ICOM IC705

In my view the IC-705 vastly beats the Yaesu FTX-1. Certainly in the UK, the FTX-1 is very expensive and still lacks many of the features that the IC-705 had years ago. It was introduced about 5 years ago.  In my humble view Yaesu is playing catch up ... and losing badly.

It would not surprise me at all if ICOM announced an IC705A later this year in a portable form factor aimed at SOTA and POTA users with internal auto ATU and maybe 4m in European versions. It could sell well.

Yaesu have made some great kit and the majority of my commercial transceivers have been Yaesu. But I get the distinct impression Yaesu have "gone off the boil".

6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

 My gear was turned on at 0947z.

UPDATE 1006z:  So far, 4 English stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1435z:  Spotted by 15 stations with the furthest GM6NX (505km).

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

 My beacon was turned on at 0946z.

UPDATE 1004z:  So far, one spot by EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1439z:  Spotted by 17 stations, most in North America.

70cm way back

 This has been on before. When first on the air I was a G8 and could only operate on 70cm and above unless operating another station under supervision. At university I became a G3.

My first forays on 70cm were with a version of this transverter. As most were crystal controlled it was fine. With a passive mixer it must have been deaf but worked some impressive DX with a tiny yagi on AM.

Sunday plans

 At the moment my plans are the same as yesterday i.e. 10m 500mW WSPR and 6m 5W FT8, although I may decide differently later!

Ukraine’s future

Today the president of Ukraine is meeting the US president at his estate in Florida. If President Zelenskyy does not accept what President Trump has agreed , the US president could just walk away. 

The future of democracy is at stake, although I don’t think President Trump appreciates this sadly.

Sunspots - Sunday December 28th

Solar  flux is 178 and the SSN 130.  A=7 and K=1.

Early frost

 

For the last few nights it’s been clear, so we had a frost last night. 

It went after a few hours.

Later in the day it clouded over.

6m 5W FT8 (Saturday)

My gear was turned on at about 1003z.

UPDATE  1019z:  Spotted by 5 English stations.

UPDATE 1938z:  Spotted by 16 stations including a GI and CT. See map. Now QRT.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

My beacon was turned on at about 1002z.

UPDATE 1015z:  So far spotted by 2 Finnish stations.

UPDATE 1935z:  Spotted by 12 stations. See table. QRT.

Amazing AI videos

In recent days I have been amazed by some AI videos on YouTube. 

These are produced by MajesticAIStudios. They use old prints as seeds and recreate places as they were hundreds of years ago in moving videos that are ultra realistic. 

Personally I am highly impressed.

See https://www.youtube.com/@MajesticAIStudio

Videos include Amsterdam, London, Paris and Liverpool centuries ago.

Sunspots - Saturday December 27th

 Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 131. A=8 and K=3.

10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)

My beacon was turned on just before 1000z.

UPDATE 1014z:  So far, just EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1534z:  18 stations have spotted me. See table.

Sunspots - Monday December 26th

 Solar flux is 163 and the SSN 113. A=11and K=2.

10m 1W FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear has been was turned on around breakfast time.

UPDATE 0939z:  Spotted by 53 stations. 

UPDATE 1840z:  Spotted by 295 stations. See map.

Sunspots - Thursday December 25th

 Solar flux is 134 ans the SSN 103. A=21 and K=3.

Ukraine - is President Trump getting bored?

 Most days I watch Times Radio on YouTube. I get the distinct impression the USA's President Trump is getting bored with Ukraine and is more concerned about deals to make himself even richer than finding a just peace. If true, I find this very sad.

There seems to be a new world order emerging, run by billionaires at a time when we really need leaders who have the interests of the common man/woman at heart.

Last post?

On the way to the Co-op food shop in the village, I spotted this postman. 

I asked his permission to take this photo. 

Very festive!

Grimeton historic VLF CW transmission

Earlier this morning the historic alternator TX SAQ was sending a Christmas message on 17.2kHz CW. Years ago I got a QSL card from them. It is still on my shack wall. It is a good test of your VLF RX system. I did not listen.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 My stand-alone beacon was turned on at 1022z:

UPDATE 1231z:  No spots.

