Lets build a Compact Low Power Automated WSPR Monitoring Station (Part 1)

Image:  Current ZS1I test setup (Click on image for larger view.) 

As mentioned before I am busy gearing up for the next 6 Meter DX Season soon to open in South Africa. There is little to no activity in the Mossel Bay,  Southern Cape area where I live.  So why not create activity?  I decided to embark on "The ZS1I - 6 Meter Magic Band Project in the Southern Cape Area of South Africa".  I am currently getting my equipment ready for this venture.  

Now one need a few handy "tools" to assist you in "playing" on the 50 Mhz band.  In future articles I will explain what I am using and how I set it all up.  Apart from a radio, computer, firmware, antennas etc.  I was looking for an easy and relative cheep way to spot openings on the 6 Meter band and also to monitor WSPR signals.  The setup must be fully automated and be able to send spots to WSPRNET.  Another must have was the function to use a Telegram phone alert bot that pushes an instant notification to my smartphone the exact millisecond the monitor intercepts an opening on 6 Meters.

Now what is a Compact Low Power Automated WSPR Monitoring Station?

An automated WSPR Monitoring Station is a compact, low-power radio receiver setup. It listens for specific Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) radio signals transmitted by amateur radio operators globally.

Image:  Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W  (Click on image for larger view.)

Here is a breakdown of what it is and what it is used for:

What It Is

• The Brain: A Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W microcomputer running automated listening software like rtlsdr-wspr or WSJT-X.
• The Operation: It runs 24/7, automatically tuning to specific radio frequencies, decoding digital WSPR signals, and uploading the data to the internet via Wi-Fi.

What It Is Used For

• Atmospheric Testing: It measures how well radio waves travel through Earth's ionosphere at any given moment.
• Antenna Benchmarking: It helps operators see how well their antennas perform by checking if their signals can reach your station.
• Space Weather Tracking: It monitors how solar flares, sunspots, and day/night cycles affect global radio communications.
• Data Crowdsourcing: It automatically uploads reports to WSPRnet, contributing to a live, global map of radio propagation.
• Catching Band Openings: It acts as an early warning system, instantly detecting when changing atmospheric conditions suddenly allow signals to travel thousands of kilometers on a previously "dead" frequency. 

Here is how the system works from the antenna to your phone.

Image:  RTL SDR Receiver V4  (Click on image for larger view.) 

1. Recording the Spots

• The Radio: Your SDR dongle constantly listens to a set radio frequency (like 14.0956 MHz for the 20-meter band).
• The Software: Digital software on the Pi cuts the audio into strict two-minute windows.
• The Decode: The software processes the audio to extract the caller's call sign, grid square, and signal strength.The Local Log: Every successfully decoded message is instantly written to a local text file called ALL_WSPR.TXT.

2. Sending Spots to WSPRnet

• The Upload: Right after writing to the local log, the software uses your Wi-Fi to bundle the data.
• The Network: It sends an automated internet request to the central WSPRnet database.
• The Map: Your station’s data joins thousands of others to update global propagation maps in real time.

Image:  Telegram Bot  (Click on image for larger view.)

3. Connecting Smartphone Push Alerts (Telegram)

To get instant alerts when a specific distance or rare call sign is logged, you connect a custom script to your log file:

• Create the Bot: You message @BotFather on Telegram to create a free bot and get an API Token.
• Get Your ID: You message @userinfobot to find your personal Telegram Chat ID.
• Monitor the Log: You run a lightweight Python or Bash script on the Pi that actively watches (tails) the ALL_WSPR.TXT file for new entries.
• Trigger the Alert: The script checks each new line. If it meets your criteria (e.g., a signal from > 5,000 km away), it sends a web request to Telegram, and your phone buzzes instantly. 

Beneath is a few decodes on 40 meters run with the current test setup: 

 

Images:  Decodes  (Click on image for large view.

I have ordered a few "goodies" that will be used to complete the project.  In Part 2 we will be looking at the setup and use of the WSPR Monitoring Station.  I will also look at setting up an automated band monitor for FT8. Very similar to the WSPR Monitoring Station except that we need much more processing power and a wider bandwidth.  More on this in a future posting.

