136kHz DX to end of 2012

29-30 December: Opera32 beacons received this evening were PA0OCD, RN3AGC, DF2JP and UA4WPF. After midnight, I received QRSS and DFCW beacons 137.777 and 137.781kHz from VO1NA, RN3AGC, UA4WPF (not shown below), WD2XNS, WD2XES and WD2XKO.

Top to bottom WD2XNS, WD2XES, RN3AGC, WD2XKO and VO1NA at 0600UTC

28 December: Opera32 beacons received this evening were G8HUH, DF6NM, DL3NSW and UA4WPF.

26-27 December: Overnight DFCW60 beacon from VO1NA received from 2330 to 0910UTC.

25-26 December: Opera32 beacons received overnight included DF2JP and RN3AGC.

24-25 December: Opera32 beacons received included DF2JP, RN3AGC and UA4WPF (two decodes at 1834 and 2052UTC).

Pre-Christmas 136kHz DX

23-24 December: Received WSPR from DK7FC and G8HUH. Also Opera32 from RN3AGC, DF2JP, G8HUH and G8HUH, plus no less than ten transmissions from UA4WPF (3420km) at 1929, 2004, 2039, 2149, 2227, 2302, 2336, 0011, 0046 and 0121.

22-23 December: I received WSPR beacons from PA0A, DF7FC and IK1HSS. Also saw QRSS60 from VO1NA from 2210 to 0950UTC.

20 December: During the evening, I received Opera32 beacons from RN3AGC, PA0A and DF2JP.

18-19 December: Received Opera32 beacons from DF2JP, RN3AGC, G4WGT and PA0A.

Moscow night

Still using my temporary sloper receive antenna, I decoded six beacon transmissions last night from RN3AGC, at 1619, 1658, 1743, 1934, 2117 and 0044UTC.

UA4WPF Op32

Yesterday evening on the 136kHz band, I decoded an Opera8 beacon from PA0WMR. Also Opera32 from G8HUH, DF2JP, RN3AGC and five transmissions from UA4WPF (3420km) at 1933, 2008, 2209 and 2247UTC.

Preparations are underway to rebuild my transmitting antenna. I am still waiting for the builders to repair the recent fire damage, so one of my antenna masts is down. However, I have bought a plastic shed which will house the new loading coil and will be at the far end of the garden. I have also ordered coax to feed it with.

Misc 136kHz modes

Received yesterday and overnight on the 136kHz band:

On Opera32 mode - G8HUH, UA4WPF (3420km), DF2JP, RN3AGC (2483km).
On WSPR - G8HUH.
On QRSS3 - G3XIZ.
On DFCW60 - VO1NA, RN3AGC.
On QRSS60 - Traces of WD2XKO.

Five DFCW60 Stations on 136kHz

Another good night last night for DFCW watchers. The picture below shows (top to bottom):
UA4WPF, UW8SM (left), RA3YO (right), VO1NA and RN3AGC, all between 137.776 and 137.779kHz (that just 3Hz) at around 2100UTC.

136kHz QRSS60 DX

Very good conditions to the east and west last night. Received the following DFCW60 signals between 137.777 and 137.780kHz:
UA4WPF from 1705 to 2117UTC with traces for several hours after that.
RN3AGC from 2227 to 0220UTC very strong signals.
VO1NA from 0230 to 0940UTC, that's more than 1.5 hours after UK sunrise.
A new station transmitting on the 136kHz band is UW8SM whose signals were visible between 2000 and 2117 (see picture).

UW8SM sending his prefix (dots low, dashes high) then a long dash

Transatlantic 136kHz

Last night I copied VO1NA's DFCW60 beacon all night on 137.777kHz, and got several QRSS60 transmissions from WD2XNS (W1VD).

WD2XNS (top) and VO1NA (bottom) at 0220 to 0240UTC 

UA4WPF on 136kHz Op32

Yesterday evening I monitored Opera32 beacons, receiving PA0A, G8HUH and for the first time on this mode UA4WPF at 3420km. G8HUH was also received on WPSR mode.

VO1NA on QRSS

VO1NAa in Newfoundland was a good signal for most of the night (see pictures below). He was using DFCW60 on 137.777kHz (click on the images to enlarge).

VO1NA 0100-0220UTC

VO1NA 0220-0345UTC

VO1NA 0345-0500UTC

VO1NA 0500-0630UTC

VO1NA 0630-0755

VO1NA 0755-0915UTC

Other 136kHz stations received were DK7FC using QRSS3 and PA0A on Opera32.

R7NT on QRSS

Following last night's good reception of R7NT's Opera32 beacon in the UK, Alex decided to try QRSS10 (extremely slow Morse with a 10-second dot period) and to look for two-way contacts on 137.705kHz. Unfortunately I am still unable to transmit following my fire, but I was able to monitor using my temporary sloper receive antenna. I was able to receive several of his transmissions from 1800 ro 2300UTC when I switched to Opera32. The best is shown below:

Other signals received on the band were G8HUH using WSPR and F4DTL using QRSS3.

Dst and Reception of R7NT on 136kHz

The Dst figure (see "A possible way of Forecasting good Radio Propagation conditions on 136kHz" by Alan Melia, G3NYK) has been high for some time, and last night it was the highest for a few weeks. A graph of the past and forecast Dst can be seen on the website of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Alex, R7NT in southern Russia, ran tests using the Opera32 mode last night and I managed to receive 11 of his beacons between 2018 and 0535UTC at a distance of 2835km.

WSJT-X Improvement and Op32

06 December: The first opportunity to test the latest version (V0.5, r2788) of WSJT-X, the developing LF/MF data mode, since my antenna was put out of action. The transmissions of F4DTL, PA0A and DF6NM were successfully decoded. This looks promising as I had problems with the reliability of decoding using older versions.

Later monitoring of Opera32 becaons produced PA0A, RN3AGC (at 1733 and 1813UTC), G8HUH and DF2JP.

UA0 to G on 136kHz

04-05 December: Opera32 beacons received on my temporary antenna overnight were: G8HUH, DF2JP, and RN3AGC.

G8HUH in Somerset managed to receive UA0AET at 2048UTC at a distance of 5816km, a very impressive distance.

136kHz Opera32 Reception

03-04 December: On my temporary receive set-up I logged overnight DF2JP, G8HUH and RN3AGC (2483km). Activity was very low.

I have bought a new loading coil hut which will be erected after Christmas. We are still awaiting the repairs top the house so one of my masts is out of action.

136kHz Conditions Poorer

02-03 December: Received G8HUH on WSPR. Also G8HUH, DF2JP and PA0A on Opera32.

Conditions were much poorer than the previous day and the only Opera32 station to reach more than 2500km overnight was UA4WPF who was heard by UA0SNV-1 at 2895km.

136kHz Opera32 DX

1-2 December: My temporary receive antenna produced the following Op32 stations overnight:
DF2JP, DF6NM, DK7FC, G4WGT, G8HUH, PA0A, RN3AGC (2483km) and R7NT (2835km).

DX in excess of 2500km achieved by others included:
UA4WPF received by UA0SNV-1 (2895km)
RN3AGC received by G4WGT (2552km) and G8HUH (2680km)
R7NT received by G8HUH (3031km)
G8HUH received by RV3APM (2666km)
DK7FC received by UA0SNV-1 (5742km).

