Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday April 11th 2017

Solar flux is 73 today. Sunspot number is 13.  A=5 and K=2.

Islay, Scotland activation

Southgate News reported that GS3PYE/P, the Camb-Hams group, is again off to Scotland May 6-12.

137kHz transverter

Click circuit to enlarge

It is some time since I tried 137kHz. In fact, I have not tried this band at this QTH. The last time I used this band was at the QTH we moved from in summer 2013, shortly before my stroke. I need to try this band from this QTH.

If you are starting up on the band you may want to look at my TX transverter. With my 20m spaced earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground this was regularly copied by G8HUH some 250km away on WSPR. The ERP with this "antenna" is only about 30uW.  Sadly, the FT817 is deaf at 137kHz.

As you will see, it is very similar to my 472kHz design although this is a transmit only design. It is designed to be used with the FT817 at 500mW.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/mflf/137khz_tvrtr .

Repairs! - NOT amateur radio

With springtime comes lawn cutting and hedge cutting. Although the lawnmower was fine, the cordless hedgecutter seems to have seized blades. Sadly the blades did not respond to WD40, so I shall have to try to separate the blades and clean them. Unfortunately the screws used have non-standard heads and I shall have to see if my neighbour has the right sort. I thought they were Allen keys but they are the sort of head you find a lot these days in things they would rather you replaced. I shall have a go at mending. You can buy these screwdrivers, so I may invest in some.

QSYed to 10m JT65 transceive

In the last few minutes I have moved from 6m MSK144 RX to 10m JT65 (2W) transceive.

It remains to be seen whether I spot anyone or anyone spots me. Conditions may allow some N-S DX as long as there is activity!

UPDATE 1635z:  Still no 10m JT65 spots.

UPDATE 1930z: With no 10m JT65 spots I have now gone QRT.

70cm UKAC tomorrow evening

Tomorrow evening is the next 70cm leg of the RSGB's activity contest. Although we have visitors, I can only run 5W, and have no suitable 70cm antenna, I hope to come on briefly.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=70cmsukac

Dandelions - NOT amateur radio

Although officially a "weed", dandelions and daisies are everywhere now. These signal spring and that we are no longer in winter. To me, they are cheerful flowers.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday April 10th 2017

Solar flux is 73 today. Sunspot number is 13.  A=18 and K=1.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (April, 9, 2017)
Visitors  of  the week: UA1ADF, US3EN, UR5IFM, RA7RA, RX3DIT, US5ERQ,
OH6NPV,  UR0ET,  IK2RGV,  F6EAH, DK1HW, UA0SBQ, RU3NJC, HB9DAX, R1OA,
UR7VT,  DF2SJ,  SV8CYR, ON4AEF, OF5LP, UR5EFD, UA1CEG/p, LZ2JB, R6FQ,
IK3EDT,  ON6KZ,  SM5ABM,  G3JFS,  R1CAN,  R2FAE, UY1IF, RV3UF, OM6TC,
SV2BBK, RA1M/mm, US7IB
New Visitors:
F6EAH, SV8CYR, ON4AEF, IK3EDT, SM5ABM, G3JFS - you are welcome!
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 web page.
Some comments...
see full WQR Report on the blog page -http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/

Thanks all QRPers for activity and reports.
See you on next "rendezvous".

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"


This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please.

New country on 6m MSK144 and new DX record

IS0AWZ (1596km) was spotted on 6m MSK144 RX this morning. This yet another new country and a new DX record on this band/mode I think. So far 6 stations in 4 countries on 6m MSK144 RX today.

UPDATE 0900z:  8 stations in 5 countries so far spotted on 6m MSK144 RX this morning.

UPDATE 1345z: 12 stations in 7 countries so far today on 6m MSK144 RX.