Sunspot number is 85 - still quite high (K=1) and 10m propagation is expected to remain "fair" today.
UPDATE 0914z: So far on 10m WSPR just spots from locals G4IKZ (18km) and G4KPX (14km). No DX spots yet on the band.
7 May 2015
6 May 2015
10m antennas
As you will have noticed by now, 10m is one of my favourite bands. Although quiet at many times in the solar cycle it always comes to life with Es from late April until September. Alert 10m operators will sniff out Es at other times too, but there may be long periods of noise, as on 6m. WSPR is an ideal mode when the band may otherwise seem quiet. It is good for local nattering at any time and F2 N-S DX is often there even at solar minima. Antennas for the band are small and easy to make such as the design on my website for a 10m halo. See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/ .
A video of K7AGE making a dipole for 10m is available at YouTube. See https://youtu.be/84F4UgSWmQo. In this video, Randy is making a dipole for the USA technician's band, so to cover the main SSB band (28.4 to 28.6MHz) you will need to make the wire slightly shorter. In my experience if you cut the wires for the centre of the band it will still have a pretty low SWR at the band edges. Even a very simple ATU will bring the SWR down to 1:1, although unless your rig has a problem with a mismatch of around 1.8:1, I would not bother, as the difference in radiated power is negligible (fraction of an S-point).
Because of the short wavelength, 10m antennas don't have to be that high to be effective. When the band is in good shape, worldwide DX can be had with simple wire antennas and low power. It is a rewarding band. What is more, 10m multi-mode transceivers can be bought at low cost. In summary, 10m is unique: low cost transceivers, simple antennas and good DX potential.
A video of K7AGE making a dipole for 10m is available at YouTube. See https://youtu.be/84F4UgSWmQo. In this video, Randy is making a dipole for the USA technician's band, so to cover the main SSB band (28.4 to 28.6MHz) you will need to make the wire slightly shorter. In my experience if you cut the wires for the centre of the band it will still have a pretty low SWR at the band edges. Even a very simple ATU will bring the SWR down to 1:1, although unless your rig has a problem with a mismatch of around 1.8:1, I would not bother, as the difference in radiated power is negligible (fraction of an S-point).
Because of the short wavelength, 10m antennas don't have to be that high to be effective. When the band is in good shape, worldwide DX can be had with simple wire antennas and low power. It is a rewarding band. What is more, 10m multi-mode transceivers can be bought at low cost. In summary, 10m is unique: low cost transceivers, simple antennas and good DX potential.
Es on 10m and 6m
EA1KV (1304km) was spotting my 500mW WSPR at lunchtime on 10m and DL1KAI (645km) was spotted very early this morning on 6m WSPR. Both of these were Es I believe.
Still waiting for some Es outside of Europe on 6m WSPR. Guess I have to be patient.
UPDATE 1325z: M0YOU (116km) has been spotted strongly on 6m WSPR but with a lot of Doppler suggesting aircraft reflection. G3ZJO (79km) has also been spotted on 6m WSPR.
UPDATE 2208z: More 10m Es with I4ZTO (1185km) spotting me earlier, but no sign of spots by USA stations again.
Still waiting for some Es outside of Europe on 6m WSPR. Guess I have to be patient.
UPDATE 1325z: M0YOU (116km) has been spotted strongly on 6m WSPR but with a lot of Doppler suggesting aircraft reflection. G3ZJO (79km) has also been spotted on 6m WSPR.
UPDATE 2208z: More 10m Es with I4ZTO (1185km) spotting me earlier, but no sign of spots by USA stations again.
Belcom LS-707 70cm multi-mode rig
A radio amateur in Nottingham,Vic G0RVA, recently bought one of these Belcom rigs. It appears to be an all-mode 70cm rig, although I am not familiar with this unit.
I know Belcom did a 2m version (the famous Liner-2, which I did once own) and a similar version for 70cm. The Liner-2 was a modification of their 10m version, which I don't think was ever sold in the UK. Inside Vic's rig was what looked like a canned preamp with the marking "AngleLinear" but again I am not familiar with this unit. Angle Linear appear to be based in the USA http://anglelinear.com/ .
