Heathkit Twoer and similar rigs

Back in the 1960s I always wanted a Heathkit Twoer 2m AM transceiver. I even bought the manual, although I never did get a rig.

The RX was a super-regen, which was just about OK in the early 1960s on 2m as activity was low. These days, there is very little AM on the band, sadly, and the poor selectivity would almost certainly be a real limitation.

There was just something about the "style" that appealed. Even now, I still like the "lunchbox" look. From a historical viewpoint, these are interesting. They also did versions for 11m,10m and 6m

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

Sunspots - Wednesday April 4th 2018

Solar flux is 67 (low) and the sunspot number zero (it can't get any lower!). A=4 and K=0.

472kHz

Later this evening, I'll probably try 472kHz WSPR RX again.

Before next season I really ought to improve my antenna and RX sensitivity. My antennas are basically poor at MF and I know I can do so much better.

My major problem is I need physical help these days as I am not as fit as I once was. But, as they say in Yorkshire, " mustn't grumble".  😊

Jazz pianist at work - NOT amateur radio

Our son is a professional jazz pianist. He stayed last night as his family is in France with the French parents/grandparents. Here he is preparing for a jazz workshop next week in Oxford.

Ideas website - NOT amateur radio

This website was found by accident. It has some interesting videos. It is worth checking out.

See https://www.bbc.com/ideas/

2m UKAC activity contest tonight

Every month, the RSGB organises a 2m (144MHz) activity contest running for 2.5 hours starting at 8pm UK clock time (1900z). The 2m leg is always on the first Tuesday of each month. Normally I am on for about 30-60 minutes because of my poor voice. I run 5W to my big-wheel omnidirectional antenna. My best DX is usually about 200km. These are fun contests with good SSB activity levels.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2018&contest=2muka

For the first time, I stayed on less than 30 minutes, not because of my voice, but because I was working the same stations and I wanted to get back to FT8 on 2m. Some might say this is sad.

In the end I just worked 3 SSB 2m stations, although I could have worked many more had I stayed around. Best DX was G4CLA (105km).

Concert reminder - NOT amateur radio

A reminder that my wife's concert is in Cambridge this Saturday. The acoustics in this venue are very good too. Tickets are available on the door.

Indian Time Signals

Southgate News reports that India in to use LW to broadcast time signals across the nation.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/april/india-to-employ-long-wave-radio-technology.htm#.WsNDyUxFzIU

2m FT8 RX

At the moment 9 unique stations spotted today in 4 countries with best DX PD3HIM (452km).

UPDATE 1020z: Now 14 uniques in 5 countries on 2m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1328z: Now 24 uniques in 5 countries today on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 1426z: Now 27 uniques in 6 countries. This really is an amazing mode. Best DX is currently DL6YBF (471km).

The photo shows the 2m FT8 spots today up to 1514z. Don't forget, this is just with an omnidirectional antenna in FLAT conditions.

UPDATE 1615z:  Now 35 uniques in 6 countries.

UPDATE 2050z: After about 30 minutes on the 2m UKAC, I returned to 2m FT8 RX. Best DX recently was G4WAC (149km) in Birmingham. Today, in all, 50 uniques in 6 countries on 2m FT8 RX. Best DX was DL0HOL (619km).

Sunspots - Tuesday April 3rd 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=5 and K=2.