Like many, I like the idea of getting something for nothing.
This circuit was on the website of KE3IJ some years ago. I think the website is no longer there.
The same idea might even work with a microwatt beacon?
31 Dec 2023
Grandsons - NOT amateur radio
We have two grandsons in their mid teenage years. They grow up so fast. Of course when they get together they are as daft as can be!!
New Year Resolutions - NOT amateur radio
As 2023 draws to a close, many make resolutions for the new year ahead, as well a going on diets to try to loose some of the weight gained over Christmas!
The only thing that is certain is 2024 will have some surprises! I often try some resolutions but these usually fade away as the year progresses.
In many ways, the world has become more uncertain looking ahead. There are wars in Ukraine, Gaza for a start and growing tension over Taiwan. The USA seems to be losing its grip as a powerful world player and, of course, 2024 is likely to be an election year in the USA between two old men.
All I wish is that everyone can live in peace with each other and is able to be kind and happy.
10m QRPP 500uW WSPR TX (Sunday)
My 500uW WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 1012z. No spots .
UPDATE 1535z: Spotted in the Canary Islands again.
8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)
My 8m QRP 2.5W to the dipole was turned on about 1013z.
Via the QSL bureau I (unexpectedly) received QSLs from Slovenia and Croatia for 8m FT8. I shall QSL back direct .... although I shall have to make some cards first!
UPDATE 1335z: No spots today on RX or TX.
Sunspots - Sunday December 31st
Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 48. A=4 and K=1.
With the SSN at 48 I wonder if this is just a "blip" or the start of a long decline?
In the past "appliance operators" keen on working new DXCC entities have been too keen to abandon the higher HF bands. I hope with FT8 they will not be too hasty.
Often bands are open, but there are too few people on to enjoy them! Just listen on 27 MHz CB. My plan is to run 5W FT8 on several higher HF bands as an experiment as long as I am able. This will be a very good use of my tiny QDX transceiver.
30 Dec 2023
FT818 replacement?
There is much speculation that the now old FT817/818 Yaesu had been discontinued about a possible successor. When it was first introduced it had no competition. These days there are many competitors, so Yaesu may decide not to bother.
As a Yaesu fan I would consider a new Yaesu portable at the right price and with the right features. Sorry, but in recent years I think Yaesu has been reactive rather than proactive. They will have a tough time unless there are some "killer" applications.
Where my ancestors lived - NOT amateur radio
We can trace our family history back to about 1550 here continuously. We have one record in this area from the early 1400s. We were probably here thousands of years ago. This is Hope Cove in Devon.
6m FT8 QRP (Saturday)
Just a local spotting is me today so far.
UPDATE 1533z: 14 stations have spotted me. Some possible winter Es in evidence.
10m QRPP WSPR (Saturday)
My 500uW WSPR is on , but no spots today.
UPDATE 1130z: Already a spot of my 500uW in the Canary Is..
29 Dec 2023
Shetland sun - NOT amateur radio
10m QRPP WSPR TX (Friday)
My 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR TX has been on since 0800z. At 1010z, 4 spots already from the Canary Is by EA8BFK (2880km) and EA8/DF4UE (2876km).
6m QRP FT8
Lode Water Mill - NOT amateur radio
Friday plans
My 500uW 10m WSPR TX will continue and I shall continue on 6m FT8 as this was encouraging yesterday. I may try 8m later.
28 Dec 2023
10m QRPP WSPR TX (Thursday)
My 500uW (0.5mW) TX WSPR beacon is on 10m again, but no spots today at 0941z.
UPDATE 1714z: No spots all day.
6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
Looking at my Facebook memories today, I noticed that I monitored 6m FT8 a few years ago and was spotted by several stations by mid-winter Es. So, I have decided to try 50.313MHz FT8 with my 2.5W and V2000 vertical omni. At 0925z, just one G spotting me with a couple of stations received including a station in Brittany, France.
UPDATE 1224z: Several G spots of me. Best DX on RX was a station in Germany.
UPDATE 1500z: There looks to be some winter Es about. I have been spotted by 10 stations and have spotted stations on 6m FT8 as far as southern France.
UPDATE 1902z: 14 stations have spotted me including 3 in Scandinavia, presumably by winter Es.