UPDATE 1938z:  It helps if you switch the mains plug on!  Once this was done loads of spots including several in the USA.

6m 5W FT8 (Wednesday)

My gear was turned on at 1022z.

UPDATE 1231z:  So far, 6 English stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1935z:  7 English stations spotted. QRT since  late afternoon.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 24th

 Solar flux is 142 and the SSN 106. A=21 and K=3.

Cave radio book

 

There is no way I would be climbing through narrow, dark, wet tunnels deep underground, but I have always been fascinated by underground communications at VLF and LF. 

As radio waves get attenuated as they travel through water and rock and this attenuation is reduced as the frequency is lowered, cavers tend to use interesting techniques to communicate (and survey) with cavers.

A very interesting book by Mike Bedford G4AEE goes through all the techniques used by cavers. 

Even for somebody like me who (would be too scared!) it make good Christmas reading. The book "Cave Radio" is available from the RSGB bookshop.

10m 1W FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear was turned on at about 1045z.

UPDATE 1610z:  Spotted by 164 stations. See map.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 23rd

 Solar flux is 133 and the SSN 80. A=25 and K=3.

The freedoms of amateur radio

Many years ago I used to have many QSOs with stations across the world including the USA and the USSR.  

As far as I am concerned we are all human beings with equal value whatever our beliefs, colour or politics. I enjoy exchanging greetings with an old work colleague who happens to live in Moscow and is a radio amateur.

One of the great things about our hobby is that it is such a great leveller.

At home

At this time of year we have an "at home" day when the neighbours come around for snacks, a drink and a chat. 

As someone said, "Christmas starts here". 

It was great and happy.

Amazing AI of London in the 1600s

Just now, I watched an AI video of London in the 1600s. It was amazing and so very realistic. It was almost like really being there centuries ago. 

In my view, this is an example of AI at it best. The "seed" was old engravings of various London scenes. Truly amazing.

10m 1W FT8 (Monday)

 

My 1W FT8 was turned at about 1433z.

UPDATE 2022z: So far spotted by 95 stations, most "across the pond". See map. QRT soon.

UPDATE 2045z: QRT.

Sleep

This is my personal experience, so I cannot comment on others. 

Drifting to sleep and not being aware we have done so seems odd.  There is far more to consciousness than we are aware of I think. 

Monday plans

 Later, I hope to go on 10m 1W FT8.

PoC (PTT over cellular) transceivers

For some people these could be very useful. 

They use the cellular network as the bearer rather than the ionosphere, so the range is effectively the whole planet. If you just want to talk, they might be ideal as no amateur licence is needed. 

They are like 2m or 70cm handhelds.

Sunspots - Monday December 22nd

 Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 85. A=26 and K=3.

6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

 My 5W to the V2000 was turned on at about 2030z.

UPDATE 2142z:  4 stations have spotted me including 2 in Germany. Now QRT.

10m 5W FT8 RX (Sunday)

My gear was turned on at about 1000z.

UPDATE 1102z:  So far, spotted 23 stations.

UPDATE 1533z:  Still 23, so something must be wrong.

UPDATE  1715z:   Now, 75 stations spotted. I think the TX audio must be muted as the TX still does not work. I wonder if it is RF getting into the PC?  I may try with lower power. e.g. 1W instead of 5W. Going on 5W 6m FT8 TX seemed fine suggesting RF is disturbing something. Now QRT on 10m FT8 RX.

Mountain Toppers

 Summits On The Air (SOTA) activity is becoming increasingly popular as well as Parks On The Air (POTA). People climb mountains and hills to "activate" certain summits. Especially for SOTA, weight can be an important factor if the gear has to be lugged up steep hills or mountains.

LNR Precision make some gear aimed at these users. They are compact and lightweight.

See https://www.lnrprecision.com/mountain-toppers/

Festive postbox

Although I am not sure how or when this started, quite often now we see UK postboxes with knitted tops for certain occasions.

