First CW QSO on 472kHz

Although my local noise level is a little lower on 472kHz than on 500kHz it is still not low, so working stations with the current TX antenna (using it on RX and TX) is not the best of set-ups. Nonetheless, this evening I had my first 2-way QSO (on any band) of 2013 and this was on 472.5kHz CW with G3XIZ in Biggleswade. We exchanged 579 reports, although I was rather generous with my report really because of the local SMPSU noise. Also heard was G3YXM who was rather weaker than Chris.

I am now continuing with WSPR beaconing and will run the beacon (TX and RX) through the night for the first time on the new MF band. So far my best DX report is from Germany, but I would dearly love to be copied, if just once, by TF3HZ in Iceland. Haldor is monitoring and it is just about at (or just beyond) the limit of range with my 10-20mW ERP.  With QRP I have learned that nothing seems to be impossible with a bit of perseverance and good luck.

Hello 472kHz!

Today I did my first proper transmissions on 472-479kHz, although I did operate for a few hours before Christmas when there was some confusion over the NoV start date. Results today have been excellent with just ~10mW ERP from the short vertical antenna.

14 unique stations reporting my QRPp WSPR today on 474.2kHz

 Best DX is 990km, a very promising start on the new band. In addition, I appear to be suffering less noise on the new band than on 500kHz so I have been able to copy 6 unique WSPR stations so far.

In summary, a good few hours on the new band.

Goodbye 500kHz - it was good to know you.

This evening the 500kHz band is being withdrawn from UK amateurs at midnight, as it is in most other countries too, to be replaced by the 472-479kHz band. So, this evening is the end of an era.

With 2 young grandchildren staying with us for a few days (and using the shack as a bedroom), opportunities to get on the band have been very limited, but I did manage an hour of WSPR beaconing around tea time tonight as my way of saying "farewell" to the band. There were plenty of stations active as the reports below indicate.

So, I'll be QRT for a few days then starting up on 472kHz, although if I get a chance I shall be WSPRing during some of the day on New Year's Day.

Stations receiving my 10mW ERP 500kHz WSPR signals this evening

Recording the last hours on 500kHz?

Back in the late 1940s G5UM and others recorded the last few hours of operation on the old 56MHz (5m) band on an old 78rpm disc. Sadly this disc and copies of it appear to be lost forever.

I am very much hoping that a few stations in the UK and Eire will record the last hours on the 500kHz band which is being withdrawn on Dec 31st for ever, to be replaced by 472-479kHz.  Such recordings are a valuable piece of amateur radio history which will be treasured in years to come.  It would be a pleasure to pull such recordings together for posterity, but I shall be unable to listen myself because I'll not have access to the shack at that time.

If YOU can listen between 2300-2400GMT on Dec 31st and make a few recordings of the CW activity, please send me copies and I will produce a CD or MP3 file of them all.

472kHz (quiet) RX preamp

When the grandchildren and family have all gone home next week, my first project will be to improve the RX antenna system for 472-479kHz receive. As mentioned before, I am suffering badly from SMPSU noise pick-up inside the house, so plan to install a magnetic loop and preamp somewhere towards the bottom of the garden in an attempt to minimise pick-up from my own home and from neighbours. With a loop there is also the ability to sharply tune the antenna and to null interference from the worse directions. The circuit I propose to use is a version of my 9kHz tuned preamp, which has been used to copy G, DL and OK amateur stations on 8.97kHz last year. The loop will simply be retuned to the new MF band.  Not sure whether series or parallel connection to the loop will be better as both should work depending on the FET stage configuration (common base or common source).

Proposed tuned preamp, but with values changed for 472-479kHz

Last days on 500kHz

With just a few days left before the 500kHz permits are withdrawn for ever I've been doing a last gasp bit of WSPR beaconing. It is not easy to get on as we have grandchildren sleeping in the shack, but I managed to get on for a couple of hours early this evening.

Recent 500kHz WSPR reports (10mW ERP)

Reports were received from G, PA, DL and F stations. My local noise from the central heating controller prevented me copying much on the band. Before many days I shall have to erect a separate RX antenna for 472kHz.

A Happy Christmas

A very Happy Christmas to everyone who reads this blog. Today has been spent with some of the family enjoying good food, drinks and games. More of the family comes here tomorrow and yet more later in the week. We are now sitting down watching the typical Christmas TV fare in front of the roaring fire.

Quietly in the background, my WSPR beacon has been running with best DX 2-way reports with Brazil and best reception the Nambian WSPR beacon. 

One of my presents was a book of maps of the South Devon Coastal Footpath and another the second edition of QRP Basics. In a later blog I'll review the new version.

But now it is back to mince pies and a cup of tea!

5MHz NoV

A band that I have never tried before, apart from brief periods listening, is 5MHz. So, this afternoon I applied for an NoV, which was received by return email. Not sure what kit I shall use to get on the band (or when) as nothing I have covers 5MHz TX. Perhaps another transverter design is called for.

V5/DK1CE Namibia

Whilst in the shack this morning I turned on the FT817 to hear an unidentified (for nearly 10 minutes) CW station working people and giving 599 reports in the main. I called a few times and eventually got a 599 report, still not sure who the station was. Then, finally, he gave his callsign V5/DK1CE in Namibia. All the more pleased now I know that "3 blobs" on the FT817 is just 2.5W out to the halo antenna. And another DXCC entity this year.

FT817 "power blobs" question

Having owned my FT817 (original version, not ND) for nearly 12 years I am almost too embarrassed to ask this question now.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Yaesu_FT-817_(1).jpg

When checking an old Bird RF power meter today I measured the power of my FT817 on and off a PSU at all power level settings. All these years I had assumed that "3 blobs" on the screen (when on a PSU) meant that I was putting out 5W. What I measured was closer to 2.5W. This did not change when the PSU was disconnected: still 2.5W. Then I pressed the button to "no blobs" and the power went up several dB, to I assume a nominal 5W. When on batteries it was "blinking 3 blobs". having re-read the FT817 (original) manual I was none the wiser: it does not mention a "no blobs" setting.

I think all these years when I had assumed my DX was being worked with 5W I was actually using just 2.5W. It looks like I should have gone to the "no blobs" setting with a PSU to get the full 5W.

So, can someone please clarify what power the FT817 should produce at all the different "blob" settings on batteries and on a 13.8V PSU?

UPDATE: I have the answer from Pete M3KXZ

Hi Roger.

On PSU:
- no blobs, output is 5W
- 3 blobs, 2.5W
- 2 blobs, 1W
- 1 blob, 0.5W

On internal batteries, the radio will default to "L///" and output 2.5W. If you
select high power, you will get 5W with "///" blinking. The other blobs are same
as for PSU.

I always run off external battery pack and the max power setting shows no blobs,
until the voltage starts to drop a bit when it automatically goes to "///"
blinking.

Well I'll be damned!  So for 12 years nearly I've been running 3dB less than I thought.