder if readers have any favourites?
There are several more SDR based transceivers on the market such as the Flex 1500. There are also a few SDR transceiver kits. I wonder if readers have any favourites?
Firefox crippled?
Maybe it is just me and my Win 8.1 PC, but today I am having great problems with my Firefox web browser, which in the past has been both reliable and stable. The program seems to freeze on several bookmarks (notably Facebook) and I have to restart the PC to recover. I just wonder if a recent Windows Update (installed earlier) has upset it?
Anyone else suffering in the last day or so with Firefox?
I hope Microsoft is not trying to act dirty. Not saying they are - but it seems odd that all my problems have just started today. If I were to make a browser change it would be to Google Chrome.
UPDATE 12.3.15 1410z: I deleted the Facebook bookmark and replaced it. All seems well with Firefox.
Anyone else suffering in the last day or so with Firefox?
I hope Microsoft is not trying to act dirty. Not saying they are - but it seems odd that all my problems have just started today. If I were to make a browser change it would be to Google Chrome.
UPDATE 12.3.15 1410z: I deleted the Facebook bookmark and replaced it. All seems well with Firefox.
Not amateur radio!
Today my XYL and I visited a couple more churches near Cambridge. I have updated my East Anglian Churches Blog. Sadly we have found more locked churches of late, usually as a result of thefts. All very sad. I am pleased that most churches are not locked.
10m USA WSPR spots today
WB8ELK/01 (6872km) was the first in the USA to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon today at 1328z. Quite a few other USA station are spotting me too. It was a good morning on 10m WSPR: I was spotted in Western Australia twice.
UPDATE 2040z: Opening to USA and Canada on 10m WSPR still in full swing.
UPDATE 2104z: USA stations still spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon. It is now several hours after dark here. Will this opening never end? I shall stick on 10m until this opening ends. At some point the band will just die out to the USA. The last 2 spots were -16 and -19dB S/N. Often signals are strongest just before the band dies out on a given path.
UPDATE 2125z: This is amazing. Just a few moments ago my 10m 500mW beacon was still being spotted by WB8ELK/01 (6872km). I am staying on 10m for a while yet.
UPDATE 2215z: It looks like the opening to the USA ended (for me) with the 2118z spot by WB8ELK/01. Only locals spotting me since then. Considering 10m was only expected to be "fair" it was in good shape with a couple of spots by Australians this morning and a long opening to North America this afternoon and this evening.
UPDATE 2040z: Opening to USA and Canada on 10m WSPR still in full swing.
UPDATE 2104z: USA stations still spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon. It is now several hours after dark here. Will this opening never end? I shall stick on 10m until this opening ends. At some point the band will just die out to the USA. The last 2 spots were -16 and -19dB S/N. Often signals are strongest just before the band dies out on a given path.
UPDATE 2125z: This is amazing. Just a few moments ago my 10m 500mW beacon was still being spotted by WB8ELK/01 (6872km). I am staying on 10m for a while yet.
UPDATE 2215z: It looks like the opening to the USA ended (for me) with the 2118z spot by WB8ELK/01. Only locals spotting me since then. Considering 10m was only expected to be "fair" it was in good shape with a couple of spots by Australians this morning and a long opening to North America this afternoon and this evening.
Sunspots and 10m - March 11th 2015
Sunspot number has risen slightly to 43 but 10m propagation is forecast to be "fair". Already though my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been spotted by VK6YS (14479km) and several on the edges of Europe.
10 Mar 2015
Last 10m USA spots this evening
The last USA station to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was K9AN (6505km) at 2016z. As I said before, I missed the start of the USA opening as I did not start until later today.
Since 2016z only locals G4IKZ (18km) and G3YAC (12km) have been spotting me.
I have now gone QRT on 10m WSPR but I am still active on MF (472kHz).
Since 2016z only locals G4IKZ (18km) and G3YAC (12km) have been spotting me.
I have now gone QRT on 10m WSPR but I am still active on MF (472kHz).