The photo shows the postbox near our co-op shop looking very festive.

Winter solstice

Today is the shortest day .  

Even though the mornings get a bit darker later for a few weeks, the evenings are already starting to get darker slightly later. By the end of January it is really noticeable. 

It’s odd how we adapt, but I do prefer nights getting darker later.

Sunspots - Sunday December 21st

 Solar flux is 120 and the SSN 74. A=6 and K=4.

PSKreporter NOT the RBN!

In the latest SPRAT (205) Chris Page (page 38) reported my QRPP FT8 experiments as using the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) whereas for FT8 I use PSKreporter.  

For FT8 this is ideal.

First daffodils

 This morning on our walk at Anglesey Abbey we saw our first daffodils and snowdrops this winter. Positive signs.

Anglesey Abbey this morning

 

This is about 4 miles from us in the car.

10m 5W FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear was turned on at about 1140z.

UPDATE 1440z:  So far, spotted by 101 stations.  See map.

UPDATE 1757z:    243 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1900z:  QRT.

137kHz E-Field probe

At 137kHz I have only dabbled, but I was surprised and delighted at the performance of this little EFP RX antenna. It was mag-mounted on the car yet copied my low uW ERP beacon on the far side of Cambridge at 24km. At this point I stopped!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/137khz-efp-rx-antenna .

All quiet

 

In the summer this beach in S.Devon is busy whereas at this time of year it’s quiet. 

We can trace our family history continuously continuously back to the mid 1500s in these parts .

Sunspots - Saturday December 20th

 Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 33. A=6 and K=0.

VLF upconverter

There is a VLF upconverter on the DXexplorer website. On Christmas Eve there is a special transmission from the historic alternator 17.2kHz  CW transmitter SAQ in Sweden.

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

See also https://alexander.n.se/en/

Please note, this converter is fine for a peek "down there", but amateur signals usually are weak and need very high stability, very accurate frequencies and very narrow bandwidths. Details of my own VLF experiments are on my main website.

Hand delivery

We deliver local Christmas cards by hand. We were going to do it yesterday, but the rain was horrendous so we did it today instead in the cold winter sunshine.

Confused?

 Although a certain American would call it fake news, I can attest that the climate is warming.

House sparrows have been nest building in the loft above our bed for the last week and it is December !!

Snowy Wisconsin USA

 Many years ago some of our old neighbours relocated to the USA. They now live in Wisconsin and love it.

Millionaire homes?

 

In the 1800s these were probably poor hovels whereas nowadays they are chocolate box  cottages probably costing millions. This is the village of Dalham not far from where we live.

6m 5W FT8 yesterday

 Although I was only spotted in the British Isles one was in southern Eire at 580km. Not bad for 5W and an omn vertical!

10m 5W FT8 (Friday)

My gear was turned on at about 0710z. 

UPDATE 1037z:  Spotted by 133 stations with the furthest Hong Kong.  

UPDATE 1750z:  Spotted by 720 stations. See map. World-wide at 5W.

Adsense crappery

Yesterday I was supposed to have had five times the number of visits to this blog than the day before. Today I have supposed to have more visits than two days ago already without any posts! Perhaps they just make it up as it bears no resemblance to reality 🥴. 

Sunspots - Friday December 19th

 Solar flux is 116 and the SSN 87. A=17 and K=2.

Nearby Anglesey Abbey

We go for walks in nearby Anglesey Abbey most months. This is a photo of the main house. 

The property is owned by the National Trust.

6m 5W FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on at about 1442z.

UPDATE 1501z:   5 stations have spotted me. All in England and not too far away.

10m 500mW WSPR (Thursday)

My beacon was turned on at about 1440z.

UPDATE 1643z:  4 stations spotting me so far.

Sunspots - Thursday December 18th

 Solar flux is 119 and the SSN 68.  A=18 and K=3.

Day off radio

 As we had a funeral on the other side of the country (my wife’s brother) I was not on the radio today.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 17th

 Solar flux is 117 and the SSN 81. A=12 and K=2.