Some 136kHz Receive Restored

Following my fire I have had to remove one of my masts - the one at the house end (see this picture for a rough idea of the old arrangement). Whilst I await the start of the repair work, I have made a temporary sloper out of the old top section, which runs from ground level at the house to 14m high. Adding an old loading coil brings the antenna to resonance on 136kHz (the taps for 500kHz have yet to be determined). The insulation is not good enough for transmitting, but it receives OK.

Stations so far received on 136kHz Opera32 are: DF2JP, PA0A and DF6NM.

136kHz QRSS DX then a Disaster!

11-12 November: Conditions were good and DK7FC was received well by JA7NI at Japanese sunrise (see picture below). Unfortunately, my own QRSS120 transmission was not visible.

I then ran QRSS120 (extremely slow Morse with a dot length of 120 seconds) overnight on 136.17175kHz. VE1VDM received my signals, but not very strongly (see the lower trace on the picture of his grabber below).

Reception at TF3HZ was excellent for several hours as can be seen by the traces below.

The lower picture shows that my transmission had a problem around 0250, recovered, then stopped completely just after 0300UTC.

The reason was a fire in my main loading coil which sits in a large plastic box on top of a flat roof extension to the house.The coil was completely destroyed and there was significant damage to the extension roof, the adjacent conservatory and the gutter and soffit above.

All that was left of my loading coil and its box

The back of the house is a mess

So the bad news is I am off the air for a while, but the good news is I was insured. Oh, and I am still alive.

My 136kHz DX Activity 6-11 November

6-7 November: My Op32 was received by RV3APM at 1822UTC.

I transmitted QRSS90 (90 second dot length) overnight on 136.1718kHz and was visible on TF3HZ's receiver grabber from 1830 until 0830 UTC (see sample below). The slightly stronger (brighter) signal above mine is G3KEV. I also checked the grabbers of JA7NI and VE1VDM but nothing was seen.

7-8 November: My overnight Op32 transmission was received by TF3HZ (2139 to 0731UTC) and RV3APM (2139 to 0411UTC).

8-9 November: My overnight Op32 transmission was received by TF3HZ, RN3AGC and SM2DJK.

10-11 November: I received Op32 from RN3AGC at 2156UTC. My own transmissions were received by TF3HZ, RN3AGC and SM2DJK.

WSJT-X Activity on 136kHz

The two-way data mode WSJT-X has sparked quite a bit of interest, and several stations have been active and some have made two-way contacts. The software is still experimental and not 100% reliable yet. Most activity is on the faster modes WSJT9-1 and WSJT9-2, but there have been some experiments up to WSJT9-30 (30 second transmission length).

I have logged DF2JP, G1SLE, DF6NM, DK7FC and G8HUH.

New LF/MF mode WSJT-X

W1JT, author of weak signal communications software such as WSPR, announced in late October a new data mode for 136 and 477/500kHz operation. WSJT-X uses multi-tone FSK and therefore does not need a linear transmitter. It does, however, require a way of converting audio to 136 or 477/500kHz RF, for instance an SSB transmitter capable of generating RF at this frequency or via a transverter from HF to LF. More information is available from here, together with how to download the free software.

Like WSPR it can be used in SWL mode (only a receiver and soundcard are needed), though as the software is experimental it does not yet include internet reporting. The main difference with WSPR or Opera modes is that it allows real two-way contacts to take place, exchanging whatever information you want in small bursts.

Several speeds (sub-modes) are currently available: WSJT9-1 has one-minute long transmissions, WSJT9-2 two seconds and so on with five, ten and thirty second sub-modes installed. To decode a station, the transmit ands receive stations must be switched to the same sub-mode. The longer-duration sub-modes contain the same amount of data, but can be received at lower signal-noise levels.

WSJT-X is in the early stages of development so it has a few rough edges, but it has the capability of being the new two-way weak signal mode on the 136 and 477/500kHz bands.

136kHz DX 24-26 October

24-25 October: I transmitted Opera32. My best DX was SM2DJK (1780km).

Opera32 DX achieved by others included UA0AET received by JA8SCD (4161km).

25-26 October: I transmitted Opera32. My best DX was TF3HZ (1858km).

136kHz DX 11-18 October

I was away from home during this period, but I left the radio and a laptop monitoring Opera32 mode. Unfortunately, conditions were very poor, expecially between 13 and 15 October, following a major solar flare.

The only DX received by me was: 11 Oct: 2018UTC RA3YO

Opera32 DX achieved by others included:
12 Oct:
UA4WPF received by UA0SNV-1 at a signal/noise ratio of -40dB which is at the low limit of Op32 reception.
13-15 Oct: Nothing over 2000km.
16 Oct:
UA4WPF received by UA0EAT-1, UA0SNV-1 and M0LMH.
RN3AGC received by M0LMH and M0PPP.
17 Oct: UA4WPF received by UA0SNV-1.
18 Oct: Nil.

136kHz DX 8-9 October

8-9 October: I transmitted Opera32 beacons at 2045 and 2315UTC. Reports were received from seven stations in just three countries (G, DF and PA).
My best DX was DK7FC (681km) - a very poor result.

Opera32 DX achieved by others included:
PA0A received by RN3AGC (2019km), RX3QFM (2219km) and RX3DHR (2117km).
PA0WMR received by RX3QFM (2309km).

136kHz DX 6-8 October

My blog updates have been delayed recently due to spending some time away and problems with my computer. I hope to catch up over the next few days, but some of the next few posts may be less detailed than usual.

6-7 October: I transmitted Opera32 beacons at approx 1hr 10min intervals from 1700 until 0700UTC. Reports were received from 14 stations in 8 countries (M, F, PA, DF, TF, R, LA and SM). A bumper night!
My best DX was RV3APM (2470km) and RX3QFM (2681km).
My brief receiving sessions produced PA0A, DF2JP and RX3QFM.

The best Opera32 DX achieved by others was RX3QFM received by M0LMH (2708km).

7-8 October: I transmitted Opera32 beacons at approx 1hr 10min intervals from 1230 to 1545UTC.
Reports were received from eight stations in five countries (G, DF, F, R and SM).
My best DX was RV3APM (2470km), RX3QFM (2681km) and RN3AGC (2483km).
My receiving sessions produced PA0A, DF2JP, G8HUH and RN3AGC (at 1733 and 2120UTC).
:
The best Opera32 DX achieved by others was:
UA4WPF received by UA0SNV-1 (2889km) and by M0LMH (3375km).

136kHz DX 4-6 October

4-5 October: I transmitted an Opera32 beacon at 1700, 1800, 2000, 2215, 0245, 0500 and 0700UTC. Reports were received from 11 stations in seven countries (G, RV, DF, LA, TF, GW and PA).
My best DX was: TF3HZ (1858km); RV3APM (2470km), RX3DHR (2582km) and RX3QFM (2681km).

Opera32 DX achieved by others included:
RX3QFM was received by G8HUH (2880km), M0LMH (2708km) and LA4ANA (2011km).
RA3YO received by M0LMH (2332km).
RN3AGC received by M0LMH (2466km).

5-6 October: I transmitted an Opera32 beacon once only at 1820UTC. Reports were received from three stations in three countries (DF, F and RV).
My best DX was RV3APM (2470km).

