As part of a challenge for 2024, I've decided to see how many QRSS signals I could capture on the 28 MHz band during the year.
QRSS are very slow morse code transmissions where the dots and dashes are several seconds long and the signals are decoded by looking at a waterfall display on a screen rather than listening to the signal.
The QRSS signals are usually just below the WSPR signals on the amateur radio bands. This means it's possible to have your PC decoding WSPR signals up around 1500 Hz while you look at the QRSS signals about 500 Hz or so lower in the audio spectrum at the same time.
2024 #8 - OH5KUY... The 8th QRSS signal that I managed to capture this year was Ari, OH5KUY in Finland. Ari reports that he is running 1.5-watts into a C610 vertical antenna. His locator square is KP41DB.
The distance is from OH5KUY to my location is about 2437kms, an ideal distance for F2 layer propagation when the 28 MHz opens up to these northern latitudes.
Ari's signal was actually very strong for a QRSS signal and I had to adjust the volume settings on the radio because it was too strong compared to the rest. Most QRSS signals are buried in the noise and you get to see them only on a screen. Ari's signal by contrast was up to S4 here and it was a loud clear signal.
This is the signal in more detail. As you can see, something happened at Ari's location at about 13:52 to cause a slight rise in frequency. It's only about 4Hz but it can be seen.
That's the beauty of QRSS, you can actually 'see' the signal. You can see the frequency drift , you can see how the strength of the signal changes over time and you can see any unusual propagation effects.
With digital modes like FT8 and WSPR, you either get a decode or you didn't and if there isn't a decode, you're often not sure why. With SSB or CW, you're listening to an audio signal but it's what's happening here and now. You're missing those visual clues of QRSS which add so much more information.
The one that got away... It looks as if there was Sporadic-E on the band as well on the 17th. TF3HZ in Iceland popped out of the noise and I was all ready to get a nice screengrab but I lost it when I changed some settings on the SpectrumLab software. Lesson... screengrab first, adjustments later. Another day...
In summary... That brings the QRSS tally so far for 2024 up to 8-callsigns & 5 DXCC.
2) 10 Jan 2024: VA1VM
3) 15th Jan 2024: G0MBA - DXCC #2
4) 15th Jan 2024: G0PKT
5) 15th Jan 2024: AE0V - DXCC #3
6) 16th Jan 2024: RD4HU - DXCC #4
7) 16th Jan 2024: W1BW
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