70cm UKAC tonight
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| Stations worked this evening with 5W/5el on 70cm SSB |
GPS
These days, we take satellite navigation such as GPS so much for granted. I am told that the best resolution using satellites for civilian use is now down to 30cms but for military uses the resolution is better still. It seems quite incredible that GPS is nowadays routinely embedded in smart phones and we just assume we can find our position with great accuracy. Such accuracy came about as a result of a military project way back in the Cold War.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System .
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System .
70cm UKAC this evening
Last week I mended my 2m/70cm antenna so it rotates again. This evening is the UKAC March 70cm leg. With a 5el and 5W pep it is highly unlikely I'll win even the low power section but I hope to be on long enough to work a few stations before my stoke affected voice tells me to stop.
Sunspots and 10m propagation - March 10th 2015
Sunspot number is lowish again at 29. 10m propagation was forecast to be "fair". When I turned on my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon earlier this afternoon, the band was already open across the N.Atlantic. I had my U3AC course on "Maps in the Digital Age" until after lunch.
UPDATE 1826z: Still wide open to the USA and Canada.
UPDATE 1940z: The 10m band is still open across the North Atlantic.
UPDATE 1826z: Still wide open to the USA and Canada.
UPDATE 1940z: The 10m band is still open across the North Atlantic.
9 Mar 2015
Kindness
One thing my stroke has taught me is that there are a lot of good and kind people in the world. I have been so grateful for all the genuine kindness. These good people have expected nothing in return. They have just been so very kind. It has been wonderfully heartening to find out just how kind and generous people are.
I had G6ALB help me with antennas, countless offers of help to build my "Ultimate 3" kit from people all over the world, and today I received a crystal for my 40m Pixie in the post from Andy Cutland in Jersey.
We hear a lot about bad things but rarely the good news. I am giving you this now: in my experience the good and kind people are all over the world. A million thanks to all of you who have helped me or offered help. It really was/is appreciated.
I had G6ALB help me with antennas, countless offers of help to build my "Ultimate 3" kit from people all over the world, and today I received a crystal for my 40m Pixie in the post from Andy Cutland in Jersey.
We hear a lot about bad things but rarely the good news. I am giving you this now: in my experience the good and kind people are all over the world. A million thanks to all of you who have helped me or offered help. It really was/is appreciated.
Elad SDR transceiver
From Italy come the news of the Elad SDR transceiver, which was featured in RSGB's RadCom last month. This is being sold in the UK for £899. It is an SDR 5W transceiver covering from 9kHz to 54MHz. It can be used with or without a PC. It has 0dBm output at all frequencies and 5W in the amateur bands. Looks a very nice radio.
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| This image resides on the Elad website and will be removed immediately if copyright is being infringed or having this link is otherwise an issue. |
10m USA WSPR spots today
Despite the low sunspot number, today people in the USA were spotting my 500mW WSPR beacon early. KC2GMM (5562km) was the first today at 1210z. This is one of the earliest yet. Even with a sunspot number of just 23, the 10m band is open to the USA. Promising for future weak peaks.
UPDATE 1415z: Plenty of USA and Canadian stations currently spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon.
UPDATE 1645z: 10m is still wide open to the USA and Canada.]
UPDATE 2006z: The transatlantic opening is still going strong but I shall have to go QRT as I need the same antenna for 40m. KC2GMM (5562km) was the last stateside station that copied me, but I suspect I would have been heard by stateside stations later.
UPDATE 1415z: Plenty of USA and Canadian stations currently spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon.
UPDATE 1645z: 10m is still wide open to the USA and Canada.]
UPDATE 2006z: The transatlantic opening is still going strong but I shall have to go QRT as I need the same antenna for 40m. KC2GMM (5562km) was the last stateside station that copied me, but I suspect I would have been heard by stateside stations later.
Young amateurs?
When I was fit and healthy, I gave quite a few talks to radio clubs in East Anglia. One thing is very apparent: our hobby is mainly an interest of men and older men at that. Of course, there are the odd exceptions. In some clubs membership was good, whereas in others not so good.
