WSPRlite Classic
Covers 630 m through to 20 m
WSPRlite users gain free access to Premium features of DXplorer.net (subject to terms below)
Michael G0POT reviews WSPRlite with DXplorer
Wondering how well your antenna works? WSPRlite with DXplorer will tell you...
The WSPRlite is a special test transmitter that sends a signal to a Worldwide network of receiving stations. When used with our web-based DXplorer system, it's a powerful new way to evaluate antenna performance. Going way beyond antenna modelling or antenna analyzers, this unique system allows you to see how your antenna is performing in its actual location and in real-time! This type of analysis has never been possible before.
- Click here for a range of handy accessories for your WSPRlite
- Click here for low pass filter options
Uses:
- antenna performance testing (great for contesters)
- compare antennas
- compare locations
- test beam antennas
- spot openings when you are out of the shack
...all in a way that has never been possible before!
Powerful simultaneous antenna comparisons with DXplorer Premium
Using a simple Windows or Android interface, you program the WSPRlite with your callsign, QTH locator. Once set up, the WSPRlite does not need the computer to operate. Just connect it to a USB power supply (e.g. mobile phone charger), press the "sync" button at the start of any even minute, and off it goes! WSPRlite will make regular transmissions that are automatically received by stations around the world. These stations send their reports to a central website where you can see where your signals are reaching within seconds. Even more fun is to leave your beacon running and monitors its performance using DXplorer on your smartphone or tablet. This is a great way to see how your station is doing when you are at work - or even on holiday!* Take a WSPRlite on your next business trip or cruise and see where it it being heard while you sit at the bar.
What makes our product unique is the ability to compare antennas and location. We use the WSPR data to generate a special metric, DX10. We recalculate your DX10 range (km) every 2 minutes. DX10 is a great system performance indicator! The best HF system will give the longest DX10 ranges. Because you can compare the DX10 ranges for two station in real-time, you can see which one is the best - and by how much. Along with real-time DX10 graphs we calculate a mean and maximum DX10 score for each station - very handy if you make changes to your antennas to see what the changes actually do!
For beam users we generate on-the-fly Great Circle maps that have colour-coded spot locations showing signal to noise ratios. If you are doing a comparison, you can easily see who got the furthest spots and who was strongest!
Specifications
40 x 50 x 10 mm
Beacon power: 200 mW (software configurable: 5 mW - 200 mW)
VSWR: better than 3:1 recommended
Maximum reverse power < 100 mW (power levels above this will damage the WSPRlite's USB chip)
Frequency range 630**-160-80-60-40-30-20m (external low-pass filter recommended below 10 MHz)
USB current: 150 mA maximum (5 Volts).
Antenna connector: SMA socket
Power connector: micro USB socket (lead supplied)
Hardware
WSPRlite is a self-contained propagation beacon transmitter. Once configured using a special Windows or Andriod app (third party LINUX and Mac support available at WSPRlite Facebook Group), WSPRlite only needs a USB power supply to operate (no need to tie up your computer). WSPRlite operates on 630**-160-80-60-40-30-20m. The unit contains filters for 30 m and 20 m operation. Operation on other bands requires band-specific lowpass filters. We can supply a kit with filters for 160-80-40m . WSPRlite has accurate digital power control over a 16 dB range to facilitate precise measurements of antenna performance differences. WSPRlite is a low power device at only 200 mW but because of the clever encoding of the WSPR signal it has the DX capability of a 1 KW SSB transmitter (80 W CW).
Software
The DXplorer website is designed to operate with WSPRlite. DXplorer provides you with antenna performance information and propagation information in a new easy-to-use format. DXplorer has been optimised for use on mobile devices. Use of DXplorer.net is free for any WSPR user but WSPRlite users access Premium facilities including detailed antenna comparisons.
Testing a beam? Let DXplorer show you how it's working
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Video - WSPRlite Flexi or Classic? How to choose?
WSPRlite Flexi and Classic compared at a glance:
Video - WSPRlite Flexi or Classic? How to choose?
Optional Extras
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Low pass filter kit - adds three extra bands to your WSPRlite 40m, 80m and 160m |
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Connect your WSPRlite to your antenna with a handy adapter. SMA-SO239 (UHF socket) |
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Connect your WSPRlite to your antenna with a handy adapter. SMA-BNC socket |
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SMA leads - various options BNC, PL259 etc. |
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Micro USB lead - has data support unlike many. Guaranteed to work with WSPRlite!
