8m 10mW ERP WSPR (Friday)

 As I have been away, I only returned to 8m WSPR TX under ISM rules (10mW ERP complying with IR2030) this afternoon.  I am currently doing some local tests, although my dipole antenna is faulty and needs replacing. Until this is fixed I am not expecting to be copied.

10m 500uW WSPR (Friday)

 As I have been away for a few days I have only just returned to QRPP 10m WSPR this afternoon. So far already 68 spots of me by EA8BFK (2880km).

6m F2?

When sunspot numbers and solar flux numbers are high, there is always a chance of the F2 MUF reaching 6m or even higher.  I remember some years ago hearing 6m SSB stations from South Africa and the USA just like locals. At the time I just had a wire dipole.

Shrinkflation - NOT amateur radio

 Instead of putting prices up just make things smaller and hope the consumer does not notice. Yesterday I bought a chocolate bar. In 1996 it was 62.5g. Now it is 51g. This happens with so many things.

Bristol footbridge - NOT amateur radio

This footbridge was erected in 2017. It is in Bristol,UK and is very elegant curving as it crosses the water. 

Sunspots - Friday April 26th

  Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 199. A=3 and K=2.

Clifton Suspension Bridge - NOT amateur radio

 This was one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s greatest projects.

Wells Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

 

Wells is one of the finest cathedrals in England.

Sunspots - Thursday April 25th

  Solar flux is 199 and the SSN 283. A=4 and K=1.

HF propagation

At the moment, we are meant to be on the downward slope of cycle 25, although in the last few days, the solar flux and sunspot number have been very high. Even if sunspot numbers are declining, solar conditions will be good for several years. 

One useful tool is https://prop.kc2g.com/ (see map) which shows how good the MUF is across the world.

Echolink

Many times I have tried this, but found distant repeaters  as quiet as the local ones. With access from a PC or phone, I guess it is a way to still enjoy the hobby ....as long as someone is there to talk with! There are "non-ionosphere" alternatives like Hamsphere and CQ100. I personally have found these unsatisfying, but you may think differently.

See https://www.echolink.org/ .

8m monitors?

With my 8m station using only a low dipole, I suspect that stations need to be quite strong to be spotted here on FT8. Compared with the better stations with beams and more height, I guess I am probably 10dB down. On FT8 this means they will often spot stations I cannot.

Also, with the same power on 6m (2.5W), I can usually be spotted across England on 6m, whereas I struggle on 8m. One of the issues is there are too few people monitoring on 8m compared with 6m.

Nonetheless, I intend to experiment with 10mW ERP 8m WSPR this Es season as this will (hopefully!) show what is possible with a very simple system. 

10mW ERP could be generated by a Raspberry PI, I think.  It probably needs additional low pass filters to ensure compliance with IR2030.  At this power everyone in the UK could have a go without a TX permit as long as ISM rules are followed. I cannot comment on the rules within the EU or elsewhere.

Wells, Vicars’ Close - NOT amateur radio

 This has been the home of vicars for 650 years.

Low cost QRP SDR transceiver

Yet again, I am puzzled how they do this for the price. 

Just over £193 pays for a 5W all mode SDR transceiver. You pay a little more for shipping. This is a lot less than an equivalent Japanese transceiver.

There is a shake-out coming. Expect the Japanese to be facing stiff competition from low cost manufacturers. 

China may not be the source in the future as Chinese wages creep up and costs become higher. Canny manufacturers will be on the look-out for countries that can make things for less.

Once again this is via AliExpress.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 24th

  Solar flux is 219 and the SSN 282. A=8 and K=0.

Close call - NOT amateur radio

The oars of this rowing boat narrowly missed this swan.

Thank you - NOT amateur radio

On my blog is a link to buy me a virtual cup of coffee. This is entirely voluntary. 

However, very many thanks to those that have donated. Any money generated will go towards future projects/research. 

My wish is that you all have as much fun as I have had on your journey through the hobby. I have particularly enjoyed finding out new things and experimentation.

Two things : The journey is more important than the destination (learn from your mistakes) and you can have lots of fun without spending much.

Celebrating our son’s birthday - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we celebrated our son’s birthday. This was my main course.

Sunspots - Tuesday April 23rd

  Solar flux is 227 and the SSN 283. A=8 and K=2.

Pixie transceivers

These are still available at rock bottom prices on eBay. 

I have built versions for 80m amd 40m and had QSOs with each. With something this simple there are compromises. The RX, in some cases, lacks selectivity and can be overloaded by strong broadcast  stations. Nonetheless they do work and they are hard to beat for the price.

The cheapest I have seen is £1.35, which is less than the price of just 1 part if bought in the UK!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/8040m-pixie-and-micro80-transceivers .