What is very clear is that unless young blood is soon attracted and kept, our hobby/interest will die out within 20-30 years. I notice that this was a topic on the Southgate News Page today. I don't think this is just a UK thing, although in the USA I see licence numbers are at an all time high.
Certainly, the pure magic of radio we experienced when my generation was young is no longer a draw: it is possible to Skype video across the globe instantly via the phone in your hand nowadays. In my youth, the only way to communicate around the world really was by amateur radio and for that you needed to pass the RAE.
No, we need to find what fascinates the younger generation and use that as a lure. It is the whole future of our interest that is at stake here. To me, radio is still magic, especially QRP. However I can see this is not a source of fascination to today's youngsters, to whom texting and mobile internet are second nature.
What would draw in and keep young people fascinated by our hobby today? I think the word "fascinated" is important. As a youngster, radio communications fascinated me and has kept me interested for a lifetime. It is this fascination that is missing today I think.
What is very clear is that unless young blood is soon attracted and kept, our hobby/interest will die out within 20-30 years. I notice that this was a topic on the Southgate News Page today. I don't think this is just a UK thing, although in the USA I see licence numbers are at an all time high.
Certainly, the pure magic of radio we experienced when my generation was young is no longer a draw: it is possible to Skype video across the globe instantly via the phone in your hand nowadays. In my youth, the only way to communicate around the world really was by amateur radio and for that you needed to pass the RAE.
No, we need to find what fascinates the younger generation and use that as a lure. It is the whole future of our interest that is at stake here. To me, radio is still magic, especially QRP. However I can see this is not a source of fascination to today's youngsters, to whom texting and mobile internet are second nature.
What would draw in and keep young people fascinated by our hobby today? I think the word "fascinated" is important. As a youngster, radio communications fascinated me and has kept me interested for a lifetime. It is this fascination that is missing today I think.
472kHz and 28MHz WSPR beacons now ON
In the last 30 minutes, both of these have been switched on. 5mW ERP (20% TX, 80 % RX) on 472kHz WSPR and 500mW (100% TX) on 28MHz WSPR.
Best DX on 10m so far is 4X1RF (3519km) and on 630m I have yet to be copied or copy anyone.
UPDATE 1125z: G3YAC (12km) has now spotted me a couple of times on 472kHz (630m) WSPR, but not too strongly.
UPDATE 1146z: Apart from locals G4IKZ (18km) and G3YAC (12km) very little so far on 10m WSPR although 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me 4 times so far this morning. Activity on 10m WSPR is moderate with 60 active stations worldwide when I last checked.
Best DX on 10m so far is 4X1RF (3519km) and on 630m I have yet to be copied or copy anyone.
UPDATE 1125z: G3YAC (12km) has now spotted me a couple of times on 472kHz (630m) WSPR, but not too strongly.
UPDATE 1146z: Apart from locals G4IKZ (18km) and G3YAC (12km) very little so far on 10m WSPR although 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me 4 times so far this morning. Activity on 10m WSPR is moderate with 60 active stations worldwide when I last checked.
Sunspots and 10m - Mon March 9th 2015
Sunspot number remains low at 23 today. 10m propagation is expected to be "fair".
As yet, I have still to turn on my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon. It is now 1000z. I intend to have it running shortly but it takes about 20 minutes before it fully stabilises.
As yet, I have still to turn on my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon. It is now 1000z. I intend to have it running shortly but it takes about 20 minutes before it fully stabilises.
8 Mar 2015
472kHz records
Last night LA4ANA (1042km) copied my 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" for the second time. OR7T (337km) also copied me for the first time last night when I was using the earth-electrode "antenna".
In the last 2 weeks alone, 29 unique stations in 6 countries have spotted my 5mW ERP when I've been using the earth-electrode "antenna". The overall total is greater.
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In the last 2 weeks alone, 29 unique stations in 6 countries have spotted my 5mW ERP when I've been using the earth-electrode "antenna". The overall total is greater.
