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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Best gadget in my shack
This is an amazing tool for the study of propagation and antenna analysis. It works flawlessly. My 200mW was spotted in JA/SA/West Coast. Great product. Thank you.
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So dynamic and easy to use
What a powerful tool for analyzing one's antenna performance as compared to another on the same antenna farm or a friends Or simply to see if the propagation paths are open ! Kudos for a great product ! Steve KG5VK
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Does exactly as it's advertised
I am able to compare side by side now and Get an idea of how they compare. Since where I live is so electrically noisy, I can't test antennas by listening on them, so the next best thing for me is to put on a beacon and see how well they perform while transmitting. The WSPRlite has already shown me some antenna locations and setups that are adaquate versus really pathetic for the same antenna. The only thing that would make it absolutely perfect (but probably add too much to the cost) would be the ability to update the location on the fly for when I take it out in the field.
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Great product and support
I was very pleased to find there is a native Mac OSX configuration utility. Using that it could not be easier to set up the unit However it take a couple of weeks for shipping to the USA from the UK
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Ready to go in minutes.
The WSPRlite was delivered a day after order in the UK, build quality is good for indoor use. Make sure your USB lead is a data type and not just a USB power lead found with a lot of power banks or the unit won't connect to the computer for setting up your callsign, Locator and power and other settings. Once settings are programmed it can be used standalone via a USB power supply, I found the £1 power bank from the pound shop would deliver about 8 hrs of use and was surprisingly clean. Don't forget to activate the unit on an even minute and add 2 seconds 14:02:02 and so on. I've had great results, even on 5mW with no drift. Happy wspr'ing Rob. M0TFO
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Excellent portable stand alone , antenna tester,
A few weeks ago, a good Ham radio friend from UK, talked to me about that nice product, and even I have just tested it for a few days... , with my magnetic loop antennas , it is really unbelievable !!! With the MLA , inside my home QTH, I could be heard in 14 MHz band , with just 200mW , > beyond 2000 kms . I need to make many more experiments , but so far , it is really fascinating . And from now on , it will be a nice tool to validate my homebrew antennas. 73 , José Luis Very fast shipping service !
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Simple to use, great data
The WSPRlite is very simple to set up, and effortless to use. It conveniently runs on PC USB power, a battery, or cell phone charger. The companion website gives more detailed data than WSPRnet.org site, and enables easy comparison to other antenna setups. Overall, a great product evaluating antenna performance. Shipping to the US was a bit slow; it took about two weeks to arrive from the UK.
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Gotta Have One
That's what I thought when seeing the ad. Having it now for a week, it is really amazing for anyone who wants to know how they are getting out. Very useful for the QRPer and DXer to know which antenna to use and when. Amazingly low cost relative to the rest of the station.
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Excellent stand alone WSPR Transmitter appliance
I was very happy to wait the 30 days for my parcel to arrive from SOTA Beams HQ. It took 5 minutes to get it set up with a super easy GUI. 10 minutes later I had it plugged into my vertical and waited the right time to push the button. Now the excitement of seeing who is receiving my 200 mw. Wow it works and the premium subscription is nice. I sent julian OH8STN an email saying wsprlite is up and he flipped me back a screenshot showing reception in Europe. I was thrilled. This is a great piece of kit and a perfect item to push and go for antenna and propagation experiments. I added the Pico EFHW tuner and it fits into a little bag ready to go out in the field. It was a lot smaller than expected and due to its lightweight and simplicity an easy item to use and enjoy. Great job Team Sotabeams
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Fantastic little gadget !
I must admit, i was always put off of trying WSPR because of the fact that you had to tie up a PC and radio, but when i saw this little gadget , i decided to give it a try, and i'm glad i did ! After a quick 10 minutes setting it up on the PC, i connected it to a phone charger, checked the signal on my rig, and i was up and running, no pc, and no radio, completely self contained !! I use it for comparing my antennas, and i'm very impressed with the results. This is by far the easiest way to get into WSPR, and a great way to analyze HF propagation. Fantastic little device, and well worth the money !!
