I am not sure if this is just a temporary blip but I am having great trouble accessing the main online database for WSPR called WSPRnet. It is taking an age to load. Although I have managed to access the database (after some minutes) I an shown as receiving no spots on either 10m or 6m. This may just be poor conditions or others failing to upload spots. I hope it is just temporary.
UPDATE 1545z: G6IMT (65km) is exchanging spots with me on 6m. With low Doppler, this could be pure tropo. I just checked the online traces from G6IMT and there are plenty of reflections from aircraft evident, although the traces that decoded may have been the direct tropo signal. Typically G6IMT is about -15 to -17dB S/N with me running 5W. Not sure what antenna he is using.
UPDATE 1740z: So far nothing at all on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1742z: I see that I spotted G3ZJO earlier this afternoon on 6m WSPR (-21dB S/N)
11 May 2015
Pye PF8
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/pf8 .
In my younger days I was a design engineer with Pye Telecom and one of the projects I worked on back in the 1970s was the Pye PF8. In its day this was a very novel transceiver, with few controls to get broken, an internal antenna and a DC-DC converter so it ran on a couple of rechargeable batteries. I was responsible for the antenna and the TX audio but was also heavily involved in debugging the many issues we had. The product became world famous as Bodie and Doyle used the radio in the TV show "The Professionals". Not that many were sold and on the second hand market they are very hard to find. I know some have been put to use on 70cms. They worked well in the end but they were a nightmare to work on at the time.
It was around this time I met Clive Sinclair. He was interested in compact antennas for his little TV and was interested in co-operating on RF ICs. Neither happened but I was flattered he had asked me for advice!
It was around this time I met Clive Sinclair. He was interested in compact antennas for his little TV and was interested in co-operating on RF ICs. Neither happened but I was flattered he had asked me for advice!
Been away from home
 |
| 2 of our grandchildren |
Sunspots and 10m - May 11th 2015
Although conditions are more disturbed today, sunspot number is virtually unchanged at 134 (K=4). 10m propagation is expected to be just "fair".
10 May 2015
Tenbox 10m AM transceiver
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/tenbox
This very simple 10m AM transceiver is based on the Fredbox and Sixbox transceivers. This is designed for local communications and NOT DX. Although the RX and TX have been breadboarded, illness has prevented the project being boxed. It would benefit from a 10dB TX linear and a RX LS amp such as an LM386 stage. More details on my main website.
This very simple 10m AM transceiver is based on the Fredbox and Sixbox transceivers. This is designed for local communications and NOT DX. Although the RX and TX have been breadboarded, illness has prevented the project being boxed. It would benefit from a 10dB TX linear and a RX LS amp such as an LM386 stage. More details on my main website.
Sunspots and 10m - May 10th 2015
Sunspot number is 136 today (K=3) and 10m propagation "good" again.
9 May 2015
Well, that was a surprise - NOT amateur radio
With all the UK General Election results in we have a majority government with no coalitions needed. All opposition has been crushed with leaderships up for grabs in all opposition parties apart from the SNP. Honestly this was a total surprise to most if, if not all, of us.
Sunspots and 10m - May 9th 2015
Sunspot number has climbed to 135 and for once 10m propagation is forecast to be "good" for the first time in weeks.
7 May 2015
UK General Election - NOT amateur radio
Please, if you have not done so already and you are in the UK, get out and vote. We live in a free country and this is our democratic right. The MP we choose, irrespective of party politics, represents us. Although I have not voted for his party for over 40 years, our local MP and his team have always researched my questions and got back to me with a considered reply.
The result of the UK General Election is too close to call and I expect we will be ruled by another coalition government, although it could be some weeks before we know the mix and flavour.
The result of the UK General Election is too close to call and I expect we will be ruled by another coalition government, although it could be some weeks before we know the mix and flavour.
Shortwave Interval Signals
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/interval .
For a touch of pure nostalgia try the link above. Like many, my first experience with short wave was as an SWL, listening on a simple receiver to some of these broadcasters. Many were trying to indoctrinate me whereas all I was really interested in was a QSL card! I recall some great gifts from China! I heard some impressive DX back in the 1960s.
Of course radio amateur DXing came later and radio amateurs ran considerably less power. These days I regularly copy stations running less than 5W from the other side of the planet, but I can still recall the thrill of hearing a 5kW broadcaster in the Windward Islands and copying Radio Australia on a crystal set - all the way from Australia too!
For a touch of pure nostalgia try the link above. Like many, my first experience with short wave was as an SWL, listening on a simple receiver to some of these broadcasters. Many were trying to indoctrinate me whereas all I was really interested in was a QSL card! I recall some great gifts from China! I heard some impressive DX back in the 1960s.
Of course radio amateur DXing came later and radio amateurs ran considerably less power. These days I regularly copy stations running less than 5W from the other side of the planet, but I can still recall the thrill of hearing a 5kW broadcaster in the Windward Islands and copying Radio Australia on a crystal set - all the way from Australia too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
