10m WSPR TX (500mW)

As the antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX (100% TX, 500mW, randomised frequencies). Although I have been active all morning, not a single spot received, although I am not too surprised.

At sunspot minimum, there is little activity on 10m sadly, and I suspect not too many are on 10m WSPR. Although WSPR is better with weak signals, I suspect many are now using FT8 instead with its 15 second TX periods rather than 2 minutes for WSPR.

UPDATE 1830z: No 10m WSPR spots all day.

Pancakes - NOT amateur radio

As today is Shrove Tuesday, we had pancakes, as is the tradition. My wife had sweet ones and I had savoury ones.

2m FT8 - amazing!

Despite running just 2.5W to an omni antenna, yet again my CQ is copied in Cornwall! Best DX on TX (2.5W) is G7RAU (461km). I suspect this is normal tropo as it never seems to fail. On RX, 9 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 1400z:  Now 25 stations in 8 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX with best DX GM4JTJ (520km).

UPDATE 1826z: Now 44 stations spotted with best DX F6APE (551km).

UPDATE  1935z: Now 67 stations in 9 countries spotted here on 2m FT8 RX with just an omni antenna in the last day!!

UPDATE 2200z: Overall, 74 stations in 9 countries spotted on 2m FT8 in the last day.

Electric cars - NOT amateur radio

Like flat screen TVs and digital cameras, I think there will be a sudden "tipping point" when we wonder with amazement at internal combustion powered cars running on petrol or diesel.

Assuming we can achieve genuine ranges of 300 miles or more between charges, then this will remove the charging anxiety that currently goes with electric cars, unless all your driving is on local trips to the shops.

We are not there yet. I do not know how far off this point is. It could be 5 years or 25 years. I guess it depends on battery research and price. I hope it comes in my lifetime.

I know some national radio societies are concerned that induction power transfer could be a source of radio noise pollution. I suspect home charging will help reduce this.

HIV treatment coming? - NOT amateur radio

A UK patient with HIV who also has cancer is reportedly showing no detectable traces of HIV after undergoing stem cell treatment. I believe this the second reported stem cell success in the battle against HIV/aids. A proper treatment may still be some years away, but there is hope. Already drug treatments have changed HIV/aids to a condition that some people live with rather than die from.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47421855 .

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Well, last night was better than previous nights with 6 North Americans spotted and best DX spotted being V31MA (8300km) in Belize.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 overnight 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 1012z: Nothing spotted in last few hours, so I shall probably QSY to 2m FT8 RX and just leave the 10m WSPR TX beacon running.

2m activity contest this evening

A reminder that as this is the first Tuesday of the month it is the monthly UKAC 2m activity contest organised by the RSGB. It starts at 2000z and lasts for up to 2.5 hours, although I rarely manage an hour here with my poor voice!

There is always lots of activity and no compulsion to send in an entry. It is friendly and a good chance to work a few new squares.

I usually operate with 5W and an omni antenna and often work 200km in flat conditions. If you are in western Europe and rarely use SSB, this is worth having a go.

UPDATE 2102z: In the end 6 QSOs (well within an hour of operating) with best DX G4RUL/P (172km) on the south coast.

Sunspots - Tuesday March 5th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number stubbornly at zero still.  A=7 and K=2. Me thinks we are well and truly at the very bottom of the solar cycle.

160m FT8

For about 90 minutes, I have been on 160m FT8 (2.5W) using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. At first I called CQ and, although no QSOs resulted, I was spotted by 5 stations in 4 countries with best DX on TX being DK2LO (650km). Most of the time I have been on 160m FT8 RX with stations all over Europe spotted. Best DX on 160m FT8 RX is 4X4DK (3580km). As yet, no North Americans spotted here on 160m FT8.

160m FT8 TX this evening (2.5W)

160m FT8 RX here so far this evening (2148z)

10m WSPR TX

This is a long shot and if I get any spots on 10m WSPR TX today, I shall be amazed. I am on TX (500mW, 100%, randomised frequencies) on 10m WSPR for a change, using the stand alone WSPR beacon. The main rig, PC and PSU are off. There are probably few people on 10m WSPR, especially outside the Es season and at sunspot minimum.

UPDATE 1554z: Well, there's a surprise! No spots!

UPDATE 1930z: Still no WSPR spots. I shall QSY to 1.84MHz FT8 RX after the East Cambs 2m FM net at 2000z..