Just thinking about what OFCOM will write about next nearly brings on an orgasm. Gosh, this is so exciting!! And thinking about what their next thing will be? Working there must unquestionably be truly wonderful.
http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/CD4073DA6CF1FEF42540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
24 Jan 2018
630m WSPR RX tonight
About 15 months ago (although it may be longer!) an anonymous friend just sent me a 472kHz preamp. This was very kind and I never did find out who sent this. To whoever the kind mystery person was, thank you again. This was a kind act and it was generous hearted of you.
Tonight I have returned to 472kHz WSPR using this pre-amp with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Sensitivity should be fine, so it is a good test of this "antenna" on this band.
The shack PC is on battery power so the noise floor should be pretty low.
UPDATE 2135z: Since just before 2100z the shack PC has been on mains power with its internal battery on charge. So, until I go back to battery power, the noise floor will be poorer. Before bedtime I shall return to battery power to give me best chances overnight.
UPDATE 2200z: Back with shack PC on battery power, so this should last most of the overnight period woth a low noise floor. Looking at G3KEV and G0MRF the noise from the SMPSU for the shack PC made a huge difference (much worse) to my S/N reports. Now noise floor much lower again.
Tonight I have returned to 472kHz WSPR using this pre-amp with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Sensitivity should be fine, so it is a good test of this "antenna" on this band.
The shack PC is on battery power so the noise floor should be pretty low.
UPDATE 2135z: Since just before 2100z the shack PC has been on mains power with its internal battery on charge. So, until I go back to battery power, the noise floor will be poorer. Before bedtime I shall return to battery power to give me best chances overnight.
UPDATE 2200z: Back with shack PC on battery power, so this should last most of the overnight period woth a low noise floor. Looking at G3KEV and G0MRF the noise from the SMPSU for the shack PC made a huge difference (much worse) to my S/N reports. Now noise floor much lower again.
10m FT8 RX
Since 1330z I have been on 10m FT8 RX. No spots as yet.
We are some months way from the main Es season, sunspot numbers are low and openings brief. Nonetheless 10m FT8 does open and it is worth keeping an eye out.
I have been amazed how far away stations are copied on 10m FT8. People desert the 10m band assuming it is dead, when many days it is open, albeit briefly, to somewhere far away. My strong recommendation is monitor 10m FT8 and be prepared to be surprised. On many days it has opened to some DX location.
UPDATE 1715z: Today has been the exception! No spots today so far. I'll stay on 10m FT8 for a while longer, ever hopeful.
We are some months way from the main Es season, sunspot numbers are low and openings brief. Nonetheless 10m FT8 does open and it is worth keeping an eye out.
I have been amazed how far away stations are copied on 10m FT8. People desert the 10m band assuming it is dead, when many days it is open, albeit briefly, to somewhere far away. My strong recommendation is monitor 10m FT8 and be prepared to be surprised. On many days it has opened to some DX location.
UPDATE 1715z: Today has been the exception! No spots today so far. I'll stay on 10m FT8 for a while longer, ever hopeful.
Mobile phones and young women - NOT amateur radio
About a year ago I posted something similar.
Every Wednesday I go to my University of the Third Age lecture on Samuel Pepys in Cambridge. If I have time I buy a coffee on the way. It usually gives me 15-20 minutes of "people watching" in central Cambridge. Last winter and this I have observed the same thing. This is not a scientific experiment, more of an observation.
Young, single women seem to use smart phones more than men. Most smart phone users are alone. To a casual observer it looks like these young women are using the phone to say, "keep away from me", "I am not available" or similar.
It is quite possible that I am entirely wrong and these young girls are using valuable time between lectures to catch up with social media. I am making no judgements, just relaying what I see.
Every Wednesday I go to my University of the Third Age lecture on Samuel Pepys in Cambridge. If I have time I buy a coffee on the way. It usually gives me 15-20 minutes of "people watching" in central Cambridge. Last winter and this I have observed the same thing. This is not a scientific experiment, more of an observation.
Young, single women seem to use smart phones more than men. Most smart phone users are alone. To a casual observer it looks like these young women are using the phone to say, "keep away from me", "I am not available" or similar.
It is quite possible that I am entirely wrong and these young girls are using valuable time between lectures to catch up with social media. I am making no judgements, just relaying what I see.
Sunspots - Wednesday January 24th 2018
Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number zero. A=4 and K=1.
Fuel prices - NOT amateur radio
Have you noticed that UK fuel prices are creeping up? The UK £ to US $ is getting better and better, but the wholesale price of crude is rising faster. At the moment diesel is up to £1.29 a litre, but it seems to go up every week.
Results of 630m WSPR RX experiment with earth-electrode "antenna" in ground.
A couple of Gs came on. G3XIZ (46km) was 2-3dB better S/N on the earth-electrodes than on the compromise vertical. He is end-on to the "loop" in the ground. G6AVK was not copied at all. He is orthogonal to the "loop" in the ground. I was quite surprised not to spot him at all though.
Conclusions? The earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is quite effective at 136kHz, but more directional.
Conclusions? The earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is quite effective at 136kHz, but more directional.
23 Jan 2018
136kHz WSPR RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground
At about 1915z I started up on 136kHz WSPR RX using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. The nearby (in frequency) commercial station is stronger on this than on my compromise vertical. It will be interesting to compare results.
OFCOM rubbish?
OFCOM is consulting on diversity and inclusion. Whilst this important, I think this government QUANGO is struggling to find its way. This is my personal view, which others may not share.
Time and time again I see OFCOM doing the less important things, whilst not doing the important stuff. Bring back the GPO and people who really understand RF. We seem to have a bunch of clueless people unable to be pragmatic and make any decisions. This is based on direct, personal experience. Unless things have changed dramatically for the better, they have not done much to "win me over".
Impressed? Me? NO.
Time and time again I see OFCOM doing the less important things, whilst not doing the important stuff. Bring back the GPO and people who really understand RF. We seem to have a bunch of clueless people unable to be pragmatic and make any decisions. This is based on direct, personal experience. Unless things have changed dramatically for the better, they have not done much to "win me over".
Impressed? Me? NO.
10m FT8 RX
Since about 1335z I have been on 10m FT8 RX. This much later than usual. As yet, no spots.
UPDATE 1804z: No spots all day here on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 1918z: PY2DMZ (9686km) was spotted. Life on 10m yet!
UPDATE 1804z: No spots all day here on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 1918z: PY2DMZ (9686km) was spotted. Life on 10m yet!
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