More VLF earth-mode tests

8.76kHz QRSS3 signal at 3.8km

Recently the water company repaired some pipes right outside our property in the road. I was informed the pipes are/were NOT metallic.

Today, just as a check, I tried 8.760kHz earth-mode running my usual 5W into 20m spaced earth electrodes just to see if the repair work made any difference to signal levels some kilometres away.

At my favourite roadside test site 3.8km from home I set up my RX and tried 2 different loops on the ground (a) my 30t 80cm square loop and (b) a large single turn loop.  Using QRSS3 the signal was copied on both antennas at the usual strength. This makes me think any "utilities assistance" is NOT purely from metal water pipes in the road.

My next planned test is to see how well an earth-mode signal propagates along one of the many fenland water channels using one TX electrode actually in the water and one on dry land. For RX I'll either use another earth electrode pair (one in and one out of the water) or a loop or E-field probe. The next couple of weeks are pretty busy with family matters, so this fenland river test may not take place until sometime in August.

Best deals in UK for phones, TV and broadband?

Just wondering what people think is the best deal currently available for TV, phones and broadband? Currently I have TV from Sky, phone calls from Sky (£25 - broadband and free anytime package with line still with BT at around £13) and 10M broadband from Virgin Media at £18. BT have offered me "up to 20M" broadband and free anytime phones for just £9.70 a month, plus £10/month line rental. This seems a very good deal. Whatever, I surely must be able to save by getting everything from one supplier.

What package do YOU have and how much should I expect to pay to get TV, decent broadband and free anytime phone (with line rental)?

6m/10m tropo with WSPR

On a few occasions recently I've had some spots at surprising distances within the UK by what I am sure is tropo on 6m and 10m WSPR. Just a few moments ago I got a -27dB S/N report from G0MGX in IO93ga at 145km with my 5W to the vertical on 6m. It is for this sort of surprise result that I find WSPR so good: when one least expects a report you get one.

UK/European SSB on Citizen's band

I understand that a recent CEPT (ECC) decision means that 27MHz SSB CB will be permitted in the UK and Europe from October. See http://www.erodocdb.dk/Docs/doc98/official/pdf/ECCDEC1103.PDF

Never mind the FT818, bring on the KX3!

Someone has reminded me that Elecraft pre-launched their new "trail-friendly" all mode QRP rig at the Dayton Convention recently. This will be a VERY sophisticated and well equipped small portable transceiver covering 160-6m with some truly astounding features. See http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/kx3.htm . Don't expect to see it much before Christmas 2011 or later.

FT818 All band portable

Some months back I posted a Photoshop created picture of a possible successor to the FT817, which I termed the FT818. This was NOT a real product but quite a bit of reaction was created, including a few people contacting Yaesu placing advanced orders!!

Such an FT817 successor has still to appear and I'm wondering if this is now likely at all, especially with the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It may be worth keeping an eye on the Japanese Yaesu site as new products sometimes appear first in Japan. Despite the less than brilliant HF conditions I still live in hope for a new HF/VHF/UHF handportable from this manufacturer before the Chinese do one instead, at a much lower price.

Near miss in Iceland

Late last week we crossed a 120m long bridge on the main Route 1 road in southern Iceland 3 times travelling to and from the small village of Vik. 24 hours later this bridge was completely destroyed when the dangerous Katla volcano had a minor eruption under the Myrdalsjoekull glacier sending melted ice and water rushing down to the sea with great force. We were so close to being on that bridge. See http://http.ruv.straumar.is/static.ruv.is/vefur/Katla_fyrir_net.wmv .

When Katla explodes seriously (it is overdue and has been stirring recently) it is likely to cause massive devastation in South Iceland and the fallout may well affect the world's weather for years (a bit like a nuclear winter) as was the case in past large eruptions. Be afraid, be very afraid...

Sunspots on the slide

Every day that passes I am more convinced than ever that the peak of cycle 24 has already passed and we are now on the downwards slope. If correct, this is one of the weakest cycles ever. It is still possible this is just a blip, but I think not.

Iceland

Currently on holiday in Iceland enjoying some spectacular scenery on the journey around the island by car. No radio gear - just enjoying the landscape, birds and people.

Meccano Magazine - free online archive

Today I rediscovered an old Meccano Magazine from 1942 in my drawers. Back in the 1950s the Meccano Magazine was a highlight I looked forward to receiving with news of new additions to the Hornby Dublo 00 gauge trains and new Dinky toys. Even this wartime edition has lots of interest in it. The size was obviously reduced in WW2 to conserve paper as it was considerably larger when I had in in the 1950s. The entire series of Meccano magazine is available free online. See http://meccano.magazines.free.fr/ .  Individual pages or whole magazines are available as pdfs.