Opera DX achieved by others included:
PA0A was received by RX3QFM (2219km), RX3DHR (2117km), RN3AGC (2019km) and RV3APM (2008km) using Opera32.
PA0WMR received by RX3QFM (2309km), RV3APM (2131km), TF3HZ (2086km) using Opera8.
UA4WPF received by UA0AET-1 (2385km) and UA0SNV-1 (2889km) using Op32.
RX3QRM received by M0LMH (2708km) using Op32,
RA3YO received by M0LMH (2332km) using Op32.
VE7BDQ received by KL1X (2147km) using Op8.

136kHz DX 3-4 October

3-4 October: I transmitted an Opera32 beacon at 2000 and 2240UTC. Reports were received from six stations in four countries (G, RV, PA and SM).
My best DX was: RV3APM (2470km) and RX3QFM (2681km), both at 2034UTC.

Opera32 DX achieved by others included:
PA0A was received by RX3QFM (2219km), RX3DHR (2117km), RV3APM (2008km) and TF3HZ (2009km).
UA4WPF received by UA0AET-1 (2385km).
VE7BDQ received by KL1X (2147km).

136kHz DX 1-2 October

1-2 October: I transmitted an Opera32 beacon at 1650, 1900 and 2330UTC. Reports were received from six stations in five countries (LA, M, TF, PA and DF).
Best DX was TF3HZ (1858km) who reported my signal / noise ratio as -38dB at 2014UTC.

Opera32 DX achieved by others included:
RX3QFM received by M0LMH (2709km).
RN3AGC received by M0LMH (2466km).

2-3 October:  I transmitted an Opera32 beacon at 1945, 2200 and 0005UTC. Reports were received from eight stations in seven countries (LA, M, TF, PA, GW, RX and DF).
Best DX was: TF3HZ (1858km) who reported my signal / noise ratio as -30dB at 0006UTC; RX3QFM (2681km) my S/N -40dB at 1931UTC.

Opera32 DX achieved by others included:
PA0A was received by RX3QFM (2219km) and RN3AGC (2019km)
VE7BDQ was received by KL1X (2147km)

136kHz DX 30 September to 1 October

30 September to 1 October: I transmitted an Opera32 beacon at 1200, 1730, 2000 and 2215UTC. Reports were received from 10 stations in six countries (DF, M, GW, RV, TF and SM).
Best DX was: RV3APM (2470km) who reported a signal/noise ratio of -37dB and TF3HZ (1858km) S/N -36dB.
I monitored for Op32 during the day when not transmiting, and then overnight. Stations received were: DF2JP, G4WGT and G8HUH. No DX was received.

Opera32 DX achieved by others included: UA4WPF received by UA0SNV-1 (2889km).

136kHz DX 29-30 September

29-30 September: I transmitted an Opera32 beacon between 1900 and 0830UTC. Ten stations in four countries (G, SM, DL, R) reported my signals.
Best DX (over 2000km) was: RV3APM (2470km) four decodes between 2045 and 2256 (best signal to noise ratio -36dB at 2045 and 2150UTC); RX3QFM (2681km) two decodes at 2329 and 0115 (best S/N -39dB at 0115UTC); RX3DHR (2582km) three decodes between 0147 and 0326UTC, all at S/N -38dB.

Opera32 DX by others included:
RX3QFM was received by DF2JP (2227km) and M0LMH (2708km).
DK7FC received by R7NT, RX3QFM, RX3DHR, RV3APM and UA9CUA (3507km).

136kHz DX 27-29 September

27-28 September: I transmitted an Opera32 beacon at 1630, 1915, and 2230 to 0830. Reports were received from six stations (including four Russians) in three countries (DF, RV and G).
Best DX was: RV3APM (2470km) two decodes at 1949 (-35dB signal to noise) and 2308UTC; RX3QFM (2681km) six decodes between 1949 and 0358 (best S/N -32dB); RX3DHR (2582km) three decodes between 0147 and 0325 (best -37dB) and RN3AGC, one decode at 0325 (-38dB).

28-29 September: I transmitted an Opera32 beacon at 1700, 1800 and continuously from 1930 to 0820UTC. Reports were received from five stations (including three Russians) in three countries (DF, SM RX).
Best DX was: RX3DHR (2582km) - three decodes withest signal/noise -38dB at 0000UTC; RX3QFM (2681km) - five decodes beween 0138 and 0422 (best S/N -31dB at 0244UTC) and R7NT (2835km) - my best DX so far on this mode - three decodes between 2141 and 0000UTC (best S/N -36dB at 2141UTC)..

DX achieved by others included:
DK7FC was received by RX3QFM (2152km), R7NT (2233km), RX3DHR (2124km), RW3ADB (2044km) and RA9CUA (3507km).
UA4WPF received by UA0SNV-1 (2889km).

136kHz DX 25-27 September

25-26 September: I did not transmit overnight, but monitored for Opera32 signals instead.
In fact, conditions and activty were poor and the only DX recorded was:
RN3AGC received by G3XDV (2483km) at 2148UTC.
VE7BDQ received by KL1X (2147km) at 0807UTC.

26-27 September: I monitored for Op32 from 1915 to midnight, and received G4WGT, G8HUH, RN3AGC (3 decodes) and DF2JP.
I transmitted Op32 from midnight. Six stations in four countries (G, RV, SM, DL) reported my signals.
DX included: RN3AGC, RX3QFM and RX3DHR.

DX achieved by others included:
RN3AGC was received by G8HUH (2680km).
RX3QFM was received by DF2JP (2227km).

136kHz DX 23-25 September

23-24 September: I transmitted Opera32 at various times between 1130 and 1730UTC on the 23rd. Seven stations in four countries (G, F, DL, GW) reported my signals.
Best daytime DX was: DF2JP at 487km.

DX achieved by others included:
UA4WPF was received by UA0AET-1 (2385km) and UA0SNV-1 (2889km).
RN3AGC received by M0LMH (2466km).
No DX over 2000km was received by anyone after midnight.

24-25 September: I transmitted Opera32 once at 1730UTC and got a report from DF2JP.
I left the receiver on and decoded Op32 two transmissions from RN3AGC (2483km) at 2135 and 2337UTC.
.
DX achieved by others included:
UA4WPF was received by UA0AET-1 (2385km) and UA0SNV-1 (2889km).
RN3AGC received by myself (2483km).
DF2JP by RV3APM (2074km).

136kHz DX 22-23 September

22-23 September: I transmitted Opera32 between 1800 and 0905UTC. 11 stations in seven countries (G, RV, SM, F, DL, GW, LA) reported my signals.
DX included: RV3APM (2470km, 7 decodes of my signal between 1838 and 2228UTC, best report was -32dB signal / noise at 1911UTC); SM2DJK (1780km, 18 decodes between 1838 and 0436, best -22dB at 0119 and 0225UTC) and RN3AGC (2482km, one decode at 1944 and six between 2333 and 0257UTC, best -34dB at 0006UTC).

DX achieved by others included:
UA4WPF was received by M0LMH (3375km) and UA0SNV-1 (2889km)

136kHz DX 20-22 September

20-21 September: I monitored for Opera32 stations from 2200UTC and received DF2JP and RN3AGC (2483km).
Earlier, I transmitted Opera32 beacons at 1900, 2000, 2100 and 2130UTC.The only DX report was from RV3APM (2582km, all transmissions decoded, all reports were -35 or -36dB).