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| Unique stations who spotted me in last 2 weeks on 472kHz WSPR |
Sunspots and 10m today - Sun March 8th 2015
Sunspot number has fallen further to just 20, the lowest for some time, and 10m propagation was expected to be "fair".
I see from WSPRnet that 10m opened to the USA from G although none of radio gear has been on today.
7 Mar 2015
472kHz WSPR this evening
So far, no great TX DX on 472kHz this evening although G3XKR (347km) in North Devon is copying my 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna". It would be good if this evening or overnight I was copied again over 1000km. Last night the PC crashed just after midnight so all DX overnight was missed.
UPDATE 2140z: PE1RKT (285km) has spotted me a couple of times this evening.
UPDATE 2140z: PE1RKT (285km) has spotted me a couple of times this evening.
Sunspots and 10m - Sat March 7th 2015
Sunspot number today is 37 and 10m is expected to be "fair". Already the 10m band is well open to the USA and there was some decent stuff coming through on 10m well before lunch.
Over 1000km on 472kHz TX with earth-electrodes
Last night LA4ANA (1047km) copied my 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz WSPR. This is my best DX yet on the non-antenna, nearly 300km further than my best previous TX record. I was also spotted by DL4YHF (556km) for the first time on the earth-electrode "antenna". My PC decided to crash some time after midnight last night, so I missed any DX overnight. These spots were during the evening period.
In the last 2 weeks alone I have been spotted by 28 different stations when I've been using 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz WSPR. Let no-one say 472kHz is out because they cannot fit an antenna! If my signal can span over 1000km with WSPR then you can surely do better. I make no claims for the earth-electrode "antenna" but if you are unable to erect a proper antenna give it a go.
I have still to try it at this QTH on 136kHz but at my old QTH I managed to be spotted at 250km with very low ERP.
In the last 2 weeks alone I have been spotted by 28 different stations when I've been using 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz WSPR. Let no-one say 472kHz is out because they cannot fit an antenna! If my signal can span over 1000km with WSPR then you can surely do better. I make no claims for the earth-electrode "antenna" but if you are unable to erect a proper antenna give it a go.
I have still to try it at this QTH on 136kHz but at my old QTH I managed to be spotted at 250km with very low ERP.
10m WSPR - North American spots Sat March 7th 2015
| KB4SC (6560km) was the first USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR signal at 1222z (quite early). Quite a few others have been spotting me since. TJ1TS (5478km) in Yaounde,Cameroon was spotting me very early, at breakfast time1 UPDATE 1848z: Best USA DX is a spot from AE7YQ (8533km) in DM41kx, which puts him in southern Arizona.'' UPDATE 2012z: At the moment the Canadians are still copying me. VA3XCD (5496km) is not the last I am sure from North America tonight. UPDATE 2138z: N2NOM (5581km) was the last North American to spot me today at 2016z. |
6 Mar 2015
Stroke
My brain is still exhibiting some bizarre effects. I still have problems with drinking thin liquids, speaking, getting tired and feeling drunk when walking, but it is not seeing obvious errors with words on my blogs that is fascinating. My problem, back in Sept 2013, was a cerebellum brain bleed, that was operated on.
For example, in my last post on this blog I wrote "as" instead of "has" but it took a long time to realise this was wrong. It is as if my brain does not process words quite correctly, or at least not quickly. It is not a serious issue and I correct the errors as soon as I do spot them. It happens quite a bit so I think it is real and not just me being paranoid.
I am finding it harder to get absorbed in TV dramas too. It is as if my memory has been affected in some way. My basic intellect is still sharp, but recalling some things can be a problem. Maybe this is just age? I am desperate to get my "old self" back, but know it could be a long road. Knowing now how bad I was I guess I was pretty lucky and I could have ended up a terrible mess.
Richard G3TFX told my XYL to get me into hospital fast in Sept 2013. Looking back, this probably saved my life.
