Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday April 12th 2017

Solar flux is 73 and the sunspot number 12. A=12 and K=3

6m MSK144 RX again

This morning, I am again on 6m MSK144 RX. So far, 3 stations spotted in 3 countries (EA, F and G).

UPDATE 1320z: 8 stations in 5 countries spotted so far today on 6m MSK144 RX with best DX EA3AQJ (1221km) in Catalonia.

UPDATE 1850z: 14 stations in 8 countries so far today on 6m MSK144 RX.

70cm UKAC

Tonight I was only able to be on for about 15 minutes because we had visitors. As usual, I was only running 5W to my 2m halo - totally unsuitable for the band. Nonetheless I still worked G4CLA at 105km.

Outside St Johns - NOT amateur radio

If I have already posted this, please accept my apologies.

This picture shows 2 of our grandchildren last week outside of St John's College in Cambridge. The "Bridge of Sighs", which is world-famous, is to the right just out of shot. There is also a "Bridge of Sighs" in Venice.

EME - moonbounce

VE7SL has been busy again with moonbounce using 140W on 2m with JT65. Steve has a modest station and yet again shows that moonbounce, which used to be for a very few, is now possible for more stations.

It still needs careful optimisation and is never easy. Certainly it still remains beyond me. All credit to Steve.

6m MSK144 RX again

Since breakfast, I have been on 6m MSK144 RX again. So far, 9 stations spotted in 7 countries. Best DX is IS0BSR (1603km).

UPDATE 1006z: S51AT (1250km) brings the total today so far to 10 stations in 8 countries spotted on 6m MSK144 RX.

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.