Opera32 DX by others included:
UA4WPF was received by M0LMH (3375km), UA0AET-1 (2385km) and UA0SNV-1 (2889lm).
RN3AGC was received by M0LMH (2466km), M0PPP (2484km) and myself.

21-22 September: Whilst checking the 136kHz band I came across a WSPR transmission from G8HUH and announced its presence on the rsgb_lf_group. Subsequently, several other stations appeared on this mode. My receive results between 1332 and 1810UTC were: G8HUH (best report -2dB signal / noise); DK7FC (best +3dB S/N); M0PPP (-10dB) and DF6NM (-14dB).

Later in the evening, I transmitted an Opera32 beacon from 1900 to 0730UTC. Six stations in four countries gave me reports, but unusually there was nothing over 2000km.

Opera32 DX achieved by others included:
RN3AGC was received by G0LMH (2466km)
UA4WPF by UA0SNV-1 (2889km), UA0AET-1 (2385km)

136kHz DX 18-20 September

18-19 September: I transmitted Opera32 several times during the evenng and continuously between 0045 and 0938UTC. Nine stations in six countries (G, RV, SM, DL, GW and PA) reported my signals.
DX included: SM2DJK (1780km, my best report -25dB signal to noise at 0235UTC),  RV3APM (2470km, best -27dB at 0117UTC), RN3AGC (2483km, best -33 at 0117UTC) and RX3DHR (2582km, best -34dB at 0255UTC).

DX achieved by others included:
RN3AGC was received by PA3FNY (2138km) and M0LMH (2466km).
UA4WPF by UA0SNV-1 (2889km) and M0LMH (3375km).

19-20 September: I monitored for Opera32 stations and received DF2JP (487km, -21dB signal to noise) and RN3AGC (2483km, -39dB S/N at 2033UTC).
I transmitted Opera32 several times during the evenng and continuously between 2135 and 0715UTC. Nine stations in six countries (G, RV, SM, DL, GW and PA) reported my signals.
DX included: SM2DJK (1780km, 7 decodes between 1918 and 0416UTC, my best report -28dB signal to noise at 2253, 0059 and 0416UTC), RV3APM (2470km, 10 decodes from 1848 to 0343UTC, best -33dB at 0310UTC), RX3DHR (2582km, 4 decodes between 2253 and 0310UTC, best -33dB at 0310UTC) and RN7T (2835km, a single decode of -39dB at 0237UTC).

DX achieved by others included:
UA4WPF was received by UA0AET-1 (2385km), UA0SNV-1 (2889km)
RN3AGC by M0LMH (2466km), G3XDV (1483km), PA3FNY (2138km)

136kHz DX 17-18 September

17-18 September: I transmitted Opera32 between 1900 and 0822UTC. 11 stations in seven countries (G, RV, SM, F, TF, DL, GW) reported my signals.
DX included: TF3HZ (1858km, 16 decodes between 2038 and 0531, peaking at -25 signal / noise ratio at 0352UTC); SM2DJK (1780km, 12 decodes, my best report -27 S/N at 0108 and 0352UTC) and RV3APM (2470km, 16 decodes between 1900 and 0319UTC, best report -31dB at 2249.

DX achieved by others included:
RN3AGC was received by GW0EZY (2642km), M0LMH (2466km) and G8HUH (2680km).
UA4WPF by SM2DJK (1958km), UA0SNV-1 (2889km), UA0AET-1 (2385km) and M0LMH (3375km).
DF2JP by TF2HZ (2194km).
DK7FC by RX3DHR (2124km), TF3HZ (2438km), RV3APM (2065km), UA0SNV-1 (5739km), UA0AET-1 (5330km), RN3AGC (2053km) and R7NT (2233km).
PA0A by RV3APM (2008km).

136kHz DX - 13 to 17 Sep

13 September: I transmitted Opera32 between 0015 and 0800UTC. Eight stations in six countries (G, RV, SM, F, TF, DL) reported my signals.
DX included: TF3HZ (1858km, he decoded every one of my transmissions, mostly at -25 to -27dB signal / noise ratio); SM2DJK (1780km, my best report -27 S/N); RV3APM (2470km, all decodes until 0337UTC, best report -23dB); RX3DHR (2582km, all decodes between 0126 and 0304UTC, best S/N -35).

DX achieved by others included:
VE7BDQ received by KL1X (2147km)
DF2JP by TF3HZ (2194km)
G8HUH by TF3HZ (1807km)
UA4WPF by SM2DJK (1958km), M0LMH (3375km), UA0AET (2385km) and UA0SNV-1 (2889km)
DF7FC by RN3AGC (2053km), R7NT (2233km), RV3APM (2065km)

14-15 September: I transmitted Opera32 from time to time during the evening, then continuously between 2200 and 0830UTC. Nine stations in six countries (GW, RV, SM, F, TF, DL) reported my signals.
DX included: TF3HZ (1858km, best report -24dB signal / noise, at 0441UTC); SM2DJK (1780km, best -28dB at 0230 and 0441UTC); RN3AGC (2483km, best -38dB at 0303UTC); RV3APM (2470km, best -33dB at 0230UTC); RX3DHR (2582km, best -36dB at 0230 and 0303UTC).

DX achieved by others included:
DK7FC was received by TF3HZ (2438km), W1VD (6096km at 0022, 0055, 0234, 0307, 0339, 0412 and 0518UTC), RN3AGC (2053km), RX3DHR (2124km), RV3APM (2065km) and UA0SNV-1 (5739km at 2224UTC)
DF2JP by TF3HZ (2194km) and SM2DJK (1599km)
UA4WPF by SM2DJK (1958km), UA0SNV-1 (2889km)

15-16 September: I transmitted an Opera32 beacon at 1730, 2015 and then from 2235 to 0830UTC. Twelve stations in eight countries (G, GW, RN, SM, TF, DL, I, F) reported my signals.
DX included TF3HZ (best report was -25dB signal / noise at 0236, 0359 and 0512UTC); RX3DHR (2582km, best -33dB at 0148UTC) and RN3AGC (2483km, best -34dB at 0148, 0221 and 0253UTC).

DX achieved by others included:
DF2JP was received by TF3HZ (2194km) and SM2DJK (1599km).
DK7FC was received by TF3HZ (2438km), RN3AGC (2053km), RW3ADB (2044km) and RA9CUA (3507km).
UA4WPF was received by UA0AET-1 (2385km) and SM2DJK (1958km).

16-17 September: I transmitted an Opera32 beacon at 1600, 1900, 2030, 2300 and 2330UTC. Nine stations in seven countries (G, GW, RV, SM, PA, TF, DL) reported my signals.
DX included: TF3HZ (1858km, best report -29dB signal/noise at 0007UTC) and RV3APM (2065km, best -36dB at 2334UTC).

DX achieved by others included:
PA0A was received by TF3HZ (2012km), RV3APM (2008km) and RN3AGC (2019km).

Last week's 136kHz DX

Another busy week (incuding a visit to the London 2012 Paralympics) has prevented daily posts. Here is a summary of my LF activity:

4-5 September: Transmitted Opera32 overnight. Thirteen stations in nine countries (GW, G, LA, RA, SM, F, TF, PA, DL) reported my signals.
DX included: RA3YO (2315km), SM2DJK (1780km), TF3HZ (1858km) and RN3AGC (2483km).
VO1NA was received by F5WK, GW0EZY and DF2JP. Unfortunately, I missed an announcement that he was to be on a non-standard frequency for Opera32 - 137.777kHz - so I did not receive him.

