Sunspots and 10m - Mon March 21st 2016

Solar flux is 88 today. Sunspot number is 25 (K=2) and 10m propagation is, yet again, forecast to be "poor".

I QSYed from MF to 10m WSPR at 0915z. No overnight surprises on 472kHz.

Back on 472kHz WSPR

At about 1925z I QSYed from 10m down to 630m (472kHz) WSPR. I shall be on 472kHz WSPR for the evening and night with 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I am on RX 80% of the time.

UPDATE 1940z:  I see that G0LRD (25km) spotted me strongly on 472kHz WSPR.

UPDATE  2200z:  It helps to have the "upload spots" box ticked!  I was wondering why WSPRnet had others spotting me but I was, apparently, not spotting anyone. Then the penny dropped. Doh.

QRP Club News

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
See full QRP Rendez-Vous weekly report and "soapbox" on blog page - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Visitors  of  the  week: UA1ADF, UA6BFE, DL4ZBY, G3UD, OE6GWG, DL4AM, RD7K,  DF3QE,  RU3NJC, RV3GM, UA1CEX, UA9MLY, UR0ET, R1CAF, UA1CEG/p, OM6TC,  UX3MC,  OH6NPV, UR7VT, UA1ASB, DF5SF, Z35M/p, G3KJC, YU1WC/p, RX3DIT, VR2/RV3DSA, IZ1ELP, G3VBS, G3VXJ, RA3AL/m, R2FAE, EW1CY, ON6KZ
OE6GWG  and  G3VBS became Honor Frequenters of "rendezvous" -
Thanks for activity!
See you ALL on next "rendezvous" round tables!
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

Chinese 40m Pixie Transceivers

Looking in eBay recently I see that a 40m Chinese Pixie can be obtained for just £2.27 including free postage from China. Last year I bought one from a different supplier and it worked first time. I have no idea how they do these and make a profit at this price.

At these prices you cannot go wrong. If it goes wrong you've only wasted the cost of a coffee in a cafe. The amateur kit market is a tough one. If the Chinese can do kits at low, low prices what hope do the likes of the revamped Heathkit have? No, being in the amateur radio kit market is not for the faint-hearted.

Crystals

Often people want to buy crystals, but find these very expensive these days. There are alternative ways of getting specific frequencies these days using synthesiser chips, but some crystal frequencies can still be obtained inexpensively. GQRP club has a good range at reasonable prices (especially crystals for QRP frequencies) but Kanga UK also do a good range.

Return to 10m WSPR

10m WSPR beckoned and I returned at around 1015z. On 40m WSPR I was spotted in the USA late in the night.  Conditions on 40m have been better and it was an uneventful night.

UPDATE 1330z: 4X1RF (3519km) has spotted me 4 times on 10m WSPR so far today. I assume this is single hop F2. No other spots given or received on 10m WSPR so far.

UPDATE 1936z:  Several spots from Brazil on 10m WSPR. Who needs a high sunspot number?

Sunspots and 10m - Sun March 20th 2016

Solar flux is 89 today and sunspot number is 26 (K=2). 10m propagation is forecast to be "poor" again, although I rarely find this is so!

Quy - NOT amateur radio

Quy, Near Cambridge

Every year they hold the Fenland Country Fair near here. At this time of the year it is very quiet. A few years ago I saw some kingfishers here. Today, a buzzard and a couple of little egrets flew over.

QSYed to 40m WSPR

I have now gone QRT on 10m WSPR and QSYed to 40m WSPR for the evening and overnight period. Plenty of reports (15) of my first transmission. No great DX, but plenty of reports.

Getting ready for summer? - NOT amateur radio

Burwell Cricket Team getting ready for summer?

As we walked past today, it looks like the Burwell cricket team was getting ready for the new season.

Tan House, Burwell, Cambs

The Tan House is the biggest house in the village and was once the home of Francis Pimm who was at one time Foreign Secretary in the government.