9 Jan 2018

Return to 472kHz WSPR, but zero power?

For a last try, I returned to 472kHz WSPR. Although I am copying stations I seem to have no power. Perhaps I am doing something silly? This is probably true!

UPDATE 2150z: I still cannot see what is wrong. I shall have to check things out tomorrow.

70cm activity contest tonight

At 8pm UK clock time is the first 70cm activity contest of the year organised by the RSGB (UKAC). Although the contest runs for 2.5 hours I usually manage far less because of my poor voice and set-up.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2018&contest=70cmsukac
After about 25 minutes I had to go QRT. Best DX worked was G4CLA (106km).

Popularity - NOT amateur radio

Well, some enjoy this blog but I am not stupid.

According to the statistics I have already had about 40 times the normal number of visits today! This is either a mistake or bots looking to do something malicious. 

Unlike previous occasions most "visits" are from the USA and not Eastern Europe. So far, no harm done, but it pays to be vigilant.

OFCOM latest

Every month Ofcom publishes its "Communications Monthly" which updates us on what it is doing. The latest is December 2017.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/84E6FA313BB717BF2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

20m FT8 RX

For a change, I am on 20m FT8 RX using the coax to my 2m antenna via an ATU. Lots of stations being copied!

Initially I was getting nothing on PSK Reporter Maps. After a Windows Update all was well.

UPDATE 1055z:  Best DX so far is RU7T (3118km).

UPDATE 1140z: It is just too easy on 20m FT8 - I have lost count of all the Europeans and Russians copied. I shall leave it running during today to see what else comes in from outside Europe.
UPDATE 1237z:  First stateside station spotted was WW1WW (5184km) just before noon.

UPDATE 1818z:  Best DX so far is WB3JSW (5914km). Also spotted was TR8CA (5820km) in Gabon, W.Africa.

Disappointment on 630m WSPR

There is a distinct lack of TXing stations on this band on WSPR in Europe. Last night there were hardly any active TXing Europeans on 630m WSPR. My own 10mW ERP WSPR was copied by just 3 unique stations. I spotted just 4 uniques. I am seriously thinking of abandoning the band. OK my noise floor (S7) does not help, but there are fewer stations.  It is some time since new stations were spotted and the band is losing its appeal to me.

Sunspots - Tuesday January 9th 2018

Solar flux is 69 again today and the sunspot number 13. A=9 and K=4.

8 Jan 2018

Return to 630m WSPR

At about 2008z I returned to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20% TX). So far I have been spotted by 3 G stations, but no others yet spotted here above my S7 noise floor.

Tribal Knowledge - test gear

My thanks to Steve G1KQH for this link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jmiL14CeQBWNY30eDuRdng1WlUpMDwVtPzy_MSFm0CQ/edit

Heathkit Twoer and Sixer transceivers

If, like me, you are rather old you may remember the Heathkit Twoer, Sixer and similar rigs. These were 5W AM transceivers covering either 10m, 6m or 2m. I think there was also one covering 11m for the early USA CB market.

These were single channel transmitters with a super-regen RX. Although I coveted one, the nearest I got was owning a manual!

In its day, it opened up the VHF bands to the masses, long before SSB and FM. I liked the style then and do so even now. To be honest, today they would struggle, as there is not much AM on VHF and the bandwidth of the RX would be too wide for serious use.

In 1966 it sold for £26 in the UK! On the second-hand market good ones command a good price, no doubt bought by nostalgic old timers!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/lunchbox