Times Radio and Ukraine

 Most days I watch Times Radio on YouTube about Ukraine It is usually informative.

10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0945z.

UPDATE 1312z:  7 stations have spotted me. These look like F2.

6m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear has been on since about 0945z.

UPDATE 1155z:  So far, 9 stations have spotted me including EI and GI. See map.

QDX-M

Hans at QRP Labs makes some excellent kit. 

As mentioned yesterday, I am having issues with my built (by QRP Labs) QDX-M rig. Today is my last day trying to eliminate "finger trouble" issues. I really hope I am doing something stupid and I have a "Eureka" moment and I can say how stupid I was. If not, I shall have no choice but to return it, sadly.

As stated yesterday, I am open to things to try with my Windows 10 PC. If you have any ideas, please let  me know! At the back of my mind is "it must be me", but I cannot see anything wrong.

Tuesday plans

 Later, I expect to try 10m 500mW WSPR and 6m 5W FT8. Later I may try 10m QRP FT8.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 16th

 Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 73. A=6 and K=2.

10m FT8 TX (Monday)

Just before tea I QSYed to 10m FT8  using my ready built 10m QDX-M. 

Although the TX works fine, I cannot work out what is wrong with the RX which appears to be totally deaf. Using Windows 10, I have (I think) exhausted everything I can try. The audio is not muted, the USB lead has been replaced, I have re-installed the drivers, the port has been correctly selected. I have tried starting the device again in case the PC is not recognising the device on RX. At the back of my mind is a hope that I will find something and it will spring in to life. Sadly, nothing tried has worked. 

Hans makes some splendid kit so I am reluctant to send it back until I am utterly convinced I am not doing something stupid, but I am at a loss. If I cannot find something tomorrow it will (reluctantly) be returned. 

If you have any suggestions of things I can try, please let me know.

Nearly

We always enjoy amaryllis plants growing at this time of year. 

One of ours is almost in flower and should be out at Christmas.

Bondi beach shootings

In my view everyone whether Jew, Muslim, Christian or otherwise has equal value.

Whilst everyone involved in the massacre at Bondi Beach deserves a lot of love and sympathy, I think President Netanyaho of Israel needs to answer some difficult questions. 

We all agree that the October 7th massacre of innocent people in Israel was evil and totally wrong, 

However I think the killing of nearly 60000 people in Gaza (including women and children) was evil too and the flattening of houses? Also, he should ask himself if the exclusion of the press from Gaza was wise?

What happened in Bondi was wrong and evil. 

Why can't we all live in peace, respecting every one of our fellow people on this planet?

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 1030z.

UPDATE 1541z:  5 stations spotting me with several "across the pond".

6m 5W FT8 (Monday)

 My gear was turned on at about 1030z.  

UPDATE 1119z:  So far, spotted by just 2 English stations, probably just normal tropo.

Philosophical question

Does anyone know of a philosophical experiment that proves there is a life beyond ourselves? We experience everything using our senses. Everything we experience is as we experience it.  We "think" things exist beyond ourselves. Can we prove it?

Monday plans

 Later I expect to try 6m 4W FT8 and 10m 500mW WSPR. That is if I dont change my mind!

Sunspots - Monday December 15th

 Solar flux is 119 and the SSN 78. A=7 and K=1.

Shetland sun

 

One of my friends on 365.org lives in the Shetland Isles and posts some interesting photos.

8m FT8 RX (Sunday)

 At about 1345z I switched to 8m FT8 RX on 40.680 MHz.

UPDATE 2023z:  No spots.

Online QSL card

Yesterday I received an QSL card online from a station in Italy. I have still to check my log, but will confirm the contact if the details are correct. 

Previously, I have had online QSL cards missing vital data like time, so I could not respond. As far as I can tell, this one included all the details.

These days I rarely send out real QSL cards by post.

6m 4W FT8 (Sunday)

 My 4W FT8 is on.

