Hello all

[VK3FDT]

 I have had a brief look at the newer digital modes like WSPR, JT65 etc,   and for me I  just find them like contest modes,  which is for me boring, some of the best contacts I have enjoyed were very weak CW and also SSB where you need to work harder for the QSO,
 it's much more satisfying, but then that's only my opinion

Hi Dave,

I think your in the Geelong area so your QTH would be OK to my direction as long as there are no close by hills to your NE.

Regarding WSPR, its not a QSO mode, but a beaconing mode. A number of operators use it to keep track of the tropospheric and ionospheric propagation conditions and keep the shack alive and monitoring even if we are not available in the shack, we can then monitor the WSPR database from the shed, back paddock or at work, others can do so from all around the world if their interested in observing whats happening in our area. They do say use it or loose it which is where many of the upper ham bands are heading due to the complacency of many operators (or non-operating licence holders maybe we could call them). 

WSPR is the most sensitive mode and has many other logging and mapping advantages etc, and is great to discover paths that would otherwise not have been thought possible by using more conventional methods. Radio's do have to be rather frequency accurate and stable though to get the most out of it.

I personally also use 2m WSPR to look out for potential paths which may become workable on SSB voice, as are most of the guys. When the WSPR signal levels reach a certain strength we know that we can switch over and catch a voice QSO if we so desire. I dont bother with JT65 or other QSO modes unless its completely necessary and cant be done via voice modes.

Like the others, hope to hear you on air sometime. And yes, a lot of licence holders go into hibernation in winter as they think propagation only exists in the summer, but this is not the case. You will find more activity from about November to March for sure.

 I use the KST Chat pages when available in the shack (and sometime out of the shack), the Region 3, 144 MHz page mostly http://www.on4kst.com/chat/start.php

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 I have had a brief look at the newer digital modes like WSPR, JT65 etc,   and for me I  just find them like contest modes,  which is for me boring, some of the best contacts I have enjoyed were very weak CW and also SSB where you need to work harder for the QSO,
 it's much more satisfying, but then that's only my opinion

Hi Dave,

I think your in the Geelong area so your QTH would be OK to my direction as long as there are no close by hills to your NE.

Regarding WSPR, its not a QSO mode, but a beaconing mode. A number of operators use it to keep track of the tropospheric and ionospheric propagation conditions and keep the shack alive and monitoring even if we are not available in the shack, we can then monitor the WSPR database from the shed, back paddock or at work, others can do so from all around the world if their interested in observing whats happening in our area. They do say use it or loose it which is where many of the upper ham bands are heading due to the complacency of many operators (or non-operating licence holders maybe we could call them). 

WSPR is the most sensitive mode and has many other logging and mapping advantages etc, and is great to discover paths that would otherwise not have been thought possible by using more conventional methods. Radio's do have to be rather frequency accurate and stable though to get the most out of it.

I personally also use 2m WSPR to look out for potential paths which may become workable on SSB voice, as are most of the guys. When the WSPR signal levels reach a certain strength we know that we can switch over and catch a voice QSO if we so desire. I dont bother with JT65 or other QSO modes unless its completely necessary and cant be done via voice modes.

Like the others, hope to hear you on air sometime. And yes, a lot of licence holders go into hibernation in winter as they think propagation only exists in the summer, but this is not the case. You will find more activity from about November to March for sure.

 I use the KST Chat pages when available in the shack (and sometime out of the shack), the Region 3, 144 MHz page mostly http://www.on4kst.com/chat/start.php

Hello Leigh,
                   Yes I'm in the Geelong area,    and okay about wspr.    My 4 el yagi is vertical at this stage,   it gets me into a Melb repeater where I'm monitoring Easypal  digital video mode,   so I will need to go horizontal for SSB,  I could build another yagi, and I have room to add another element,  or I might find horizontal still gets into the repeater.   I have no idea what would be an acceptable power output for SSB,  I know Peter  VK3YE runs successful QRP 5 watts, but he is also  very experienced and knows where to be at the right time.   my output power is only 25 watts,  I'm using an old TR9130,  I suppose my yagi could be giving 7db gain, as I'm told it booms into the repeater using my 4 watt handheld.   I have been considering getting the FT857 which is all mode HF, VHF, UHF , that way when I go portable I only need to take one rig, but it's only 50 Watts VHF. anyway I do hope to hook up with you and others in the near future.

   73        Dave VK3FDT