Sunspots and 10m - Wed Feb 3rd 2016

Solar flux today is 103 and sunspot number 52 (K=2). 10m propagation is forecast to be "poor" again today. Yesterday the band was brought to life by a lot of short-skip, which I think was wintertime Es. I am again on 10m WSPR today.

2m UKAC contest this evening

2000-2230z tonight is the second leg of the RSGB's 2m activity contest. I missed this last month still thinking we were in December! All being well, I shall be on 2m SSB (5W to the omni big-wheel) this evening. Because of my poor voice, 1 hour is about enough for me. I usually manage 5-10 QSOs with best DX 150-200km. At this time of the year there are fewer portable stations. I cannot blame them! These are very friendly contests which are aimed at focusing activity.

If you come on, you are almost bound to work someone, unless you are on some remote Scottish island. If you have 50-100W and a small beam, the whole of the UK is in range. Even with my QRP set-up, it is a bundle of fun.  I shall be using the FT817ND at 5W. Activity levels are usually good in these sessions. Even if you don't send a score in, it is a good way to work new squares (and maybe new countries) on 2m.

Next week is the 70cm leg.

Logs can be transcribed on line. If you are like me and usually work 5-10 stations only, this only takes a few minutes.

UPDATE 2130z:  I had to give up after about an hour as my voice was finding it very hard. Although I worked only 4 stations, I heard stations in France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany, as well as stations on the Welsh borders. Most of the strong locals I usually work were not on and one was on but using "pounce and capture" so I never did manage to work them (G2XV). An enjoyable experience but another 10dB of power and 6dB of extra antenna gain would have made it a lot easier! My best DX was the Isle of Wight (216km).

Stations worked on 2m with 5W SSB and big-wheel this evening

10m short-skip (wintertime Es?)

Yet again, plenty of short-skip European stations on  10m WSPR today. This is probably wintertime Es, although we are moving into February now and the peak is usually December and January. I guess this could be back-scatter although the distance suggests Es as does the restricted a rea affected. If back-scatter I'd have expected a much wider spread geographically of stations.

UPDATE 1716z:  Still plenty of 10m short-skip, although no DX spotted here on 10m WSPR, unlike recent days. I think my antenna could be far better on 10m.

UPDATE 1838z:  SP5TWA (1303km) was spotted as late as 1836z on 10m WSPR. I shall stay on 10m WSPR until the 2m UKAC at 2000z, maybe later.

Unique 10m WSPR spots today - Es?

UPDATE 1930z:  HA9AL (1455km) is still coming in on 10m WSPR. This must be Es. He was still coming in at 1940z. I suspect 6m will have opened to central Europe too during the day, although I am not on that band currently.

BOF - NOT amateur radio

On Mondays I travel into and out of Cambridge on the bus. As a boring old f**t (BOF) I have a new hobby - "like" spotting. A teenage girl got on the bus and she said "like" 52 times in 2 miles. As a BOF I said nothing, you know what I mean like.

Sunspots and 10m - Tues Feb 2nd 2016

Solar flux is 99 today with sunspot number 42 (K=2). 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor" although Australia has been possible on the last 2 days here on 10m despite a "poor" forecast!

QSYed to 60m WSPR

At around 2045z I QSYed again to 60m WSPR. Most spots have been by Europeans although a few minutes ago I was spotted by KK1D (5409km) at 2210z. Up to now, no stations have been spotted here this evening. I am staying on 60m overnight and hope for some more DX. KK1D is in the south of New England,  USA.

UPDATE 2244z:    I have been spotted by KK1D again on 60m WSPR.

Australia again on 10m WSPR

VK2KRR (16789km) was spotted here this morning along with many Europeans by short-skip. Yet again, 10m DX is coming through. Never give up on 10m.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon Feb 1st 2016

Solar flux is 100 and sunspot number 39 (K=3) today. 10m forecast for propagation remains "poor".  So far, just one OH spotted on 10m WSPR today.

WSPRnet - owner trying to fix it

The database query form has been taken down so the owner (W1BW) can try to fix it.  I hope he succeeds.  Like many, I'd happily pay something if this would help reliability. WSPRnet is so useful when it works, allowing almost instant feedback of propagation. In my current state of health it has been wonderful.

UPDATE 2152z:   At the moment, the database seems to be working.  I am QRT on all bands until after breakfasttime.