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New to WSPRlite and DXplorer? Why not join the WSPRlite Facebook Community to see what people are doing with theirs? It's a good place to get user-community support, share tips and experience. Note that SOTABEAMS does not monitor this group; always contact us direct for support. |
Credits
The WSPR propagation reporter system was conceived and devised by Professor Joe Taylor K1JT
DXplorer uses data freely provided by WSPRnet.org - our thanks to them.
We also thank the hundreds of people who operate WSPR receivers around the World - you make it all possible!
Notes
Our provision of DXplorer relies on free access to data from WSPRnet.org. DXplorer.net is provided “as is”. It is not a guaranteed service. It relies on access to third-party data over which we have no control.
*Check local regulations regarding unattended beacons.
**Check local regulations for 630m availability (not currently available in USA May-2017)
Config app tested on Windows 7, 8, 10 and Vista
US customers should operate in accordance with FCC Regulation Section 97.203
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DXplorer, WSPRlite and DX10 are Trademarks of ECS Ltd t/a SOTABEAMS. (C) ECS Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.
Instructions are available HERE!
Also available from our international agent(s):
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107 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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What an amazing little device
Now I can see how my various antenna designs perform. It's amazing how far 200mW will go. It was very easy to set up with Win 10 and ready to go within minutes.
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Little item, BIG results !
Probably the most useful tool in my shack, WSPRlite tells me all there is to know about my antennas. It also gives me a live image of propagation. I now have a very sharp and precise representation of the angles of radiation of my antennas, and they are very different from the preconceived ideas from the manuals ! Because there are so many factors that influence the radiation of a signal from an aerial, that make the WSPRlite an indispensable tool. It tells you where your the signal actually is heard, where it gets to, rather that what comes out of the antenna...!
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Worked perfectly - straight out of the box.
I had the WSPRlite setup and configured within a few minutes. The PDF instructions were easy to follow. I connected it to my garden long wire via an ATU and set the TX to 200mW on 30m. I had a couple of dozen 'spots' after just two 2 minute WSPR cycles, including 2 'across the pond', 4000km+ spots. Fantastic. I'm going to have a lot of fun experimenting with antennas, locations and propagation effects with this little beauty. I've been QRT for the last 25 years and this WSPR thing (together with a recently acquired SDR receiver) has rekindled my interest in amateur radio. 73s de G4VME
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money well spent
easy to use and fast to set up with in days I know I needed a better antenna put the new one up and could see it was 5x better so I would say buy one if youwant to see how you are getting out
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A brilliant tool!
This has been my first real foray into Low power digi-modes and I am amazed at the results which can be achieved. WSPRlite is extremely easy to use and is a great tool for checking propagation & testing various antennas. WSPRlite is clearly one of the best additions to my shack for quite some time!
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Couldn't be happier
What a fun antenna testing device, spots starting appearing very shortly after hooking up to my home made vertical leaving no doubt the vertical is working... Also gives me a view of how the band is looking from my part of the world. No problems at all setting up , a great antenna testing device for checking in real time.
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Great for antenna experimentation and comparison
I'm a relatively new ham, and for me the most fun is building and tinkering. Lately I've been experimenting with portable vertical antennas and the WSPRlite makes it very easy to compare the relative performance of the antennas. I typically let a run go for 3 days to get enough data over time to make some comparisons. It's not a scientific approach, but hey, I'm an amateur after all. I also purchased and built the low-pass filter kit so I can experiment with the lower bands as well. I highly recommend this device if you like tinkering with antennas.
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Excellent antenna comparison tool
The WSPRlite propagation and antenna tester has greatly assisted my setup and adjustment of recently installed antennas for the LF bands - 40-160m. For me, it will continue to be up will remain an indispensable test instrument.
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This thing is cool!
Once I got it configured and plugged it in to my longwire, I started getting useful data within hours!
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Smiles per Pounds This Wins
Amazing piece of kit. I'm an inexperienced operator and this was my first foray into the world of WSPR. I was a bit worried about set and getting it working but it couldn't be simpler. Very easy to set up and get going. Runs for days on a USB power supply and once set up you just leave it to to do its thing. Following the results though gets a little bit compulsive. Especially when you start getting those 10k Km spots. I'm still surprised at spots in the Falklands and Antarctic from Cyprus ! Once comment for mapping I prefer WSPRnet.org the coloured map is whole lot more visually appealing but for simple table use DXlorer is fine. Bottom line. Lots of hours of enjoyment for not a huge outlay.
