Activity continues to disappoint me. Whilst for some this has been an introduction to microwaves, I was expecting far more DXers to make use of this.
As I have said before, I think it is just too hard for many. The main markets of the USA and Japan do not come within the satellite footprint. This means there are no mass market "black boxes".
In a word - pathetic.
Every few weeks I take peek at activity of this geosynchronous satellite. It is very very low. I cannot say how disappointing I find this.
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.
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.
It certainly has encouraged some to assemble a ground station, but general activity is way below what I would have expected.
My last "peek" at the narrowband webSDR at Goonhilly Down was mid evening in the UK on a Saturday evening, when I would have expected activity levels to be good.
Based on the activity levels seen, I think it is very unlikely we will see another geosynchronous amateur satellite in a hurry.
Apart from those keen to assemble a ground station (fixed, small antenna, no tower, much of the world in range day and night, no QSB etc.) it has been under-used.
The last peek was a Friday evening in Europe. Once again it was sadly quiet.
It has never appealed to me, but I was quite surprised it was not more popular. Based on this satellite, I can't see another for some time.
By now, I was expecting it to be busy. It is not.
Activity is still disappointing.
In a word? Dire.
Every few weeks I try to give a very unscientific appraisal of activity through the narrowband transponder on this geosynchronous satellite. I do this by looking at the web SDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall, UK. It is a while since I did an update. This time it was a mid afternoon, mid-week, in Europe.
Whilst I admit that some have enjoyed the challenge of building or assembling microwave kit to create a ground station, the level of activity has fallen well below that I was expecting.
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .
I have said before, I suspect the lack of commercial ready made gear has put off "appliance operators" who prefer to spend their money on shiny boxes from Japan.
In my view this tells us a lot about the state of amateur radio. Most have become "black box" operators, who probably have no idea about the technology of the box they are using. Quite probably the vast majority of operators today have never, ever, done any experimentation. More than ever I can see the day coming when amateur radio ceases to exist.
Sadly, there were few stations active. I can well believe people like assembling a ground station, then lose interest. As I have said before, with more black boxes, activity might have been higher. Personally I prefer experimentation. Sadly my poor fine motor skills prevent me making a ground station these days. In the past I would have done so.
It was refreshing to see someone who got active by creating his own ground station.
On the face of it, it offers DX over a good proportion of the planet, without fading, linears, beams or towers. Antennas are small, can be low and are fixed.
I very much doubt the Japanese big manufacturers will do anything as the satellite footprint does not cover Japan or the USA.
It seems ages since I gave an update on Oscar 100, which is the Qatari geosynchronous satellite. When I looked mid afternoon UK time there was some activity, but it was hardly busy.
Probably the lack of "black box" solutions puts many off, although it allows much of the planet to be worked without QSB and with a small fixed antenna at any time. I remain surprised that it is still so quiet. No need for linears or towers!
Sadly, many in the amateur radio community are "black box" operators who would rather spend money than experiment. In my view this will lead to the death of the hobby.
Every few weeks I take a look at the online SDR at Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall , UK monitoring the narrowband transponder on this geosynchronous satellite.
It has certainly encouraged amateurs to experiment with microwaves but, in my honest personal opinion, it has not attracted the following I was expecting. There is still plenty of space.
This is a pity as it offered DXing without QSB at any time covering large parts of the planet with small, fixed antennas. There is no need for towers, big beams and linears. Antennas could even be ground mounted.
There are no rigs from Japan probably as the satellite does not cover the USA and Japan. I suspect this is one reason why they have not bothered.
Although this has encouraged many to try microwaves, I am disappointed more have not tried it. On the face of it, it offers DX with a small fixed antenna, without QSB at any time day or night as long as the satellite may be "seen".
The last time I looked was early evening, European time, on a weekday.
In my view Oscar 100 has been a failure with usage far below expectations.
My theory is that many have become zombie "black box" appliance operators who struggle to tell the difference between a resistor and transistor. Getting active on Oscar 100 is just too hard for most.
Amateur radio is meant to be about self training and research. Does the growing cycle of carrots count? 😁
It is not helped by the big markets of Japan and the USA being outside its coverage.
It is my view, stated many many times before (sorry for the broken record) that amateur radio as we know it will be gone in 20 years as most people grow very old and no longer buy gear. I know of one local who bought a new rig and cannot operate it as there are too many adjustments!
My last peek was late afternoon in Europe on a weekday. To my surprise there was more activity than I expected. At this stage, I would have hoped for even more activity.
My QMX+ has been on since about 1035z. So far, 5 English stations have spotted me. The QMX+ initialised after a few minutes! UPDATE 1145z:...
