UPDATED: ZS1I WSPR Beacon now active on 10 Meters from Mossel Bay, Southern Cape, South Africa

(Click on the image for larger view.) 

UPDATE 19 April 2026:  The ZS1I WSPR Beacon frequency was changed back to 40 Meters.  The standard 40-meter WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) beacon dial frequency is 7.0386 MHz (USB/dial) or 7.0401 MHz (dial). The actual WSPR signals are transmitted in a 200 Hz window, typically placing the center of the transmissions around 7.0401 MHz, using USB mode.

The current WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) beacon is set up to transmit low-power signals to monitor global radio wave propagation paths over extended periods, providing data to visualize which radio bands are open and how they are performing

. It's used by amateur radio operators to study atmospheric conditions, test antennas, identify optimal bands for communication, and contribute to a global database of propagation information without requiring manual operation.

I have decided to change the Band / Frequency of the WSPR Beacon currently in operation from Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape.  It was running on the 40 Meter band from  7 October 2025 @ 10h00 SAST to the 15 April 2026 @ 08h00 SAST.  From the 15 April 2026 09h00 SAST it will be transmitting on the 10 Meter band until further notice.

Particulars of the ZS1I Ultimate 3S Beacon active on 10 Meters:

• Call: ZS1I
• Freq. Band: 28.126 000 Mhz
• Dial Freq. :  28.124.600
  
• Band:  10 Meters (28 Mhz)
• Grid:  KF15BT
• Power:  250 mW
• Mode: W-2  (WSPR2)
• Antenna:  EFHW (49:1 Balun)
• TX Period:  Every 10 Minutes
•  Beacon on the air from:  15 April 2026 @ 09h00 SAST
  
•  First Spotter:??????  (Who will it be?)
  

Spotting reports are welcome for 10-meter WSPR beacons, as this band is frequently active and highly dependent on daily propagation changes. WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) is frequently used to test HF antenna performance at low power (e.g., 200mW to 5W), with reports uploaded globally. 

How to Spot and Report 10m WSPR

• WSPRnet.org: The primary database for all WSPR spots. Data can be analyzed in real-time.
• WSPR.rocks: A fast, interactive site for searching WSPR data.
• WSPR Watch (iOS App): Useful for monitoring where 10m beacons are being heard in real-time.
• PSK Reporter: An excellent tool to visualize real-time propagation maps and see who is hearing your beacon.
• 10m Frequency: WSPR 10m activity is usually found around 28.1246 MHz (USB dial frequency).

Key Considerations for 10m WSPR

• Propagation: Even when the 10m band seems quiet for voice (SSB), WSPR can show open paths, particularly as the sun moves toward solar maximum.
• Timing: An accurate clock (GPS-synced) is essential, as transmissions start 1 second into an even UTC minute.
• Reporting Frequency: Even very low power (10mW - 20mW) can yield significant DX on 10m.

Finally:  I am looking forward to receive spotting reports of the ZS1I 10m WSPR Beacon active from Mossel Bay, South Africa. 

 

Nico ZS4N visit Mossel Bay for a well deserved Amateur Radio Holiday!!

The title of this article might seem odd to many radio amateurs but through the years when my brother in law, Nico ZS4N visit me we have a tradition which dates back to the early 90's.  We play amateur radio when we get together.  The XYL's and Juniors do their own thing but we play "Draadjie, Draadjie" as the XYL's call it when we get together.  This time it was no different.

Through the years we played radio from:

• Rhodes - Rally and Mountain Excursions
• Drakensberg Mountains - Daily Amateur Radio Excursions
• Barkley East - General Amateur Radio
  
• Aliwal North - General Amateur Radio
• Bloemfontein - SARL AGM, General Amateur Radio and Weather Chasing/Photography
  
• Mossel Bay - General Amateur Radio
• Buffalo Bay, Knysna - Amateur Radio Holiday Excursion
  
• De Rust - Mobile VHF Simplex Experimentation between Mossel Bay and De Rust
  

 Amateur Radio Activities during this latest visit:

• HF Mobile Operation - Screwdriver Antenna
  
• VHF / UHF Operation - Repeaters, Nodes and DMR Repeater
  
• 6m Experimentation with the newly constructed Delta Loop Antenna.  Thank you to Fred ZS5SAM/1 in Barrydale for making all the effort to assist with the experimentation using a 4 Element Yagi and 100 w on 6 Meters.
  
• Homebrew Construction - 49:1 Balun 100 watts - Constructed by Nico ZS4N.
  
• HF Rag Chewing - Yaesu FT450 and Yaesu FT817
  
• Erecting and setting up an HF  Field Station - Rally Trap Antenna / Linked Dipole for 20, 30, 40 and 80 Meters (Link Dipole = 20 + 30 Meters.  Rally Trap = 40 + 80 Meters)  Homebrew Traps using 25 mm PVC former and RG174.
  
• Check all antennas - prune and tune - when necessary - EFHW Dipole Antenna
  
• Playing with a variety of amateur radios, repeaters, nodes, links etc. - ZS Link Network
  
• Antenna Experimentation - EFHW + Delta Loop + Rally Trap + Linked Dipole - 5 to 100 Watt
  
• 6 Meter Beacon Demonstration - Southern Cape New Generation Beacons
  
• Looking into setting up a ProxMox Server - Amateur Radio Dell Server
  
• Traditional Family Braai to "celebrate" the "Draadjie, Draadjie DX-Pedition and Homebrew Indaba" - Family Gathering and Birthday Celebration
  
• Next "Play Amateur Radio" Event - Who knows with the new price of Petrol??
  

Thank you to all the radio amateurs who assisted with all the experiments and also to those who returned our CQ Calls.  Highly appreciated!!

To us amateur radio is not a Hobby but an Obsession when we get together.  Thank you Nico for visiting and for playing amateur radio in Mossel Bay.  We had a ball of a time and I trust that we will continue the "tradition" of "playing" radio every time we get together. 

Images:  Click on images for larger view.

Jakobus ZS1JDJ becoming an avid Homebrewer and DIY'er.

Above Image:  His biggest and most challenging project relates to the uBitx HF Radio that let smoke out.  Read more HERE on how he fixed it!

Jakobus ZS1JDJ became a Radio Amateur in  October 2024.  From the onset he showed an interest to learn as much as he could about amateur radio.  He wanted to get into homebrewing to build as many projects to setup an efficient station which includes several DIY Projects.  A few weeks ago he visited me in the shack.  Well that's when the flame really started burning.  I assisted him in obtaining more knowledge and experience and this resulted in the projects depicted below.  However he showed plenty of interest and eagerness to learn as much as possible.  With every visit to my shack he learn more and more. 

I am convinced that Jakobus will one day become an experienced radio amateur and homebrewer.  I wish him well in his amateur radio en-devours in the future.

Images:  (Click on images for larger view.)

Above images:  2m Tape Measure Antenna

Above image and video:  70 cm Tape Measure Antenna

 

Above Images:  EFHW Dipole Antenna, 49:1 Balun, Field Station Heuning Klip and the view from the ZS1JDJ Station. Low noise floor and tranquility are bonuses.

 

Above Images:  Future project - Fixing an old Motorola Micom X HF Radio.  Never be afraid to use pencil and paper to make notes and drawings while homebrewing.

 

Above Image:  Homebrew DC Power Brick using Power Pole Connectors

 

Above Images:  Jakobus constructed a Baofeng and QYT KT-8900D cable to program both radios from this one cable.  Well done, Jakobus!!