5-6 September: A single transmission of Opera32 produced reports from seven stations in six countries. Best DX was TF3HZ (1858km), RV3APM (2470km) and RX3QFM (2681km).
Others getting DX reports were: RA3YO received by G4WGT (2416km); DF6NM received by TF3HZ (2552km ), RD4HU (2713km) and RX3QFM (1991km); PA0A received by RX3QFM (2219km).

7-8 September: A single early Op32 beacon transmission was reported by G4WGT, F4DTL, PA0LCE, G8HUH and F5WK. I was on receive during the night and decoded the following (best reports in brackets): G8HUH (13dB signal / noise ratio), DF2JP (-24), DF6NM (-24), RN3AGC (four decodes between 1933 and 2233 with best S/N -34dB).

9-10 September: Transmitted Opera32 overnight. Eight stations in five countries reported my signals.
DX included: RX3DHR (2584km), TF3HZ (1858km), RN3AGC (2484km), SM2DJK (1781km) and RN7T (2837km).

10-11 September: Received overnight Op32 from: G8HUH (-19dB S/N), RN3AGC (-36) and DF2JP (-32dB).

11-12 September: I transmitted Opera32 from 2015 to 0815UTC. Eight stations in six countries reported my signals. DX included: RX3DHR (2584km, best S/N -34dB), TF3HZ (1858km, -25dB), RV3APM (2470km, -28dB) and SM2DJK (1781km, -27dB). Interestingly, where several reports were received, the best one was close to dawn at the Eastern end of the path.
QRO station DK7FC, also transmitting Op32, got a -37dB report from W1VD.

Op32 3-4 September 2012

My Opera32 transmission  last night produced reports from 13 stations in 8 countries with 4 stations over 2000km. Conditions seemed better to the east than the west

Best DX was:

SM2DJK, a new station for me, one decode at 2040UTC, S/N -33dB, distance 1780km.

TF3HZ, 8 decodes between 2146 and 0500UTC, best S/N -35dB, distance 1858km.

RN3AGC, 7 decodes between 2251 and 0248UTC, best S/N -32dB, distance 2483km.

RX3DHR, 4 decodes between 0110 and 0248UTC, best S/N -30dB, distance 2582km.

RX3QFM, 9 decodes between 2007 and 0110UTC, with a best signal / noise ratio of -32dB and a distance of 2681km.

R7NT, one decode at 2251UTC, S/N -36dB, distance 2835km.

Good DX from other stations included:

VO1NA was received by DK7FC.

UA4WPF was receied by UA0SNV-1.

Good LF Conditions

I ran another Opera32 test transmission overnight (2-3 Sep). I received some good reports and others did well, too.

My test was reported on by 14 stations in 7 countries: GW0EZY, DF2JP, LA4ANA (a new station for me), G4WGT, G8HUH, F5WK, R7NT (another new one), M0PPP, G4MDH, F6CNI, RN3AGC, F4DTL, TF3HZ and G0TKN.

Reports over 1000km were: LA4ANA at 1102km, 2 decodes at up to -33dB S/N between 1951 and 2045UTC; TF3HZ at 1858km, 11 decodes at up to -33dB S/N between 2304 and 0432UTC; RN3AGC at 2483km, 9 decodes up to -33dB S/N between 2045 and 0221UTC, and R7NT at 2853km, 8 decodes at up to -36dB S/N between 2045 and 0221UTC. A later, offline report was received from RN3AUS (2441km) whose best decode was -36dB.

Other stations making distances over 1500km were: PA0A received by RN3AGC and RX3QFM; UA4WPF received by UA0SNV-1 (2889km); DF6NM received by RN3AGC, RD4HU, TF3HZ and RX3QFM; and G8HUH received by TF3HZ.

Interestingly, the usual propagation indcator, Dst, was fairly high then crashed during the night. See this graph from the Colorada space weather centre:

Op32 test 28-29 Aug 2012

Another overnight Opera32 test on 136kHz. Results as follows:

In a short listening test I received PA0A.

My overnight test produced reports from 12 stations in 7 countries: F5WK, GW0EZY, M0PPP, PA0A, G4WGT, G4MDH, F6CNI, G0TKN, G8ALS, IK1WVQ (1064km, best signal / noise report -38dB), TF3HZ (1858km, best S/N -23dB) and RX3QFM (2681km, best S/N -36dB).

USA to Europe on 136kHz using Op32

The path from the east coast of the USA to western Europe on the 136kHz band is a well worn one. There have been many reception reports of QRSS60 beacons from several diehard US experimenters - note that this band is not generally allocated in the USA, but there are several who have 'WD' experimental licences to transmit.

However, the Opera mode has allowed real-time reporting on LF from many different stations with a transmission duration of just 32 minutes for Op32 (8 minutes Op8). A callsign sent using QRSS60 would take typically over an hour, though better signal to noise ratios are possible, at least for short periods.

Last night, W1TAG operated his WD2XES beacon using Op32 overnight and was received twice in the UK just before dawn, despite heavy static from eastern European storms. Details are as follows:

05:01 136 WD2XES de GW0EZY Op32 5064 km -36 dB in Welshpool IO82HO
05:01 136 WD2XES de M0LMH Op32 5146 km -36 dB in Harrogate
05:01 136 WD2XES de G3XDV Op32 5296 km -38 dB in Welwyn, IO91VT

04:29 136 WD2XES de M0LMH Op32 5146 km -39 dB in Harrogate
04:29 136 WD2XES de GW0EZY Op32 5064 km -37 dB in Welshpool IO82HO
04:28 136 WD2XES de G3XDV Op32 5296 km -40 dB in Welwyn, IO91VT

John ran 1W ERP and a loop antenna.

136kHz Conditions Improving

I ran overnight Opera32 beacons several times this week, but work commitments have prevented my usual daily postings. Here is a summary:

Thu 16 / Fri 17 August
Received Op8 from DF2JP and DL3NSW over a short listening period.
My Op32 beacon was received by 12 stations in 7 countries: PA7EY, F6CNI, DF2JP, DD7PC, M0PPP, GW0EZY, G0KTN, DK7FC, F4DTL, TF3HZ, G0NBD and RX3DHR.
Best DX was RX3DHR, a single decode at 0154UTC; distance 2583km, signal / noise -38dB. Note that a signal to noise ratio on this mode of -40dB is just about the lowest that will work, so this was marginal.
The 1858km path to TF3HZ was open for nearly six hours, with a decode at 2129 and then every transmission from 2237 until 0412UTC. Best S/N ratio was -21dB just before my dawn, with six decodes better than -30dB.

Fri 17 / Sat 18 August
Received Op32 from RN3AGC (2483km/-37dB), DF2JP and I5ZPO over a short listening period.
My Op32 beacon was receved by 7 stations in 6 countries: GW0EZY, DF2JP, TF3HZ, RN3AUS/3, F6CNI, RX3DHR and PA7EY.
Best DX was RN3AUS/3, three decodes at 0108, 0214 and 0246UTC (2441km/-38dB) and RX3DHR, a single decode at 0214 (2583km/-38dB).
Again the path to TF3HZ was open all night with a best signal / noise ratio of -24dB.  