Update: The ZS1I - 6 Meter Magic Band Project in the Southern Cape Area of South Africa. (Part 2)

Image:  AI  (Click on image for larger view.)

My mind has been filled with many projects that I would like to construct in the next few years.  Only time will tell if this will be possible as many unforeseen things can happen that prevent me from completing projects.  Now one of the projects that I work on from time to time is the 6 Meter Magic Band Project in the Southern Cape Area of South Africa.  Read more HERE about this project.

I have been reading every single day to gain as much knowledge and information as possible on the various projects that I am busy constructing or putting together.  What a great privilege to still have good health and eye sight  that makes reading and learning possible.

Awhile ago I completed the 6 Meter CW Beacon but it is still not on the air.  One reason for this is I will have to relinquish other RF radio systems to ensure that I have optimal "conditions" in and around the shack for 6 Meter operations.   I also need to use current antenna poles to install 6 Meter antennas.  I need to remove the 2 Meter antenna pole to be used for 6 Meters. 

Be as it may my brain runs in "overdrive" when it comes to amateur radio ideas and projects.  I came up with the following question:

Which mode, CW or WSPR is better for a 6 meter magic band project? The ZS1I 6 meter magic band project for amateur radio involves building or using equipment (radios, antennas) to exploit the unique, unpredictable long-distance propagation (Sporadic-E, F2 skip, Aurora) on the 50-54 MHz frequency, offering both short-range VHF and surprise HF-like DX (long-distance) contacts, often using simple DIY antennas like halo loops or Moxons for great results and rewarding challenges. Projects focus on maximizing these propagation modes, especially during peak seasons like summer (Sporadic-E) and solar maximums (F2).

I was interesting to find out what mode will provide the "better"  outcome taking into account the local factors in the Southern Cape and the equipment I will be using to achieve ultimate success with the 6m project.

I decided to call on AI to answer my question: 

"The question of whether a WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) beacon or a traditional CW (Morse Code) beacon is "better" for the 6-metre band (50 MHz) depends entirely on how you plan to monitor the band and what equipment you want to use.

---

Direct Comparison

Feature	WSPR Beacon	CW Beacon
Sensitivity	Superior (Decodes down to -28 to -31 dB SNR)	Inferior (Human ear cuts off around -10 to -15 dB)
Required Equipment	Radio + Computer/Interface or dedicated digital transmitter	Just a standard receiver (and your ears)
Reporting Network	Automated logging to WSPRnet	Dependent on the Reverse Beacon Network or manual logs
Bandwidth	Ultra-narrow (~6 Hz per signal)	Narrow (~100-200 Hz)
Time to Results	2-minute fixed transmission cycles	Instantaneous identification

---

Why WSPR is Better

• Extreme Weak-Signal Decoding: WSPR is specifically designed to dig deep below the static. It can decode signals as low as -31 dB SNR. This allows you to spot micro-openings or tropospheric ducting paths on 6 metres that a human ear scanning a CW frequency would completely miss.

• Set-and-Forget Automation: When you leave a WSPR beacon running, automated listening stations worldwide upload the data directly to WSPRnet. You can pull up a live map on your phone or PC to see exactly where your 6-metre signal is landing without relying on anyone manually copying your Morse code.

• Ultra-Low Power: Because of its heavy forward error correction (FEC), you can run a 6-metre WSPR beacon on just a few milliwatts to 1 Watt and still get spots thousands of miles away.

Why CW is Better

• Instant Band Awareness: 6 metres is known as the "Magic Band" because it can open to sporadic-E propagation instantly. WSPR takes exactly 2 minutes per transmission cycle to decode. If you are actively sitting at your desk waiting for a band opening to make contacts (like FT8 or SSB), listening to a cycling CW beacon provides immediate auditory confirmation the second the band pops open.

• No Computer Required: You don’t need an interface, software (like WSJT-X), or precise GPS time-syncing to use a CW beacon. You just spin the dial to the 50.000–50.100 MHz beacon sub-band and listen.

