QSYed to 472kHz WSPR

As I was getting no results (apart from G6AVK earlier) on 6m, I have decided to QSY down to MF for the rest of the evening and overnight. I am still using 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna".

Already, I have been spotted by G7NKS (46km), M1GEO (79km) and G8LCO (58km).

So far I have copied G3ZJO (79km), G7NKS (46km), G0LRD (25km), G4KPX (14km) and G8VDQ (93km).

I've only been on the band for about 15 minutes. It is currently 2211z.  There are currently 61 active stations on 472kHz WSPR.

UPDATE 2300z:  Also now copied DK7FC (669km),  G8HUH (250km), M0PPP (182km) and PA0A (417km) on 472kHz WSPR. All stations that I have copied before.

An observation on 472kHz operating: there are those who take 472kHz (and 137kHz) very seriously and who invest serious effort on rigs, antennas and ground systems and those, like me, who take MF and LF altogether less seriously and attempt to get results with the simplest systems. DK7FC is certainly one of the first type: he puts out excellent signals on MF and LF and is widely copied in the USA, something I could only dream about.

10m WSPR spots from the USA

First USA spot on 10m WSPR today was at 1312z by WG2Z (5600km). Last spot (as of 1736z) was by  KE6BID (5295km) at 1720z but there could yet be later spots from the USA.

UPDATE 2020z:   KE6BID did turn out to be the last USA spot.

UPDATE 2035z:  Went QRT on 10m WSPR at 2030z.  Still on 6m WSPR TX 20% and RX 80%.

Strong 6m WSPR spots

This morning I have received a couple of strong WSPR reports (-9dB and -14dB S/N) on 6m (1W ERP vertical here) from G6AVK (78km). I hope this means I copy, or am copied, by other 6m stations. There is a fair bit of UK activity for a change.

UPDATE 1740z:  Spots were exchanged on 6m with G6AVK at up to -4dB S/N which is very strong.  No spots given or received with anyone else on .

All time blog high

Yesterday saw the highest daily blog visit numbers ever.  I did post quite a few times, but I am still puzzled why there were so many visitors as I said nothing exceptional.  Perhaps more people are on holiday so they have more spare time? My other, more general, blog (see http://qss2.blogspot.co.uk/) did quite well for visits too.

Sunspots and 10m - Dec 31st 2014

Sunspot number today is 102 and 10m propagation is expected to be "fair".  My 10m 500mW WSPR beacon has only been spotted out to about 2400km so far (EU and near Russia).

I am also on 630m (472kHz) WSPR but will probably QSY to 6m soon.

"Jack Jones" - the answer is NO!!!

I have been repeatedly asked by a pirate called "Jack Jones" to add a permanent link to this website promoting his pirate TX below our 7MHz band. I am not a supporter of pirates and any such comments will be deleted at the earliest opportunity.

So the answer to your request is NO. I do NOT support pirates.

6m WSPR today

6m has been disappointing again today with spots exchanged only with G6AVK (78km). I am leaving things running on 6m for a few more hours, ever hopeful.   I could run the PA at 3dB more but don't fancy the almost 2 minutes TX slot with my MkI FT817 PAs.

6m WSPR exchanges today so far

UPDATE 1925z:  Time to go QRT on 6m and QSY to 630m (472kHz) WSPR. Went QRT at about 1930z. Now QRV on 472kHz WSPR with shot baseline earth-electrode "antenna".

LD-5 QRP rig

Steve G1KQH,  has found the price of the LNR Precision 5 band QRP radio and published this on his blog. Low cost TDA2003 audio/LF ICs recently found by Steve are now available from GQRP Club Sales.

For the LNR Precision rig data see http://g1kqh.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/ld-5-price.html .

10m USA WSPR spots today - Dec 30th 2014

At 1254z, WG2Z (5600km) was the first station in the USA to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR signal today. He has spotted me several times since, as have others from the USA.

So far, 6m WSPR is very quiet here - no spots given or received.

UPDATE 1738z:  At 1714z WG2Z was the last USA spot of me today.