Spring in our close - NOT amateur radio

 Spring has arrived in our close.

How do they do it?

Looking on Ali-Express, they sell a Quasheng uv-k5 (8) dual band 5W hand portable for £13.51, with free airmail shipping. 

Both Ali-Express and the original manufacturer, I presume, make a profit!  

I just cannot see how they do it. It is made in the Far East, shipped by air across the planet and easily cloned I am told.

Sunspots - Monday April 22nd

 Solar flux is 217 and the SSN 283. A=19 and K=2.

Ickworth NT last week - NOT amateur radio

 

This is the famous rotunda with wild flowers in the forground.

8m ISM WSPR (Sunday)

Shortly, I shall be turning on my 10mW ERP  8m WSPR under ISM rules on 40.680MHz USB dial. 

This means my QRPP WSPR will be about 1450Hz higher. I am not really expecting any spots as I have yet to sort out my antenna. 

I shall ask locals to check I am getting out.

UPDATE 1436z:  No spots.

10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR (Sunday)

My QRPP beacon has been re-synced to Internet time, but no spots yet.

UPDATE 1437z: EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted my 500uW 10m WSPR 10 times so far today.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

12 stations spotted my 10mW ERP on 630m WSPR overnight. No real DX.

70cm UKAC activity contest results

You would not exactly say I am a contest nerd. One thing is certain: guess who will never win! If I come half way up the table I'd be very pleased!

I like to submit an entry into the activity contest even though I stay on very little time, use 10W SSB and a 2m big-wheel omni antenna. In the low power section I am 43rd out of 70, which is not bad.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=432MHz%20UKAC&year=2024 .

Sunspots - Sunday April 21st

 Solar flux is 210 and the SSN 240. A=12 and K=3.

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

At about 1620z, I QSYed to 6m FT8.  At 1630z, 4 stations had spotted my 2.5W FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna.

UPDATE 1800z: 9 stations have spotted my QRP.  On RX, the furthermost is EA9ABC (1873km) in North Africa.

UPDATE 1825z:  10 stations have spotted me with the furthermost EA5BY (1559km).  When 6m is "open" it is so much easier than 8m as there are more monitors.

UPDATE 2041z: Amazing! Spotted by LU5FF (10958km). This must be a very high MUF and TEP. It is my furthermost VHF spot of all time! 27 spots of my QRP 6m FT8 this evening. It is possible that Es linked up to an F2 hop over the equator as Es (I guess) was good in this direction. See https://prop.kc2g.com/. Not bad for 2.5W and an omni!

Knotted tree - NOT amateur radio

There is a section of the Italianate Garden at Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds, UK where they have lots of old tree trunks. 

This one has no bark left, but is pretty impressive.

8m FT8 RX (Saturday)

Currently, I am monitoring 40.680MHz USB dial FT8. 

UPDATE 1348z:  No spots. 

UPDATE 1621z:  Locally I can see ZS1TX, ZS3/V51PJ and ZR1ADI were spotted but these did not appear on PSKreporter. For some reason, these spots were not uploaded.

10m QRPP 500uW WSPR (Saturday)

My 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR has already been spotted multiple times this morning by EA8BFK (2880km). Perhaps this is not too surprising with the solar flux and sunspot numbers so good.

UPDATE 0948z:  12 spots already.

UPDATE 1808z:  34 spots of my 500uW QRPP WSPR, one with about 20dB in hand!! See table.

UPDATE 1850z:  Now spotted in Italy by IZ2DQB (1033km). First signs of 10m Es?

Ely last Thursday - NOT amateur radio

This was Ely earlier in the week. Ely Cathedral is in the background.

It is called "the Isle of Ely" as it is built on a rare hill in these parts. 

Much of the Fens area is flat for miles. It is one of the most fertile areas in the UK.

Sunspots - Saturday April 20th

 Solar flux is 213 and the SSN 243. A=41 and K=2.

Nice breakfast - NOT amateur radio

Steve G1KQH kindly sent me this photo. Very unhealthy, but very nice!! I could eat it now. 😉

630m QRP WSPR overnight

An average session with no real DX with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.  10 stations spotted me (see table) with a new reporter (I think) from Wales.

630m QRP WSPR (Friday)

My 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna"  in the ground was turned on at about 1810z.  So far, spotted by one station.

UPDATE 2104z:  3 stations have spotted me.

OFCOM and DAB licences

OFCOM is inviting applications for small scale DAB multiplex licences. See the OFCOM website for further details.

8m FT8 receive (Friday)

This morning, I am on 40.680MHz FT8 receive. No spots at 1017z.

UPDATE 1252z:   No spots today.

Ely waterfront - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned before, we went to Ely with a friend yesterday. 

