High sensitivity crystal set

The ARRL website still has a public link to an old QST article on using a MOSFET as a high sensitivity crystal set. I have not duplicated this design, but should try it on HF. There is lots about crystal sets on my website.

See http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/culter.pdf
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/crystalset

Black humour? - NOT amateur radio

This was posted on Facebook earlier. It made me smile although for those stuck on cruise ships it is anything but funny: it must be a nightmare.

We all hope that this virus will run its course, burn out and that a vaccine is made available as soon as possible.

South Orkney DXpedition

Southgate News reports that the DXpedition VP8PJ to Signy Island has set off.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/march/south-orkney-dxpedition.htm#.XmdY4Y6TK00

Returning sunspots

Over the last few days we have seen some new sunspots. These may indicate cycle 25 gathering momentum. We are seeing the more active regions swinging into view, but let us all hope we see more over the months to come. When the far side swings into view, it will be interesting to see if we get new sunspots.

More signs of spring - NOT amateur radio

Gradually the soil is warming and there are signs of new life.

Spring springing - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the spring flowers at the weekend at nearby Anglesey Abbey.

In April the fields will be yellow with rape seed oil. Some hate this, but I actually like it. Until recent years it was far less common in the UK.

Sunspots - Tuesday March 10th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 12. A=5 and K=1.

DXpeditions

Southgate News has a piece on some future DXpeditions to Sable Island (off Canada) and Willis Island (off Australia).

See Southgatearc.org/news/2020/march/willis-island-dxpedition-news.htm#.XmZphY6TK00

mcHF transceiver

Some years ago the mcHF transceiver kit was launched by M0NKA. Since then it has been "cloned" and has been sold as the RS918. Whilst I think the design credit should go to M0NKA, I have some sympathy for those who did not want to buy the kit or were unable to build one.

This video is of the cloned radio. For the price it is good value. It is still sold. The original mcHF is also sold in the USA only as an assembled unit.

IC-705 video

There still seems to be a lot of rumour, but few facts, about the release of this new QRP radio from ICOM.  Many expect it to be on sale at Dayton in May, although I expect it will be released in Japan first. As for UK and EU release dates, I have no idea, although late 2020 is my guess. They have to obtain CE approval first. In the meantime, this video, which I think has been on before, might whet your appetite.