630m QRP overnight
A disappointing night with just 6 stations spotting me. Certainly in the UK it was very windy and this may have put off some with high antennas.
27 Dec 2023
630m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)
At 1620z, my QRP 630m WSPR was turned on. As usual 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
UPDATE 2025z: 5 stations have spotted me. Furthermost PA0LSB/V (326km).
10m QRPP WSPR TX (Wednesday)
My 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR TX tests continue. Today, I was spotted by DF1VB (506km) . At this tiny power I have been spotted by 4 stations on 3 continents. I have been amazed by these results.
Winter jasmine - NOT amateur radio
630m QRP WSPR overnight
Ten stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR overnight. No great DX, but more active stations than I was expecting just after Christmas.
2200m activity
Apart from an unsuccessful test last year with my CW beacon, I have not tried TX this LF band. As my only suitable antenna is my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I am rather hampered with my poor health. It is this or nothing.
Some years ago, I made a video of my LF transverter.
At some point I must repeat my test with my 2200m CW beacon.
Rally on Thursday
The following rally is due to take place this Thursday. Check if travelling a long way.
Thursday Dec 28th - Sparkford Wireless Group Tabletop Rally in aid of RAIBC, West Camel near Yeovil, BA22 7QX. Contact wjh069@gmail.com .
26 Dec 2023
630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)
This evening, I expect to be on 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP from my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
UPDATE 1800z: In the last few weeks, the stations on the map have been spotted on 630m WSPR RX.
UPDATE 1824z: 6 stations have spotted me in the last 12 hours (see table).
8m QRP FT8 tomorrow (Wednesday)
All being well, I hope to be on 40.680MHz FT8 (DF about 1950Hz) with my 2.5W and dipole tomorrow (Wednesday). I should be on from just after breakfast.
Winter walk - NOT amateur radio (Tuesday)
On Christmas Day the weather was dull, but Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) was cold and sunny, so we went for a walk to burn off a few of the Christmas excesses. We walked around the village of Lode, near Cambridge.
10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR TX (Tuesday)
My 500uW 10m WSPR TX continues. EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted me twice today.
630m QRP WSPR overnight
My 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was spotted by 10 stations overnight with the furthermost SM6BOC (1054km).
25 Dec 2023
Pigged out - NOT amateur radio
Like many, I am getting over the Christmas feast.
Some are unable to feast this Christmas. Let’s hope 2024 brings peace and happiness to all.
War has no place here in the 21st century
On 630m QRP WSPR (Christmas Day)
My 630m QRP WSPR is currently active. As usual it is 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
UPDATE 2021z: I shall stay on overnight. 7 stations have spotted me today.
10m 500uW (0.5mW) TX WSPR (Monday)
After being received yesterday in the Canary Is on 10m QRPP WSPR by 2 stations, my 500uW beacon is on now, whilst Christmas dinner is prepared!
UPDATE 1057z: Already spotted today by EA8BFK (2880km) at 0836z. Amazing!
UPDATE 1722z: No further spots.
Very old photo 1838 - NOT amateur radio
Imagine if we had had photos 200 years earlier!
Sunspots - Christmas Day
Firstly a very happy Christmas to all readers. Solar flux is 183 and the SSN 113. A=9 and K=1.
24 Dec 2023
630m QRP WSPR (Sunday)
My gear (10mW ERP) was turned on at about 1730z.
UPDATE 1740z: 2 spots so far.
Shetland sun - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday's birthday celebrations - NOT amateur radio
It was relaxing day at home with the wind blowing outside.
10m 500uW WSPR TX (Sunday)
My 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR transmissions continue. So far today, no spots.
UPDATE 1223z: No spots.
UPDATE 1720z: 2 spots from stations in the Canary Is at 500uW (0.5mW).
40m QRP FT8
Yesterday I matched, using my z-match, the coax going to my 2m big-wheel antenna and was amazed by the spots. With 2.5W FT8 I was spotted by 255 stations including 2 in the USA.
23 Dec 2023
40m QRP WSPR (Saturday)
Just tried loading up the coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna via my z-match on 40m (7.074MHz). 18 spots of me already after about 10 minutes.