This is the River Great Ouse, into which the River Cam flows is shown in the photo.

10m QRPP WSPR (Friday)

Already my 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR eacon has been spotted 8 time at 0908z by EA8BFK (2880km). See table.  

With solar conditions promising, I wonder if I shall be spotted in the USA later?

UPDATE 1635z:   15 spots of my extreme 10m WSPR QRP so far.

Peacocks - NOT amateur radio

 

Yesterday, we went to Ely with a friend who is staying with us. 

We ate at a small cafe at lunchtime.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

8 spots of my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR overnight.

Sunspots - Friday April 19th

Solar flux is 227 and the SSN 247.  A=4 and K=2.  

Are we seeing a second peak?

Rallies

 The following have been notified to me. As I always advise, check before going a long way.

• Saturday April 20th -Yeovil ARC 38th QRP Convention, Sherbourme, DT93AA. Contact derekbowen1949@talktalk.net .
• Sunday April 21st - Andover ARC Boot Sale, SP11 0JE. Contact admin@arac.org.uk.
• Sunday April 21st - NARSA (Blackpool  Rally}, Blackpool,  FY2 9AA. Contact dwilson@btinternet.com .

10m QRPP WSPR (Thursday)

My 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR  beacon has been on again today.

UPDATE 1822z: 15 spots (again) by EA8BFK (2880km).

At last a swallow! - NOT amateur radio

At Ely today, I saw my first definite swallow. One may have flown over 2 days ago, but I could not be sure. 

Today was a definite spotting low over the River Great Ouse.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Great_Ouse .

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Not a bad session with 12 stations spotting me with the furthermost Germany 🇩🇪.

Ickworth lambs - NOT amateur radio

 

These were some of the lambs seen at Ickworth yesterday.

OFCOM microwave auction changes

OFCOM is making changes in its auction for 26GHz and 40GHz spectrum to protect radio telescopes near Cambridge. See the OFCOM website for details.

Sunspots - Thursday April 18th

 Solar flux is 217 and the SSN 199. A=7 and K=1.

Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds, UK - NOT amateur radio

We were quite surprised to see lambs so late at Ickworth today. We went for a nice walk and a snack lunch. 

It is owned by the National Trust, so members can walk around the grounds and house.  

If you are not a member, you pay an entry fee.  There are a variety of walks. Some are long and some short.

8m FT8 RX

At the moment (Wednesday AM) I am on 40.680MHz USB dial FT8 RX. No spots. I have yet to repair my 8m dipole, so I have no idea (other than the highish SWR) how it is performing.

UPDATE 1642z: ZR1ADI (9777km) in South Africa was the only spot today. I guess this is TEP.

10m QRPP WSPR (Wednesday)

No luck yet today with my 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR today.

Yesterday there were quite a few spots of my 500uW WSPR by EA8BFK (2880km). The impression I am getting is this ultra low power works on single hop F2 as long as things are settled, but multiple hop F2 is far harder. Based on these results, I am expecting European spots via Es later.

UPDATE 1545z:  No spots today. 

UPDATE 1618z: I spoke too soon! 3 spots late afternoon from the Canary Islands (again).

UPDATE 2050z: EA8 (probably F2) ,OE and DL (probably both Es?) spotted my 500uW QRPP WSPR. If these two were Es, this is probably the start of the Es season.

A better session on 630m QRP WSPR overnight

In total 9 stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR overnight including spots from Norway,

Sunspots - Wednesday April 17th

 Solar flux is 199 and the SSN 176. A=31 and K=1.

Laburnum - NOT amateur radio

 

This is coming out now. This photo was taken about 300m from our home.

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

 My 2.5W FT8 to the V2000 vertical antenna is on, but just 5 English spots so far.

10m QRPP WSPR (Tuesday)

My 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR beacon has been on all day. I suspect conditions are not good enough.

UPDATE 1354z:   No spots.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

An average session last night with 8 stations spotting my 10mW ERP (measured) WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with no DX.

Foxton CRG rally postponed this weekend

Because of the ground being waterlogged, the Foxton (near Cambridge) CRG rally has been postponed until the summer.

Sunspots - Tuesday April 16th

 Solar flux is 192 and the SSN 193. A=8 and K=4.

What is reality? - NOT amateur radio

Recently I attended a University of the Third Age series of lectures given by an ex-professor at King's College, London. 

One of the things he said was people had modelled how people see. Our brain "sees" an interpretation of reality. When fed with true reality, it led to societies collapsing!!  Perhaps it is better not to see the whole truth!

Optical illusion - NOT amateur radio

This optical illusion (actually 2 circles) was seen recently. 

It certainly messed up my head! 

