From 1900-2130z (from 8pm UK clock time) the 70cm UKAC contest is running.
Although I am not a great contest person, these are usually good sessions with plenty of activity, mostly SSB. It will be a good opportunity to try the little 5 element beam to see what I can work from home using it. Conditions should be close to "normal" which will be ideal.
So far I have only heard the PI7CIS 70cm beacon - no other stations or beacons. I missed the recent UHF contest at the weekend. I was struggling with my voice in the 2m session last Tuesday, so may not stay on too long. Let's hope I manage to work some reasonable distances.
13 May 2014
10m quiet today - so far
10m WSPR is very quiet currently, with just 4X1RF (3519km) and 4X1DA (3597km) spotting me so far today. No South Americans so far, even though the sunspot count is 164 and 20-30MHz propagation is forecast to be "good". The band may well open up later to the Americas. It would be nice to see the 10m long path to Australia open up later (~20000km) as it did a few days ago. That was a total surprise.
UPDATE 1455z: Just been spotted by EB3EPR (1248km) on 10pm WSPR. No great DX - another station probably via Es.
UPDATE 1500z: Just spotted WP4JT (6849km) in Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. He claims to be using 10mW and I gave him -12dB S/N report which is remarkable . I suspect this power level is an error and his actual power is much higher. Otherwise I'd expect to see many more stations from that general direction. At 1536z he spotted my 2W at -6dB S/N.
UPDATE 1520z : CX2ABP (11127km) was spotted, by me, nearly an hour ago. I missed that one. Classic 10m N-S propagation.
Things are warming up!
UPDATE 1455z: Just been spotted by EB3EPR (1248km) on 10pm WSPR. No great DX - another station probably via Es.
UPDATE 1500z: Just spotted WP4JT (6849km) in Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. He claims to be using 10mW and I gave him -12dB S/N report which is remarkable . I suspect this power level is an error and his actual power is much higher. Otherwise I'd expect to see many more stations from that general direction. At 1536z he spotted my 2W at -6dB S/N.
UPDATE 1520z : CX2ABP (11127km) was spotted, by me, nearly an hour ago. I missed that one. Classic 10m N-S propagation.
Things are warming up!
12 May 2014
Lack of youngsters in the hobby and the growing RF engineer shortage
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2014/may/where_are_the_under_25s.htm#.U3Ey1rGZiSo
for an interesting piece about the lack of young people in our hobby.
The original article appeared in Essex Ham.
See also http://youtu.be/6UFP158SJbY .
Having given talks to several East Anglian radio clubs I can agree this is a serious issue. Most in amateur radio in the UK are in the older generation. It is right these people should be enjoying our hobby, but youth and youngsters are essential for its healthy future. We need to find new ways to bring them in and keep them interested.
Years ago, an amateur radio "ticket" was the only passport to a means of talking around the world. Today, with smart phones and the internet, talking world-wide no longer holds the same fascination for young people as it once did. To me, radio is still magic, but this is not the case for most young people.
Also note how many radio magazines there are on shop shelves compared with those about computers. We are in danger of facing a future without RF engineers in the UK. This is even more serious than the lack of youngsters in our hobby. The two are very much linked: if we want future RF engineers we need to grow young, keen, radio amateurs - the future is ours to influence! I never did understand why radio seems to be (mainly) a male interest. Odd.
for an interesting piece about the lack of young people in our hobby.
The original article appeared in Essex Ham.
See also http://youtu.be/6UFP158SJbY .
Having given talks to several East Anglian radio clubs I can agree this is a serious issue. Most in amateur radio in the UK are in the older generation. It is right these people should be enjoying our hobby, but youth and youngsters are essential for its healthy future. We need to find new ways to bring them in and keep them interested.
Years ago, an amateur radio "ticket" was the only passport to a means of talking around the world. Today, with smart phones and the internet, talking world-wide no longer holds the same fascination for young people as it once did. To me, radio is still magic, but this is not the case for most young people.
Also note how many radio magazines there are on shop shelves compared with those about computers. We are in danger of facing a future without RF engineers in the UK. This is even more serious than the lack of youngsters in our hobby. The two are very much linked: if we want future RF engineers we need to grow young, keen, radio amateurs - the future is ours to influence! I never did understand why radio seems to be (mainly) a male interest. Odd.
mcHF transceiver
Graham G8NWC has brought this QRP transceiver (the mcHF) to my attention.