See http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/cerebellum.
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| http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/cerebellum |
I am finding it harder to get absorbed in TV dramas too. It is as if my memory has been affected in some way. My basic intellect is still sharp, but recalling some things can be a problem. Maybe this is just age? I am desperate to get my "old self" back, but know it could be a long road. Knowing now how bad I was I guess I was pretty lucky and I could have ended up a terrible mess.
Richard G3TFX told my XYL to get me into hospital fast in Sept 2013. Looking back, this probably saved my life.
See http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/cerebellum.
472kHz WSPR today
G3WCB (101km) has been spotting me all day. Although he runs a higher ERP than me, I seem to always give him poorer reports. I think this is because my FT817 is a bit deaf on 472kHz. When I feel fitter, I should try to improve my MF RX system as I may be missing a few stations.
Plenty of USA 10m WSPR spots today
KB4SC (6560km) was the first USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR today, at 1316z. Since then, a lot of USA stations have been spotting me. It has been a good day on 10m today, despite the lowish sunspot number and the "fair" forecast.
UPDATE 1836z: Still lots of spots of my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon by stations in the USA today. I have the feeling that the 10m band will be open to the USA for some while yet?
UPDATE 1926z: Still wide open to the USA on 10m.
UPDATE 2012z: At the moment it looks like KC1AWS (5308km) was the last USA station to spot me today at 1928z. Only local G4IKZ (18km) since then. Will soon be going QRT on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 2024z: The opening to the USA is not yet over! K9AN (6505km) and others were just spotting me strongly! I'll stick around a bit longer, HI. Perhaps this is the "last gasp" as the F2 MUF falls?
UPDATE 2050z: USA stations are still spotting my 500mW WSPR. This is very late now. A total surprise.
UPDATE 2150z: The last spot from the USA was an hour ago. I think the opening to the USA is now, at last, over. It was a good and long one. Now going QRT on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 2230z: Now QRT on 10m. Have reset my PC to internet time on MF.
UPDATE 1836z: Still lots of spots of my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon by stations in the USA today. I have the feeling that the 10m band will be open to the USA for some while yet?
UPDATE 1926z: Still wide open to the USA on 10m.
UPDATE 2012z: At the moment it looks like KC1AWS (5308km) was the last USA station to spot me today at 1928z. Only local G4IKZ (18km) since then. Will soon be going QRT on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 2024z: The opening to the USA is not yet over! K9AN (6505km) and others were just spotting me strongly! I'll stick around a bit longer, HI. Perhaps this is the "last gasp" as the F2 MUF falls?
UPDATE 2050z: USA stations are still spotting my 500mW WSPR. This is very late now. A total surprise.
UPDATE 2150z: The last spot from the USA was an hour ago. I think the opening to the USA is now, at last, over. It was a good and long one. Now going QRT on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 2230z: Now QRT on 10m. Have reset my PC to internet time on MF.
10m Lincoln multi-mode rig
I am pretty sure it will get well used in the coming months though. A few dB extra power will make some difference when using SSB on 10m as the sunspots come "off the boil".
40m Pixie
I must have another go with this rig. As I mentioned before, a 7.030MHz crystal would be more useful than the 7.023MHz crystal it came with. The rig definitely works and the RX nets perfectly to the TX frequency. Sensitivity is better than I expected and BC breakthrough far less of an issue than I had expected. It is certainly a good little kit for the price. I need to check the Reverse Beacon Network in case I get out OK but don't hear any replies to my CQs.
Female models - why don't they smile?
Sorry, this is not amateur radio.....
Why do most female models look so unbelievably miserable? Almost without exception, the "look" seems to be to appear as miserable as possible and never smile. Surely, if you want dresses to sell then wear a smile at least! I am sure models used to look nice and smile. Back in the 1960s I never recall models being miserable. Perhaps this is how they are told to look in our politically correct times? Rubbish I say! Not that my XYL is ever likely buy designer dresses, but surely they'd sell more if you thought the models wearing them actually liked them?
