OFCOM

Yet again I got notification by email from OFCOM. This time it is about licence exemptions for "white space" devices. The statement was dated April 16th but appeared June 3rd. The regulations come in to force June 9th.

See http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/TVWS-amendment-regulations-apr16/statement/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TVWS-amendment-regulations-apr16-statement .

Sunspots and 10m - Sun June 5th 2016

Solar flux is 80 again today. Yet again there are no sunspots (K=2) and the forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor". Thankfully 10m Es is good.

630m (472kHz) WSPR

Overnight and so far this morning I have been active on MF WSPR. PA3ABK/2 (306km) has been copied many times and he spotted my 5mW ERP during the night. G6AVK (78km) also spotted me. Although the band is noisier at this time, I think the biggest issue is too few active stations at this time of year. At one point I got really excited thinking someone in Sweden had spotted me on MF, only to realise this was on 10m. Doh! Overnight I spotted ON5TA (328km) who I think is new.

In a few minutes I shall be going QRT on MF and QSYing to 6m WSPR.

Pre-breakfast Es on 10m WSPR

It started very early today with several spots before breakfast from SM6WZI (1007km) and several a little later by DK6UG (633km). Local G4KPX (14km) is also spotting my 500mW WSPR beacon. I have the feeling today is going to be a good one for Es on 10m WSPR. I shall turn on the 6m WSPR shortly.

Back on 472kHz WSPR

As 6m was dead here on WSPR all day, I decided to return to 472kHz WSPR for the evening and overnight. I also re-synced the 10m beacon "just in case".

UPDATE 2100z: PA3ABK/2 (306km) was heard with in a few minutes. So far he has been copied 5 times this evening on MF but no-one has copied me.

Kelling and Sheringham Park - NOT amateur radio

When in north Norfolk, we usually eat at this place. It is in Kelling on the main road. Unlike many places, it is not "up itself", is staffed by real locals, and serves reasonable food at reasonable prices. Most visitors there are "normal". They also sell second hand books and other things. It is simple and old fashioned. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelling

We went on afterwards to see the flowers at Sheringham Park. Being a Saturday it was busy. We went here today as our weather forecast today showed "full sun" from 12 noon. There was fog until 3pm! The flowers here are just about past their best - another week and most will be dying. We waited for the sun and today was really our last chance this year to see these in bloom.

No early Es on 10m today

Unlike yesterday, I was spotted by no-one early on 10m Es today. Es is sporadic so it is entirely possible 10m and 6m could open to somewhere later. F2 openings are unlikely although not impossible on N-S paths, especially if we see Es and F2 propagation combined.

UPDATE 1625z:  Just local G4KPX (14km) spotting me on 10m today. No sign of Es on either 10m or 6m WSPR here.

Cynic - me?

As I grow older I think I am becoming a "grumpy old man" and a cynic.

This morning I see my email has yet another "something for the weekend" offer from one of the major UK amateur dealers with Yaesu mobiles at discounted prices. Now, these may be "lost leaders" to encourage us to buy other items. The cynic in me says two things. Firstly, are these items that are over-stocked or not selling well, possibly because there are lower cost Chinese radios around? Secondly, are these items over-priced anyway? Either way, I am not persuaded to buy.

Now, dealers have a tough job. They, rightly, have to make a profit. They have to cope with exchange rates that vary. But, are they taking us all as suckers? I am all for fair and reasonable margins, but please don't exploit us all. We are customers. We want you to remain in business for years to come but offer us fair prices! If you do, we will remain loyal customers. If you take us for a ride we will look elsewhere.

Sunspots and 10m - Sat June 4th 2016

Solar flux is 82 today. Sunspot number is 0 (yes zero) and K=1. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor" again.

We are now firmly in a period of low solar activity. This will be poor for many years, although there will be some better days.

241GHz or optical?

Although the world record for DX on the highest microwave band (241GHz) allocated to radio amateurs is measured in several tens of km, the UK record is quite modest.

My own view is 481THz optical is much easier: test gear is trivial and all the gear can be made inexpensively by nearly anyone. Microwave gear is much harder. I know people say you can "do microwaves" with minimum test gear, but I think you will find most who are successful are, or were, in the business professionally and have access to good microwave test gear. With optical gear this is definitely not the case. Before my stroke I built all my optical gear in the back of a garage and I achieved very useful results. Others have achieved far more than me. All you need are a scope, a multimeter and an audio generator. Much of the test gear needed for optical work is freely available software on the internet.

See http://www.microwavers.org/?241ghz.htm .