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Current Feature Articles   Nov 06 Surfin': Homebrewing Today   Nov 05 DX the Hard Way   Nov 02 ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?   Nov 01 It Seems to Us: It Doesn't Just Happen   Oct 30 Surfin': Mapping Up   Oct 27 Amateur Radio Quiz: Assault'n Batteries   Oct 23 Surfin': Remembering the Woodpecker   Oct 22 The Amateur Amateur: A Soggy, Foggy, Doggy Demo in the Park   Oct 17 Youth@HamRadio.Fun: A Scouting Marathon   Oct 16 Pizza, Macaroni and a Cheeseburger ARRL Products: Technical, Electronics, and Communications Reference (More) ARRL's Low Power Communication -- Build and operate low-power radio gear-the QRP way! 3rd Edition. Power Supply Handbook -- Gain the knowledge and confidence you need to build and use power supplies. A must have for your bookshelf! The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications -- Now Shipping! -- THE standard in applied electronics and communications -- The BIGGEST Handbook EVER! MFJ 20-meter CW Cub Transceiver Kit -- Now Shipping! -- Enjoy countless hours operating this tiny high performance QRP Transceiver. The ARRL Antenna Book -- The ultimate reference for Amateur Radio antennas, transmission lines and propagation. Fully-searchable CD-ROM included. 21st edition.

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This week, we surf to a Web site that offers a new soundcard-based digital mode that will have you whispering.

WSPR (pronounced “whisper”), K1JT’s latest implementation of a digital soundcard mode, has quarters on the WSJT Home Page.

WSPR (pronounced "whisper") stands for Weak Signal Propagation Reporter, a program that implements transmitting and receiving for a digital soundcard mode called MEPT_JT, an acronym for Manned Experimental Propagation Tests by Joe Taylor, K1JT.

Thanks to Brad Noblet, WA8WDQ, for alerting me to WSPR, and wrote that "folks are hovering on 30 meters around 10.140.100 with this code to see how far they can get on mW power.' On March 26, Larry Putman, WB3ANQ, clocked 11,557 miles/18,600 km (Maryland to Perth) using WSPR with a mere 500 mW! For more WSPR successes, visit the MEPT Spot page, where folks are logging their WSPR/MEPT catches.

You can download WSPR here and get program instructions here. Make sure to visit the WSJT Home Page for software updates and other news concerning WSPR. Also, for some WSPR operating tips, see what K3UK, Andy O'Brien, has to say on the subject at here.

By the way, WA8WDQ "thinks this mode would be excellent for determining VHF propagation or better still, anything from 10 meters on up. It would be cool to see a nationwide network of these 'beacons' deployed."

Until next time, keep on surfin'!

Editor's note: Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, speaks softly, but carries a big virtual surfboard. To communicate with Stan, send him e-mail or add comments to his blog. By the way, every installment of Surfin' is indexed here, so go look it up.

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Next: AES Superfest a Super Success