[SJDXA] WSPR

[Robert Pantazes]

If you have worked with FT8 or 4 on the WSJT-X software suite. You may have
noticed a mode called "WSPR". What is WSPR, it stands for Weak Signal
Propagation Reporter. The system consists of low power or QRM transmitters
(1watt or less) that act as Beacon. Which sends out the station's call,
your location and what power you are using.These weak signals are received
by other hams that have set up dedicated receivers around the world. The
receivers measure the signal strength, call and what power the Beacon is
running. This information is then placed on a website where you can see
where your signal is being received.
WSJT-X uses the clock to know when the radio will send and receive, so the
software must be synced to the standard time with a computer's clock that
has been synced with the internet time or with GPS.
You can use your rig to be a WSPR site. Your transmit power has to be set
to less then 1 watt and has to be interfaced with WSJT-X.You can do band
hopping during a set time, such as at night, you may want to Beacon on 40,
80 and 160 meters or during the day 20, 17, 15 ,12,and 10 meters (if your
antenna permits).
If you don't want to tie up your rig, the other option is to purchase a
WSPR only transmitter. This is the way that I went, with the purchase of a
WSPR Desktop transmitter from ZachTek.com. This little unit's RF power out
is only .3 watt. The cost is $159.00 with shipping. It comes with an
internal GPS receiver with the antenna for timing and a USB cable to
program (it then does not have to be tied to the PC after it is programmed,
it will Beacon on its own).After the unit is programmed it does need to be
plugged into a 5 volt USB source. The ZackTek's software will let you
select what bands that you want to Beacon on. I have used my HEX beam so I
can set the band to 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters. The software will *NOT*
let you do automatic night and day band changes, this is the only downside.
I then use http://wspr.aprsinfo.com/ map to see where I am being received.
This is very useful to know the best band and what area is open. I have
seen when the bands are open to Europe and then we have a solar activity at
which time I can see that Europe is closed.
Please let me know if you have any questions to w2arp at arrl.net.
73,
Bob, W2ARP

-- 
A. Robert Pantazes, CBT, Retired Broadcast Engineer from Broadcast Science.
E-mail address is W2ARP at arrl.net or robert.pantazes at gmail.com
Living in Paradise at:
314 SE 20th Place, Cape Coral, FL 33990.
Home Phone 239-800-3217 up till 9 PM.
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Amateur Radio Call is W2ARP, ARRL and Laurel certified Volunteer Examiner
for Amateur Radio testing (Extra Class). Chair Of the Technical Committee
of Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club, the South Jersey DX Association as
Treasurer  . Past President of Southern Counties Amateur Radio Association
(SCARA), Member of:ARRL, 10-10 Int, Chaverim of Delaware Valley, NAQCC,
Southern Counties Radio Association and the Cape May County Amateur Radio
Club, both are in NJ. Member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association,
Active in the SW Florida Traffic Nets..
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Member and Treasurer of Noah Lodge 357 of F&AM.
Vice President of the Fort Myers Camera Club.
Secretary of the Society of Broadcast Engineers Chapter # 90, Fort Myers, FL
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