The "old" 6m MSK144 frequency (still used by some) was 50.280MHz but in the latest WSJT v1.8 this is now 50.360MHz. I have been monitoring the "new" frequency since just before breakfast, but nothing spotted so far.
I am beginning to think many who I'd have copied on the "old" frequency have not yet moved. With the Perseid meteor shower I was hoping to catch some activity. Maybe I turned on too late. Even so I would have spotted a few stations by aircraft reflection by now.
UPDATE 1855z: Well, I was monitoring 50.360MHz MSK144 RX all day until just now and not a single spot all day. I have now swapped to 6m FT8 RX and already spotted a station in Kent.
4 Aug 2017
3 Aug 2017
472kHz band
In the autumn and winter, this is one of my favourite bands.
For several seasons now I have been on 472kHz WSPR transceive with my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Despite the very low ERP (around 5mW!) it has been spotted well over 1000km away several times. My transverter which appeared in QST magazine about a year ago produces 10-15W, so with a decent antenna it could do well.
As far as I know, the USA is still awaiting access to this band. This is a fascinating band, well suited to WSPR.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/mflf/472khz_tvtr
As far as I know, the USA is still awaiting access to this band. This is a fascinating band, well suited to WSPR.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/mflf/472khz_tvtr
6m FT8 - plenty of Es
All morning, I have been on 6m FT8 RX. There is plenty of activity and plenty of Es from all over Europe. The take-up of this new digital mode is nothing short of phenomenal. It seems that this is being adopted as the successor to JT65. It takes less bandwidth and it takes far less time to complete a QSO.
UPDATE 1550z: Best DX on 6m FT8 RX, so far, is SV1DH (2432km). There was a lot of 6m Es earlier.
UPDATE 1920z: There has been no Es lately on 6m FT8. The last was EB1DWF (1215km) at 1741z. I am still on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1550z: Best DX on 6m FT8 RX, so far, is SV1DH (2432km). There was a lot of 6m Es earlier.
UPDATE 1920z: There has been no Es lately on 6m FT8. The last was EB1DWF (1215km) at 1741z. I am still on 6m FT8 RX.
OFCOM annual communications market report
OFCOM as released its annual report on the communications market.
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/818C622B3FCCEACB2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/818C622B3FCCEACB2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
DXing with crystal sets
OK, a confession: it is a long time since I last listened with a shortwave crystal set.
One thing is certain: at the right time it is possible to hear true worldwide DX, and not via relays.
These days there are fewer English language SW broadcasters and it is much tougher. We are also in a period of declining solar activity, so fewer HF bands are open and these stay open for less time. Nonetheless, crystal sets are easy to make and require no power. DXing with crystal sets is a fun activity.
One of my many planned projects is a multi-band crystal set capable of covering from VLF to VHF. It may never get made, but this would be fun.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/crystalset .
One thing is certain: at the right time it is possible to hear true worldwide DX, and not via relays.
These days there are fewer English language SW broadcasters and it is much tougher. We are also in a period of declining solar activity, so fewer HF bands are open and these stay open for less time. Nonetheless, crystal sets are easy to make and require no power. DXing with crystal sets is a fun activity.
One of my many planned projects is a multi-band crystal set capable of covering from VLF to VHF. It may never get made, but this would be fun.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/crystalset .
Perseid Meteor Shower
See http://spaceweather.com/ which writes:
"This week, Earth is entering a stream of debris from huge comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, source of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Specks of dusty debris hitting the top of Earth's atmosphere at 110,000 mph are burning up in the night sky, producing a spray of shooting stars from the constellation Perseus."
"This week, Earth is entering a stream of debris from huge comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, source of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Specks of dusty debris hitting the top of Earth's atmosphere at 110,000 mph are burning up in the night sky, producing a spray of shooting stars from the constellation Perseus."
Wicken windmill - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday we did a walk at nearby Wicken where this windmill is. There is another at Wicken Fen which used to pump water. I think this one ground corn for flour.
2 Aug 2017
Return to 6m FT8
Actually, I was going to go on 6m MSK144 RX, but the frequencies recommended in WSJT-X v1.8 are not those I expected, so I have returned to FT8 instead. I see that M1BXF (14km) copied my brief CQ, but mostly I am RX only.
UPDATE 1925z: Best DX on 6m FT8 RX this evening is G8AQP (123km). This is probably aircraft reflection, although it could be tropo.
UPDATE 2035z: G3YDY (65km) is the latest on 6m FT8 RX. I think I'm too late for Es.
UPDATE 2118z: Although I have spotted no new stations in the last hour, I think I'll remain on 6m FT8 RX overnight.
UPDATE 1925z: Best DX on 6m FT8 RX this evening is G8AQP (123km). This is probably aircraft reflection, although it could be tropo.
UPDATE 2035z: G3YDY (65km) is the latest on 6m FT8 RX. I think I'm too late for Es.
UPDATE 2118z: Although I have spotted no new stations in the last hour, I think I'll remain on 6m FT8 RX overnight.
Near Wicken Fen - NOT amateur radio
The walk was longer than I thought. These days I find it harder to judge distances and speeds.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
