8m band in the USA?

The FCC has received a "Petition for Rulemaking" making the case for an 8m amateur allocation. This is just a first step in what could be a long process. 

Midway between 10m and 6m this could be a really interesting allocation for serious experimenters especially with Es and MS. This was first made in June last year. I have no idea what happened. Even a few kHz and a limited power or ERP limit would be useful. If the FCC is as dynamic as OFCOM I expect the children will not understand how useful to radio science this could be.

Personally I would say 10kHz wide, narrow modes only (CW, digital) , secondary allocation, non-interference, 1W ERP to start with. Wouldn't this be a great FT8 or WSPR (or its replacement) allocation?

See the ARRL website for further details.

OFCOM Communications Monthly update

Every month OFCOM updates its Communications Monthly with the latest data it holds. See the OFCOM website for more details.

Walk collage - NOT amateur radio

This collage sums up our walk around the village earlier. We missed the rain. Most trees are still green. 

Walk - NOT amateur radio

In recent days we have got out of the habit of doing a walk. Today we did one and saw this fungus. It must be all the rain! 

481THz experiments

Many years ago before my 2013 stroke I bought some Flatlights (very bright LEDs) from the USA to enable me to get further with my optical experiments over the horizon. Even with quite low power LEDs I had got way over the horizon. 

Both my RX and optics could have been improved, so I was expecting much greater ranges. Then I had my stroke and I was unable to continue. To this day the Flatlights remain in the drawer unused.

2m FT8 (2.5W and big-wheel omni antenna)

For about 30 minutes (it is now 0828z) I have been on 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far 7 spots of me and 1 spot of others. No QSOs.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 6th 2020

 Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=4.

OFCOM licences

OFCOM has announced that it is imposing some new conditions when it grants licences to ensure holders know they have to obey international EMF guidelines. See the OFCOM website for more details. 

It would be good if OFCOM had a few people enforcing the law rather than just talking. Oh, silly me, that means people who understand RF.

FCC and 3.4GHz in the USA

According  to Southgate News, the FCC has withdrawn the 3.4GHz amateur allocation in the USA. It would appear the FCC has as many brains as OFCOM in the UK. 

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/october/fcc-deletes-3-4-ghz-amateur-satellite-service-allocation.htm#.X3sTbUjYq00

Walk - NOT amateur radio

Just after lunch we did a walk around the village. Luckily we dodged the showers. 

Back in the spring we had some great days with plenty of sunshine. 

It seems they are building new houses on every available scrap of land.