RSGB Convention

11-13 OCTOBER : RSGB CONVENTION

Kent's Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, Swallow House, Timbold Drive, Kent's Hill Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK7 6BZ.

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

2m FT8

Since returning home, I have been on 2m FT8 calling CQ initially (10W to the big-wheel omni).

4 stations spotted me (no QSOs) with best DX being a spot by G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall.

On 2m FT8 RX just 1 G station spotted.

UPDATE 1542z: Now 11 stations in 5 countries spotted on 2m FT8  this afternoon.

UPDATE 2018z: Now 26 stations in 5 countries spotted this afternoon and early evening on 2m FT8 RX.

Thetford - NOT amateur radio

Thetford is about 24 miles away from where we live. It is a mix of old sites, like Thetford Priory shown in the photo, and 1960s houses and shops, a result of Thetford being a London overspill town.

We liked it, although many of the shops are "to let" or charity shops. It felt more like a Sunday than a busy week day.

In 20 years' time what will our high streets look like?

472kHz WSPR overnight

Another good night. Every time I have been on 472kHz WSPR recently (10mW ERP) my QRPP has been spotted up in Norway. Last night it was spotted by 2 stations in Norway.

Stations spotting my 10mW 

472kHz WSPR overnight

Sunspots - Wednesday October 9th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A =5 and K=3.

Best DX yet on 70cm SSB in the UKAC

Despite using 10W SSB to the 2m big-wheel, I still managed to reach the Isle of Wight this evening. This is my best DX yet in the RSGB cumulative contest on 70cm.

The map shows the 5 QSOs this evening. I was only on for less than an hour because of my poor voice.

Brennan BB1 radio+ - NOT amateur radio

To me, this looks like a killer device. It allows you to collect loads of audio and access internet radio stations. It even has a TFT screen so you can watch YouTube videos. It looks good too. Prices look competitive too.

See https://www.brennan.co.uk/itemcontent.php/content/newbrennan

Plonker

Yesterday, I went on the 2m East Cambs net. One regular had said he could not make it, but G3TFX, local to me was on. He was 52 rather than the usual 59+. Later he said he had a chat with G7LEU. Richard was puzzled why I was so weak. He wondered if I was running milliwatts.

Later I found out why! Although I had connected the antenna adaptor (PL259 to BNC) I forgot to connect the antenna! So G3TFX was 52 even without an antenna!

Next time I shall try to remember the antenna.

Church flowers - NOT amateur radio

We must have a dedicated band of helpers at our local church putting out the flowers. These were the flowers in one window on our walk yesterday.

Good 472kHz WSPR session again

In the last session, spots from 14 stations received, many of these being multiple times. In some cases it is the same station  using different receivers, but I have been spotted in Norway by Jan LA3EQ (769km) on every recent occasion! Yet again, I was copied far more often than I received others, despite the noise floor here being low. This suggests fewer stations are TXing at the moment.

472kHz WSPR spots received in the last session using 10mW ERP 

(at most) and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 1458z: I have been on 472kHz WSPR all day. G1GKN (99km) has been a consistent signal on RX all day. G3YPP (105km) has been spotting me all day. in North Norfolk.

UPDATE 1639z: So far 22 stations have spotted my QRPP signal on 472kHz WSPR. Best DX was 2 spots by LA8AV/1 (1035km).