10m 500uW WSPR (Monday)

 As for the last few weeks, I am on 10m WSPR with my 500uW beacon. Yesterday was quite successful and conditions today look promising. No spots yet though.

UPDATE 1212z: 5 spots so far today.

Sunday breakfast - NOT amateur radio

 

This was my breakfast yesterday. I have a cooked breakfast 3 days a week usually.

8m FT8 RX

This morning I am monitoring 40.680 MHz RX. I am hoping to spot a station in Bedfordshire. So far, I have had no success on FT8 or WSPR.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

A very average session with no real DX. Just 8 stations spotting my 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with the furthest GM.

Sunspots - Monday April 15th

Solar flux is 178 and the SSN 152. A=6 and K=2.

Still to see one - NOT amateur radio

Swallows are returning from Africa. There are some about in East Anglia, although I have yet to see one. 

Last year there were fewer. Swift numbers seemed to hold up.

Western values? - NOT amateur radio

In the "west" we seem to value democracy, although the rich get richer and the poor poorer.  Unfettered capitalism is overdone. 

Yes, people cannot rely on hand-outs from a welfare society - they have to forge their own paths and work hard - but in my view, poorer people are getting a raw deal. 

It is my view that the days of those of us in the "west" thinking we are always right are drawing to a close. I hope a fair and just world comes sooner rather than later.  

All systems have faults, but let us get the best from each so that all of mankind can benefit.

70cm activity contest last Tuesday

My entry (never a winning score with just 2 QSOs, 10W, short period on air and a 2m omni antenna!) was submitted this morning. 

It is my view that this 70cm UKAC is on the wane with fewer people active. The 70cm FT8 activity contest on the other hand is "humming". It looks like many people prefer FT8 to SSB these days. FT8 works with far weaker signals, but like so much these days, it has less human interaction. 

We seem to becoming a society with far less human contact sadly.

Am I alone in thinking impersonal AI call centres are a pain?  "Say in your own words what you are calling about". "You want to talk about xxx. Is that correct?".  Say "yes" or "no". Actually I would rather speak with a human being!

Spring flowers - NOT amateur radio

It is great to see the spring flowers. If I am honest, this is my favourite season, although every season has good points.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was turned on at about 0755z. So far (at 0806z) 4 English stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1143z:  9 spots of my QRP including one from Germany.

UPDATE 1535z: 13 spots of my QRP 6m FT8 today (see map).

500uW 10m WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon (with the PA off) was turned on at about 0755z.  I wonder if I shall be spotted in the USA today with QRPP?

UPDATE 0900z: Just a single spot by EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1548z: 9 spots only from the Canaries so far today (see table).

UPDATE 2155z: 22 spots of me today but all from the Canary Islands.

Marconi

 Without this man things would have been very different. I often wonder, say, if radio had been been discovered centuries earlier.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

13 stations spotted me overnight. Quite a decent session for my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Trade mark - NOT amateur radio

When thatchers put new thatch on a roof they often leave a trade mark such as a pheasant, fox or dog made from straw on the roof apex. We saw this on our walk around the village on Saturday.

Sunspots - Sunday April 14th

 Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 115. A=6 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR (measured) was turned on at about 2020z. So far, just 2E0ILY/KIWI (209km) spotting me.

It is very disappointing to see I am the only UK station sending 630m WSPR according to WSPRnet at present. 

17 different stations have spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR in the last 2 weeks.

Spring is coming - NOT amateur radio

 

Trees are coming into leaf. It felt much warmer today on our walk around the village. It is windier.

8m dipole

As mentioned before, it looks like my 8m dipole antenna system has an intermittent fault. Recently, I decided to concentrate on 8m TX with ISM restrictions, which means 10mW ERP. WSPR gives me the best chance. I doubt 8m FT8 at 10mW ERP would be enough.

A reminder that, certainly in the UK, possibly elsewhere, under ISM rules 8m beaconing is licence free and open to all. A full T&I 8m TX permit costs £50 annually in the UK. With more countries opening the band for real amateur radio research, I keep my fingers crossed that radio amateurs will eventually be granted restricted access with conditions. I have long said that just 5kHz in the ISM band would do.

For 10mW ERP tests the antenna must be reliable.

The actual antenna and coax are not problems, whereas erection is more of an issue as this requires ladder work. I can probably manage OK as the ladder work is quite low, but I get giddy very easily these days so even a short distance off the ground is harder than it once was.

500uW 10m WSPR again

My 10m WSPR beacon, without the PA, is on again. At 0846z, no spots. 

This QRPP is really great fun and definitely worth trying in the upcoming Es season. I suspect FT8 would not work.

UPDATE 1817z: 23 spots of me so far today. Please note that my beacon is pre-programmed to report 0.5W even though the power with the PA off is 30dB lower (500uW).