Mode WSPR

WSPR: weak-signal propagation reports.

Group	Amateur: digital
Default frequency	14.0956 MHz
Default sample rate	2 Msps
In the mode list	Beacons, 14.0956 MHz

Step-by-step: Tutorial-WSPR

What WSPR is

WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) beacons run in two-minute slots and let amateurs measure how far low-power signals travel.

Frequencies and settings

Setting	Value
Start frequency	14.0956 MHz
Tuning range of the mode table	1 to 30 MHz
Sample rate asked	2 Msps
Lowest working rate	250 ksps
Channel width	3 kHz

OnAir takes any frequency you type; the numbers above are the mode's starting point and the range its table describes. In the app the shortcut label is Beacons, 14.0956 MHz.

What OnAir shows

WSPR propagation beacons in 2 minute slots, 14.0956 MHz.

The mode's own tab has these screens: Spots, Map. The other tabs (Overview, Receiver, Scan, History) are described on the Main window page.

Tips and caveats

• Checked with generated signals and impairments; recordings of real signals welcome.
• Which radio: An RTL-SDR can receive HF only in direct-sampling mode, which OnAir offers in its radio settings; results depend on the antenna. SDRplay and Airspy HF+ radios are better suited.
• Try it without a radio: most modes include a built-in synthetic test signal, so you can open the screen and try the controls first.
• Receiving and the law: Amateur radio signals are meant to be received. Receiving needs no licence in most countries; OnAir does not transmit. See Legal.

Related pages

• HF digital: FT8 and WSPR
• All modes, Amateur: digital
• Supported radios, Troubleshooting, FAQ
• More in Amateur: digital: FT8, FT4, FT2, JT65, JT9, Q65, FST4, MSK144, PSK31, JS8Call, RTTY, CW, SSTV, HamDRM, Olivia, Contestia, MFSK, THOR, DominoEX, Hellschreiber