Internet of Things and 4m

From OFCOM:

"Ofcom is today consulting on plans to encourage investment and innovation in the Internet of Things by using 10 MHz of existing spectrum for new applications. 

The Internet of Things (IoT) is set to enable large numbers of previously unconnected devices to communicate and share data with one another via ‘Machine-to-Machine’ communications (M2M). 

Ofcom’s aim is to encourage M2M applications to use spectrum that will enable them to connect wirelessly over longer distances. This VHF spectrum has different properties to other frequencies, already in use for the IoT, and can reach distant locations which other frequencies may not.

Ofcom believes access to spectrum in this range could open new opportunities and bring benefits to citizens and consumers, especially those in remote and rural parts of the UK. The frequencies being made available span the 55-68 MHz, 70.5-71.5 MHz and 80.0-81.5 MHz bands.

Ofcom is also seeking views on whether any changes to the existing licence products are necessary in order to promote innovative uses in these bands, especially for serving rural and remote locations.

There are already more than 40 million devices connected via the IoT in the UK alone. This is forecast to grow more than eight-fold by 2022, with hundreds of millions of devices carrying out more than a billion daily data transactions.

Today’s consultation closes on 12 November 2015."

See http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/radio-spectrum-internet-of-things/ .

Sunspots and 10m - Mon Sept 21st 2015

Sunspot number today is 74 (K=3) and 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor". Yesterday conditions were not as good yet my 500mW WSPR was copied nearly 10000km away! I am hopeful for some decent F2 DX on 10m today. I am still awaiting my first WSPR spot from North America on 10m this season.

UPDATE 0904z:  Very quiet on 10m and 6m WSPR so far, with not even the locals copying me.

Drat!!

As I walked out of our bungalow this afternoon, the Red Arrows were in formation flying right over our windmill and on their way to Duxford. Sadly, I did not have a camera.

The image below is not on this website but at the link shown.

http://aerobaticteams.net/images/red-arrows/red-arrows-hawk-30.jpg

GB3VHF off?

Although I can copy beacons in Holland and Belgium on 2m and GB3LEU NW of Leicester (432.490MHz) on 70cms with my 2m big-wheel antenna, GB3VHF in Kent (144.430MHz) was absent when I looked earlier this afternoon (around 1340z). Maybe it is off for maintenance or they plan to co-site the new UHF beacon? Anyway, the big-wheel is great. Beacons are great for checking propagation when there are no active stations about.

Anyone know about GB3VHF please?

Forecasts?

Like the weather forecasts, it is sometimes a good idea to ignore solar forecasts!

Unique 10m WSPR spots today so far

Today has been pretty good so far with FR1GZ (9724km) copying my 500mW 10m WSPR signal for the first time this season. K=7 would have suggested to me that this was unlikely. Like 6m, 10m can give us nice surprises.

UPDATE 1338z:  So far just tropo/aircraft reflection on 6m WSPR. 10m is definitely better than I expected though. As I think the KD0 is actually monitoring in Brazil, I am still waiting for some F2 propagation to the USA this season.

Hirundines - NOT amateur radio

Around this time most of our summer migrant birds are heading south for warmer weather and more insects. Most swifts will have gone now to return here at the end of April or the start of May next year.

Today I saw a swallow and that may be the last this year. Some young birds may be around for a few weeks and it is just possible some may remain in South Devon and South Cornwall all year. Just a few may survive on the coast where there may be insects near seaweed all year. I once saw some swallows in South Devon on Dec 7th but that is very late. No, most are now gone to return next spring, at least gone from East Anglia. Some travel thousands of miles all the way to South Africa - a truly remarkable journey -  often returning to the very same next site they left. Quite remarkable.

The migration of birds is almost miraculous. I am sorry to see them leave but my heart is always glad when they return.

Of course, to some birds we are seen as warm! The Whooper and Bewick swans join us as do the fieldfares and redwings.

There is something good in every season.

Possible FT817 carrier?

A few days ago, Steve G1KQH, set me this link:

"How about one of these to put your 817 in when out portable?

I think I will order a Black one..

 

http://www.banggood.com/Leather-Men-Business-Package-Shoulder-Casual-Male-Messenger-Briefcase-p-985051.html

 

73 Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/"

Sunspots and 10m - Sun Sept 20th 2015

Sunspot number is 61 but with K=7 conditions are pretty disturbed. Conditions on 10m remain "poor". Do not expect much on 10m today! Conditions on 6m are likely to be even poorer. A bit of 10m Es might help.

UPDATE 0958z:  Just G4APB (88km) spotted today on 6m WSPR and locals G4IKZ (18km) and G4KPX (14km) spotting me on 10m WSPR.

10m WSPR today

It looks like there was some Es on 10m WSPR today with a few spots from central Europe.

Unique 10m WSPR spots today

There is 10m Es at all times of the year but it is much less common now. On 6m I have again drawn a total blank with no spots given or received at all. I've been on both bands since before breakfast!

Churches blog updates - NOT amateur radio

Today we visited the delightful Norfolk  town with its greens and fine Georgian houses of Hingham. Hingham is a few miles from Attleborough on the road from Norwich to Watton.

We ate lunch at the Lincoln Tea Shoppe and Bistro which is across the main Norwich-Watton road from the church and just off Fairgreen. On the way there and back we visited several churches and I have updated the church blog to include this.

Earlier this week we returned to Dalham church so I have updated the entry last February for Dalham too.

See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .