Oscar 100 - still bags of space

This geosynchronous satellite has been operational for nearly 2 months. Using the Goonhilly SDR, I took another look at the narrowband transponder a few minutes ago. I know it takes time assemble suitable microwave gear, but I am still surprised by the low level of activity.

It is the weekend when I might have expected more activity, yet I only counted 8 stations at one time. An EA8 was calling CQ and getting no takers! A round trip of nearly 45000 miles is needed for the up and downlinks, but dishes are fixed and DX from South America to Thailand is available at any time without QSB, I remain surprised it is not really busy. Just a few watts seem to be enough.

TM1MOON (IN78) seems to be working quite a few stations from Brittany with 5W and a 70cm diameter dish.

Storms?

As usual, I get quite nervous when there are storms about, ever since a work colleague who lived in a very ordinary house, not too high, in the middle of a housing estate had his house hit doing huge damage. Whenever there are storms in the area, I disconnect rigs, PC, PSU and antennas "just in case". Consulting the thunder maps a short while ago suggested the storms were moving away, but I shall disconnect if there is any chance.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?bo_page=map&bo_showmap=uk&bo_period=2&lang=en

Rain! - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon we actually had some rain!

There was rain briefly yesterday and again today, but we have hardly had any rain at all this spring. The soil is very dry.

Although I hope for a decent warm summer, I hope it is not very hot and very dry as it was last year. What would be ideal is warm, dry days and plenty of rain after dark!

Miracle antennas

This was originally the idea of someone from Canada who is now a SK. For some years these were available commercially and I think they are still available from other sources as clones.

The idea was to simply attach to the rig and then match the short whip by rotating the knob. They always work much better with a decent earth or counterpoise. They can only work as well as a short whip: there is no magic. Having said that, I have worked Argentina from indoors on 10m with 5W SSB using just a Miracle Whip antenna on the back of an FT817 and a central heating ground.

On the higher HF bands, when used with a counterpoise or ground, they are only a few S points down on a dipole.  On QRP SSB they should be fine for some Es QSOs. They certainly are convenient. Years ago, when I still had my IC703 10W transceiver, I even worked an LA on 80m SSB indoors. With the internal ATU on the IC703 I managed to get a match on 80m!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/mwhip

Annual concert - NOT amateur radio

Every year, my wife's choir performs a major choral work (or works) in a well known venue in the Cambridge area.

Tonight, at 7.30pm, they are in the wonderful chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge. This is a very central location and tickets can be bought at the door. It should be a very enjoyable evening.

If you are in the area, you may want to come along.

See www.cambschoral.org.uk

10m FT8

Although I remained on 10m FT8 RX overnight (laziness, not intent!), no spots today yet.

UPDATE 1442z: 23 stations in 7 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX. Yesterday was very good on 10m FT8 RX with 276 stations spotted including 22 South Americans. At the moment today does not appear so good. Best DX so far today is IZ8VYU (1604km). The Es today seems much more limited.

Station spotted here yesterday on 10m FT8 RX

UPDATE 2200z: Yet again, South Americans were coming through on 10m FT8 today. In all 33 stations were copied, far fewer than yesterday.

Sunspots - Saturday May 4th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number zero. A=12 and K=0.

Ely - NOT amateur radio

This lunchtime we were treated to a meal at the Almonry in Ely next to the cathedral. The Almonry dates from the 1300s. The cathedral is known as "the ship of the fens".

10m FT8

At the moment, I am on 10m FT8 RX. Es is already in evidence, with spots of 3 southern European stations already and it is only now 0920z.

UPDATE 2130z:  A very good day with hundreds of EUs plus several (22) South Americans.

Sunspots - Friday May 3rd 2019

Solar flux today is 69 and the SSN 0. A=13 and K=2.