01-12-2020, 10:52 AM
Hello & Welcome everyone!
The time has gone 0000 UTC on the 1st of December 2020, thus see's the beginning of the VK/ZL Summer 6m & 2m WSPR Leaderboard Challenge for 2020/2021!
The band is seemingly quiet today, but it can often catch you unaware. Not to worry, there is two months ahead where anything could happen and it usually does.
Following up on my previous post, where we needed more stations or beacons using 6m & or 2m WSPR to help us to get a better idea of the propagation coverage for the Challenge.
- A big thank you to the VK8 Amateurs - to the Alice Springs radio club for setting up a TX only 6m WSPR station. You wont see it on the map unless someone decodes it, but it is running. Its very QRP, but you dont need a lot for WSPR. Also I have noticed a number of VK8s showing up on 6m WSPR from the top end around Darwin etc. I think there is also a TX only station in Darwin area too, someone may like to confirm that?
- From VK4 camp - There is a TX only station in Cairns I believe, again you wont see this unless someone reports it. Lloyd is often running VK4TVL in Townsville. There have been a few stations noted on the VK4 central coast, thats great, a few more wouldn't hurt. Great representation around Brissy etc too.
- In VK6 - Surprisingly there have been a number of stations on the 6 & 2m Maps from around Perth and the SE corner, thanks guys. I think Ive seen VK6HV on 6m WSPR from the NW of VK6 which is great, I hope he has 2m? No one in Kalgoorlie or Esperance at this stage, it was a long shot, if you know someone there that would be amazing.
- In VK5 SE area - I've not noticed or heard of any stations running with any reasonable dedication down there which is a shame, if you know someone there get in touch and see what they can do. As for Ceduna and Camerons Corner well... we can dream.
- I should add in here - New Zealanders! There is some good stations in the north, but we could really do with some operators on the south Island particularly of course on the west coast or somewhere with a view to the west would be really great.
I will be trying to keep a tally/table of the leaderboard results as best I can, this will be the same format as last year, EXCEPT im going to trial making the table TOP 20, rather than top 10. There are many more stations involved now and it would be good to showcase a few more of the fine paths that people come across. A Top 20 means more work for me, but will give it a go and see what happens. I'll try and update at least once a week.
As per previous years there will be tables for the maximum distance in both TX and RX. And also for two-way spotters. The Two-Way Spotters table I think I can include any operator from around the Australian area, ZL etc. But for TX and RX paths, I usually base the paths on VK callsign searches as its the easiest way, so its usually VK to where ever, ZL etc. I will attempt to include ZL into these searches and see how it goes.
Note that distance really needs to be worked out with 6 digit grids, so where possible, make sure your 6 digits are set up on the software and WSPRnet. There is no need to send 6 digit grid on the WSPR software though (ie type 2 msg) so only send type one messages still, the software and WSPRnet will do the rest if set up right. Some that I see with 4 digits or incorrect grids, false decodes, I will simply have to estimate the correct location myself or not include the paths at all. I wont have time to muck about. I'll do my best.
WHO ARE OUR RAINING LEADERBOARD LEADERS ?
- 6m BAND - TWO WAY REPORTS - JIM VK3II (Overall 111 reports)
- 6m BAND - TX DISTANCE - JIM VK3II (RX by JH1GYE 8343 km)
- 6m BAND - RX DISTANCE - JIM VK3II (JH1GYE 8343 km)
- 2m BAND - TWO WAY REPORTS - ALAN VK3DXE (Overall 91 reports)
- 2m BAND - TX DISTANCE - DAVID VK2DVM (RX by VK6NI 3102 km)
- 2m BAND - RX DISTANCE - PHIL VK5AKK (ZL1SIX 3174 km)
Will we see some new leaders this season? time will tell.
Enjoy the next 2 months, have fun and marvel at the results that you and others may achieve. I dont really class this as a contest or competition, although some may, but its really some social friendly fun and becomes an overview of what the propagation provided for us and is something to look back on in years to come to compare different seasons etc. Its also a great tool for learning about propagation and your station performance. Also, when the band opens up, feel free to QSY, have a QSO and say hello to others you wouldn't normally be able to talk to on air, especially on 144 MHz Sporadic E or 50 MHz International paths! (think big!)