• Indicator of Communication Readiness: If you can hear a CW beacon with your ears, the band is open enough to support live, two-way human communications (SSB, CW, or FT8). WSPR signals can be decoded even when the path is too weak to support a normal conversation.

---

The Verdict

• Choose WSPR if your goal is long-term propagation research, antenna testing, or seeing if a path exists when the band appears "dead".

• Choose CW if you are an active operator waiting to jump on the radio the moment 6 metres opens up for live voice or Morse code contacts."

Many modern beacon builders actually combine the two by setting up a transmitter that alternates—sending a 2-minute WSPR cycle followed by a brief CW identification so that both digital systems and human ears can utilize the signal!

There you have it.  I will have to make a decision as to whether I will be going the WSPR or CW "route".   The decision is quite simple.  

AI makes it easy: 

"Operating from KF15BT (located in the beautiful but radio-isolated Southern Cape region of South Africa, near Mossel Bay/George), you are uniquely positioned for long-distance DXing via interesting propagation modes, but you face the classic "lonely ham" problem. Because there is little to no local 50 Mhz activity to keep the band warm, you must rely entirely on automated "triggers" to tell you when a long-distance opening is happening. 

Given your excellent gear (6 Meter Yaesu Radio, Moxon, Delta Loop) and your homebrew Arduino/ESP32 hardware, digital modes (specifically FT8 for contacts and WSPR for monitoring) are absolutely the way forward. 

Here is the exact strategic blueprint for conquering the "Magic Band" completely solo from your grid square.

The Strategy: Digital over CW

    • The FT8 Reality: 95% of global 6m DX hunting is concentrated on 50.313 MHz (FT8). If the band opens from South Africa to Europe, South America, or up into Africa, those stations will be parked on FT8 waiting for signals. 

    • The Problem with CW: If you sit and text CQ on CW, no one will hear you unless their beam is pointed directly at KF15. Most European or DX stations leave their rigs automated on FT8 overnight or during the day to catch rare openings. "

For raw technical performance and automated global tracking, WSPR is vastly superior. However, for real-time human monitoring and instant "radio-in-hand" notification of sporadic-E band openings, CW beacons remain highly essential."

These last three lines is the crux of my question and answer. I will be using WSPR which is vastly superior and will hopefully provide the best outcome for the project. Along the way I will however also make use of CW. Time to get to work!

Is this possibly the end of the road for the ZS1I AllStar RF Link on 145.550 Mhz in Mossel Bay?

Image: AI (Click on the image for larger view.)

Is this possibly the end of the road for the ZS1I AllStar RF Link on 145.550 Mhz?  For the time being the ZS1I AllStar RF Link on 145.550 Mhz in Mossel Bay has been switched off and will not be available until further notice.

The following reasons are being presented as to why this decision has been taken:

1.  The 145.550 Mhz RF Link is solely being used by yours truly in and around the household.  Running at 25 watts output power this is a waste of RF energy and unnecessary stress on equipment.  To those that do not talk but listen (gooi varkoor) unfortunately you will have to find another source to listen.

2.  I have the following radio equipment running every day in the shack.

• DMR Repeater
• WSPR Beacon
• 2m RF Simplex Link
• 6 cm CW Beacon
• 70 cm RF Simplex Link (at times when necessary)
• 2 x WiFi Routers
• 5.8 Ghz AREDN Node 

I am getting ready for the 6 Meter "Magic Band" Season that will soon commence.  I want to keep RF levels in and around the shack as low as possible.  This will entail switching of other RF radio equipment that does not get used regularly.  

3.  I have indicated before that I want to concentrate more on DMR and 6 Meter Operation. Well the time has arrived for just doing that.  Unfortunately I will have to relinquish other systems to ensure that I have optimal "conditions" in and around the shack for DMR and 6 Meter operations.

4.  I also need to use current antenna poles to install 6 Meter and 70 cm antennas.  I will therefor remove the 2 Meter antenna pole to be used for 6 Meters.