UPDATE  0910z:  9 stations have spotted me this morning (see map). I am unsure of the propagation mechanism but 4W FT8 and an omni V2000 vertical antenna seem to be enough.

UPDATE 2200z:  39 stations have spotted me. See map. Is this Es? Now QRT.

Christmas comes early?

Retailers have had a hard time lately. 

Is it me or did Christmas come early this year? I am sure this was to make sure profits were maximised. 

To me, the Christmas season starts no earlier than December 1st. Some shops were having Christmas goods as early as September. It seems Christmas has morphed into a commercial business.

Sadly, I am glad these days when all the hype is over.

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 0700z.

UPDATE 0855z:  3 spots by YO3IVV (2078km).

UPDATE 2025z:  7 stations spotted me today. Now QRT.

Sunspots - Sunday December 14th

 Solar flux is 122 and the SSN 76. A=14 and K=2.

6m failure!!

 Just for fun I let my IC705 on FT8 during the Geminids meteor shower, but copied not a single station!  Late last night a few stations spotted my 4W FT8 but I don’t think this was MS. One was in Germany. Oh well, I tried, ho ho. I know MSK144 would have been a better choice but wanted to see if anyone was copiable on FT8.

6m 4W FT8 (Saturday)

 My 4W 6m FT8 was turned in at about 2030z.

UPDATE 2036z:  So far, 4 English stations have spotted me.  No great DX.

6m FT8 in the Geminid MS shower?

For MS most people (I think) use MSK144. I am tempted to leave my 6m FT8 on RX overnight to see what happens. I am wondering if I might copy some people on 6m MS on FT8?  In a big shower I would expect some bursts to be quite long, more so on 6m than 2m.

In my experience MS signals can be quite strong, but quite brief.

1W 10m FT8 (Saturday)

My gear was turned on at about 1200z.

UPDATE  2018z:  So far 246 stations have spotted me. See map. QRT soon.

Sunspots - Saturday December 13th

Solar  flux is 135 and the SSN 124. A=28 and K=2.

A good use of AI

AI frequently gets a bad press, but there are some things it is very good at. 

Today I chanced upon a movie on YouTube of London in the 1700s. It was created using old black and white prints from that time. 

The finished movie gives you a great impression of how it must have been.

Geminid meteor shower

This meteor shower peaks this weekend. I expect it will lead to enhanced MS propagation on 10m, 8m, 6m, 4m and 2m. 

See Geminid meteor shower.

8m FT8 RX (Friday)

 All day I am on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1802z:  No spots.

Sunspots - Friday December 12th

 Solar flux is 146 and the SSN 123. A=26 and K=4.

Royal Ballet

It is fair to say that our granddaughter did NOT get her talent for ballet from my wife and I!! 

Last year she performed in front of UK royalty in Westminster Abbey and this year she is in the Nutcracker at the Royal Ballet in Covent Garden, London at the Royal Opera House. She makes us very proud!

10m 500mW WSPR (Thursday)

 My beacon was turned on at 1248z.

UPDATE 1318z: So far, no spots. 

UPDATE 1328z:  It helps if there is power connected. Being suspicious I noticed the power wire had become disconnected!

UPDATE 1353z:  Spots from the Canary Isles only.

UPDATE 1827z: 4 stations have spotted me including 2 in the USA. Now QRT.

Ukraine peace?

 According to this video, around 60% of people in the USA believe the USA should be standing behind (my understanding) Ukraine to counter the Russians whereas the peace plan put forward by President Trump appears to favour Russia and not what the majority in the USA want.

We all want peace, but it would appear we don't want a sell-out to President Putin. In my view simply appeasing Putin is not the answer.

From an outsider's perspective, President Trump seems more focused on making deals to make himself even richer than safeguarding democracy? This is how it appears, although I accept I may be wrong.

Micro80

This was my Micro80 transceiver  built many years ago. From this the famous Pixie transceiver was developed. It is on my main website.

Sunspots - Thursday December 11th

 Solar flux is 168 and the SSN 134. A=23 and K=4.