UPDATE 1845z:    Now QRT on 10m WSPR,  but continuing on 6m for a few more hours. Although I can still see G6AVK on 6m (I presume - same approximate frequency) coming through, the signal is too weak and frequency shifting to decode. The drift could be my end as well as at G6AVK'send?

QSYed from 630m to 6m WSPR

In the last few minutes I've QSYed to 6m WSPR from MF.   ERP on 6m is 1W (vertical) 20% TX and 80% RX.  I am still TXing on 10m WSPR 100% TX at 500mW.

Yesterday, 6m was just an exchange of spots with G6AVK. I am still hoping to catch some wintertime Es, but no luck as yet.

UPDATE 1545z:   Several 6m WSPR spots exchanged with G6AVK (78km) this afternoon, but nothing else. The large frequency shift (both ways) on exchanges with G6AVK suggest aircraft reflections were involved, not pure tropo.

472kHz WSPR

In the last 2 weeks, I have been spotted by 15 different stations when using 5mW (max) from my earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz WSPR. Some decent DX too.

Uniques on 472kHz WSPR this last 2 weeks on earth-electrodes with 5mW ERP

Sunspots and 10m - Dec 30th 2014

Sunspot number today is 113, but 10m propagation is only forecast to be "fair".  So far this morning my 500mW beacon is only being spotted in Europe, although I am sure stations in the USA will be spotting me after lunch. I hope there will also be spots from Africa and South America.

QRT on 10m. QSYed from 6m to 630m WSPR

At 2230z I went QRT on 10m WSPR.

I have now moved the FT817 and transverter (on the short baseline earth electrode "antenna" to 472kHz WSPR where my ERP is around 5mW (max.). G8LCO and G7NKS have already copied me on the first TX burst and I have copied G0LRD (25km) on the first RX slot. I'll remain on overnight on 472kHz WSPR.

First few minutes on 472kHz WSPR this evening.

Low cost quadcopter

Quadcopters are usually quite expensive but Banggood have one for sale that will not break the bank.

See http://www.banggood.com/JJRC-H8C-2_4G-4CH-6-Axis-RC-Quadcopter-With-2MP-Camera-RTF-p-950652.html .

My last USA 10m WSPR spot today?

It looks like W3CSW (5886km) was the last stateside station to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today at 1654z. The stateside 10m openings are definitely shorter now. Since then, just locals G4IKZ and G0LRD have been spotting me. There could conceivably be further reports from North America, but this is unlikely today. It has been dark here for 2 hours. The time is 1820z as I write.

UPDATE 1936z:   No more WSPR spots from the USA since 1654z. This was the last USA WSPR spot today.

QRP SSB kits from Spain

EA3GCY sells a range of QRP kits including single band, single PCB, SSB transceivers for 20m or 40m.  These look easy to build and test and good value for money. Currently there is a 5% off offer running too.

See http://ea3gcy.blogspot.it/2013/03/iler-20-4-5w-qrp-ssb-monoband.html .
See http://ea3gcy.blogspot.it/2013/01/iler-40-4-5w-qrp-ssb-monoband.html .

He also does a CW kit and other accessories. Look out for the ILER range.

6m spots exchange

G6AVK (78km) and I swapped 6m WSPR spots about an hour ago. Otherwise, the band seems very very quiet. He is running a couple of watts.  I am running the FT817 at the 2.5W setting but through at least 1-2dB of lossy coax (TX and RX) to my vertical V2000 omni antenna, so I estimate my 6m ERP as about 1W.

10m USA WSPR spots

The first USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon today was WG2Z (5600km) at 1252z. This is earlier than yesterday. As usual, plenty of USA stations are spotting me now. I expect this will continue until teatime.

6m continues to be blank - no spots given or received so far today.

Sunspots and 10m - Dec 29th 2014

Sunspot number today is 108 and 10m propagation expected to be "fair". On recent occasions when 10m was forecast to be "fair" my 500mW 10m WSPR has been copied right around the world!

Since turning on my 10m WSPR beacon, spots from local G4IKZ (18km) and LZ1OI (2153km) so far only.

I am also on 6m WSPR but no spots given or received yet on that band.