5.  The current EMI / Ground Level Noise is running quite high in the shack due to various outside factors.  I need to lower this noise factor and need to eliminate the source of this noise if possible.  I will use the process of elimination to hopefully solve the high noise level. 

6.  I intend using separate TX and RX equipment for 6 Meters.  Power output will also differ depending on the mode of communication.  I do not want to run any equipment that is not being utilized regularly.  I will run all equipment from solar power, hopefully noise free!

There you have it.   Will the ZS1I AllStar Hub in Mossel Bay still be available and operational for use by radio amateur?  YES, it will work as before, just without the 2m RF Link on 145.550 Mhz.  I will monitor the running systems and might utilize the 145.550 Mhz RF Link again in future when the need arise.

#8 - Amateur Radio News and Announcements (18 August 2026)

1.  Reminder:  Do tune into the DMR-ZA Net this evening at 19h30 SAST

Herewith a list of different equipment / apps and images that cross transmit / receive the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening. (Click on images for larger view.)

1.  ZS1I 49355 AllStar Hub Network which incorporates Echolink. (ZS1I-R)

2.  DMR / DVSwitch /AllStar Bridge (TG 65522)

3.  ZS1I MMDVM Digital Repeater (TG 65522)
1.  Reminder:  Do tune into the DMR-ZA Net this evening at 19h30 SAST
4.  145.550 Mhz Analogue Simplex RF Link Mossel Bay area.

5.  DroidStar / VoxDMR Applications for DMR  TG655

6.  ASL3 to Mumble Bridge PC (Mumble Client) as well as Mobile Phone (Plumble Client) 

7.  BrandMeister - Hoseline Application (PC or Mobile Phone - Receive only.)

8.  DVSwitch Mobile Application (PC or Mobile Phone)

9.   Many Analog-Repeaters and Links are connected to the ZS1I Hub Network on a daily basis.  Some of these analogue repeaters will be connected to the ZS1I Hub Network on a Tuesday evening and they might also be linked to other repeaters country- and world wide.  So why not link up with your local analogue repeater.  You might just be able to connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST. 

Finally:  There are an abundance of means illustrated above to connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST.  The DMR-ZA Net is an open net and all radio amateurs are welcome to join / connect to the net.  Brian ZS5BR is the net controller and I would like to thank him for professionally conducting the net each Tuesday evening.  Highly appreciated!! 

2.  Earthquake - On 10 August 2026, at 07:34 a.m. local time, a magnitude 7.4 (Mw) earthquake struck western Colombia.

The death toll continued to rise past 200 in western Colombia after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake shook towns and cities on Monday the 10th of August, causing nearly 2,000 buildings to collapse and injuring nearly 3,000. It was the strongest earthquake to strike Colombia in 100 years and came only weeks after two earthquakes shattered Venezuela.

Members of the [Liga Colombiana de Radioaficionados -- LCRA] have deployed
alongside the Colombian Red Cross to provide communications support in the wake of the Earthquake Disaster.

In Colombia, the [LCRA] uses the International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 (IARU R2) frequencies for emergency communications, as follows:

80 m: 3985 kHz
40 m: 7060, 7240, and 7275 kHz
20 m: 14300 kHz
17 m: 18160 kHz
15 m: 21360 kHz
2 m: 146.520 MHz (simplex)

PLEASE steer clear of these frequencies.
 

3.  Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur, Fourth Edition

We are pleased to offer the fourth edition of the Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur (EOP). This edition incorporates the latest developments and best practices in the field of amateur radio. We believe these updates are essential to upholding the high standards of amateur radio and ensuring our community remains at the forefront of technological innovation and ethical operating practices. 

IARU Region 1 President's Statement:

IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE and a strong sense of responsibility that we present this new edition of the Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur – the first edition of our second century. For one hundred years, the IARU has supported the spirit of amateur radio: international friendship, technical progress, and service to the public. Today, more than ever, the way we behave on the air shows the values at the heart of our world-wide community.

