It looks like there are openings to Eastern Europe on 10m and 6m from Western Europe. I am hoping there is some activity on 8m and that it spreads further west.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
30 Sept 2024
10m 500mW WSPR (Monday)
So far, just G4KPX (14km) and EA8BFK (2880km) spotting me.
UPDATE 1646z: 28 stations have spotted me.
8m FT8 (Monday)
Although my 2.5W 8m FT8 has been on for much of the morning, no spots on TX or RX.
UPDATE 1117z: Although no spots yet, it is interesting to see so many stations monitoring the 8m band. See the map of monitors.
UPDATE 1300z: Still no 8m spots today.
UPDATE 1326z: Spotted by EI3KF (574km). Is this aircraft scatter? I am sure there are far more 8m monitors, which is a good sign.
UPDATE 1521z: QRT on 8m.
Oil prices - NOT amateur radio
With all the increased tension in the Middle East I am surprised how little prices have moved. I remember back in the Suez crisis of 1956, petrol was rationed again. It is as if the world either expects a ceasefire or knows how to cope if the Gulf is closed.
Are we far less dependent on oil from the Middle East?
Maudlin thoughts - NOT amateur radio
My brother will be 80 in December. He seems to be going to several funerals of late. I guess we are now at an age when many of our friends and relatives get serious illnesses or die.
I wonder if our brains modify to accept this as the norm?
It is interesting how we now talk about illnesses more as we age. There are several friends and relatives who are now in the "firing line". In the past we assumed we would all go on forever. Now we think of our finality.
Once we went to a New Year's Eve party. The host said, "you are not allowed to talk about illnesses". What a good idea!
UPDATE 1433z: We just heard that one of my wife's best friends has died. Not unexpected, but so sad for those left behind.
Monday plans
Later, I hope to go on 10m 500mW WSPR and 8m QRP FT8.
In all, stations in 3 countries spotted my 2.5W 8m FT8 yesterday, which was better than I expected.
Sixbox 6m transceiver
This dates back many years and is not recommended when 6m is "open" as it has been recently.
On the other hand, it makes a nice homebrew project and an ideal natterbox across town.
As I always say, use it as a starting point for your own ideas. For example, add a loudspeaker amplifier, or increase the RF power. Most of my designs are starting points and could usually be improved. Do not be afraid to experiment as this is where a lot of the fun is.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/sixbox .Inside the windmill - NOT amateur radio
The inside (as far as I recall) has never been on, until now. This is inside the windmill.
Fitzball’s house - NOT amateur radio
Edward Fitzball was a famous lyricist in the 1800s . He lived in this cottage in our village (Burwell).
29 Sept 2024
War and peace - NOT amateur radio
One thing I am certain about - wars rarely settle things, often resulting in long-term distrust and hatred.
In the Middle East this is true at the moment. For many years Israel has had people opposed to the very state of Israel. At the same time Israel has opposed the existence of the people of Palestine. There is much bitterness.
Surely, the only long-term solution, no matter the past history, is peaceful co-existence. Everyone on the planet has a right to peace.
8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)
My 2.5W 8m FT8 has been on since breakfast. So far, nobody has spotted me, but ZR1ADI (9777km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1022z: My QRP 8m FT8 spotted by G4OGI (123km).
UPDATE 1805z: 3 stations have spotted me on 8m today. See map. Now QRT.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)
My stand-alone 10m WSPR TX has been on since breakfast.
UPDATE 1751z: 31 stations have spotted me today. See table. QRT shortly.
Valve QRP
This was several years ago at the QTH of G6ALB. Andrew did the building of this valve Sputnik TX and I did the operating. After about 10 minutes a CQ call on 15m resulted in a contact with a station in the USA. Present were G4NUA (SK), G6ALB and G3XBM (me). What fun we all had!
Tidy up - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday, many volunteers tidied up our local bowling green. I think they must have a match this weekend.
Amateur radio on the streets?
Around the world it seems harder to find radio magazines on the stands of newsagents. This is certainly true here in the UK, but I am wondering if it is different in other countries?