UPDATE 1232z:   So far on 10m, I am being spotted by European stations only (OH, LA, UR, LZ local G).  On 6m, no spots at all so far but I hear there is possibly some 6m Es?

Soon QRT on 10m and 6m WSPR

As the DX spots seem to have vanished on 10m WSPR for a couple of hours now and nothing has been seen on 6m WSPR since lunch, I shall go QRT quite soon on both bands.

I'll give them both a couple of hours though just in case, so I'll turn off WSPR at 2100z most probably, unless either band shows signs of life.

UPDATE 2015z:  G6AVK (78km) reappeared on 6m at 1930z. We have again exchanged WSPR spots. No other stations seen on the band though. Some GDX out to about 200km should be "spotable" with tropo or aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 2110z:   Now QRT on all bands.

USA - 10m WSPR spots today

As usual, 10m opened again to the USA this afternoon. The first USA spot of my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon was by WB1FIG (5304km) at 1300z.

The openings do seem to be getting shorter now. Plenty of USA stations spotting me again on 10m WSPR. 500mW is quite enough on most occasions.

UPDATE 1720z:  At the moment, the last USA station to spot me was WG2Z (5600km) at 1634z.

UPDATE 1830z:  No further spots on 10m WSPR since 1634z.

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number is 111 today but 10m propagation is "fair". I never understand the forecasts! I have already been copied in Australia many times today running 500mW on 10m WSPR. It often seems the best 10m conditions occur when 10m is forecast to be "fair" rather than "good". Don't ask me why! 10m is a band filled with surprises.

Australia and South Africa on 10m WSPR

After turning on the 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon at breakfast time I was spotted by ZS2CON (9893km) and also by VK6XT (14719km, Western Australia) several times around 1000-1100z. Since then Europeans have been spotting me such as CT1, OH, LA and GM.

6m success - at last!

After weeks (on and off) I managed to exchange WSPR spots with G6AVK (78km) today on 6m. No great DX sadly but I was pleased that we exchanged reports on the band. I was hoping to catch some mid-winter Es, but no luck yet. The 6m WSPR (30dBm ERP vertical) will be running throughout the day and maybe overnight.

Return to 6m and 10m WSPR

I am determined to catch some wintertime 6m activity! At about 0810z both the 10m 500mW beacon and the 6m FT817 based (30dBm ERP vertical) were turned on. Spots on 10m but quiet so far on 6m.

UPDATE 1520z:   On 10m, my 500mW WSPR has been spotted in Australia, South Africa and the USA so far today.   On 6m, my 1W ERP has been copied by G6AVK (78km). I have also spotted him on 6m WSPR. No great DX on 6m but my first 6m WSPR spots for some time.

UPDATE 1742z:  No 6m WSPR spots since 1330z. Only G6AVK spotted.

Going QRT on MF and 10m at bedtime tonight

As staying on overnight resulted in no great surprises, I shall be closing my station when I go to bed this evening. 10m will be restarted after breakfast. MF (472kHz) may be restarted too, or I may try 6m one more time

UPDATE 2315z:  Now QRT.

Last 10m WSPR spot from the USA

The last USA spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was by W3CSW (5886km) at 1706z.

It looks like the stateside openings are now shorter on most days, no doubt because of the shorter days in the northern hemisphere. Still, 10m has opened to the USA and Canada on 10m WSPR for months now every afternoon.

CX2ABP/D on 10m WSPR (11080km)

Best DX spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was by CX2ABP/D (11080km) a few times over lunch and early afternoon. The USA stations have been spotting me since 1326z. The first USA station to spot me was WA2PJI (5550km).

Unique 10m WSPR spots (500mW) to 1525z today.

Results overnight on MF (630m) and 10m WSPR

Overnight was a waste of time! On 10m WSPR I was spotted by a few OZ and DL stations an hour or so before breakfast with just local G4IKZ (18km) spotting me through the bulk if the night. On 472kHz WSPR I was spotted by the same usual stations and I spotted the usual suspects! In all, no new reports following an overnight session on 2 bands.