Thu 23 / Fri 24 August
Received Op32 from DF2JP over a short listening period.
My Op32 beacon was receved by 5 stations in 4 countries: GW0EZY, G4WGT, TF3HZ, RX3DHR  and RX3QFM.
Best DX was RX3DHR, two decodes at 0157 and 0230 (2582km / -36dB) and RX3QFM (2681km), an amazing seven decodes at 2240, 2313, 2346, 0019, 0124, 0157 and 0230 with the best signal / noise of -31dB at 2313UTC.
TF3HZ also decoded seven of my (32 minute long ) transmissions with the best S/N being -34dB, and other reports much poorer than earlier in the week.

Fri 24 / Sat 25 August
My Op32 beacon was receved by 9 stations in 7 countries: DF2JP, GW0EZY, M0LMH, G4WGT, PA3ABK, F4DTL, TF3HZ, RX3QFM and F5WK.
Best DX was RX3QFM, two decodes at 2352 and 0024UTC (2681km / -38dB).
Interestingly, TF3HZ decoded all 12 transmissions, from 2213 to 0414 with the best signal / noise ratio of -28dB and  four decodes at better than 30dB. It seems there was a longer opening but at lower strength than on 16/17 Aug.
DK7FC, who runs significantly more ERP than myself, received reports from W1VD (6096km) and WE3XGR (5977km).

Sat 25 / Sun 26 August
Received Op32 from DF2JP and DK7FC over a short listening period.
My Op32 beacon was receved by 8 stations in 5 countries: M0LMH, G4WGT, DK7FC, TF3HZ, GW0EZY, RN3AGC, DF8UO and DF2JP.
Best DX was RN3AGC (2483km), a single decode at 0103UTC with a signal / noise ratio of -36dB.
TF3HZ (1858km) decoded my signal 10 times between 2325 and 0420UTC with a best S/N of -24dB and no reports worse than -30dB.
DK7FC had a two-way QRSS10 contact with VO1NA (two-ways on this band are very rare indeed), so conditions to the west were good.

This all demontrates improvements in long-distance paths maimly due to the coming winter and the longer periods of mutual darkness (hence good skywave propagation) between the stations.

Another Op32 Test

I transmitted Opera32 again last night on 137.521kHz (dial setting 136.000kHz USB). There were a few transmissions during the early evening, but mostly from 2300 to 0800UTC. Reports were received from DK7FC, DF2JP, GW0EZY, PA7EY, G4MDH, TF3HZ, RX3DHR, G0NBD, IW1WVQ and DD7PC. Best DX was RX3DHR at 2582km. The decodes over 1000km are shown below:

03:47    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -27 dB in Reykjavik

03:47    136 G3XDV de IK1WVQ Op32 1064 km -34 dB in JN44CB

03:14    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -23 dB in Reykjavik

02:41    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -24 dB in Reykjavik

02:41    136 G3XDV de IK1WVQ Op32 1064 km -39 dB in JN44CB

02:09    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32  -25 dB in Reykjavik

02:09    136 G3XDV de RX3DHR Op32 2582 km -38 dB in Zaraysk    .

02:09    136 G3XDV de IK1WVQ Op32 1064 km -39 dB in JN44CB

01:36    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -24 dB in Reykjavik

01:03    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -29 dB in Reykjavik

01:03    136 G3XDV de RX3DHR Op32 2582 km -37 dB in Zaraysk    .

00:30    136 G3XDV de RX3DHR Op32 2582 km -37 dB in Zaraysk    .

00:30    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -27 dB in Reykjavik

23:57    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -30 dB in Reykjavik

23:25    136 G3XDV de RX3DHR Op32 2582 km -35 dB in Zaraysk    .

23:25    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -30 dB in Reykjavik

137kHz Op32 Last Night

I ran Opera32 mode overnight last night and received reports from: G4WGT, PA0A, G3XBM, G0NBD, GW0EZY, IK1WVQ, RN3AGC and TF3HZ. That's six countries!

IW1WVQ was a new one for me and was 1064km away. He copied me solidly from 2242 to 0345, and gave me signal to noise reports between -32 and -38dB, the best being just before dawn.

RN3AGC (at 2483km) decoded my transmission twice giving me -38dB at 2348UTC and -35 at 0126.

A later, offline report from RN3AUS (2440km) gave me -36dB S/N in a single decode at 0126UTC.

The most interesting thing was the very long period over which TF3HZ decoded every transmission.

02:32    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -29 dB in Reykjavik

01:59    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -28 dB in Reykjavik

01:26    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -28 dB in Reykjavik

00:54    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -26 dB in Reykjavik

00:21    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -32 dB in Reykjavik

23:48    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -36 dB in Reykjavik

23:15    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -30 dB in Reykjavik

22:43    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -36 dB in Reykjavik

New GW on 137kHz Op32

For a change, I ran the receiver overnight (instead of transmitting), and got Opera32 decodes from DK7FC and a new one for me, GW8GLO who was -19 signal / noise ratio at 222km.

136kHz QRSS60 Test

I transmitted my callsign on 136.17125kHz from 2300 on Sat 11th to 0800 on Sun 12th August. The mode was QRSS60 (60 second dot extremely slow Morse code). By monitoring remote 'grabber' receivers, I saw traces of my signal at 4X1RF between 2300 and 0100UTC, and good reception at TF3HZ between 2300 and 0400UTC. The TF path had fading early on but produced very good signals before dawn as the picture shows. The top trace is DF6NM, the big signal in the middle is DK7FC and mine is the lower one.

Op32 test on 137kHz

Last night I ran an overnight test using the Opera32 mode in which a callsign takes 32 minutes to send. I was joined by Stefan, DK7FC, and there was much receive interest from other countries.

DK7FC managed reports from RN3AGC, RW3ADB, RX3DHR, TF3HZ, W1TAG, W1VD and YO/4X1RF. The distance to W1VD was a new distance record for this mode on 137kHz at 6096km. He was also received by an experimental Russian team, RD4HU, who were running a 1km long receive antenna.

My own results were less spectacular as I run much less ERP than Stefan, but my best reports are shown below. Note that where these stations reported my signals several times, I have just shown those with the best signal / noise figure.

07:24    136 G3XDV de GW0EZY Op32 233 km +1 dB in Welshpool IO82HO
                  [Decodes all night]

04:00    136 G3XDV de PA3ABK Op32 338 km -14 dB in Dordrecht
                 [Decodes all night]

02:22    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -26 dB in Reykjavik
                  [6 decodes between 0043 and 0254UTC]

01:16    136 G3XDV de RX3DHR Op32 2582 km -38 dB in Zaraysk
                  [1 decode only]

22:58    136 G3XDV de RN3AGC Op32 2483 km -35 dB in Moscow
                  [3 decodes between 2258 and 0149UTC]

QRSS60 Fri-Sat Night

I transmitted QRSS60 (60 second dot extremely slow Morse) on 137.17125kHz (yes, that is accurate to better than 0.1Hz) overnight and monitored various 'grabbers' to see my signal. Checking the grabber of YM7MAE proved optimistic. Minute traces of my signal were seen at 4X1RF (3534km) but an extended period of 100% copy was visible at TF3HZ (1858km) for nearly 5 hours from 2245 to 0335UTC with very little fading. The best screen grabs are shown below (click on the pictures to enlarge):

Tiny traces of my signal on 136.17125kHz can be seen on 4X1RF's grabber below DK7FC's big signal. The top trace is DF6NM.