First Leaderboard update coming soon.
The time has gone 0000 UTC on the 1st of December 2020, thus see's the beginning of the VK/ZL Summer 6m & 2m WSPR Leaderboard Challenge for 2020/2021!
The band is seemingly quiet today, but it can often catch you unaware. Not to worry, there is two months ahead where anything could happen and it usually does.
Following up on my previous post, where we needed more stations or beacons using 6m & or 2m WSPR to help us to get a better idea of the propagation coverage for the Challenge.
- A big thank you to the VK8 Amateurs - to the Alice Springs radio club for setting up a TX only 6m WSPR station. You wont see it on the map unless someone decodes it, but it is running. Its very QRP, but you dont need a lot for WSPR. Also I have noticed a number of VK8s showing up on 6m WSPR from the top end around Darwin etc. I think there is also a TX only station in Darwin area too, someone may like to confirm that?
- From VK4 camp - There is a TX only station in Cairns I believe, again you wont see this unless someone reports it. Lloyd is often running VK4TVL in Townsville. There have been a few stations noted on the VK4 central coast, thats great, a few more wouldn't hurt. Great representation around Brissy etc too.
- In VK6 - Surprisingly there have been a number of stations on the 6 & 2m Maps from around Perth and the SE corner, thanks guys. I think Ive seen VK6HV on 6m WSPR from the NW of VK6 which is great, I hope he has 2m? No one in Kalgoorlie or Esperance at this stage, it was a long shot, if you know someone there that would be amazing.
- In VK5 SE area - I've not noticed or heard of any stations running with any reasonable dedication down there which is a shame, if you know someone there get in touch and see what they can do. As for Ceduna and Camerons Corner well... we can dream.
- I should add in here - New Zealanders! There is some good stations in the north, but we could really do with some operators on the south Island particularly of course on the west coast or somewhere with a view to the west would be really great.
I will be trying to keep a tally/table of the leaderboard results as best I can, this will be the same format as last year, EXCEPT im going to trial making the table TOP 20, rather than top 10. There are many more stations involved now and it would be good to showcase a few more of the fine paths that people come across. A Top 20 means more work for me, but will give it a go and see what happens. I'll try and update at least once a week.
As per previous years there will be tables for the maximum distance in both TX and RX. And also for two-way spotters. The Two-Way Spotters table I think I can include any operator from around the Australian area, ZL etc. But for TX and RX paths, I usually base the paths on VK callsign searches as its the easiest way, so its usually VK to where ever, ZL etc. I will attempt to include ZL into these searches and see how it goes.
Note that distance really needs to be worked out with 6 digit grids, so where possible, make sure your 6 digits are set up on the software and WSPRnet. There is no need to send 6 digit grid on the WSPR software though (ie type 2 msg) so only send type one messages still, the software and WSPRnet will do the rest if set up right. Some that I see with 4 digits or incorrect grids, false decodes, I will simply have to estimate the correct location myself or not include the paths at all. I wont have time to muck about. I'll do my best.
WHO ARE OUR RAINING LEADERBOARD LEADERS ?
- 6m BAND - TWO WAY REPORTS - JIM VK3II (Overall 111 reports)
- 6m BAND - TX DISTANCE - JIM VK3II (RX by JH1GYE 8343 km)
- 6m BAND - RX DISTANCE - JIM VK3II (JH1GYE 8343 km)
- 2m BAND - TWO WAY REPORTS - ALAN VK3DXE (Overall 91 reports)
- 2m BAND - TX DISTANCE - DAVID VK2DVM (RX by VK6NI 3102 km)
- 2m BAND - RX DISTANCE - PHIL VK5AKK (ZL1SIX 3174 km)
Will we see some new leaders this season? time will tell.
Enjoy the next 2 months, have fun and marvel at the results that you and others may achieve. I dont really class this as a contest or competition, although some may, but its really some social friendly fun and becomes an overview of what the propagation provided for us and is something to look back on in years to come to compare different seasons etc. Its also a great tool for learning about propagation and your station performance. Also, when the band opens up, feel free to QSY, have a QSO and say hello to others you wouldn't normally be able to talk to on air, especially on 144 MHz Sporadic E or 50 MHz International paths! (think big!)
First Leaderboard update coming soon.