In its day, the 2m Liner-2 transformed 2m. It was a synthesised SSB rig and was frequently pushed too hard so that splatter was a problem. I was amazed how far I could work on 2m SSB with 10W pep. From Cambridge I could work stations that would have been impossible on FM or AM. I found I could work 200-300km with a simple antenna under ANY conditions.
Many were critical of these early Belcom transceivers, but I enjoyed my Liner-2 as did many others. Later I bought an ICOM IC202 which was a better radio, but with less ERP. The IC202 had a mock military style, that really was not too clever.
The "coming of age" of 2m SSB marked the change from "tuning high to low" to single frequency working. Sadly, there is far less activity on 2m SSB outside of contests so people think VHF is only really any good for local QSOs. With 10W SSB, or even less, it is possible to work a long way on VHF irrespective of conditions. From my current QTH, I think 200km is reachable with 5W pep and a 3 el beam on 2m. It is not that different on 70cm where I use 5W pep and a 5 el beam. Both my beams are hand rotated.
I know Belcom did a 2m version (the famous Liner-2, which I did once own) and a similar version for 70cm. The Liner-2 was a modification of their 10m version, which I don't think was ever sold in the UK. Inside Vic's rig was what looked like a canned preamp with the marking "AngleLinear" but again I am not familiar with this unit. Angle Linear appear to be based in the USA http://anglelinear.com/ .
In its day, the 2m Liner-2 transformed 2m. It was a synthesised SSB rig and was frequently pushed too hard so that splatter was a problem. I was amazed how far I could work on 2m SSB with 10W pep. From Cambridge I could work stations that would have been impossible on FM or AM. I found I could work 200-300km with a simple antenna under ANY conditions.
Many were critical of these early Belcom transceivers, but I enjoyed my Liner-2 as did many others. Later I bought an ICOM IC202 which was a better radio, but with less ERP. The IC202 had a mock military style, that really was not too clever.
The "coming of age" of 2m SSB marked the change from "tuning high to low" to single frequency working. Sadly, there is far less activity on 2m SSB outside of contests so people think VHF is only really any good for local QSOs. With 10W SSB, or even less, it is possible to work a long way on VHF irrespective of conditions. From my current QTH, I think 200km is reachable with 5W pep and a 3 el beam on 2m. It is not that different on 70cm where I use 5W pep and a 5 el beam. Both my beams are hand rotated.
Sunspots and 10m - May 6th 2015
Sunspot number has climbed back up to 99 (K=3) today and 10m is expected to be "fair".
So far, just EA8BVP (2986km) who has been spotting my 500mW all morning and local G4IKZ (18km). No real DX to report as yet. Whenever EA8BVP is active he seems to copy me on 10m.
So far, just EA8BVP (2986km) who has been spotting my 500mW all morning and local G4IKZ (18km). No real DX to report as yet. Whenever EA8BVP is active he seems to copy me on 10m.
5 May 2015
Churches blog updated - NOT amateur radio
See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/.The East Anglian Churches blog has been updated to include Exning, St Martin, church which dates back to the 1100s.
Exning is older than nearby Newmarket which is world famous as the home of horse racing. Exning is about 2 miles from us and Newmarket about 4 miles away from us.
We do most of our food shopping in Newmarket as it is the nearest main town with the main supermarkets like Waitrose, Asda and Tesco. There is also an M&S.
Amateur radio as a gateway to a career in engineering?
See http://www.kb6nu.com/is-amateur-radio-still-a-gateway-to-electrical-engineering/ .
At one time, amateur radio was a good gateway into an engineering career, but I have real doubts this is true today. In my younger days, when I started as a professional radio engineer nearly everyone who was any good was a radio amateur. When I left 7 years ago, I was the only person doing any amateur radio building over my lunch break. The magic is no longer there. In fact people are embarrassed to admit they are radio amateurs. We need to find what connects with the younger generation or the future of our hobby is at great risk.