Yaesu FTX-1F
It is Yaesu's answer to the IC-705 and it also is the long awaited answer to the FT817/818 series.
It is not a hand portable, although I suspect Yaesu have done their homework in that most people will not use it pedestrian portable but in hotel rooms and on park benches. In this regard it may be an ideal choice with a large battery capacity.
So far, there is no indication of price, but I hope it is well under £1000. Also, we have only, so far, seen very preliminary specs. The IC-705 has things like Bluetooth and GPS. It will be interesting to see what appears in the full specs.
Often there are hardware and software bugs in very early models. This will be the first time that Yaesu will have made units in significant volumes, so they will be looking for feedback so they can "tweek" the design on the next production run. In some ways early adopters are guinea pigs.
Soldersmoke AI experiment
As an experiment, Soldersmoke did an experimental AI generated podcast. It is frightening.
If this is possible now, what will be possible in 2050? To me, it sounded incredible. You would never have known it was AI generated.
It is frightening how realistic this podcast sounds, making you wonder how AI could be used to distort truth in future e.g. in elections.
28 Sept 2024
Dying of cancer - NOT amateur radio
My wife has been to see her old work colleague and friend several times recently.
After a long battle with stage 4 cancer she has come home to die. They gave her less than 5 years, but she has lasted 8 years. She probably only has days left. It is all so sad. She sleeps a lot of the time and is confined to bed.
It is odd. In some ways this experience has dulled the fear of death. For her husband it must be unbelievably sad knowing that your wife is dying and there is no prospect of her getting better.
Apple day 2024 - NOT amateur radio
For once the weather was sunny and bright.
It was a lovely social occasion too.
10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)
My stand-alone 10m WSPR beacon by W5OLF was turned on at about 0835z. No spots.
UPDATE 0848z: Just a couple of spots by local G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 0855z: Just G4KPX spotting me.
UPDATE 1556z: 33 stations have spotted me with many in the USA and Canada.
UPDATE 1603z: The map (see WSPRrocks by Phil VK7JJ) shows the stations spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon today.
UPDATE 1629z: 36 stations have spotted me today.
8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
My 2.5W 8m FT8 was turned on at about 0835z.
UPDATE 1317z: QRT. No spots all day on RX or TX on 8m FT8.
UPDATE 1703z: On again, but still no spots. So far, I have been disappointed with 8m FT8 this autumn.
Crab apple jelly - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday, I turned them into crab apple jelly as the photo shows. It is delicious on some meats.
I have no idea why they are called crab apples. They are tiny compared with more usual apples. I would guess 2cm diameter or less would be more typical.
27 Sept 2024
'Our' tree - NOT amateur radio
10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)
My 10m 500mW WSPT TX beacon was turned on at about 1630z. EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted me.
UPDATE 2035z: In the end 2 stations in the USA spotted me (see table).
Anglesey Abbey yesterday - NOT amateur radio
Back on 8m
My grandson helped me re-erect my 8m dipole. At about 1600z, I restarted my 40.680MHz 2.5W FT8.
Late swallow - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday as well as seeing a couple of house martins I saw a late swallow.
This is probably the last I shall see until the spring. I am pretty sure this is the latest I have ever seen one up here in East Anglia.
Cyber attack? - NOT amateur radio
I heard yesterday that all the major UK rail station WiFi systems had suffered what was thought to be a cyber attack. If these can be attacked what else could be done?
Autumn and winter project
During the dark evenings this autumn and winter I intend to update my PDF Project Scrapbook. There have been a few changes to rigs that I should include. Also, there is more to say about 8m and 23cm.
26 Sept 2024
6m QRP FT8 yesterday
Lightning risk
Although there are no thunderstorms locally at present, the risk exists. Accordingly, I shall probably give the radio a miss today.
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0; .
Oscar 100 narrowband transponder
Every few weeks (if I remember!) I try to give an update on activity through the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite.
It has now been up for several years yet activity is tragically low considering it allows DX QSOs with much of the planet at any time without QSB with small fixed antennas.
