[NLRS] News for SoftRock and WSPR fans

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

With the sparsity of microwave activity here near the Boondocks I was 
wondering a couple days ago about setting up a 10 G+ robotic station 
with an omni antenna and then taking a mobile around at 10 mile 
intervals working that station. And I looked over WSPR. A few Hz 
stability would be a super problem on 10368, but maybe it could work at 
audio and for short ranges that audio could be on an FM signal. 110 
second transmissions would sure slow the contact rate though. The 
operation of IY4M sounded more interesting but harder to set up. I don't 
see a robot is not allowed in 10G+, but surely its verboten in other 
contests.

73, Jerry, K0CQ

On 9/23/2010 12:22 PM, Bill Davis Jr wrote:
>
>
>
>    I don't know how many of you have played with Joe K1JT's WSPR program, but kinda fun. http://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wspr.html   It is a digital weak signal decoding and encoding program for propagation testing. Most operation is HF, but not all. STABILITY is REQUIRED a matter of a few cycles will kill it. Hence my VHF stuff has not been stable enough even on 6m. The software allows the posting of reports of heard stations automatically via the web.  http://wsprnet.org/drupal/wsprnet/activity
>
>    I and several other NLRS members have played with it since (or when) it was first introduced. The newer versions of WSJT also include the WSPR mode for 2way QSO's instead of just "path testing". I know that Ed W0OHU has had QSOs using WSPR. WSPR contains CAT control for many popular rigs and can be quite interesting and easy to "operate". WARNING The 2way mode is far from "conversational" with 2m TX and RX sequences.
>
>    The SoftRock connection ... Joe is in developmental stages of a new WSPT version that interfaces more simply to  SDR transceivers using I/Q input/output other than the audio IO used with conventional rigs. If one has a SoftRock 6.3RxTx or a SoftRock Ensemble RxTx  this version of WSPR will, via CAT, control, operate seamlessly. Really slick. I am using a pre-beta version of WSPR 2.1 and my Ensemble SoftRocks on 40,30,20 and 17m  (TX 40 and 20 only). I enjoy WSPRing at 100mw or 200mw.
>
>    With my 40m dipole in the trees at 15ft I have heard VK land on 40m, he was running 5w.
>
> 2010-09-20 14:18  VK5ZAG  7.040159  -24db
>
>   PF84vf  5watts
>   K0AWU  EN37ed  15633km
>
>   I have been heard by many in Europe ta 6-7000km on 20m (dipole antenna) at 100mw and 200mw on 40m with an ocassional report out of Europe.
>
> ie:
>
>   2010-09-23 16:48  K0AWU  14.097082  -22db
>    EN37ed  0.1watt
>   G4APO  IO93ik  6125km
>
>
>    40m at 200mw
>
>   2010-09-23 01:56  K0AWU  7.040101  -25db
>   -
>   EN37ed  0.2watt
>   G8JNJ/A  IO90hx  6276km
>
>     Not like a good CW QSO, but a nice radio application to be running while one is busy in the shop or working VHF :-)
>
> 73 and good DX
> Bill  K0AWU  EN37ed
>   		 	   		
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