UPDATE 1612z: 24 stations have spotted my 40m QRP FT8 so far.
Born in a stately home - NOT amateur radio
So, I can truthfully say I was born in a stately home even though we lived in a modest council house at the time!!
30m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
UPDATE 1447z: Plenty of spots of me. It also loads up on 20m where my 2.5W is being widely spotted.
I think with this z-match, I can load up random wires and coax outers on most HF bands.
The map shows the 71 spots of me on 30m 2.5W FT8 by mid-afternoon. Oh yes, it works.
UPDATE 1552: Spotted by 125 stations on 30m QRP FT8 - too easy!
10m 500uW WSPR experiment continued (Saturday)
My 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR TX experiment is continuing.
UPDATE 1219z: No spots today.
UPDATE 1454z: Spotted in the Canary Is - amazing for 500uW WSPR!
Soldering - hard now
A few minutes ago, I was intending to go on 8m QRP FT8, but I noticed the high SWR.
The problem is the coax plug. I attempted to fix it, but the soldering is now so much harder, so I have stopped for now. I shall have another go after lunch.
This is a combination of poorer fine motor skills and eyesight. To think 50 years ago this would be so trivial!! I shall do it, but it takes longer nowadays.
Birthday - NOT amateur radio
My wife is cooking pheasant.
Conspicuous silence?
My speculation a few days ago about a possible successor to the FT-817/818 met with silence. I guess Yaesu is looking at ICOM, the KX2/3 and the Chinese and wondering if they should bother. If I was Yaesu, I'd be thinking twice.
They need to come out (if they do) with a "killer" QRP product that everyone wants with some very unique features.
On performance these last few years I have my doubts. They are capable of doing some excellent products, but seem to be floundering in recent years. At one time they were market leaders. Nowadays they are market followers trying to catch up.
630m WSPR overnight
In all, 10 stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground overnight.
22 Dec 2023
Low cost HF transceiver
I am slightly nervous of Chinese products as these may not have CE approval and might have import duty to pay. I also think the Chinese have some way to go on quality control.
630m QRP WSPR (Friday)
My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was turned on about 1650z. Just G8LCO (58km) spotting me so far.
UPDATE 1709z : G4FFC (45km) also spotting me.
8m QRP FT8 (Friday)
My 2.5W FT8 to the dipole was turned on at about 1015z.
UPDATE 1049z: No spots.
UPDATE 1545z: Spotted by MM0AMW (523km) on the Mull of Kintyre. I think this is a new person monitoring 8m.
Ely snack lunch
630m QRP WSPR overnight
8 stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground overnight.
Level crossing - NOT amateur radio
We cross this every time we go to Ely. It’s rare to be held up by a train. This time, we were held up both going to, and coming from, Ely. Years ago this was very uneven and this made our younger grandson laugh.
This train is probably bound for Felixstowe, which is a very large container port, probably the biggest in the UK.
10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR tests continues (Friday)
My 500uW WSPR TX is still on today. Just maybe, somebody will spot me?
UPDATE 1546z: No spots.
21 Dec 2023
630m QRP WSPR (Thursday)
My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was turned on at about 1615z.
UPDATE 1904z: 2 stations have spotted me. Last night I was on 160m QRP FT8, but this evening I am back on 630m QRP WSPR.
UPDATE 2130z: 4 spots so far this evening.
10m 500uW WSPR TX (Thursday)
My QRPP 10m WSPR experiment continues. At 1037z, no spots of me received.
UPDATE 1626z: No spots of me.
8m FT8 (Thursday)
My 2.5W 8m FT8 was turned on after breakfast.
UPDATE 1645z: No spots today. Now QSYed to 630m QRP WSPR.
160m QRP FT8 overnight
 |
| Stations spotting my 160m 2.5W FT8 |
Using my 2.5W 160m FT8 and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground I was widely spotted across Europe by 113 stations. On 160m FT8 RX the furthermost was K1ZM (5238km).
20 Dec 2023
160m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
For a change, I am on 160m QRP FT8 (2.5W) using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
UPDATE 1750z: 8 spots of my 2.5W FT8 160m TX already including Germany and Switzerland.UPDATE 2045z: 40 spots of my 2.5W FT8 this evening so far. Surprisingly effective.
