Sunspots - Thursday October 3rd 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 11.  A=8 and K=2.

Bumper Crop - NOT amateur radio

The trees in our neighbour's garden are laden with apples and pears. Usually they put their surplus fruit out for neighbours to help themselves.

I mentioned before that a friend makes crab apple jelly with our crab apples. Although last year we had a miserable crop, this year is splendid.

2m AM

When I first came on to 2m, AM was the main mode. During the 1970s, FM gradually took over. Also, the Liner-2 got people on the band with SSB. I would say the late 1970s and early 1980s was a golden age on 2m, with G8s gaining access and plenty of activity. Quite a few people used the Liner-2 and a 9 el Tonna antenna.

Although the use of AM on 2m is way down on those early dates, it can still be found. 144.550MHz seems to be the centre of activity. AM is often better than FM and narrower bandwidtth, although the RSGB "experts" seem not to know this!

Often, second hand ex-PMR AM rigs can be obtained very cheaply.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/2am

Dahlias - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went for a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. The dahlias there are past their best, but still pretty impressive.

2m FT8 again

Overnight I remained on 2m FT8 RX. In the last 6 hours, 11 stations spotted with best DX spotted being GM3NKG (475km). 2 Germans also logged.

UPDATE 1108z: Now 13 stations in 5 countries spotted in the last 6 hours on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1234z: Now 18 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX. On 2m FT8 TX my recent CQ was spotted by 11 stations in 6 countries.

UPDATE 1526z: Currently 16 stations have spotted my 2m 10W to the big-wheel CQs on FT8 today. 20 stations so far spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1645z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ was spotted by 9 stations and a QSO with G8EKG (142km).

UPDATE 1732z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ resulted in QSOs with GD and DL.

UPDATE 2129z: 52 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX in the last day.

Burwell Museum talk - NOT amateur radio

A reminder for those in the area that our local Burwell Museum has a "Tea and Talks" talk tomorrow (Thursday, Oct 3rd) at 2pm on the "History of Newmarket" by Sandra Easom. As usual, this is followed by free tea and biscuits. Normal museum charges apply.

Of course, you can look around the very extensive museum and windmill too! I can honestly say this is one of the best local museums in the whole UK.  Many do not realise quite how extensive it is.

VLF amateur radio

For several years I have tried to maintain a website about VLF amateur radio. Experiments are mainly done by a few keen amateurs. To receive VLF amateurs does not require a big antenna. To radiate a VLF signal to some distance does require a big antenna.

A casual listen at VLF will not result in success with amateur VLF signals. Most require highly stable signals (usually locked with GPS or a VLF MSK commercial signal) and integration over many hours or even days.

See https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/

Sunspots - Wednesday October 2nd 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN is 11. A=12 and K=0. Sunspots at last!

2m FT8

After I finished the 2m UKAC, I switched to 2m FT8, calling CQ initially. I was called (after I had finished) by a station in IO70. It's a pity people don't call me when I am actually calling CQ! In all, 9 stations spotted me with best DX EI2FG (565km).

2m activity contest this evening at 1900z

Stations worked this evening 

on 2m QRP SSB

On the first Tuesday of the month, the RSGB organises a 2m activity contest (UKAC). Last month I was on holiday, so I missed it.

Activity on SSB is usually high and the contests are friendly. Although I usually submit an entry (normally far from the top!) there is absolutely no compulsion to do so. I usually stop on less than an hour as my voice is poor, although the contest runs for 2.5 hours.

My range, even with 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna is often 200km.

Personally, I find these sessions great fun. It is more about the fun of working stations and maybe new squares than a contest as such.