6m CW DX

 My best ever 2-way 6m DX was a QRP CW QSO with K1TOL when I was using 1W and a V2000 vertical omni antenna. This was Es. I think his antenna helped!!

Pure evil

In recent days I have been watching a series of programmes on the history of the British Empire. What comes across is how evil Britain was. I cannot believe how bad we were. 

The real purpose of the British Empire seems to have been exploitation.  We are in no way able to dictate how other countries should behave when we have been so bad in the past, and even quite recently.

Hair!!

 Back in the 1970s I still had hair! This is me using my 2m AM Fredbox to make contacts in Cambridge. It worked really well.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My stand-alone W5OLF (SK) 10m WSPR beacon has been on since about 0930z.

UPDATE 1515z:  23 stations spotting me. See WSPR Rocks map.

Maps in your head?

People have different ways of remembering .  When I am awake at night one strategy I use is to travel from A to B using the map in my head. I am surprised how many places are in my head!! For example places where I have lived or worked.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 10th

 Solar flux is 183 and the SSN 134.  A=5 and K=3.

QRP Fun

This video is 7 years old, but it might inspire you. Basically it is a 1 transistor transceiver by Dave Ingram K4TWJ from the book "International QRP Collection". 

I would expect the RX to be deaf so probably best to use on a sked rather than calling CQ on a frequency already occupied by a station that you cannot hear.

6m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)

My gear was turned on at about 1053z.

UPDATE 1409z:  So far, 8 British Isles stations spotting me. See map.

UPDATE 1936z: 11 stations have spotted me. See logbook. QRT soon.

10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My beacon was turned on at about 1052z.  

UPDATE 1411z:   Spotted by 15 stations. See table.

UPDATE 1518z: Spotted by 18 stations now.

More on Sable Island DXpedition

The dates for this are expected to be March 19-31 2026. I imagine the pile-ups will be massive! I hope to hear them, but my days of chasing DX are gone! I am not sure what modes or bands they plan.

See https://t-rexsoftware.com/cy0s/

OFCOM and satellites

Today OFCOM announced its final decisions about direct to smartphone communication via satellites. This could allow ordinary smartphones to use satellites to communicate giving coverage at sea and in very remote areas. Currently this needs special satellite phones.  I am not sure what antennas will be needed as special satellite phones currently have bulky antennas.

How this develops remains to be seen.

Tuesday plans

 Today I expect to go on 10m 500mW WSPR and 6m 5W FT8.

AD and BC

Has the world gone stupid?  

The "politically correct" phrases are now BCE and CE (common era).  Whether we believe in Jesus Christ or are of some other faith or none, why the heck change it?  

In my view this political correctness gone mad.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 9th

 Solar flux is 186 and the SSN 146.  A=2 and K=0.

Sable Island 2026 DXpedition

Sable Island is a small island of shifting sands in the North Atlantic belonging to Canada. There is a DXpediton there in 2026. I think there are no people permanently living there. 

There are wild horses there. It is continually changing shape.

See https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ns/sable .

Change of plan

 In the end I decided to go on 10m 500mW WSPR TX. 10 stations have spotted me 6 of which were in the USA.

UPDATE 2010z:  Spotted by 12 stations. Now QRT.

zBITX

 You may like this transceiver from India. For the price it is remarkable. It is built around a Raspberry Pi.

Monday plans - no radio?

 As we have to go into Cambridge for some Christmas shopping, I may not go on the radio today.

Museum at Christmas

This weekend, our local museum had a "Santa's Grotto" in the windmill. The children loved it and were told a story (in groups) and were each given a gift. To them it was magical.

In the main museum, there was face painting, mulled wine, minced pies  and much more. We helped with the raffle.

In all, it was a great. happy, occasion for all, especially the children.

Sunspots - Monday December 8th

 Solar flux is 194 and the SSN is 133. A=8 and K=0.

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

My beacon has been on since about 1115z.

UPDATE 1607z:  12 stations have spotted me. See table.