This new edition is based on the well-respected work created more than fifteen years ago by two experienced radio amateurs. However, it is more than just a revision. It has been fully rewritten, clearer, more useful, and closer to the realities of amateur radio today. It is for everyone: experienced operators and newcomers alike. It gives us a shared basis for communication that is respectful, helpful, and enjoyable. In a time of fast technical change and global challenges, high standards are important. They help us protect our access to the spectrum and keep a positive image of amateur radio around the world.

Amateur radio is one of the few hobbies that crosses borders, languages, and cultures. This is a privilege, and it brings a duty to act with respect, patience, and courtesy. Our Code of Conduct reminds us that every contact is not only a technical exchange. It is also a reflection of who we are and what we share.
This unity did not happen by chance. During a century that saw wars, political conflict, and division, the I A RU has survived because it has kept world politics off the air. Many times, there were reasons – sometimes strong – to bring the conflicts of the moment into our work together. Each time, we chose not to. I believe this is one of the main reasons we have lasted one hundred years.

I encourage every radio amateur to read these pages, to share them, and to follow them. Let us set a good example, not only for other operators today, but for the radio amateurs of the future.

We have just completed one hundred remarkable years. Here is to the next century of respectful and responsible communication!

Sylvain Azarian F4GKR
President of the International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 

Please feel free to download any version and to give a copy to your friends, newcomers and old-timers alike. Don’t forget, this is NOT a document for newcomers only, and this is not a document for DXers only. It is a document as well for old-timers and DXpeditioners.

Download file HERE (PDF)

4.  Vyf ná byna drie dae uit sneeubedekte Drakensberg gered

Vyf mense is vroeg Donderdag uit die noordelike Drakensberg gered nadat swaar sneeu, stormsterk wind en ysige toestande hulle dae lank in uiters moeilike omstandighede gestrand gelaat het.

Lees meer HIER 

5.  Ham Radio is in the Toilet - Pete N6QW 

 

Some 60 years ago Ham Radio had young people joining the hobby. Now the median age is greater 65. At that same time, it was a technical hobby. Now its dumbed down to contests and operating. 

QST and the Handbook are nothing compared to what they used to be.

ED.  Pete N6QW is well known for his participation in the "Soldersmoke Podcast". Personally I think he has made some very valid comments which some like and others do not like.  Be as it may there is some real food for thought in this video!! 

6.  Ham Radio's Worst Invention - The SWR Meter.

Mark the Ham Florida Man explores common misconceptions regarding SWR meters and standing wave ratio in ham radio setups. This demonstration explains how these devices measure directional traveling wave power at specific points in a transmission system and clarifies how impedance mismatches affect meter readings throughout an antenna installation.

 Further reading:  What Your FWD/REV SWR Power Meter Is Actually Showing

7.  Introduction to DMR: The Four Wheels on the Car

DMR asks new users to understand codeplugs, timeslots, talkgroups, and networks before they’ve even keyed the mic — and most guides bury that in jargon before you get near your first contact. This piece cuts through it with one idea: DMR is like a car, and those four concepts are its four wheels. Get all four turning and you’re on the air; skip one, and you’re not going anywhere. Part 1 of Tommy’s Guide to DMR builds that mental model — no gear list yet, no codeplug, just the four ideas you need before any of the rest makes sense.

Read more HERE 

8.  Winlink Tells You What Happened. APRS Tells You What’s Happening.

Two Tools, Two Jobs, and Why Most EmComm Plans Only Cover One

Winlink is the digital mode of record for emergency communications, and it has earned that standing: its forms library is why served agencies can file, route, and audit what we hand them. But forms are retrospective by design. They tell you what happened, in a shape somebody can defend later. They cannot tell you what is happening while you can still do something about it, and most EmComm plans carry no second tool that does. This is a long look at APRS as the missing half of that capability: what it does beyond dots on a map, why it keeps working when the internet doesn’t, where its bridge to Winlink quietly breaks, what the research says about why ICS was never built to produce situational awareness in the first place, and why the ARRL’s own ARES Plan names situational awareness in its mission statement without naming a single tool that provides it. It’s long. The short version is that reporting and awareness are two faces of one coin, and most plans are carrying only one of them.

Read more HERE