Introduction A novel large-volume spherical proportional counter (SPC) aims at relatively large target masses with low threshold, low background, and possible particle identification, with an extremely simple and robust operation. Experimental In this paper, we present some progress on the study of such a kind of detector, with a prototype in Beijing for alpha neutron measurement and long-term running stability. Results Preliminary understanding was achieved with a SPC prototype. It can measure alpha and neutron and show the capability of particle identification. Long-term running of the detector shows that it is a good stable detector. Discussion It needs more tests and studies to reach lower energy region, better particle identification, more understanding of efficiency, etc. Conclusions The SPC, in principle, is capable of detecting very low energy nuclear recoils (in the few tens keV energy region) and smaller energy with lower pressure, thus being a very good candidate for rare event searches.