UPDATE 2138z: QRT

6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

My gear was turned on at about 1115z.

UPDATE  1132z:  Spotted by 2 English stations.

UPDATE  1603z:   13 stations have spotted me. See map.

UPDATE 2140z:  18 stations spotted QRT.

That time of year!

The museum and windmill near us is having a Santa’s Grotto weekend. 

We’re helping today.

Sunday plans

 Probably 500mW 10m WSPR and 5W 6m FT8 later.

WSPR?

The impression I am getting is that WSPR is going down in popularity whereas FT8 is going up. I was considering buying a dedicated multi-band WSPR TX and WSPR RX.  I am having second thoughts.

WSPR needs less bandwidth (about 6Hz) than FT8 (about 50Hz) but WSPR is more sensitive by about 10dB. Maybe many cannot make use of this because of local noise. Also FT8 allows 2-way QSOs.

Last evening I tried 40m WSPR  and FT8. On WSPR I spotted nobody, whereas on FT8 I spotted 12 stations in a similar period.

Sunspots - Sunday December 7th

Solar  flux is 200 and the SSN 129. A=16 and K=3.

.

AI crappery

At one time I enjoyed YouTube, but sadly you no longer can be sure that anything is real. 

I watched a very long video supposed to be by Brian Cox. It was clearly not by Brian Cox. Last week I watched a video that was meant to be the thoughts of Einstein.

The message is clear: you cannot know what is real and what is AI. The only thing you can do is assume everything is generated by AI unless you can be absolutely certain of the source.

Is there a universe?

This is a philosophical question. 

Is there any way of proving anything exists outside of ourselves? 

We observe everything through our senses and neurons. What happens when these are no more?  Does the world and universe still exist or is it only there because we observe it?

Ralph Waldo Emerson quote

" Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

This was a quote I cam across earlier from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

ZachTek WSPR transmitter

These are handmade in Sweden, although there is a Chinese rip-off that is available for much less. I think if files are available on the internet there is always a danger of this happening. 

I am not sure what protection registering the design gives, but I guess it must offer some help.

As I understand things, the Chinese rip-off does NOT contain switchable low pass filters, so the harmonic output is unlikely to be very good.

See https://www.zachtek.com/product-page/wspr-desktop-transmitter 

Saturday plans

 Probably 10m 500mW WSPR and 6m 5W FT8, although I am not sure.

Sunspots - Saturday December 6th

 Solar  flux is 206 and the SSN 133.  A=13 and K=4.

Oscar 100

MLS, one of the large UK distributors, is selling the DX Patrol Ground Staion for QO-100. I guess you have to add a GPS external reference, a LNB, a dish and a TX antenna.  

Probably you would still get change from £2k, which is less than the cost of many HF transceivers, a linear and a beam on a tower plus rotator. I guess operators now have confidence in this after many years.

The advantages are many.  The dish is small, fixed and no HF rig is needed. Within the footprint of the satellite DX is always available and without QSB. In many ways I am quite surprised many DXers have not gone for this option already.

I prefer experimentation.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ if you want to take a peek.

Incidentally, I heard recently about someone in the UK working a German station who was mobile on Oscar 100!! I think the station in the car was listening on the webSDR but using the 2.3GHz uplink to the satellite.

I suppose a low(er) cost option is to make or buy a TX transverter and helix and listen on the webSDR.

10m 2W FT8 (Friday)

My gear was turned on at about 1245z 

UPDATE 1330z: So far, 59 stations have spotted me. 

Really low cost kit

Steve G1KQH has brought to my attention a very low cost SSB/CW 40m kit from India. It really is exceptional value. 

As a club project you can even buy 5 kits (yes five kits!!) for $150 total. Individual kits are just $39.

See www.hfsignals.com  .

Friday plans

 Probably I shall go on 10m 2W FT8 later.

Dark breakfast!

In the UK early mornings are dark. Our grandson stays with us on Thursday night as he has an early start on Friday and relies on me to get him up although so far he has been very good for an 18 year old. Thankfully things get better after Christmas.