WSPR on 432MHz

[VK5ZD]

Hi all

Just for something different, I'm going to run WSPR on 432.489MHz (dial frequency) for a while.
I have a horizontal beam I could use but, since it is quite directional, I've opted to use a vertical antenna for now.

73
Iain

[VK3DXE]

Now THERE's a test for frequency accuracy and stability.

I'd be interested to see how things go on 70cm. It might prompt a few more people to look at frequency accuracy of their rigs. I know mine would be at least 35Hz low up there. The biggest issue though is the Icom drift at the start of each TX period.

[VK5ZD]

Now THERE's a test for frequency accuracy and stability.

I'd be interested to see how things go on 70cm. It might prompt a few more people to look at frequency accuracy of their rigs. I know mine would be at least 35Hz low up there. The biggest issue though is the Icom drift at the start of each TX period.

I have one of the VK3XDK/VK3HZ XRefFT boards in my FT-897 locked to a 10MHz Rubidium source. Keeps it fairly close to the correct frequency.

73
Iain

[VK5AKK]

Greetings all,
Doing some tests at the moment. My Icom 475H with Icom Hi stab osc is 1Khz low and still drifting after 3 hrs warm up.
As the 70cm band is not catered for in the software, when looking for spots uploaded select band "ALL", and be quick before it scrolls off the screen.
Iain can you confirm your Tx frequency and I assume that it is locked.
Cheers
Phil
VK5AKK

[VK5ZD]

Hi Phil

Iain can you confirm your Tx frequency and I assume that it is locked.

My TX is 432.490540, locked to a rubidium source.

73
Iain

[VK2KRR]

Ive run tests with VK3JTM before on 1296 WSPR, was not much of a drama except for aircraft signals all over the place.

Iain, I would run a test with you on 432 but your over the far side of the hills and need some good tropo to pick things up before I can hear you.
Maybe next time it picks up on 2m WSPR and I can decode you, we could give 432 JT65 a go, even 1296 if you like. I think Keith VK5AKM would also be up for this.

[VK5ZD]

Hi Leigh

It's nice to actually chat from time to time. I've put my 70cm WSPR on the beam pointed your way. I'll leave it there for the next 24 hours or so.

73
Iain

[VK2KRR]

Righto Iain, I will monitor now and then.

[VK5ZD]

Still on 70cm but back on the vertical antenna. I'm also using a home brew GPSDO (still a work-in-progress) as the reference for my transceiver. The output from this is not quite the same as my rubidium oscillator (about 5mHz difference near as I can tell) but close enough to suggest it's working OK.

73
Iain

[VK2KRR]

Iain,

Are you getting any spots on 432?

If so where are you logging them?

[VK5ZD]

Hi

As far as I can tell, there are only three local stations on 70cm (myself, VK5KK and VK5AKM). Doing a query on the wsprnet.org database (using callsigns) confirms that we're only hearing each other. It's a pity the web site doesn't allow selection of bands above 2m so you can see if anyone else if even listening.

73
Iain

[VK2KRR]

OK Now I see !

Thats good, but as you say, not real good that we cant select a 432 MHz map to see whats going on, or a 1296 map etc.

I might try see what I can do. Have you sent an email to WSPRnet webmaster? Thats probably what I will do. It surely wouldn't be hard to allow another map option for 432 MHz.

[VK5ZD]

Hi

Since there's not much happening on 70cm I've moved back to 2m.
I might try again when conditions improve. I did send a message to the wsprnet.org site owner (W1BW) about allowing selection of bands above 2m but didn't get any response.

73
Iain

[VK2KRR]

Iain,

I wouldn't mind attempting 70cm JT65 with you this morning if your around, maybe even 2m and 23cm.

Likewise for other VK5's if interested

[VK5ZD]

Hi Leigh

I've got no antennas up at all right now
In the middle of moving everything to a new tower.

73
Iain

[VK2KRR]

Oh! OK thats why your not on 2m map, didn't pick a good weekend for the move
I wonder why the antenna move?

[VK5ZD]

Hi

I wonder why the antenna move?

Because the new configuration works a little better...

Using horizontal beam pointing east.

73
Iain

[VK2KRR]

How about, if stations running 432 WSPR, we put a 7 at the end of our callsigns ? (indicating 70cm of course)

Eg VK2KRR7 or VK5ZD7.

But keep WSPR program data with 144.489 dial freq etc. Seen as though they have yet to implement 70cm map and database, those stations on 70cm would still show up on the 2m map but with a 7 behind their call. That way others can still see whats happening on 70 via the 2m map.

We could write a note on the WSPRnet site to advise. That may help show that there are people out there that would like to see 70cm map implemented etc.

Had a request from VK5AKK to run 70cm WSPR occassionally, so we might look at something like a 70cm hour from 7pm sounds catchy. Or perhaps 8 - 9pm would work better. Might need some feedback from those wishing to test 70.

[VK2KRR]

Myself and Phil VK5AKK and Andrew VK3BQ and maybe others will be running 432 WSPR from 8 - 9pm this evening if anyone is interested.

On 432.489 dial.

[VK3BQ]

Leigh and myself. I'm in my verticle in the backyard.

432mhz.