Why do most female models look so unbelievably miserable? Almost without exception, the "look" seems to be to appear as miserable as possible and never smile. Surely, if you want dresses to sell then wear a smile at least! I am sure models used to look nice and smile. Back in the 1960s I never recall models being miserable. Perhaps this is how they are told to look in our politically correct times? Rubbish I say! Not that my XYL is ever likely buy designer dresses, but surely they'd sell more if you thought the models wearing them actually liked them?
Sunspots and 10m - March 6th 2015
Sunspot number has dropped to 33 today and 10m propagation is described as "fair". Despite this, 10m feels quite lively today with plenty of stations on the edge of Europe and Asia spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.
The best 10m WSPR spot so far today was by RA0WKQ (5702km) in Siberia. Also good DX was/is from TJ3TS (5478km) in Cameroon, Central Africa. I suspect 10m will open to the USA after lunch as conditions on the 10m band seem to be better than "fair" to me.
UPDATE 1100z: So far today TJ3TS (Cameroon) has spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon 17 times already. This station is DL8SEQ who is in the capital Yaounde until this summer and operating mainly on digital modes.
The best 10m WSPR spot so far today was by RA0WKQ (5702km) in Siberia. Also good DX was/is from TJ3TS (5478km) in Cameroon, Central Africa. I suspect 10m will open to the USA after lunch as conditions on the 10m band seem to be better than "fair" to me.
UPDATE 1100z: So far today TJ3TS (Cameroon) has spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon 17 times already. This station is DL8SEQ who is in the capital Yaounde until this summer and operating mainly on digital modes.
5 Mar 2015
472kHz WSPR last night
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| Unique 472kHz WSPR spots last night |
I am amazed just how many stations have now spotted my very low ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz WSPR. Never let it be said, "I've no space for MF antennas". If I can get out with my "antenna" then so can you, and probably much better!
W5OLF's WSPR beacon
See http://w5olf.com .
As a user for several months of a W5OLF WSPR 10m beacon OK I am biased. However, if your interest is a small WSPR beacon for 30, 20m or 10m then I can honestly recommend this kit. There are others such as the Hans Summers "Ultimate" beacons. These are more flexible but they need several small PCBs. Jay's WSPR dedicated beacons fit on a single small PCB that fits inside an Altoids tin. As my 10m unit has been copied all over the planet (including Australia and Antarctica), I can highly recommend this design. It really does work well. If you enjoy WSPR you'd be hard pressed to find a neater, smaller solution. I love it. Mine runs lots of the time. Usually it is started up at breakfast time and runs through until the DX disappears the following night. It will probably be on 24/7 during the Es season unless I want to work SSB,CW, FM or AM on the other rigs.
As a user for several months of a W5OLF WSPR 10m beacon OK I am biased. However, if your interest is a small WSPR beacon for 30, 20m or 10m then I can honestly recommend this kit. There are others such as the Hans Summers "Ultimate" beacons. These are more flexible but they need several small PCBs. Jay's WSPR dedicated beacons fit on a single small PCB that fits inside an Altoids tin. As my 10m unit has been copied all over the planet (including Australia and Antarctica), I can highly recommend this design. It really does work well. If you enjoy WSPR you'd be hard pressed to find a neater, smaller solution. I love it. Mine runs lots of the time. Usually it is started up at breakfast time and runs through until the DX disappears the following night. It will probably be on 24/7 during the Es season unless I want to work SSB,CW, FM or AM on the other rigs.
RSGB Wortley-Talbot Trophy
Sadly my continued ill health means I'll be unable to pick up the award at the RSGB's AGM in London in April. I just wish my health was better so I could do some field work again soon! Both VLF and optical field work are on hold until I feel better. This year I really really hope I'll manage it.
To be honest this award came as a complete surprise, but I'd happily trade these lovely awards to be back to my old healthy self.
10m - USA today
So the 10m band has yet again opened across the Atlantic with KB4SC (6560km) spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon at 1312z and several times since. Others are also copying me.