This is the grabber of TF3HZ showing part of the five hours of good propagation. Again, this shows DF6NM at the top, DK7FC in the middle and myself at the bottom of the three. Note that my signal is fading less than the two Germans.

For much more information on 136kHz, QRSS and grabbers, see my LF Links page.

Weekend and Monday

On Saturday morning I called CQ using QRSS3 on 137.7kHz, but had no reply.

I spent the rest of the weekend monitoring 472 and 500kHz, bit heard little except the usual CW net on Sunday morning (see previous posts). Static was bad  at night.

On Monday night I transmitted Opera8 overnight and although I was not received in Russia, the path to Iceland was more prolonged and signals were better than in previous weeks. Thanks to the following for reports: GW0EZY, G4MDH, DF2JP. GW3UCJ, DK7FC, G0TKN and TF3HZ. The latter station decoded several of my transmissions between 2228 and 0327UTC at peak signal / noise ratio of -28dB.

136kHz Op8

I transmitted an Opera8  beacon on 137.620kHz (136.000kHz dial) over the last two nights. Results were as follows:

2-3 Aug: Reports from G4MDH, G0NBD, M0PPP and TF3HZ. The latter gave me signal / noise reports of -25 to -27dB between 0028 and 0208UTC.

3-4 Aug: Reports from GW3UCJ,GW0EZY, M0PPP, G4WGT and TF3HZ who gave me a much poorer -29 to -30dB between 0102 and 0136.

136kHz to Iceland

My Opera8 signals on 136kHz last night were reported by 9 stations in G, F, DL, PA and TF. There were three decodes from TF3HZ between 2319 and 0216. Several Russian stations were active but none reported my signals.I also received PA0A between my own transmissions.

136kHz DX

Despite the Dst being low, Opera8 tests by myself and DK7FC produced good results with Stefan getting several reports from Russia. I reached only one Russian station, but at the greatest distance, 2472km. He gave me a single very marginal report of -34dB signal / noise at 0027UTC. The picture below (click on it to enlarge) is from the PSKreporter web site and shows the location of all of the stations who gave me reports, including: DF2JP, DK7FC, F4DTL, G3XBM, G4MDH, G4WGT, G8ALS, GW0EZY, GW3UCJ, M0PPP and RV3APM.

DLs on WSPR

Monitored 477kHz overnight for WSPR transmissions. I started at around 1800UTC and received DL3DNR from 2012UTC until 0310UTC, peaking -6dB signal / noise. Also, DK6NI from 2254 to 2314, peaking -24dB. Full details are as follows:

120729 2012   6 -26 -1.1   0.478485  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     2    0
120729 2020   6 -26 -1.1   0.478485  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2026   3 -27 -1.1   0.478485  DL3NDR JN59 27          0    16    0
120729 2032   5 -26 -1.0   0.478485  DL3NDR JN59 27          0    46    0
120729 2042   3 -29 -1.1   0.478485  DL3NDR JN59 27          0  1007    0
120729 2128   5 -27 -1.0   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0   749    0
120729 2206   4 -26 -1.1   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     5    0
120729 2210   5 -27 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     3    0
120729 2212   9 -22 -1.1   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2224   8 -23 -1.1   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2226   6 -26 -1.1   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2232  13 -19 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2234  10 -21 -1.4   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     2    0
120729 2238  14 -18 -1.4   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2244  13 -18 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2246  13 -18 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2252  15 -17 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2254   8 -24 -0.7   0.478454  DK6NI JN59 20           1     1    0
120729 2258   5 -25 -0.8   0.478456  DK6NI JN59 20           0     1    0
120729 2258  19 -14 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2304  20 -12 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2306  11 -21 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     2    0
120729 2310  10 -21 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2314   4 -27 -0.8   0.478455  DK6NI JN59 20           0     2    0
120729 2314  19 -14 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2318  18 -13 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2322  20 -12 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2326  18 -13 -1.1   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2332  18 -15 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2338  20 -13 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2340  20 -13 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2346  14 -19 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2352   9 -24 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120729 2354  15 -18 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0000  19 -13 -1.1   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0002  19 -14 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0008  19 -14 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0014  20 -13 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0018  23 -10 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0026  17 -14 -1.1   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0034  23 -10 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0042  22 -12 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0048  23 -10 -1.2   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0056  26  -6 -1.4   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0104  22 -11 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0112  24  -9 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0122  16 -16 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0130  14 -19 -1.4   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0136  10 -22 -1.3   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0146  10 -21 -1.5   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0156  20 -10 -1.3   0.478487  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0204  15 -15 -1.4   0.478487  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0214  17 -13 -1.5   0.478487  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0222  19 -12 -1.4   0.478487  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0228  10 -20 -1.2   0.478487  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0236  18 -14 -1.3   0.478487  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0242  16 -15 -1.4   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0250  11 -20 -1.4   0.478486  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0300  11 -19 -1.4   0.478487  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0306  15 -15 -1.5   0.478487  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     1    0
120730 0310   8 -23 -1.4   0.478487  DL3NDR JN59 27          0     9    0

Weekend MF Activity

On Saturday night I received Opera4 signals from PA0WMR and G4WGT on 500kHz. At 2350UTC I heard the end of a CW contact between DF0WD (449 in static) on 478kHz and PA3ABK (589) on 502kHz.
On Sunday morning, I heard the regular 500kHz CW contact beween M0JXM (599), G3DXZ (579) and G3XIZ (599+).

EI on 500kHz CW

At 0020UTC on the morning of Thursday 26 July, I heard the end of a 500kHz CW contact between Finbar, EI0CF and a station he called "John" whose call I did not hear. Finbar was 559 and "John" was 439 in the static. Finbar has subsequently informed me that he was working EI6DN in Dublin. EI is a new country for me on this band.

More 136kHz Op32

I ran another Opera32 test on 136kHz last night. Highlights were as follows:

02:51    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -34 dB in Reykjavik

02:19    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -36 dB in Reykjavik

01:46    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -33 dB in Reykjavik

01:13    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -34 dB in Reykjavik

00:40    136 G3XDV de RN3AGC Op32 2483 km -38 dB in Moscow

An offline report from Alex, RN3AUS has also been received:
00:40    136 G3XDV de RN3AUS Op32  -40 dB in nr Moscow

Sunday LF/MF

Sunday morning on 500kHz, I heard a CW contact between G3XIZ (599+), M0JXM 599+) and G3DXZ (569), and another between G3KEV (599) and PA3ABK (579).

An overnight test last night using Opera32 on 136kHz, produced reports from: DF2JP, F6CNI, G8HUH, G0KTN, G0NBD, G3XBM, G4MDH, GW0EZY, PA7EY, and TF3HZ. The Icelandic station gave me one report (-33dB signal / noise) at 0234.

DF6NM was also testing on this mode, using twice as much power as me, and he managed to reach TF3HZ and RN3AGC.