I think I have mentioned on my blog before that when interviewing potential RF design engineers with good honours degrees I was appalled to find that most knew nothing about radio. I knew more as a schoolboy. This is a sad indictment of our times. It was not that I was good (I was not) but the quality of good engineers was not there any more. There was little intrinsic interest in radio - if it was in the course they might know about it. As youngsters, we were excited about radio! Where is that spark today?
At one time, amateur radio was a good gateway into an engineering career, but I have real doubts this is true today. In my younger days, when I started as a professional radio engineer nearly everyone who was any good was a radio amateur. When I left 7 years ago, I was the only person doing any amateur radio building over my lunch break. The magic is no longer there. In fact people are embarrassed to admit they are radio amateurs. We need to find what connects with the younger generation or the future of our hobby is at great risk.
I think I have mentioned on my blog before that when interviewing potential RF design engineers with good honours degrees I was appalled to find that most knew nothing about radio. I knew more as a schoolboy. This is a sad indictment of our times. It was not that I was good (I was not) but the quality of good engineers was not there any more. There was little intrinsic interest in radio - if it was in the course they might know about it. As youngsters, we were excited about radio! Where is that spark today?
Heathkit coming back?
There are rumours suggesting that Heathkit is being resurrected and may yet again sell kits. I sincerely hope this is correct as Heath made some of the very best kits in its time. When it stopped selling amateur radio kits it left a big hole.
In my time I owned the HW8 (15, 20, 40 and 80m QRP CW transceiver), plus an Electronics Workshop when I was first interested in radio way back in the early 1960s. The Electronics Workshop enabled me to do some Medium Wave broadcast DXing around Christmas 1961) and some decent DX was worked with the HW8 in the late 1970s.
Although the Heathkit website (www.heathkit.com) worked yesterday it does not appear to work today, at least not when I tried. Http:/heathkit.com does work. It does not like the www. Try deleting this if it appears in your browser.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heathkit .
See also http://www.amateurradio.com/heathkit-2/ - post by Neil W2NDG.
See http://stores.ebay.com/datapro/_i.html?rt=nc&LH_BIN=1
In my time I owned the HW8 (15, 20, 40 and 80m QRP CW transceiver), plus an Electronics Workshop when I was first interested in radio way back in the early 1960s. The Electronics Workshop enabled me to do some Medium Wave broadcast DXing around Christmas 1961) and some decent DX was worked with the HW8 in the late 1970s.
Although the Heathkit website (www.heathkit.com) worked yesterday it does not appear to work today, at least not when I tried. Http:/heathkit.com does work. It does not like the www. Try deleting this if it appears in your browser.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heathkit .
See also http://www.amateurradio.com/heathkit-2/ - post by Neil W2NDG.
See http://stores.ebay.com/datapro/_i.html?rt=nc&LH_BIN=1
QRP Kits reopens
That font of all knowledge Steve G1KQH reports:
"Hendricks QRP Kits http://www.qrpkits.com has re-opened for business under its new proprietors, James Bennett and Kathy Long of Pacific Antenna. James writes:
"We are excited to resume operations as of May 1 providing Hendricks QRP Kits and in the very near future, we will be bringing back the entire Pacific Antenna line of antenna kits and parts. We very much appreciate the patience that has been shown as we worked through this transition and we look forward to serving the QRP community. 73 James and Kathy"
6m WSPR - very quiet
Apart from a spot yesterday evening at 2002z from G6AVK (78km), 6m WSPR has been very quiet here. I am still using an ERP of around 1W from my V2000 vertical. This should reach most DX stations on WSPR. No GDX spotted, or spotting me, overnight. I'll stick with the band today in the hope of some Es later.
UPDATE 1110z: I spotted 2E0BMG (62km) several times this morning. Doppler suggests aircraft reflections were involved. Judging by the Doppler, I think aircraft were involved.
UPDATE 1820z: G4FGJ (44km) has been exchanging 6m WSPR spots with me around teatime.
UPDATE 1110z: I spotted 2E0BMG (62km) several times this morning. Doppler suggests aircraft reflections were involved. Judging by the Doppler, I think aircraft were involved.
UPDATE 1820z: G4FGJ (44km) has been exchanging 6m WSPR spots with me around teatime.
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