The activity on this satellite says a great deal about our hobby and does not bode well for the future.
My last peek was mid-afternoon, mid-week in Europe. There was hardly anybody on.
My theory is that unlike the few that rise to the challenge of assembling a ground station, most find this just too hard and instead just get out their credit cards so the dealer can buy a flashier car.
QTH
This photo shows the windmill and my QTH. It was taken last weekend from the church tower.
Our bungalow is the one immediately in front of the windmill. If you look carefully you can see my V2000 vertical (look for the white vertical).
Back of the garage 2012
This was the back of my garage at the old QTH where most of my building was done . Since moving to my new QTH in the following year I have a dedicated room for building and operating.
25 Sept 2024
Most from the least
This has always been a challenge for QRP operators. We know we can span the globe with a Japanese transceiver, a linear, a beam and a tower all costing thousands, but what may be done for the cost of a coffee in town?
There are many answers to this. It usually involves some element of compromise (usually with the receiver), but time and again people have shown that really simple gear works. I guess the "holy grail" is the rig that has the fewest compromises, yet gives you plenty of contacts. I am still looking!
One of the rigs I have tried is the Micro80 and the Pixie. A few years ago (possibly still) 40m Pixie kits could be bought with airmail from China for a few pounds. I have built versions for 80m and 40m and they have all worked. Albeit, the RX was far from perfect but they worked and resulted in QSOs.
The circuit is a typical Pixie.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/8040m-pixie-and-micro80-transceivers .
Crab apple jelly - NOT amateur radio
This was the harvest from our single tree today.
Faroes - NOT amateur radio
10m 500mW WSPR TX ( Wednesday)
My beacon has been on for about 40 minutes. So far, just spots by local G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 1356z: EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted me 14 times.
6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
My 2.5W 6m FT8 was turned on at about 1045z after we returned from shopping. So far, 6 stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 1225z: 7 English stations have spotted me today. See map.
National Hamfest (UK)
The National Hamfest is this weekend September 27/28th at the Newark and Nottinghamshire Showground, NG24 2NY. See nationalhamfest.org.uk .
24 Sept 2024
AA1TJ - fit and well
This afternoon I got an email from Michael Rainey AA1TJ. It sounds like they have just emerged from a long crisis with his partner's health and things are getting back to normal after a long, hard, time. I am so pleased.
Buddleia - NOT amateur radio
The one in the picture was not in our garden.
Cherry picker - NOT amateur radio
A cherry picker is so named as such devices were used originally to harvest fruits.
Hacking - NOT amateur radio
At the moment I am watching a drama series on BBC TV in which (I think) state actors take complete control of the UK train network.
The scary thing is that many things could be hacked. Take for example power networks, oil and gas distribution, banking, air traffic control, sewage systems etc.. The threat to undersea cables is real, although thankfully there is a lot of redundancy meaning things are likely to be slower rather than totally non-functional.
I guess all cyber security services have to be mindful of threats and keep "ahead of the game". Also, any states contemplating such action knows they could suffer the same fate. A bit like the policy of "mutually assured destruction" with nuclear weapons, we hope these threats never come to pass.
In this day and age war could well be in the form of cyber warfare rather than conventional weapons.
6m 2.5W FT8 (Tuesday)
My gear was turned on at breakfast. So far, 6 spots (all English apart from EI3KD (583km)).
UPDATE 1210z: 17 spots of my QRP FT8 including several in mainland Europe.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)
My beacon was turned on at breakfast time. In the first hour, spots by EA8BFK (2880km) and local G4KPX (14km) only.
Yesterday was very successful with lots of stateside spots of my QRP WSPR.
UPDATE 1730z: 14 spots of me so far today. See table.
23 Sept 2024
SPAM? - NOT amateur radio
I got suspicious when the sender was in the USA and it was set in EDT time. To me, it looks like a SPAM.
The links to claim "the prize" will go unclicked.
If a SPAM, I expect others will have had one too.