UPDATE 1748z: Plenty of 10m WSPR spots from the USA received all afternoon and still continuing.
My 500mW 10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon created by Jay W5OLF continues to work flawlessly. It is so tiny yet just works. It takes about 15-20 minutes to settle (I think the reference drifts as the PA warms up?) and I sync to internet time once a day, which is probably far more frequently than needed. Once running, it works perfectly with nothing else needed, no PC, nothing. All continents were reached within weeks on 10m to a simple wire antenna. At some point I may build a 20m version which is 1W. On 10m 0.5W seems fine.
UPDATE 2042z: At the moment, it looks like N0UR (6535km) was the last USA station to spot my little 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 2014z. Since then just local G4IKZ (18km).
UPDATE 2205z: No further USA spots since N0UR at 2014z. Now QRT on 10m WSPR until the morning. Still active on 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 1748z: Plenty of 10m WSPR spots from the USA received all afternoon and still continuing.
My 500mW 10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon created by Jay W5OLF continues to work flawlessly. It is so tiny yet just works. It takes about 15-20 minutes to settle (I think the reference drifts as the PA warms up?) and I sync to internet time once a day, which is probably far more frequently than needed. Once running, it works perfectly with nothing else needed, no PC, nothing. All continents were reached within weeks on 10m to a simple wire antenna. At some point I may build a 20m version which is 1W. On 10m 0.5W seems fine.
UPDATE 2042z: At the moment, it looks like N0UR (6535km) was the last USA station to spot my little 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 2014z. Since then just local G4IKZ (18km).
UPDATE 2205z: No further USA spots since N0UR at 2014z. Now QRT on 10m WSPR until the morning. Still active on 472kHz WSPR.
Sunspots and 10m - March 5th 2015
Sunspot number is little changed at 43. 10m propagation is expected to be "fair". This morning, the usual suspects UR/SWL56, 4X1RF and LZ1OI were spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon. I think 10m will open to the USA later today.
4 Mar 2015
472kHz WSPR - no surprises
I have remained on 472kHz WSPR and intend to continue through the night, but being Wednesday, Windows may try to install updates in the middle of the night and turn off the PC! It should work until about 0400z. So far today, no great surprises with spots from G7NKS (46km), G3WCB (101km) and G8HUH (250km) of my 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna".
In the last 2 weeks 25 unique stations have successfully spotted my 472kHz QRP WSPR signal.
UPDATE 2200z: PA0RDT (243km) has spotted me 4 times this evening. Local G4KPX (14km) in Ely is spotting me too this evening.
In the last 2 weeks 25 unique stations have successfully spotted my 472kHz QRP WSPR signal.
UPDATE 2200z: PA0RDT (243km) has spotted me 4 times this evening. Local G4KPX (14km) in Ely is spotting me too this evening.
Oxburgh Hall
This is not amateur radio....
Today we visited Oxburgh Hall, looked after by the National Trust, in Norfolk. This is a fine moated house that looks more like a fortified castle. It has excellent grounds that had lots of snowdrops out. At the moment the daffodils have still to come out. Although it has ancient origins, parts were changed inside in the 19th century.
We had the tasty homemade leek and potato soup for lunch in the National Trust cafe which is just inside the main house on the LHS over the bridge (just inside).
Oxburgh Hall is a fine property and worth a visit.
See http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburgh-hall/ .
I have updated our East Anglian churches visited blog too.
See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .
Today we visited Oxburgh Hall, looked after by the National Trust, in Norfolk. This is a fine moated house that looks more like a fortified castle. It has excellent grounds that had lots of snowdrops out. At the moment the daffodils have still to come out. Although it has ancient origins, parts were changed inside in the 19th century.
We had the tasty homemade leek and potato soup for lunch in the National Trust cafe which is just inside the main house on the LHS over the bridge (just inside).
Oxburgh Hall is a fine property and worth a visit.
I have updated our East Anglian churches visited blog too.
See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .
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