Doug ZL2AOV writes in his report on the WARC February 2016 club meeting:
“QHUG members are expecting “a very active year” – Bernard ZL2BD made a Powerpoint presentation showing his summer work fitting out the fibreglass box with solid-state linears and power supplies, switching regulators to provide 230v DC, 24v and 12v DC for the various items, plus a solar panel regulator and wiring harnesses for the huge battery bank. Progressive testing is imminent – any noise problems will be dealt with as they arise. Other jobs to do are: complete the antenna switching and the SCADA software to operate remotely (SCADA = Supervisory Controller & Data Acquisition). Frank ZL2TTS has been working on this. Cooling circuitry also needs assembly and installation; the enclosure’s front panel will be modified for this. Noted that Ralph ZL2AOH is stepping down as QHUG treasurer after many years.”
At our 16 February meeting, James ZL2ET gave us an interesting talk on WSPR (pronounced “whisper”) and its applications.
Doug ZL2AOV summarised it as:
“James ZL2ET discussed the challenges and possibilities involved in low-power, very low-speed propagation testing. WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) is a computer-driven way to find out which bands are open, when and between what sites; it correlates this data and provides it on-screen.
“Using a presentation prepared by Steve Nichols G0KYA, James took us through the equipment needed: a computer with a sound-card to generate the slow-speed FSK used, a transceiver with accurate and stable frequency control, a source of accurate time (propagation paths are found by comparing accurate time slots of data), and an internet link to upload the data to a central repository for automatic analysis and dissemination. Viewers can see what’s going on by pointing their web browsers at www.wsprnet.org. The files can be analysed by band, time, and even by transmitter source … allowing insights into amateur radio DX prospects.
“Transmitters don’t want to be high-powered (maximum five watts is fine) and milliwatts is possible. A Raspberry Pi model B can be programmed to provide FSK on a preferred frequency at about 10 milliwatts out; an amp can push that to 100milliwatts and a tiny bandpass filter does the rest. Timing accuracy can be guaranteed using a wi-fi usb stick to synch to external clocks.
“The protocol provides for transmission of callsign, locator square, power output (in dBm) for 100 seconds, then listening for 120 seconds. Transmission is FSK, just six Hertz.
“The designer of it all? Professor Joe Taylor K1JT, well known for other innovations in digital modes. The system’s sensitivity is stated to be between 11dB and 15dB better than the human ear. That’s way better than using PSK31 and searching for the characteristic double-lines in the waterfall display!!!!”
