Inspired by VK3YE to try WSPR on the cheap (see this video) I downloaded the iWSPR beacon app to my iPhone and have been running some WSPR transmissions at 1 watt using my VOX enabled FT818 to my 100′ +/- end-fed wire up about 50 feet in a tree in the back yard. VOX means I don’t have to buy a cable but the noise troubles the dog. I now have a portable WSPR beacon for $3.99!

Next, I used wsprnet.org to track the action and http://wspr.vk7jj.com/ for its awesome data charting.

After a week of off-and-on transmissions on a number of freqs and at different times, here is an analysis of the compass bearings versus distance in my spots. Part of what I’m seeing is that there are very few spotting stations in the Atlantic Ocean and my antenna is definitely broadcasting well between 200 and 300 degrees as well as 50 to 100 degrees from my home QTH.

BTW, that far right, purple spot is DP0GVN in Antarctica with a -24 dB SNR spot on 80 meters! It’s off the map in the 2nd image.