Looking forward a few years

I just spotted this image from the last solar minimum. See http://www.solan.info/solar for the latest info. By comparison, things are still good. Note months without sunspots and the low solar flux. 2020?

http://www.solan.info/solar

Now on 10m WSPR

For just under an hour now I have been on 10m WSPR. WSPRnet is still unreliable so I am unsure who has copied me. I have copied G4KPX (14km) but I need to check WSPRnet!

UPDATE 1340z:  WSPRnet is back again (for now) and I see I was spotted on 10m WSPR by VK2KRR (16789km) at 1140z. Who said 10m was "poor"? Don't believe all you read!

UPDATE 1552z: W1VR (6965km located in Florida) has been spotted several times this afternoon, as well as CX5BBF (11123km). Today has been another good 10m day. There is still plenty of life left in the band. It is just a pity some just don't bother.

60m WSPR overnight

I stuck with 60m WSPR overnight, although all attempts to access WSPRnet before breakfast were unsuccessful. This service definitely needs help, both financial and practical.  If WSPRnet cannot be relied on, WSPR is dead. The unreliability of WSPRnet is one reason I want to do more with JT9-1 and JT65 this year.   PSK Reporter seems very reliable.

On 60m I was being copied in the USA by KK1D (5409km) well before midnight despite 2W and a very poor antenna.  A few stations were spotted here too, despite the high local noise floor. At the moment I am still on 60m with plenty of Europeans spotting me.

60m looks useful.

Sunspots and 10m - Sun Jan 31st 2016

Both solar flux and sunspot number are lower today.  Solar flux is 104 and sunspot  number is 30 (K=3). The forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor".  I think 10m will not be great today.

UPDATE 1625z:  I have been wrong about 10m so many times! Today turned out to be another cracking day on 10m WSPR.

60m WSPR

I have QSYed to 60m WSPR, RX only at the moment. I may go on TX later.  Although I went on 60m some time ago, it is a long time since I last used the band.  As we approach poorer solar conditions, I expect I'll use this band far more. It is a pity that the international allocation coming is so small. I hope CEPT countries decide to allocate a larger contiguous secondary amateur allocation. I always have to check the sub-bands I can legally use. It would end a lot of confusion if we had a contiguous allocation.

UPDATE 2036z:   I am now on TX (2W 20%) on 60m.  Although I have not (yet) spotted others, my 2W has been spotted by stations in Switzerland and Germany on 60m WSPR.  The antenna is only my tri-band Par resonated with my ATU.  For 60m it is very low.

UPDATE 2255z:  My best DX, so far, with 2W on 60m WSPR is a spot by SV8RV (2269km). I shall leave the kit running through the night. As yet, I have still not copied others on this band tonight. I must have a bad noise problem on this  band? It is bad on 80m.

20m WSPR, so far

K3SC (5869km) spotted me at 1654z. This is the best DX so far on 20m WSPR. I expect I'd get further on 20m, but I may QSY to another band overnight.

10m winter Es again?

DK6UG (633km) spotted me before lunch on 10m WSPR.  Was this wintertime Es on 10m again?  G4KPX (14km) was spotted here but did not make it onto WSPRnet.

UPDATE 1440z:  Several spots by/of G4KPX (14km) now getting through to the WSPRnet database. No USA 10m WSPR spots as yet.

UPDATE 1526z:    WSPRnet seems very flaky today. I am having great problems with it.  No USA spots today or is it WSPRnet?

UPDATE 1620z:   I have now QSYed to 20m WSPR, although WSPRnet is still flaky.

Stroke: not a good week - NOT amateur radio

Some days are like this. This week has been a bad week and I have felt particularly giddy and very tired. Hopefully next week will be better.

Unlike "pre-stroke" days, things exhaust me far more and I seem to stress more easily.  Despite this, we have still managed to get out and about. Maybe I am pushing myself too hard and my body is screaming "slow down"? Oh, how I wish I was well again.

For most of the last 2 years I have been living a hell interspersed with better days. I have felt giddy now for more than 2 years. Will it never get better?

When I am seated or resting, I'm fine.  The main issues are when I am on my feet, walking and active.

Sunspots and 10m - Sat Jan 30th 2016

Solar flux is 114 today. Sunspot number is 49 (K=1) but 10m propagation is again expected to be "poor". It will be interesting to see how 10m WSPR actually is today. Solar flux is good, sunspot number not bad and conditions not very disturbed. Judging by yesterday, I'd expect 10m to open to the USA this afternoon, although 10m can be fickle!

Back on 10m WSPR

Last night, I was not on any band at all. I had a night off. I returned to 10m WSPR (2W TX 20%, RX 80%) at 1020z, although it could be a while before any spots appear.

