12 Apr 2016
70cm UKAC
As usual, I entered the RSGB's monthly activity contest for 70cms using 5W pep and my 2m big-wheel antenna. I only stopped on for less than 1 hour because of my poor voice. 5 QSOs were made as shown on the map. Considering the QRP, poor antenna and my limited time, I was quite happy with the results.
QSY to 40m WSPR
After another disappointing day on 10m WSPR, I have QSYed to 40m WSPR for the evening and overnight.
UPDATE 1840z: UA1ASB (2042km) is the best spot of my transmissions this evening so far. Plenty of spots given and received on 40m WSPR.
UPDATE 1840z: UA1ASB (2042km) is the best spot of my transmissions this evening so far. Plenty of spots given and received on 40m WSPR.
That EU referendum - NOT amateur radio
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36024492
As a "floating voter" in the coming EU referendum I am not impressed by the £9M government publication going to each home and the negativity of the "IN" campaign.
Surely if staying in is a good thing, there are positive messages, not just more negative comments, that can be shared? My instinct is to vote "IN" but I may well change my mind. I have a brain and intend to use it. I need to hear positive reasons to stay in the EU. All this negativity is counter-productive.
UPDATE 1850z: I got this in the last hour. Apparently, if you return the leaflet to the freepost address, the Conservative Party gets billed for the postage:
As a "floating voter" in the coming EU referendum I am not impressed by the £9M government publication going to each home and the negativity of the "IN" campaign.
Surely if staying in is a good thing, there are positive messages, not just more negative comments, that can be shared? My instinct is to vote "IN" but I may well change my mind. I have a brain and intend to use it. I need to hear positive reasons to stay in the EU. All this negativity is counter-productive.
UPDATE 1850z: I got this in the last hour. Apparently, if you return the leaflet to the freepost address, the Conservative Party gets billed for the postage:
Another stroke after-effect
At one time, I just looked at a word and knew if it was wrong. These days I really struggle. As an example, on one of my other blogs I used the word "daffodils". I have to admit that I had to look up the word to see if it was daffodils or dafoddils. I am sure that this lack of seeing spelling errors is yet another post-stroke after-effect. It is more of an inconvenience than a real handicap, but I can see that this has changed. Strokes and brain injuries are odd things. Even 2.5 years after it all happened it is still causing me real problems.
BeoFeng Dual Band Transceiver for £18.99 (or lower) with free postage!
See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BaoFeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-520-MHz-Dual-Band-DCS-DTMF-CTCSS-FM-Two-Way-Radio-/252233483100?hash=item3aba49835c:g:6RAAAOSwL7VWhdxu
Some of the prices for new amateur radio gear is just incredible. At these prices how can anyone make a profit? This is shipped from the UK too.
UPDATE 1235z: OK, I give up! I have just seen it available even cheaper (£15.75) on eBay!! See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BAOFENG-UV-5R-Dual-Band-UHF-VHF-Two-Way-Ham-FM-Radio-Speaker-Mic-Walkie-Talkie-/262371437743?hash=item3d168e6caf:g:JXkAAOSwJQdW-zkK
No doubt Steve G1KQH will find the lowest price ones! Once he reads this he will be "on the case".
UPDATE 1246z: Or maybe a smart watch with Bluetooth for just over £7? See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluetooth-Smart-Wrist-Watch-Phone-Mate-For-Android-IOS-iPhone-Samsung-HTC-UK-/172150503333?var=&hash=item2814f837a5:m:mIJ9EQ_TPg5B29hjQ8cDS_Q
Some of the prices for new amateur radio gear is just incredible. At these prices how can anyone make a profit? This is shipped from the UK too.
UPDATE 1235z: OK, I give up! I have just seen it available even cheaper (£15.75) on eBay!! See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BAOFENG-UV-5R-Dual-Band-UHF-VHF-Two-Way-Ham-FM-Radio-Speaker-Mic-Walkie-Talkie-/262371437743?hash=item3d168e6caf:g:JXkAAOSwJQdW-zkK
No doubt Steve G1KQH will find the lowest price ones! Once he reads this he will be "on the case".
UPDATE 1246z: Or maybe a smart watch with Bluetooth for just over £7? See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluetooth-Smart-Wrist-Watch-Phone-Mate-For-Android-IOS-iPhone-Samsung-HTC-UK-/172150503333?var=&hash=item2814f837a5:m:mIJ9EQ_TPg5B29hjQ8cDS_Q
Alibris amusement - NOT amateur radio
Each and every week I get an email from Alibris with so much off for a very limited time. Do they think I really am stupid? These offers are so often and so regular that I doubt anyone buys from them at the un-discounted prices. I hate these ploys. It is years since I have used them. Their sad marketing tricks do not impress me one bit.
10m WSPR and 630m WSPR overnight
As yet, no spots on 10m WSPR, although it is still early in the day. With solar activity up a bit I am hopeful of some 10m WSPR DX later, although 10m can be fickle and the forecast is "poor".
630m WSPR, last night was disappointing with no new stations copied or copying my 5mW ERP. It will soon be time to switch to 6m for the Es season.
It is possible some short skip will liven up 10m and 6m. The main Es season in the northern hemisphere is May, June and July but Es can occur at any time. WSPR helps find these brief openings!
630m WSPR, last night was disappointing with no new stations copied or copying my 5mW ERP. It will soon be time to switch to 6m for the Es season.
It is possible some short skip will liven up 10m and 6m. The main Es season in the northern hemisphere is May, June and July but Es can occur at any time. WSPR helps find these brief openings!
QRP
Oleg sent out a reminder about the Tuesday 0900z net on 14.060MHz but I have only just got on the PC, so I was unable to send out a reminder.
Generally there is QRP on, and close to, the internationally agreed QRP frequencies on each band. If you are after QRP QSOs then these are always the best places to look first. If you call a QRO station, the chances are they will not realise you are using 5W or less. The difference is only a few "S" points, so save the Earth's resources and only use the power you need. Besides, QRP operating is real fun.
Generally there is QRP on, and close to, the internationally agreed QRP frequencies on each band. If you are after QRP QSOs then these are always the best places to look first. If you call a QRO station, the chances are they will not realise you are using 5W or less. The difference is only a few "S" points, so save the Earth's resources and only use the power you need. Besides, QRP operating is real fun.
Sunspots and 10m - Tues April 12th 2016
Solar flux is 113 today. Sunspot number is rising and is 42 today (K=3). The forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor". I have been on 10m WSPR for about 30 minutes now, having QSYed from MF, which I was on last night.
11 Apr 2016
VHF conditions up?
We normally hold an East Cambridgeshire net at 1900z Mondays on 144.575MHz FM. If the channel is busy we move down 25kHz or further. This evening it was busy so we moved down to 144.550MHz FM. G4CPE (Luton) was a "smooth noise" signal with me working G3KKD. Next week we will be back on 144.575MHz FM all being well.
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