472kHz - the mystery continues

You may recall I had no power (at all) on 472kHz. Well, my hopes were raised when I noticed the shack PC wanted yet another Windows update. It only did one a day ago!

Well, although mod and power are OK from the FT817, there is still absolutely nothing from the transverter at 474kHz. If the PA MOSFET had blown I still would have expected a very weak 472kHz signal, so I still think it is something stupidly simple.

My problem is that since my stroke I have been living in a kind of fog, so even simple tasks are now hard. I need to look again when my mind is clear and I am not tired.

Normal blog visits - NOT amateur radio

Well, visits to the blog this morning seem "normal", with numbers way down on the last few days. Perhaps the hackers and bots have finally decided there is nothing here worth hacking? Back to the usual stuff!

Sunspots - Wednesday January 10th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 13. A=9 and K=2.

Ely riverside - NOT amateur radio

As reported a few days ago, we went for a walk by the river in Ely. It was the last time we had any sun. The photo shows the River Ouse into which the River Cam flows.

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.