Building kit

Only this lunchtime my XYL asked when I was going to build something in my shack. Since my 2013 stroke, I managed to build a Chinese Pixie kit (worked first time) and repair my 472kHz transverter (changed the MOSFET), although things are much harder for me these days.

Actually, I think I need to try to build more: it is good therapy and probably will help me. I have to come to terms with how I am now, but still battle to make the best of things.

I fancy trying a mcHF or uBITX kit, but will this be beyond me now?

Any suggestions for what I should try?

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke

Friedrichshafen reminder

1-3 JUNE 2018 : HAM RADIO SHOW, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN

Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany. Trade stands, special interest groups and IARU Member Societies all have stands in the main hall. Large flea market. Lectures take place each day, some in English. There will be a large RSGB book stall. www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

10m WSPR TX

Yet again I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW, 100% TX, randomised frequencies). As yet, no spots received today.

Optical DXing

Since my 2013 stroke I have not felt fit enough to do field work. I really miss my 481THz over the horizon NLOS (non line of sight) optical work.

Testing the optical kit

The results back in 2013 suggested much further would have been possible NLOS. All the gear was home made and the experiments were fun. Sadly I am just too wobbly these days.

It would be good to try infra-red frequencies. What amazed me was the total lack of a visible signal, yet perfect decode using QRSS3 on the PC on a very non line of sight path over the horizon.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/optical
See also https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/optical/481thz-nlos

6m FT8 RX

Since just before breakfast, I have been on 6m FT8 RX. Some people hate this mode and I can quite understand why.

It is not a mode for chatting (unlike SSB, FM and AM) with "quick fire" formulaic QSOs.  But it works with quite weak signals and in my condition it means I can monitor what I am spotting whilst doing other things.

On 2m FT8 I can spot DX every day which I just wouldn't believe possible a few months ago. Who needs lifts? With FT8 I can spot DX anyway. Most times when I go on 2m FT8 TX with 2.5W and a big-wheel omni I get spotted over 300km.

So far today (it is now 0844z) just 5 Gs spotted and no sign here yet of 6m Es.

UPDATE 1052z:  10 Gs and one ON spotted so far today. No Es here yet on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1309z: Now 15 stations in 4 countries. Best DX is SP2DDV (1177km) probably Es.

UPDATE 1923z: As yet, no DX outside Europe and North Africa on 6m FT8 RX here today. Best DX is (again) S01WS (3043km) in Western Sahara. 54 stations in 10 countries so far today on 6m FT8 RX.

Storm Gazing - NOT amateur radio

This weekend we had some of our grandchildren here. One was particularly Interested in the maps showing where storms are currently.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en

Sunspots - Wednesday May 30th 2018

Solar flux is 73 again and the sunspot number 22. A=4 and K=1.

6m FT8 thought why I'm not spotting NA

Perhaps the lack of North Americans being spotted on 6m FT8 is in part due to them being on different frequencies? Most days I monitor 50.313MHz FT8, but I believe different frequencies may be favoured "across the pond". FT8 is less good (I think) than JT65, so maybe that is not helping too. For now, I'll carry on looking at 50.313MHz FT8 RX.

NOTE May 30th 2018: Someone has told me today that 50.313MHz is still the preferred FT8 frequency in the USA.

IARU and threats to VHF and up

Southgate News has an article about the threat to our higher bands written by the IARU Region 1. Personally, I think the threat in the UK and Europe is mainly to our microwave bands. Recently great swathes of lower VHF has been made available to amateurs in Eire and in the UK OFCOM has released 2MHz total at 4m and 2m.

See http://www.iaru-r1.org/index.php/vhfuhsshf/newsletters .

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

My wife told me to watch a TV programme called "Flog It" as it included a piece on Liverpool's catholic cathedral.

When I was at university this had just been finished. Inside it is a sea of colour. Outside it is (perhaps) uninspiring and some call it "Paddy's Wigwam". Inside it feels very calming. I like it.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_Metropolitan_Cathedral