See http://www.m0nka.co.uk/ . It is described as a small and inexpensive homebrew HF transceiver. Features (as listed on Chris M0NKA's website):
See http://www.m0nka.co.uk/ . It is described as a small and inexpensive homebrew HF transceiver. Features (as listed on Chris M0NKA's website):
- Standalone and compact embedded transceiver
- Operates on USB, LSB, AM and CW
- Large 2.8 inch color LCD
- Four encoders and 17 buttons for easier operation
- Fast and fully electronic RX/TX switching
- Two USB ports – for PC control and external keyboard
- Two temperature compensated oscillators/clocks makes it ideal for digital modes
- Four digital filters – 1.8kHz, 2.6kHz, 3.6kHz and 10kHz
- Built in Iambic Keyer that supports Mode A and Mode B
- Large 48kHz spectrum display
Ten-Tec and Alpha Amplifiers merge (RF Concepts)
Apparently Alpha Amplifiers and Ten-Tec have merged creating a multi-million-dollar company with products that span QRP transceivers
to full-legal-limit amplifiers.
Alpha Amplifiers has been building amplifiers since the early 1970s. Alpha Amplifiers are considered "the finest line of linear amplifiers in the world" (their words). Ten-Tec started in 1968 and mainly design and make transceivers. Both are world famous.
Alpha Amplifiers has been building amplifiers since the early 1970s. Alpha Amplifiers are considered "the finest line of linear amplifiers in the world" (their words). Ten-Tec started in 1968 and mainly design and make transceivers. Both are world famous.
Sounds to me like the merger was needed to keep both companies afloat? Of course I may be totally wrong and both companies may be financially secure.
But, times are hard for manufacturers in the amateur radio world. This will become even more critical when the Chinese start really addressing the amateur market. Up to now, the Chinese have been "playing around in the wings".
But, times are hard for manufacturers in the amateur radio world. This will become even more critical when the Chinese start really addressing the amateur market. Up to now, the Chinese have been "playing around in the wings".
QRP rigs
See http://www.vanyi.net/homemade/homebrew-hf-ssb-transceivers/ .
This page has a nice collection of links to a range of (mainly) homebrew QRP transceivers for various bands. Well worth a visit and good browse.
This page has a nice collection of links to a range of (mainly) homebrew QRP transceivers for various bands. Well worth a visit and good browse.
Amateur balloons
This is a branch of amateur radio with a very dedicated following. Amateurs launch small balloons with lightweight payloads which are tracked with telemetry on the 70cm band. Some fall back to earth quickly, whereas others manage to cover vast distances. Some payloads include small cameras.
See the Southgate News Page and
http://www.kf4l.org/pigs/qrp_radio_and_balloon_held_hosta.html and
http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/students-space-probe-snaps-isle-of-wight-from-above-57443.asp
Recovery is by no means assured so ballooners have to be prepared to lose the lightweight payloads, so they tend to be low in cost as well as light in weight. It has become a sub-set of the hobby with very keen people making some quite amazing payloads. Another group enjoy tracking the ballonns.
Recently, a balloon went all the way from the UK to Japan.
See the Southgate News Page and
http://www.kf4l.org/pigs/qrp_radio_and_balloon_held_hosta.html and
http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/students-space-probe-snaps-isle-of-wight-from-above-57443.asp
Recovery is by no means assured so ballooners have to be prepared to lose the lightweight payloads, so they tend to be low in cost as well as light in weight. It has become a sub-set of the hobby with very keen people making some quite amazing payloads. Another group enjoy tracking the ballonns.
Recently, a balloon went all the way from the UK to Japan.
Chinese transceivers - a wake-up call?
The English manual for the KN-Q10 QRP radio kit from China is now available. See http://www.qsl.net/bd6cr/knq10manual.pdf .
It seems like more and more of these kits/rigs are starting to appear from China at very competitive prices. Most seem (to my eyes) to be immature (amateur looking) designs and it could be a few years yet before we see real competition to the likes of Yaesu and Icom. Up to now these Chinese radios look like "back shed" designs unlike the mature, professional jobs from Japan.
But mature Chinese designs are coming! Be in no doubt. When it happens big-time it will be a bombshell to the Japanese manufacturers: expect real price competition, leading to offshore, lower cost, assembly by Yaesu and Icom. Expect to see the FT817 back at £350 (or less) next year or the year after.
[Incidentally, every blog and Facebook entry seems to need at least one correction. I am assuming this is not my keyboard but because of my stroke. I am not a good typist and have to look at the keyboard, more so now than I recall in the past. I keep putting the letter "i" where it should be "u" and missing out the odd letter. I also seem to have lots of "n" letters where they should not be. My apologies if you see errors.]
It seems like more and more of these kits/rigs are starting to appear from China at very competitive prices. Most seem (to my eyes) to be immature (amateur looking) designs and it could be a few years yet before we see real competition to the likes of Yaesu and Icom. Up to now these Chinese radios look like "back shed" designs unlike the mature, professional jobs from Japan.