UPDATE 2238z: 64 spots of me this evening so far with 160m 2.5W FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground (see map). It certainly works!
Ely - NOT amateur radio
The collage is of Ely Cathedral.
GQRP SPRAT
I have said this very many times, but if all other magazines had to close, I hope SPRAT would survive as it is filled with good QRP projects and news.
It is put together by volunteers and comes out every quarter as an A5 colour magazine. It is excellent value. Back issues are available on a flash drive. It is worth it for this alone!
It is my ethos entirely.
See https://www.gqrp.com/ .
2m activity contest (UKAC)
The results of this friendly contest have been published In the low power section I was 75th out of 172 using 10W PEP for less than an hour each time to the omni big-wheel antenna and the Cambridge Club was 37th (to which I give my points). This is one of the few occasions I use my voice.
10m 500uW WSPR TX test continued (Thursday)
My 10m WSPR RX beacon with the PA off is turned on.
UPDATE 1720z: No spots.
Old friends - NOT amateur radio
630m QRP WSPR overnight
Maybe it is because people are away from home for the Christmas/New Year holidays, but there were fewer spots on 630m WSPR than previously overnight.
FT-817/818 replacement?
Since before the peak of the last solar cycle (24), I have been speculating about Yaesu launching a replacement to the flagship FT-817/818 series. As most know, these are QRP, all band, all mode, portables. The same basic rig has been around since about the year 2000. Worldwide, it has been very successful.
The Facebook FT-818 user group and QRPer website talk about the FT-818 being discontinued. Yaesu has all the things it needs to do a good replacement.: an SDR RX architecture, DSP technology, LiIon battery packs, and auto ATU design, speech processing etc.. They could even use the same case!! It needs to be a market disruptor with unique selling points. The IC-705 has no auto ATU or 2m and 70cm bands. Could they consider a "killer" app that really makes people want one? It is also not a real handheld. My puzzlement is why has a replacement not appeared already?
There is a great danger of Yaesu missing the boat (yet again) as sunspots decline. This, as a QRPer, at the right price and spec, is the one rig I might consider for a trade-in. At the right price and spec, this could be Yaesu's saviour, but they need to launch very soon.
Does anyone have any inside knowledge? Spec, launch date, etc..
UPDATE 2055z: No inputs yet from anyone.
UPDATE 2110z: I took look at the Yaesu Japan website. All they could manage was the 2011 catalogue!! Does not fill one with confidence. If they want to make profits, you would think they would have a 2023 catalogue at least! Come on Yaesu - wake up!!
See https://qrper.com/2023/01/if-yaesu-designed-an-ft-818-replacement-what-would-you-like-to-see/
19 Dec 2023
630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)
My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR gear was turned on at about 1710z. So far, just one spot.
Lighter evenings - NOT amateur radio
Although here the mornings continue to get darker for a few more weeks, from tonight it starts to get lighter at night. By the end of the month it is about 9 minutes lighter. A corner has been turned.
Immediate plans
For a very long time, I have owned an SDR dongle. One of the things I really must do this next few weeks is to get this set-up.
My birthday is just before Christmas and my XYL (well actually me!!) got me a manual QRP ATU. I shall use this to try WSPR or FT8 on some different bands.
The USA in decline? No - NOT amateur radio
This appeared in The Knowledge today. This comes as a daily email using various sources for this news compendium. As far as I can tell, it is pretty neutral.