This evening I may give 60m RX a go as I have not tried this band for a long time. I do have a 5MHz NoV so I could TX too if the antenna tunes up via the ATU.

Wicken Fen this afternoon - NOT amateur radio

We did a walk along the boardwalk at Wicken Fen this afternoon. As I am still wobbly from my stroke, this was much harder than usual. It took all my energy (in the wind) to stay upright and walking in the right direction, so little time to enjoy the views. Still, the walk did us good and the light was amazing.

10m WSPR good to the USA today

Several different USA stations spotted on 10m WSPR today and a couple of different USA stations spotting me too. Today is quite a good day on 10m. So much for the "poor" 10m forecast!

As I have said many times, I often find I get good results on 10m WSPR when the propagation is expected to be "poor". It sometimes (often?) pays to stick with 10m WSPR. 10m is a band filled with surprises and I am sure it is "open" far more often than people realise.

What band?

With my poor voice and often monitoring WSPR activity elsewhere in the home and not being physically in the shack (it takes only seconds to be in the shack though), I wonder what bands I should concentrate on. Habitually, I go on 10m daytime and either 630m (more recently 40m) WSPR after dark. I used to also go on 6m daytime but in several months I only had a handful of WSPR spots logged. Outside of the main 6m Es season, this band is hard work.

When in the shack, I try 20m JT9-1 and JT65 for 2-way contacts. WSPR suits my current needs well most of the time. I use voice modes infrequently as I find these hard going nowadays. I wish this was not so, but there you go! One has to adapt. I still lack the fine motor skills and energy for field work at present.

At some point I want to resume 481THz and VLF field work again. These gave me a lot of pleasure.  At present I am too lacking in energy. I tried a couple of field excursions last year, but it was too soon: my body was not ready. Instead, for now, I am concentrating on what I can do, at home.

So what would you recommend?

New radio?

For a while I have been considering investing in a new radio, possibly the Yaesu FT991 or the ICOM IC7300. As my voice is still poor, my inclination is to wait. Radios, once bought, are usually kept for many years. I consider them investments rather than "whim" purchases. My preference is another QRP radio as I prefer lower power. The low power (S version) of the IC7300 would be ideal but this is only available in Japan. This is a real shame.

Wicken Fen - NOT amateur radio

So far this month, we have been to 4 different National Trust properties and one of them twice. If the weather is dry, we hope to visit Wicken Fen this afternoon. This is near here. It is a small remnant of original fen. It can be quite bleak, but is very good for birds if one is patient. Years ago I saw a bittern here. The National Trust is hoping to buy land all the way to Cambridge so there is a corridor for wildlife for years to come.

UPDATE 1742z:  See later post.

Sunspots and 10m - Fri Jan 29th 2016

On average, solar conditions are deteriorating but this the average and we still get better days. Today solar flux is 111 (quite decent) and sunspot number is 64 (K=1). 10m propagation is expected to be "poor" again, although it would not surprise me if we see the USA appearing in WSPR spots after lunch.

After a night on 630m (472kHz) WSPR, I returned to 10m WSPR at 0955z. There were no surprises on MF overnight. It will take a while for things to settle on 10m, where I am again using 2W TX for 20% and on RX for 80%. Even at 2W, I seem to spot others more than I get spotted.

With the W5OLF beacon I TX 100% at 500mW but the TX frequency is randomised. Yesterday early evening there was evidence of wintertime Es on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1056z:  No 10m WSPR spots as yet.

UPDATE 1242z:  SP5TWA (1302km) was spotted at 1230z. Is this another case of wintertime Es?

Stroke - NOT amateur radio

Although I have been allowed to drive again for well over a year and I drive quite a long way if need be, I reckon driving now requires about 3-4 times the energy and concentration it did in pre-stroke days. I drive more slowly than I did and after a period of driving I feel very exhausted. My furthermost drive at a stretch is about 135 miles, with one short break on the way.

Return to 472kHz WSPR

After being on 10m WSPR during the day, I have returned to MF for the evening and overnight. Certainly it is a case of "more of the same"with best DX on RX being EA5DOM and the same people spotting me.  I shall stay on overnight in the hope that some new people are spotted or spot me.

Churches blog updated - NOT amateur radio

See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .

Bell Cage at East Bergholt Church

Today we visited Flatford Mill (made famous by John Constable's paintings) and called in at East Bergholt on our way back. We visited the church and I have updated the blog accordingly.