But mature Chinese designs are coming! Be in no doubt. When it happens big-time it will be a bombshell to the Japanese manufacturers: expect real price competition, leading to offshore, lower cost, assembly by Yaesu and Icom. Expect to see the FT817 back at £350 (or less) next year or the year after.
[Incidentally, every blog and Facebook entry seems to need at least one correction. I am assuming this is not my keyboard but because of my stroke. I am not a good typist and have to look at the keyboard, more so now than I recall in the past. I keep putting the letter "i" where it should be "u" and missing out the odd letter. I also seem to have lots of "n" letters where they should not be. My apologies if you see errors.]
Back on the air (10m and 2m)
10m WSPR (so far this morning) is just EU stations via Es. My only report, so far, is from SM6WZI (1007km) who has spotted my 2W several times. I have spotted, several more stations too.
On 2m, GB3NGI (N.Ireland beacon) is currently just above the noise keying away at around 530km by tropo.
UPDATE 0924z: 4X1RF has just spotted me on 10m WSPR. Sunspot count 161 (good) but 20-30MHz conditions described only as "fair".
UPDATE 1105z: 4X1RF has spotted me 8 times so far today. Still no DX from further east though (well not here).
UPDATE 1150z: CX2ABP (11127km) just spotted. 10m opening to South America.
UPDATE 1450z: CX2ABP spotted 5 times now. Opening to South America looks reasonable this afternoon. But no South American has spotted me yet today.
UPDATE 1712z: CX2ABP (5W) has been spotted by me several times today, but I guess my lower power (2W ish) is enough to put my signal in "the crud" of Monte Video as he has not spotted me once yet. Maybe later? Also, no other South Americans seen here.
UPDATE 1815z: CX2ABP has spotted my 2W for the first time today at 1812z. It was a long time coming! Reports differed by around 3dB which is right for the power difference.
UPDATE 2030z : I4ZTO spotted me. Es propagation must be responsible for this strong (-7dB S/N) spot of my 2W at 2018z.
On 2m, GB3NGI (N.Ireland beacon) is currently just above the noise keying away at around 530km by tropo.
UPDATE 0924z: 4X1RF has just spotted me on 10m WSPR. Sunspot count 161 (good) but 20-30MHz conditions described only as "fair".
UPDATE 1105z: 4X1RF has spotted me 8 times so far today. Still no DX from further east though (well not here).
UPDATE 1150z: CX2ABP (11127km) just spotted. 10m opening to South America.
UPDATE 1450z: CX2ABP spotted 5 times now. Opening to South America looks reasonable this afternoon. But no South American has spotted me yet today.
UPDATE 1712z: CX2ABP (5W) has been spotted by me several times today, but I guess my lower power (2W ish) is enough to put my signal in "the crud" of Monte Video as he has not spotted me once yet. Maybe later? Also, no other South Americans seen here.
UPDATE 1815z: CX2ABP has spotted my 2W for the first time today at 1812z. It was a long time coming! Reports differed by around 3dB which is right for the power difference.
UPDATE 2030z : I4ZTO spotted me. Es propagation must be responsible for this strong (-7dB S/N) spot of my 2W at 2018z.
11 May 2014
Non-radio day
For the first time since my stroke last September I ventured out of the
county (Newmarket and Bury-St-Edmunds, Suffolk excepted), with my wife, to visit my son and family who live near
Canterbury, Kent.
So today was a non-radio day: no WSPR, no 2m or 70cm beacon monitoring, no 472kHz. Yesterday the antennas were taking quite a battering from the wind. I shall be on-air again Monday AM.
As I cannot drive (currently, as a result of the stroke) we did a day return by train. It was
seamless and travel in both directions was fast. We had from 12-4pm
with our son and family and about the same time in travel on fast
trains, especially in Kent. It was a lovely day out.
Now we have done it once we may well do it again. Being a Sunday, parking at Cambridge station was easy and cheap. Our son picked us up at Canterbury West station. There were no delays because of engineering works.
Booking in advance, via http://www.thetrainline.com/, and using our Seniour Railcards, the fares were reasonable too.
So today was a non-radio day: no WSPR, no 2m or 70cm beacon monitoring, no 472kHz. Yesterday the antennas were taking quite a battering from the wind. I shall be on-air again Monday AM.
 |
| With the grandchildren in Kent today |
Now we have done it once we may well do it again. Being a Sunday, parking at Cambridge station was easy and cheap. Our son picked us up at Canterbury West station. There were no delays because of engineering works.
Booking in advance, via http://www.thetrainline.com/, and using our Seniour Railcards, the fares were reasonable too.
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