If you haven't checked out WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) yet, you should. It's an open source program that you can download and install for Windows and Linux that is very simple to install and run. Using your sound card, it's very simple job is to send and decode beacons from other stations on the same band that are also running WSPR (pronounced "whisper") and upload the results to the internet database. The program can be downloaded from WSJT Home Page. Follow the instructions for setup and you'll be off and running in no time.
After you configure the initial parameters, don't forget to turn the power on your rig way down. The whole point of this application is to see what other stations can hear you and which propagation paths are open with as little power as possible. Today, I'm running 1 watt and have already compiled contacts all over the U.S. and even Japan on 20 meters. Tomorrow, I'll probably turn the power down even lower to 500mw! Make sure you turn off any Noise Reduction, Noise Blanker, and Notch Filter settings. I like to turn the Pre-Amp on and set the AGC to fast. After you let it run for a while, you'll notice the application start to list on it's screen the stations that it has heard. It looks like this:
This information is uploaded periodically to WSPRnet | Weak Signal Propagation Reporter Network where a database and map is compiled. You can query the site for your callsign to see who has heard you and display it on a world map at Propagation Map | WSPRnet.
This form of making contacts is pretty effortless, which kind of takes the fun out of it. However, it is amazing to see what can be done with so little power!
After you configure the initial parameters, don't forget to turn the power on your rig way down. The whole point of this application is to see what other stations can hear you and which propagation paths are open with as little power as possible. Today, I'm running 1 watt and have already compiled contacts all over the U.S. and even Japan on 20 meters. Tomorrow, I'll probably turn the power down even lower to 500mw! Make sure you turn off any Noise Reduction, Noise Blanker, and Notch Filter settings. I like to turn the Pre-Amp on and set the AGC to fast. After you let it run for a while, you'll notice the application start to list on it's screen the stations that it has heard. It looks like this:
This information is uploaded periodically to WSPRnet | Weak Signal Propagation Reporter Network where a database and map is compiled. You can query the site for your callsign to see who has heard you and display it on a world map at Propagation Map | WSPRnet.
This form of making contacts is pretty effortless, which kind of takes the fun out of it. However, it is amazing to see what can be done with so little power!
