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| A shot of the loop with the "T" fitting |
I finally set things up to get WSPR up and going, so yesterday during the day and then into the evening I was WSPRing to see how my signal was getting out from the condo. Up to this point I have only used the Reverse Beacon Network or RBN which involved CW at 5 watts. I was not thrilled with the results and was really wanting to give WSPR a go. During the day I tried 10m and 20m I started out with 1 watt and in terms of WSPR that is some pretty high power. The antenna once again was the Alexloop in the horizontal position, at first attempt on both bands the Alexloop was indoors. It was not surprise that there were no spots at all it was time to move the loop out onto the balcony. Once setup I went back to 10m and it was about 2pm local time with no results again. I then jumped over to 20m and it was just U.S stations and very few I might add that received my signal. It was time to pack it in for the afternoon and some chores had to be done and I would get back on in the evening hours.
At 7 pm local time I was up and WSPRing on 40m and with great hopes as the band sounded good and I was decoding some WSPR DX such as EA3NEI. I once again was only heard in the U.S and this time I used up to 5 watts!! Maybe it was that conditions were poor out this way as they have been over the past week. Over the weekend if I get time I am going to give WSPR a go once again and see how it works out.
6 comments:
Hello Mike, I think something is blocking your signal. Like the building is absorbing it or so. Transmitting from within the building is of no use, that's clear. I hope you get better results over the weekend. I will try to WSPR as well. Not shure which band. I will keep an eye on the activity page of WSPR. Right now I'm quite active with JT modes. I'm still deciding if I stick with QRP for diimodes or not. All JT mode contacts I made in 2014 till now are with 5W or less!! 73, Bas
Good afternoon Bas, yes I full heartily agree that any indoor op's is out of the question. As for the antenna outdoors I am going to keep playing with it an see what happens. I don't give up that easily.
Mike
Hello Mike,
I think Bas is right. Something is blocking your signals. I know this problem for many years through my work in the telecommunications.
Here in Holland they use in new buildings invisible metalscreen in the glass of the windows to hold sun and heat outside. It also hold the radiosignals outside and of course inside.
With metal also in the concrete (concrete reinforcement) the building is become "an Faraday Gage"
There is only solution and that is bring your antenna outside the cage / building.
Did you already try to hold the loopantenna against the windows and see the results?
If that is working good, maybe you can also make on the windowframe a simple loopantenna.
Good luck and 73 Hans, PE1BVQ
Mike, I was just reading your antenna restrictions.
Did you try the Alexloop outside the building, for example in free space in a park or garden?
Be sure that your antenne is working properly.
73 Hans, PE1BVQ
Good evening Hans, thanks very much for taking the time to comment and great advice. I have not tried to put the antenna up against the window. I have had it out on the balcony and had so so results. I am happy with the outdoor with the results but would be nice to do better. I guess it is going to be trial and error to see the best place for the antenna on the balcony. Maybe I will find the sweet spot on the balcony.
Mike
Hans I have had the antenna out and about in parks in the past and have had great success with it. But having said that that does not mean there is not something up with it now?? The weather is cooling off again so I won't be bringing out to a park anytime soon.
Thanks again for the advice.
Mike
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