136kHz Op8 to Iceland and Russia

Transmitted an Opera8 beacon again overnight on the 136kHz band and got reports from RN3AGC, RX3QFM and TF3HZ (-32dB). The Icelandic station produced five decodes between 0022 and 0202. Best distance was 2681km to RX3QFM. Highlights were as follows:

02:02    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op8 1858 km -35 dB in Reykjavik

01:37    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op8 1858 km -31 dB in Reykjavik

01:12    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op8 1858 km -32 dB in Reykjavik

00:47    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op8 1858 km -32 dB in Reykjavik

00:47    136 G3XDV de RX3QFM Op8 2681 km -33 dB in KO91OO

00:22    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op8 1858 km -32 dB in Reykjavik

00:22    136 G3XDV de RN3AGC Op8 2483 km -34 dB in Moscow

23:57    136 G3XDV de RN3AGC Op8 2483 km -31 dB in Moscow

RN3AUS (2448km) provided this off-line report later:
00:22    136 G3XDV de RN3AUS Op8  -32 dB in nr Moscow

Opera8 Overnight

DK7FC ran high power on Opera8 on 136kHz (dial), 137.6kHz (actual). This resulted in a lot of listener interest and a few transmitting stations, including myself. He reached Iceland and several western Russian stations at distances up to 2848km.

My 400mW ERP was received by DF2JP, F4DTL, F6CNI, G0TKN, G4MDH, G4WGT, G8HUH, GW0EZY, PA0A, PA0LCE, PA0LPN, PA7EY, and TF3HZ who was my best DX at 1858km. The decode at 0119 was as follows:

01:19    136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op8 1858 km -30 dB in Reykjavik

01:19    136 G3XDV de G8HUH Op8 199 km -9 dB in IO81mg

01:19    136 G3XDV de G0KTN Op8 158 km -11 dB in Bath, UK  IO81

01:19    136 G3XDV de PA7EY Op8 347 km -29 dB in Amsterdam

01:19    136 G3XDV de DF2JP Op8 487 km -31 dB in Duesseldorf

01:19    136 G3XDV de F4DTL Op8 400 km -24 dB in JN18FP

TF3HZ also received G0HUH.

Opera (and other mode) reception can be displayed on the "PSK Map". Last night's reports on my signals look like this (click on the picture to enlarge):

Overnight 136kHz test

Last night, I transmitted my callsign in QRSS120 (two minutes dot length) from 2000 to 0830UTC. DK7FC (top) and PA3CPM (bottom) were also active in the same 2Hz slot between 136.1702 and 136.1722kHz. Propagation was better than the previous night and my transmission was just visible for most of the night. The picture below shows the best part. It is actually two screen shots stitched together from TF3HZ's Iceland grabber (click on the image to enlarge). It is interesting to see the slow fading which not only takes out the end of my callsign, but also affects the German and Dutch stations at the same time. Often this fading can affect different stations at different times, indicating more complex propagation paths.

DX Test on 136kHz

I re-tuned my antenna to 136kHz and ran some extremely slow CW tests on 136.171kHz. This started at QRSS30 (30 second dot length) at 1830UTC, then changing to QRSS120 at 1850 until 2130. I made a later test from 2245 until 2345. DF7FC (1Hz above me) and PA3CPM (1Hz below) were also active at this speed, aiming at reception in the southern hemisphere. Conditions were not good, but I could see traces of my signals on TF3HZ's grabber during the evening session, with a solid "V" from the end of my callsign at 2330 (see below). W1VD monitored overnight but received nothing.

WSPR test on 500kHz

Monitored for G3XBM's WSPR transmission on 501.5kHz (500.0kHz dial frequency) yesterday evening. I received his signal from 1826 to 2134UTC at signal to noise ratios peaking -8dB. I had the usual interference from my plasma television.

Opera4 on 500kHz

Yesterday, during daylight, I received the following strong Opera4 signals on 500kHz, in chronological order: PA0A (+5dB signal/noise), PA3ABK (+1), G3XIZ (+7), PA0WMR (+5).

Three Germans on 477kHz WSPR

Yesterday evening, I monitored for WSPR signals from 1700 to 2130UTC. I received DF0WD between 1804 and 1848 at -23dB signal to noise; DL3DNR 2014 to 2124 peaking -15 S/N, and one call from DK6NI at 2102. This brings my total of stations received on this band (so far only licensed in Germany and Monaco) to eight (see my main site for callsigns).

German CW and Op4 on 472kHz

Last night, I heard a CW ident from DJ5BV (521km) on about 476kHz at 2310UTC. He was a good 579 - the best CW signal so far heard on this new band.

Also saw decodes on Opera4 all night from DK7FC (681km), peaking at 0dB signal/noise around 2300 to 0300, decreasing to -20dB during daylight. The last decode was at 0833, presumably when his radio station closed down.

500kHz Opera

Lots of Opera4 activity on 501-504kHz on Monday (9th) evening. Decoded signals on my laptop from G0ROJ, G4WGT, PA3ABK, G3XIZ, M0FMT and PA0A.

MF Activity 8 July

Yesterday morning I heard a CW contact between G3XIZ (599+) and M0JXM (599), but little else on this band.
Later, I monitored 472kHz and received WSPR transmissions from: DF6NM from 2056 to 0252 UTC, peaking at -9dB signal to/noise and DK6NI from 2134 to 2318 peaking -26dB S/N. Static levels on my receiver were the lowest for a couple of weeks.

Improving IC-706 on LF/MF

Icom's old IC-706 (I use one of the first Mk1 models) is a good, cheap radio for receiving on 136kHz and 472/500kHz. Its sensitivity is not good enough for a poor antenna, but if you have a decent size tuned Marconi suitable for transmitting, it is more than adequate. The receiver pre-amplifier even works at 136kHz.

One advantage is its impressive frequency stability - after a few tens of millihertz warm up, my 706 stays within 10mH forever! Tuning steps, and readout are 1Hz. These features make it very suitable for the extremely slow Morse (eg QRSS60) used for intercontinental working on 136kHz.

The main drawback is its intermodulation performance, especially in view of the very weak amateur radio signals found at LF/MF compared to the strong signals out-of-band signals received by the antenna. In my case the principle problem is the medium wave broadcast transmitters located at Brookman's Park, just 10km or so away (LF guru M0BMU is less than 1km from this station), and these can cause problems on 500kHz and 1.8MHz. To improve the suppression of unwanted signals, I use a G3YXM tuned preamplifier for 136kHz, and have just added a parallel-tuned circuit across the antenna coax when using 472/500kHz.

Polish NDB "SA"

The 472-479kHz amateur band (available only in a few countries so far) has several aircraft beacons (see my main web site). One of the most prominent transmits "SA" in Morse on AM. The carrier is on 474.5kHz, and the Morse callsign sidebands can be heard approximately 1kHz above and below that frequency. It is quite loud after dark, but here is a Spectrogram (set to QRSS3) of the carrier during the daytime here. The straight line is "SA", and the big wobbly ones are from my plasma TV.

DL3ZID WSPR Received

I finally received WSPR transmissions from DL3ZID on 477.0kHz (dial frequency), despite huge static crashes. He is my best DX so far on this band at 800km. The software produced the following info:

120705 2036   3 -29  0.1   0.478585  DL3ZID JO53 23          0     8    0
120705 2048   5 -28  0.3   0.478585  DL3ZID JO53 23          0     3    0
120705 2058   7 -24  0.2   0.478585  DL3ZID JO53 23          0     1    0
120705 2110   2 -30  0.4   0.478586  DL3ZID JO53 23          0  5002   -1
120705 2120   7 -26  0.4   0.478583  DL3ZID JO53 23          0     1    0