" Most Americans think their country is in decline,” says Fareed Zakaria in Foreign Policy. The share who are “satisfied” with the way the country is going has not risen above 50% in 20 years; today it stands at a miserable 20%. Donald Trump won in 2016 by capturing this mood and preaching “doom and gloom”. Now he’s at it again – three months before entering the 2024 presidential race, he released a video titled “A Nation in Decline”. The Biden administration isn’t much better, blaming decades of globalisation for “hollowing out” American industry and exporting manufacturing jobs. The suggestion is that poor old Americans need protecting with epically expensive subsidies and stiff tariffs. |
Yet for all the talk of “dysfunction and decay”, the reality is that American supremacy has never been greater. In 1990, US per capita income was 17% higher than Japan’s and 24% higher than Western Europe’s. Today, it’s 54% and 32% higher respectively. The US economy was roughly the same size as the Eurozone’s in 2008; today, it is nearly twice the size. Nine of the 10 most valuable firms in the world are American, up from only four in 1989, and the US is the world’s largest producer of oil and gas. As for the industries of the future, American AI startups have attracted six times more venture funding than their Chinese equivalents. Why don’t we hear more about any of that? If Washington keeps turning inward, tyrants will be emboldened and the rest of the world will suffer. The only danger to American dominance is the myth that it’s on the wane." |
Christmas food - NOT amateur radio
500uW 10m WSPR TX tests continued (Tuesday)
Today I decided to continue my 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR TX tests on 10m. No spots today at 0945z.
UPDATE 1527z: No spots today.
8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)
Yesterday was a surprise with 2 spots of my 2.5W QRP from the Caribbean. My QRP FT8 is already on 40.680MHz (at 0930z). Who knows what today will bring?
UPDATE 1555z: No spots. I get the feeling there will be no spots today.
18 Dec 2023
Reflections on 2023 and plans for 2024
Looking back on 2023, the stand-out things are my 8m QSOs with 2.5W and a dipole with stations in the Caribbean and my 0.5mW WSPR tests on 10m. At the moment, I have no firm plans for next year. What is clear is that I prefer WSPR and FT8. There are several reasons.
1. My voice is poor and it is a strain to talk.
2. DXCC was worked back in the 1980s with QRP SSB on 10m. DXCC is no longer a priority.
3. I prefer experimenting to just talking with stations.
4. One-way signals (looking on the internet to see when I am being received) are as important for me than two-way QSOs.
Everyone is different and I can totally understand that working DXCC and new countries is important to some. It is just that, for me, it is no longer important. When I was fitter going out in the wilds on 481THz or VLF was good fun. These days I try to do experiments from home.
United Ireland? - NOT amateur radio
It won't happen in my lifetime, but I can see Ireland and Ulster becoming united again at some point this century.
Power sharing has been suspended for 2 years because the DUP is not happy with the BREXIT deal. They are already the minority party. Over time, they will be even smaller as a result of the birth rate.
There will be some political fudge that ensures the Protestants in Ulster are safeguarded.
I have no strong views on this. All I want is peace and fairness for all.
8m QRP FT8 (Monday)
My 8m FT8 2.5W is currently on. No spots until 1330z (TX or RX).
As there is a small Es peak in mid winter, there is a chance of some European spots if there are people monitoring. I suspect there are fewer people monitoring at this time of year.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)
My 500mW WSPR TX beacon is on and has already been spotted by 4 stations. The best suggests I might have been copied with the PA off.
UPDATE 1123z: I have reverted to 500uW as it was too easy at 500mW!! 😄😄
UPDATE 1730z: No spots at 500uW.
630m QRP WSPR overnight
In all, 14 stations spotted my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. No astounding DX, but it works and is invisible to XYL and neighbours.
Christmas - NOT amateur radio
The photo shows the installation outside.
17 Dec 2023
481 THz testing
For some reason, my XYL laughs when this appears. As a geek, I cannot understand why! 😉
It is some time since I did any serious work at optical frequencies. With the dark evenings I really should try.
Lighter evenings - NOT amateur radio
Although mornings get darker for longer for a couple more weeks, the nights start to get a bit lighter from this week. This actually starts before the winter solstice here. By the end of January this is almost an hour more light in the evening.
Every season has something great. At this time of year it is drawing the curtains and enjoying the fire. Come summer I'd be watering the garden and cutting the grass!
Open house - NOT amateur radio
Just before Christmas,we like to have neighbours around for drinks and nibbles. It’s a happy gathering.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)
With 500mW (as opposed to 0.5mW) there is no problem in getting plenty of spots.. I think it was 16 stations today at the last count.
UPDATE 1705z: 30 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR TX today.
Giant millipede - NOT amateur radio
Imagine doing the weeding and seeing this!
16 Dec 2023
Where I was brought up as a child - NOT amateur radio
This is where I was brought up as a child. Salcombe, Devon.
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