UPDATE 2100z: F1AFJ (607km) now spotted on RX. G4ZFQ (203km) also spotting me on TX.
UPDATE 2124z: Several spots now.
24 Sept 2018
472kHz WSPR
As a test, I am trying 472kHz WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with WSJT-X V2.0 rc1 and 10mW ERP. On TX it seems to work with a spot from G8LCO (58km), although I have yet to spot anyone on RX.
UPDATE 2100z: F1AFJ (607km) now spotted on RX. G4ZFQ (203km) also spotting me on TX.
UPDATE 2124z: Several spots now.
UPDATE 2100z: F1AFJ (607km) now spotted on RX. G4ZFQ (203km) also spotting me on TX.
UPDATE 2124z: Several spots now.
WSJT-X V2.0 rc1
This is new software which I downloaded this evening. A brief CQ on 2m FT8 (2.5W to my omni antenna) resulted in no QSOs but was spotted in Devon and Cornwall, yet again, amongst other places. It seems to work, although nothing seen, as yet, on RX.
So far, no issues here with Windows 10.
UPDATE 2010z: First station spotted on RX with the new software - M0CDL (168km) NW Birmingham.
So far, no issues here with Windows 10.
UPDATE 2010z: First station spotted on RX with the new software - M0CDL (168km) NW Birmingham.
OFCOM - new board (bored?) members
Gosh! I get so excited reading this!
OFCOM has 2 new board members. Such thrilling news that I just had to share.
As far as I can tell, neither knows anything about radio technology. If I am wrong I'll happily eat humble pie. As I have said many times before, these days OFCOM seems only interested in money. Look at the attributes and career history of these two ladies.
See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2018/two-board-members-appointed
Bring back real enforcement and stop messing around!
OFCOM has 2 new board members. Such thrilling news that I just had to share.
As far as I can tell, neither knows anything about radio technology. If I am wrong I'll happily eat humble pie. As I have said many times before, these days OFCOM seems only interested in money. Look at the attributes and career history of these two ladies.
See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2018/two-board-members-appointed
Bring back real enforcement and stop messing around!
Country house window - NOT amateur radio
It is a very English scene, complete with creepers, roses and leaded windows. We are lucky to have this National Trust property and extensive grounds just a few miles away.
10m WSPR TX (500mW)
As the antenna is available, I am again on 10m WSPR TX (500mW,) although no-one has spotted me yet. I have been on for about 2 hours. This time last year I was widely spotted around Europe.
UPDATE 1652z: No spots of my 500mW WSPR beacon yet today.
UPDATE 1652z: No spots of my 500mW WSPR beacon yet today.
2m FT8
A CQ call a few minutes ago was spotted by 5 stations in 2 countries again including 2 Cornish stations when I was again running just 2.5W to the omni. It seems that with FT8 anything is possible at any time with flat conditions. BTW I had a QSO with G8ALS again.
UPDATE 0900z: Best DX on RX is F4TTR (477km).
UPDATE 1142z: 10 stations in 2 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1653z: Now 16 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2135z: When I went QRT about an hour ago I was up to 19 stations in 4 countries spotted today.
UPDATE 0900z: Best DX on RX is F4TTR (477km).
UPDATE 1142z: 10 stations in 2 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1653z: Now 16 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2135z: When I went QRT about an hour ago I was up to 19 stations in 4 countries spotted today.
23 Sept 2018
OFCOM rubbish?
As many will know I am highly unimpressed with OFCOM who come over as a bunch of impotent wimps. A bunch of infants could probably do better. This impression was based on personal, direct contact some years ago.
This weekend this impression was re-enforced by their apparent lack of interest in CB operators using far higher power than allowed. A "freedom of information" request about this was reported on Southgate News. If this is correct, and I have little doubt it probably is, it further re-enforces my view that OFCOM is only interested in money. Anything that does not generate money is unimportant. At least that is my impression.
As for illegal SMPSUs on the market, forget it.
Bring back the GPO and real enforcement!!
This weekend this impression was re-enforced by their apparent lack of interest in CB operators using far higher power than allowed. A "freedom of information" request about this was reported on Southgate News. If this is correct, and I have little doubt it probably is, it further re-enforces my view that OFCOM is only interested in money. Anything that does not generate money is unimportant. At least that is my impression.
As for illegal SMPSUs on the market, forget it.
Bring back the GPO and real enforcement!!
Jackdaws (birds) - NOT amateur radio
At the moment there are 5 jackdaws on the roof next door. Usually we see one or two together.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/jackdaw/ .
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/jackdaw/ .
"Sapiens: a Brief History of Mankind" - NOT amateur radio
I have just finished this book and have started its sequel "Homo Deus". "Sapiens" is a thought provoking book. It looks at the evolution of homo sapiens as a species. It argues that all religions are illusions and looks why our species has dominated all others. It certainly provides food for thought. The second book is, I believe, a look into the future.
I bought my copy of "Sapiens" from a second hand bookshop at a National Trust property. At well over 400 pages, this non-fiction book was good value.
Not quite sure why I had not come across this before.
I bought my copy of "Sapiens" from a second hand bookshop at a National Trust property. At well over 400 pages, this non-fiction book was good value.
Not quite sure why I had not come across this before.
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