East Cambs 2m FM Net

This is on 144.575MHz FM (yes 144) at 2000z Mondays, vertical, and is open to anyone. Regulars are G4NUA (Cambridge) and G3KKD (Quy). The chat covers anything and we usually finish about 2030z. This started life as an AM net.

If there is QRM we usually QSY downwards in 25kHz steps to find a clear channel. When there is a lift we can sometimes hear stations in the Midlands.

Jigsaw - NOT amateur radio

This 1000 piece  jigsaw (of a world map) took us over a week to do. The most difficult parts were the flags and the oceans. There is no doubt that our geography knowledge improved.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday February 13th 2017

Solar flux is today 75 and sunspot number 18.  A=3 and K=0.

300GHz bands

Although not currently allocated, the THz bands offer incredible data rate possibilities. Now there are ICs which could open up these bands.

See https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170205190911.htm

10m WSPR TX and 6m MSK144 RX again

Today, I am TXing in 10m WSPR and RXing on 6m MSK144. Yesterday and overnight, nothing on 10m WSPR . On 6m MSK144 RX M1BXF (14km) and G0BBB (210km) spotted.

UPDATE 2035z: So far today, 3 countries copied on 6m MS144 with the best DX being OZ1PIF (850km) in JO65 square. This is a great mode for hearing DX at any time!

First UHF Radio

My very first UHF radio was a version of the synthesised FM320 Australian UHF FM CB mobile made by Philips. This was a 70cm amateur version. It was called the FM321. It produced 4W on TX and used channel numbers. I remember someone from Philips discussing producing an amateur band version, at an IEE conference I think.

Ergonomically it was excellent. It only got used at home, never mobile. It worked some impressive DX on UHF FM simplex. I cannot remember when it was sold.

If I am honest this was one of the best radios I ever had. It had no memories, no fancy gismos, but it worked well.  If my memory serves me, I used this with a TV J-Beam antenna (hand rotated) which still had about 10dB gain in the 70cm amateur band.

Spaghetti Harvest BBC Spoof - NOT amateur radio

See http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/1/newsid_2819000/2819261.stm .

Way back in 1957 the BBC ran a spoof Panorama programme about the spaghetti harvest. The programme was narrated by Richard Dimbleby. It was the first time, I think, that TV had been used to pull an April 1st stunt.

Getting older - NOT amateur radio

Looking back at some old emails, I came across this photo of my university days. I can remember a few names, but it was nearly 50 years ago! This is me 3 rows back on the left side with hair!

10m WSPR

For the last day I have been on 6m MSK144 RX and 10m WSPR TX.  EA4BPN (1334km) spotted me on 10m WSPR yesterday when I was running 500mW.

"Kent" grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

My wife with the "Kent" grandchildren earlier today. It is interesting comparing our two sets of grandchildren. At the same ages our two boy grandchildren are interested in the same things. I guess this is a phase of middle childhood.