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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Works well - Easy set up
This is my first venture into wspr - the little box really really does what it says - software is super ... tells you what you need to know...only took a few minutes to set up...works off a phone charger no problem. Being heard in USA and Canada each day using 200mW and an old Cobwebb antenna...will order the low pass filters very soon and try the lower bands.
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Incredible !
WSPRlite is such a great product! It took a bit of patience to get an order placed as they sell like hot cakes but I managed to be around at the right time and then purchased 2 of them plus the LPF kits. Shipping to the USA was very quick even with the Christmas holiday. I was upset not to get the included sweets that the UK folk get :) WSPRlite set up was a breeze, and I was amazed at where my signal was being heard! This is a fantastic product and can't wait to test other antennas. Like all Sotabeams products, it's well constructed with clear instructions and won't disappoint! Thanks Sotabeams! 73 de Ian W6TCP (G4YUZ)
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It just works
It only took a few minutes to set up and then I was on 20m WSPR. I ran it for a few days then swapped to 30m. It was interesting to see the difference between the two bands using the same broad band dipole. The best is over 3,000km (VK2 to VK6) on 200mW. I can't wait to see what happens on the other bands once my low pass filter arrives.
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small, light and works so well
That is a really usefull item. Easy to setup and work with. I used it to compare antennas and locations and also the varying conditions during the day. So many different applications for that product. And you do not only get a nice item, you also get great support from Sotabeams.
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So small, So light, So works well
No trouble at all to set up. Within minutes was being heard over 2000 kilometres away on 100mW. I have been using WSPR on and off for a few years with my main HF rig so was wondering how this would go. Fantastic, that's how
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WSPR at 200 mW -- Wow!
Fantastically useful device for determining band conditions. I was heard in South Africa on 30m! Unfortunately, because of the maldistribution of WSPR stations and their varying standards it's not easy to determine antenna patterns. However, I've had lots of fun observing propagation of 80m through 40m. Well done.
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Light and simple to operate
Great service from Richard, arrived next day took it out the packaging, connected USB lead then programmed in my call and locator, made sure I was on 20m, checked antenna swr with rig expert used www.time.is for the time check and it showed the same as my phone, waited for an even minute hit the button and away it went simple... Unfortunately would not work with either of my battery packs kept shutting down but knew there could be a problem with these (I read the instructions) also a small USB 3 pin mains socket adapter gave a hell of a hum when checking on the 817 so swapped this out with a brand new iphone charger plug I had spare and worked a treat and tone sounded good on the 817. Amazing how far you are heard on 200mw..... [Admin - we love customers who do read the instructions. Thanks!]
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Super portable WSPR Beacon!
Thanks to the SOTAbeams crew for developing this neat little device. A great addition to any shack! (at an affordable price!) Please find my full review to the WSPRlite here: https://k5acl.net/2016/12/15/wsprlite-wspr-beacon/ 73
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What a great piece of kit !
I was lucky to get a unit on the second batch - it arrived quickly, but I had a short holiday booked, so couldn't put it on air right away. Decided to build a 20m dipole in the loft and test that as a first effort, so go that set up and tuned then set up the WSPRLite - it's easy to use and the instructions are clear (I used an iPhone app to get accurate internet time, which seems to work fine) So far my three day test is two days in, and I have about 145 spots from Moscow to Chicago. Will test up my 40m dipole (made from 2 mobile whips) as soon as I can rig up a low pass filter. It's an excellent product, and great fun to use !
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Excellent, Functional Product and LOTS of Fun!
I was pleased to get the WSPRlite quickly. I read the instructions and programmed it without any problem. It is very easy to program and operate. I immediately put the WSPRlite on the air on 20M on one of my end-fed wire antennas and anxiously awaited the results. Within minutes I had stations all over the US reporting. Then over a period of a few hours I had stations in Europe, Japan, Hawaii and Australia reporting. All on 200mW. My longest distance has been 14,912 km, or the equivalent of 74,560 km/watt (46,600 mile/watt), all on a short end-fed! I am hooked! I'm as giddy as I was on my first CW contact as a Novice back in 1975. I've been pulling out all my portable antennas I use when hiking and backpacking, testing most bands 20M - 80M. If I have to leave the house I make sure I have this up on the air on a new band/antenna combo so I can watch the reports throughout the day. This is one of the best investments and most useful tools I've purchased in a long time. And it's a ton of fun to use and research with. Thanks for another great product from SotaBeams! 73, Charlie K0CKH