Will Lott's cottage at Flatford Mill

USA again on 10m WSPR

W1VR (6965km) was spotted several times on 10m WSPR earlier this afternoon. This time last year there would have been several spots. I guess it is the decline in solar activity and people going lower in frequency now.

Now on 10m WSPR

I have just QSYed to 10m WSPR from 20m and re-synced the clock to internet time. It will take a little while for things to stabilise.  Running 2W TX 20%, 80% RX. With a reasonably high sunspot number, good solar flux and relatively undisturbed conditions, today might not be a bad day on 10m WSPR. We'll see.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Jan 28th 2016

Solar flux is 113 today. Sunspot number is 75 (K=3). 10m propagation is again expected to be "poor" today.

QSYed to 20m WSPR

As I am in the home, but not in the shack, I have QSYed to 20m WSPR and monitoring results on WSPRnet on a different PC in the lounge. If need be, I can be in the shack within 10 seconds to make any adjustments.

UPDATE 28.1.16 1000z:  Just European spots this morning on 20m WSPR.  No spots overnight.

QSYed to 20m JT9-1

In the end I QSYed from 10m WSPR to 20m JT9-1 looking for some 2-way QSOs. Although I called a K8 (5000km) he did not copy me. Looking at PSKreporter I see than I was copied in Italy and Portugal. I have now gone QRT for a cup of tea.

10m quiet (..and late activity)

Although I was expecting half-decent results on 10m today, it looks like others have had a bad time too, judging by the lack of 10m DX spots on WSPRnet today. This could still change, but I think we are now seeing people deserting the 10m band. It is certainly much easier to get spots on lower bands. Apart from G8VDQ (93km) I have given and received no other 10m spots all day.

UPDATE 1420z: 10m is a band of surprises! Just as I write the above K9AN (6505km) spots me on 10m WSPR. I was just about to QSY to JT9-1 on 20m, but will now remain on 10m WSPR for the afternoon.

UPDATE 1528z:  It is now nearly 1.5 hours since the last 10m WSPR spot. I'll give it a few more minutes, but I may QSY to 20m JT9-1 after all.

Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Bikes in Cambridge outside Sydney-Sussex College

Most Mondays this term,  I go into Cambridge for my U3AC course, "Living with less". The course is very good.  I travel into Cambridge and home on the bus and enjoy the bus ride. It involves a walk through the centre of Cambridge, which is quiet at this time of year.  In the summer it can get busy with language students and visitors. I am fortunate to have a wide choice of U3AC courses and Cambridge on my doorstep. Many people travel the world to see sights I just take for granted.

Sunspots and 10m - Wed Jan 27th 2016

Solar flux is 112 today. Sunspot number is 61 (K=1) and the 10m propagation forecast remains "poor" today.  With decent solar flux and quite respectable sunspot and K numbers, I would expect 10m WSPR to be quite decent today.  OK, on average, solar activity is declining, but this is on average. Today the numbers are quite good.

UPDATE 1038z:  So far, just G8VDQ (93km) spotted on 10m WSPR today. It is still quite early though.

40m WSPR overnight

Only in the last few minutes have I QSYed to 10m WSPR. 

I was on 40m WSPR overnight. It was worthwhile even with 2W to the very low antenna on 40m (a 10/20/40m end-fed Par) at about 4m (at most) above ground. Several 40m WSPR spots received from the USA overnight, although none from South America.

Since daybreak, just Europeans and G stations spotted and spotting me on 40m WSPR, although W4MO (7272km) spotted me as late as 0748z.

UPDATE 1005z:  No spots given or received yet on 10m WSPR.

QSYed to 40m WSPR

Rather than 630m, I have QSYed to 40m WSPR from 10m for the evening and (probably) overnight. On 40m (as on 10m) I am using 2W TX 20%, looking for others 80%.

UPDATE 1725z:  Plenty of spots already with best DX on TX, so far,  a spot by UA1ASB (2042km).

UPDATE 2306z:  No 40m WSPR DX outside Europe so far tonight.

10m disappointment

Apart from G3JKV this morning, no other spots given or received on 10m WSPR today. I was honestly expecting a half decent day on 10m WSPR today. I even went to double-check all the settings and that the PC is synced to internet time. All seems to be in order, so maybe this is just a bad day.

UPDATE 1604z:   W1VR (6965km) was spotted at 1558z.  10m WSPR DX at last!

More from G1KQH

Steve G1KQH has just sent me this:

Here is one for you 817 Fans.  Just flagged up on me when I was on Facebook, so you know as much as me at the moment but it looks good.

http://817companion.com/

73 Steve
http://g1kqh.blogspot.co.uk/