OFCOM auction results published

Now, don't get too excited as it is not good for your heart! I know how much you enjoy news about OFCOM, just like me!

OFCOM has now published the results of its auction of microwave spectrum. Yes, I know you have been anxiously awaiting this with bated breath, but now the wait is over! You can breath again.  😎

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/264F38AB38B02CEC2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Heathkit HW8 QRP Transceiver

Some years ago, I owned one of these rigs and worked some impressive DX with it. It was a joy to use. I think it was sold when I bought a Yaesu transceiver many years ago. It went back to its original owner.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hw8

Sunspots (yes real sunspots!) - Friday April 13th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number is 13 i.e. not zero for a change! A=9 and K=2.

Mildenhall museum again - NOT amateur radio

Another view of our visit to Mildenhall Museum a few days ago with our grandchildren.

FETer very simple transceiver

It seems unbelievable that this ultra-simple design (14 parts) is 10 years old. It was a simpler version of a W2AW design for 40m. I put mine on 80m CW. It certainly works!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/feter-80m-qrpp-cw-transceiver

2m FT8

After a brief TX period (spotted locally) I am again on 2m FT8 RX. So far, 10 uniques spotted in 4 countries.

Best DX so far today on 2m FT8 RX is DK2DTF (644km).


UPDATE 1310z: The photo shows the stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX so far today.

Sunspots - Thursday April 12th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today yet the sunspot number is stubbornly zero again. A=14 and K=2.

Crystals sets

A great deal of fun can be had with the simplest of receivers. I had some great fun DXing with a shortwave crystal set. These days, there are fewer SW broadcasters sending in English, so IDing is harder, but not impossible.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/crystalset

10m FT8 RX

So far today, just one spot on 10m FT8 RX of DL8FCK (627km) in Hesse in Germany.

UPDATE 1930z: Just one G spot in addition and no DX as yet today.

UPDATE 2145z: Now QRT.

Worse spots to read? - NOT amateur radio

This was our granddaughter earlier reading on our windowsill. There are worse backdrops!

I think this is a book she brought from home.