Even this morning, 10m is disappointing with mainly Europeans. Best DX spot with my 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon is EA8/DL9XJ (2981km).  So far, 10m is disappointing today, although I expect it will open to the USA later.

Falling sunspot numbers?

Sunspot number for Dec 27th 2014 has fallen.to 92 and 10m propagation is forecast to be "fair".  Although we'll still get good days, we must now expect sunspot numbers to gradually decline as the years go by towards the next sunspot minimum. Usually the decline downwards tends to be faster than the climb after the minimum, although many are predicting that the next maximum (cycle 25) will be miserably low.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/  .

See also http://sc25.com/ .

See also http://www.swsc-journal.org/index.php?option=com_article&access=doi&doi=10.1051/swsc/2012008&Itemid=129 .

Staying on 10m and MF through the night

I've decided to stay on 10m and MF WSPR through the overnight period to see what spots turn up on both bands. Last night there were OZ stations on 10m around 0300z and MF is always interesting overnight.

472kHz WSPR today

I have been on 472kHz all day, and intend to stay on all evening and overnight. I am TXing for about 20% of the time and 80% on RX. These are the unique stations spotted here in the last 12 hours. Currently it is 2012z.

Unique 472kHz WSPR spots received here on earth-electrodes

On TX, with 5mW ERP, these are my unique spots so far today.

Unique 472kHz WSPR spots received from 
others (5mW ERP) on earth-electrodes

Sunspots and 10m - Dec 26th 2014

Sunspot number today is 100 and 10m conditions are forecast to be "fair". So far today no DX spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon have been received from further than the USA. No spots from South Africa or Reunion Island for example.

UPDATE 1922z:  Still no further DX after the USA stopped spotting me a few hours ago. I think it will be locals and, maybe, the odd European by wintertime Es for the rest of the evening on 10m. I may go QRT shortly on 10m, although I am still running 5mW ERP from the short baseline earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz, MF.

10m WSPR - first/last USA spots of my 500mW beacon today - Dec 26 2014

W3CSW (5886km) copied my 10m 500mW beacon first today at 1300z. It is just getting dark here but the path to the USA is likely to remain open for a couple more hours. No other DX further than the USA has been seen here today.

UPDATE 1755z:  Last USA 10m WSPR spot of my 500mW beacon was K3EA (5657km) at 1648. Since then just G4IKZ (18km) and OE6PWD (1232km) and DK0SC (827km).

10m OZ opening

Leaving 10m WSPR (500mW) running overnight I was spotted in Denmark a few times around 0300z.  I suspect this was winter Es.

10m DX with 500mW WSPR

Today amongst  the tinsel and turkey of Christmas I have been WSPRing on MF and 10m. Best DX today was ZS5J (9529km) on 10m.

Sunspots - Christmas Day

At present, my feed showing sunspot number and 10m conditions is still showing Dec 24th! I'll update later if I get the data.

UPDATE 2045z: Sunspot number was only 86 today and 10m conditions "good"

Sunspots - Dec 24th

Sunspot number today is 128 and 10m propagation "fair".

Christmas

We have family here from Dec 24th until Dec 26th so blog updates will be infrequent during this period. May I wish all readers a very happy Christmas whether with family or alone. For some this can be a difficult time. It is the season of love and kindness. My hope is you find love and kindness whatever your situation.

10m WSPR - first and last USA spots

The first spot of my 10m 500mW WSPR signal was by WG2Z (5600km) at 1230z.  The last spot was at 1816z by K3EA (5657km). Since then, just local G4IKZ (18km) spotting me.

10m - real DX

10m is a truly surprising band.  Although the solar forecast for 10m is just "fair" I see that VK5MR (16144km) spotted my 500mW WSPR at 1148z this morning.

First USA spot of my 500mW WSPR beacon today was by WG2Z (5600km) at 1230z.

Sunspots and 10m - Dec 23rd 2014

Today is my 66th birthday.  There were times in the last year or so when I thought I would never see this day or this Christmas, but slowly my body is recovering.

Sunspot number today is 113 and 10m propagation "fair". Today, 10m conditions are anyone's guess.