AA1TJ Mike Rainey
Often it is some time before you realise someone is not around. You just realise they are not there. Often there is a simple explanation, but you are never quite sure. Are they away on a long trip, have they lost interest in the hobby, have they been, or are they, seriously ill or have they died?
Yesterday, I sent Mike an email asking him for just a quick ping back, but nothing was heard. This afternoon I contacted some of his friends in the USA hoping they have some news.
If you know what has happened to Michael Rainey AA1TJ, please let me know.
Falling asleep - NOT amateur radio
This is very odd. When you fall asleep, you are not aware of it. At some point you are awake, then you drift off into sleep. Usually I fall asleep quite quickly, whereas at other (rare) times it can be hours.
Haggling - NOT amateur radio
One of my pet hates is having to haggle over things like car insurance and broadband prices.
Having just spent about 2 hours on a web messaging service (chat) to my ISP I have managed to reduce my package costs nearly 50%. Why is this necessary? Why not just offer existing customers a contract renewal at a competitive price in the first place? I guess they assume many people are too lazy and just accept the new (higher) price.
I am now paying FAR less for a better package! At one point I was promised by the BOT that the agent "would be with me in a flash" not realising the BOT had sent the very same message an hour before!!
At least, being retired, I normally have the time. I was dreading the internet going off for just a few seconds and losing everything.
6m 2.5W FT8 (Monday)
Just 9 English stations spotting me so far today. No sign yet of anything further.
UPDATE 1730z: Spotted by 16 stations today. See map.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)
Initially, just spots from EA8BFK (2880km) and local G4KPX (14km) so far today.
Map of spots care of https://www.wspr.rocks/ Phil VK7JJ.
Autumn is kicking in - NOT amateur radio
Luckily we have compensation in the form of beautiful colours, ripe fruit and, later, Christmas (although looking at many shops you could think Christmas is already here!).
We must not forget the migrant birds who think we are warmer than some places! Included are waxwings from Scandinavia.
Plans for Monday
Currently my plans for Monday are to go on 6m QRP FT8 with the V2000 vertical (2.5W) and 10m 500mW WSPR with my stand-alone TX beacon.
22 Sept 2024
Reach walk - NOT amateur radio
It is a very sleepy village.
Fake news - NOT amateur radio
It is very easy to believe in news that is faked as some fakes are very easy to create.
I am particularly concerned in the lead up to the presidential elections in the USA this November. There is already a rumour going around that the recent assassination attempts on Donald Trump were faked to gain votes. In the weeks ahead we can expect many more fake news stories.
In my view we have to gather news from multiple sources and treat 1-off stories with a pinch of salt.
8m via my ATU
Just now, I tried to match my V2000 vertical and 2m big-wheel antennas to 40.680MHz. My ATU is only supposed to work up to 30MHz. My efforts were unsuccessful.
Hopefully my grandson will help me erect my 8m dipole. This needs a bit of ladder work (not high), but I am too wobbly for ladder work these days.
10m QRP FT8 (Sunday)
Although it is dull outside, the thunderstorms seem to have missed us by several hundred kilometres, so I am again on 10m FT8 with my 2.5W FT8.
After just a few minutes, I am being spotted by 11 stations.
UPDATE 2014z: Spotted by 314 stations with the furthermost a station on the USA west coast. When 10m is good (as it is at the moment) just a few watts of FT8 seems quite enough. See map of stations spotting me mid afternoon on 10m QRP FT8. Now QRT.
Wise saying - NOT amateur radio
Recently, I was told this. I think it is quite profound.
Before we communicate with anyone, think (1) is it true?, (2) is it necessary?, (3) is it kind? If not, we better saying nothing at all. TNK: true, necessary, kind. Cruel words can hurt.
Lightning risk
Today looks like a dull day with the risk of thunderstorms. At the moment I have heard no thunder but it is probably not a great idea to go on the radio.
8m with 10mW ERP under ISM rules
In many countries stations may legally operate in the 8m ISM allocation with a limited ERP without a special permit or even a callsign. Several stations have tried this and been amazed.
