QSY to 2m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

At 1850z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 3 stations have spotted me with the furthermost G4HGI (244km).

UPDATE 1941z:  7 stations have spotted me so far on TX. Nothing spotted on RX yet.

UPDATE 2155z:   9 stations have spotted me on 2m FT8 QRP TX in 4 countries with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km).

SAQ Christmas VLF CW transmission cancelled

There was a posting on the SAQ website saying that their Christmas Eve transmission on 17.2kHz CW has been cancelled. See their website. Hopefully better next year. This is often a good time to test your VLF system.

See https://alexander.n.se/the-radio-station-saq-grimeton/saq-transmissions/?lang=en

A very simple PC based receiver for SAQ and VLF is available from SM6LKM. This is simple to install and works very well. I installed it years ago. There may be even better ones around now. You now have more time!

See https://sites.google.com/site/sm6lkm/saqrx/

Looks like there are even better RXs! I have not yet tried this one.

See http://www.dl1dbc.net/SAQ/

10m antenna: Homebase-10

With 10m returning to life, this antenna may "fit the bill" for some people. It featured in Practical Wireless magazine some years ago and there is a page with files about it on my main website. 

For most, the explanations are clear, but if not please let me know so I can make them clearer. It was used for many years at my old QTH.

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

10m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

In a few moments (it is now 0914z) I hope to go on 10m FT8 QRP with my 2.5W to the indoor loop. For this time in the sunspot cycle conditions are quite promising.

UPDATE 0924z:  10m FT8 gear turned on.

UPDATE 1027z:  Just one spot of a Polish station SP8BZX (1078km) so far on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1258z:  As our Internet has been off some of my spots will not have got to PSKreporter. 

UPDATE 1438z: Just 4 stations spotted today with the furthermost NR1DX (7107km) in Florida.

Covid-19 humour - NOT amateur radio

This appeared on WhatsApp earlier. I have no idea where it came from. 

Sunspots - Tuesday December 1st 2020

Solar flux is 109 and the SSN 62. A=8 and K=0.

QSY to 2m FT8 QRP (Monday)

At about 1716z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni. There have been no new spots on 10m FT8 now for some while. Just a 2 spots of me so far - G3ZSS (178km) and nothing spotted yet on RX.

UPDATE 1824z:  Just 3 spots of me so far today. On RX, just 3 stations spotted here so far.

UPDATE 2300z:  QRT. Generally a fairly quiet day with spots of me by 8 stations in 2 countries.

Christmas card alternative? - NOT amateur radio

This Christmas, especially with Covid, many people are choosing not to send Christmas cards. Some are instead donating to a charity. Some look forward to a card, I know, but cards are expensive as is the postage. Maybe you can send some people this alternative? It is an animated GIF.

Direct Conversion RXs

There is no doubt that direct conversion receivers can be both low cost and effective. This page (linked from Hot Iron 110) has some interesting discussion. In the past, I have used direct conversion receivers in many designs.

See https://www.raynetrepair.us/circuit-design/some-practical-design-approaches.htm  .

Hot Iron 110

Peter Thornton G6NGR has just sent me the latest PDF copy of "Hot Iron".  One topic (amongst many good ones) is receivers on a chip. Things have moved on quite a lot since we got excited by the ZN414 in the 1970s! The one linked below is an example. There must be many more.

See https://www.silabs.com/audio-and-radio/multiband-radios .