Longwave AM TX closing in Germany

Stefan DK7FC recently posted this to the RSGB LF group:

Hi LF,

Obviously there was a decision that DLF (Deutschlandfunk) will go QRT on LF 153 kHz on 31:12.2014!

Here is a German article about this decision: http://www.radiomuseum.org/forum/dlf_stellt_langwelle_ein.html

This makes me a bit sad on one side since i like the good old AM radio stuff. But on the other side, i know that i'm getting QRM from that transmitter which runs 500kW on a 350m high vertical antenna in 40 km distance. Probably there is a significant noise spectrum beeing radiated which i can see in that short distance. I can see it just a second before 20 o clock in the evening, when they switch from 500 kW to 250 kW. For 1...2 seconds, the AM carrier is off air, which lowers the noise background significantly. So maybe LF reception will be much better next year, i hope.

So maybe it is worth for some to listen for the last minutes of DLF LF transmissions on 31.12. this year :-(

73, Stefan/DK7FC

10m first and last USA WSPR spots today

The first station in the USA to copy my 10m 500mW WSPR signal today was WG2Z (5600km) at 1224z.

At present, the latest USA spot is by K9AN (6505km) at 1654z, although I expect to be spotted in the USA again later this evening.

Local G8KNN has been active on 10m WSPR today.  Interesting that stations in the USA copy me better than a local 12km away! I think Jon must have a week off work at Christmas.

UPDATE 2010z:   The last USA station to spot my 500mW on 10m WSPR was W3CSW at 1824z.

472kHz today

M0EMM (192km) has been spotting me on 472kHz WSPR today along with spots from other stations. Overnight, PA0A (417km) was copying me.

These are the 472kHz WSPR spots using 5mW ERP and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the last 24 hours. Even using my "deaf" FT817 barefoot on RX and with this crude antenna system, I seem to copy plenty of stations.

Unique 472kHz spots - last 24 hours

Australian IR tests

VK4EBP reported that he has carried out successful tests over a 10km NLOS (non line of sight) path using infra red.

See Australian Optical DX   https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Optical_DX/info .

One of my aims for 2015, assuming I am fit enough, is more NLOS tests including IR over greater ranges. To maximise my chances I shall probably use QRSS3 again rather than rely on aural reception. My previous tests, using clear air scatter, was over a 8.5km distance.   Much further should be possible.

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number today has climbed to 159 but 10m propagation is forecast to be only "fair", so 10m propagation may not be as good as yesterday. So far this morning 4Z5SM (3523km) is the best DX spot of my 500mW 10m beacon.

UPDATE 1550z:  Martin G8JNJ reports 10m AM signals coming in well around 29.050MHz. I am getting plenty of USA WSPR reports of my 500mW beacon again today. Conditions on 10m certainly seem better than "fair".

First and last USA 10m WSPR spots today

The first USA station to spot my 500mW WSPR beacon today was KD6A (6285km) at 1244z and the last was W3CSW (5886km) at 1822z. Best DX spot today was by ZS6BNE (9075km) at 2616z.

Apple - Panorama documentary

Last week, BBC's Panorama programme did a frightening documentary on factories used by Apple in China and on their tin supply chain in Indonesia. If such poor conditions are used by Apple, many other products will be produced in even worse conditions. As a user of Apple products I am appalled.

See Panorama, Apple's Broken Promises .

Of course, we in the West milk the low costs that such poor working procedures/conditions permit. With time, conditions will improve and the West will look to other low cost manufacturing areas for our low cost products. Sadly, our greed feeds this process.

Frighteningly, other products we buy are probably made in places that are far worse.

Andrew G6ALB tells me of a friend in the automotive industry who visited a Chinese supplier where he found workers using ordinary sun glasses to protect eyes from welding gear. After 6 months  the workers were totally blind. So they just got fresh workers to replace them!

Thanks to Steven G7VFY for most of this information.

UPDATE 1740z:  Sadly many (most?) of our electronics components will be made in sweat shops in the Far East. It is very hard to get away from this problem.

Sunspots

Sunspot number has fallen back to 120 (still pretty respectable) and 10m daytime propagation is expected to be "good".