In the UK we are limited to 10mW ERP, but this is quite enough to make some great DX spots or even contacts if permitted on FT8.
It is surprising that more have not tried this. In the end I remain surprised more PTTs have not permitted legal access by radio amateurs. Some enlightened administrations have.
Give it a go!!
Lesser Chirpy 10m QRP CW transceiver
This dates back to 2012, but represents a very simple transceiver circuit for 10m CW. Please treat it as a starting point for your own ideas. I was amazed how well such a simple circuit could work.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-lesser-chirpy .
21 Sept 2024
V2000 on 8m?
I have an QRP ATU that is supposed to go to 30MHz. Maybe it can be persuaded to go to 40.680MHz? Tomorrow I shall try it with my V2000 and 2m big-wheel antennas. You never know until you try. Even if it does match, I have no idea what the polar plot looks like.
Stick to the day job!! - NOT amateur radio
To be fair, it was smothered by a neighbour’s honeysuckle that climbed over the fence.
Actually the honeysuckle smelled wonderful.
Perhaps my wife should eat it as she likes conference pears. I must tell her to eat it very slowly! 😁
Changing nature of amateur radio
These days, there are many alternatives such as DMR, D-STAR and Echolink. Many use the internet as the backbone, whereas in the past we had to rely on HF propagation and the ionosphere.
Even with a VHF or UHF transceivers worldwide contacts are possible. I remember being amazed that with a DMR portable sitting on the bookshelf DX from across the planet could be heard.
Near death experience - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday, I probably came nearer to death than at any time I can remember.
For what seemed like ages I was unable to breathe because of a chest infection. In the end I got my breath, but had I not been able to, I would have passed out and probably died. We hang on by a thread.
Pompeii 2017 - NOT amateur radio
One thing struck me: really nothing changes and really they were just like us.
10m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
My 2.5W FT8 was turned on at about 0550z. Yesterday was very successful. I hope today is similar.
UPDATE 2028z: So far today, 382 stations have spotted me. See map of stations spotting my 10m FT8 QRP by the early evening. Since then, even more have spotted me. Worldwide spots. 1098 stations have been spotted here today.
20 Sept 2024
“Our” windmill - NOT amateur radio
At one time some of our grandchildren thought the area in front of the windmill was part of our garden! We own the hedge you can see in front, but not the windmill!
The windmill is fully restored and the sails go round sometimes.
Lightning risk?
This weekend there are some advanced warnings of thunder and lightning in the UK. At the moment these storms are a long way off, but if they get close I shall go QRT and disconnect things.
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;
Church roofs - NOT amateur radio
10m QRP FT8 (Friday)
UPDATE 1724z: So far today my 2.5W 10m FT8 has been spotted by 171 stations across the planet. I have spotted 400 stations here.
19 Sept 2024
The Faroe Islands - NOT amateur radio
Sepura SCL3 - NOT amateur radio
Take for example the SCL3 portable (shown in the photo) that looks like a fusion of TETRA and 4G/5G technology. It looks just the product mission critical services would need.
It looks more like a mobile phone than a traditional TETRA transceiver. I hope it is successful.
See https://scl3.sepura.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SCL3_Brochure_converted_compressed.pdf.
6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
UPDATE 1627z: So far today, my QRP 6m FT8 has been spotted by 14 stations including one in the Baltic that could be Es.
Rallies this weekend
The following have been notified, but always check details are correct before going far.
- Saturday September 21st - East Midlands and Electronics Rally, Doncaster, DN10 4FX. Contact www.g0raf.co,uk/rally . Please note this is a 1 day event, not 2. The location is actually nearer Gainsborough.
- Sunday September 22nd - Weston super Mare Radio Society 9th Radio and Electronics Rally, Worle, Weston super Mare, BS24 7DX. Contact westonradiosociety@gmail.com .
Interesting how many radio rallies have broadened their appeal to include a wider audience than in the past.
10m 500mW WSPR (Thursday)
Just 13 spots of me by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Islands, presumably via F2.
UPDATE 1146z: YOs also spotting me. This is probably F2 as well. See table.