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).
Thursday 30 August 2012
Monday 27 August 2012
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.
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.
Sunday 26 August 2012
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.
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.
Thursday 16 August 2012
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
Wednesday 15 August 2012
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.
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
Tuesday 14 August 2012
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.
Sunday 12 August 2012
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.
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]
[Decodes all night]
04:00 136 G3XDV de PA3ABK Op32 338 km -14 dB in Dordrecht
[Decodes all night]
[Decodes all night]
02:22 136 G3XDV de TF3HZ Op32 1858 km -26 dB in Reykjavik
[6 decodes between 0043 and 0254UTC]
[6 decodes between 0043 and 0254UTC]
01:16 136 G3XDV de RX3DHR Op32 2582 km -38 dB in Zaraysk
[1 decode only]
[1 decode only]
22:58 136 G3XDV de RN3AGC Op32 2483 km -35 dB in Moscow
[3 decodes between 2258 and 0149UTC]
[3 decodes between 2258 and 0149UTC]
Saturday 11 August 2012
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.
Tuesday 7 August 2012
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.
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.
Saturday 4 August 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday 1 August 2012
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.
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