My apologies - 136kHz transverter

Some time ago, I was asked by email if the technique to make this into a full TX-RX transverter as used on 472kHz could be adapted on 136kHz. What happens sometimes with emails is that they get filed and forgotten about. I do not remember replying to this question. So, if I did not answer this please accept my sincere apologies. I just cannot remember.

Yes, the same techniques would work on 136kHz, suitably scaled. This could be a simple way to get on this band. I have to confess I have never been on 136kHz TX from this QTH!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/mflf/137khz_tvrtr .

6m FT8 QRP (Monday)

After breakfast I hope to go on 6m FT8 with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni antenna.   This is now the winter Es season, so it is possible some European stations will be spotted. Yesterday was very promising on 10m. 

UPDATE 0907z:   Already spotted in Sweden by SM4CHK (1138km) on QRP FT8 TX and 16 stations spotted on RX from Scandinavia. This definitely looks like winter Es.

UPDATE 1100z:   Already spotted by 6 stations on QRP 6m FT8 TX right across Europe!  No QSOs.  27 stations spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX again right across the continent with the furthermost being LB7FA (2008km).

UPDATE 1316z:  I have been spotted by 10 stations across Europe with my 2.5W QRP 6m FT8 TX and I have spotted 45 stations on 6m FT8 RX.

Stations spotted
to 1515z on 6m
FT8 RX

UPDATE 1515z: 1 QSO with an LA station.  67 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. 14 spots of my QRP 6m QRP  on 6m FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1532z: 70 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. 2 QSOs  (LA and DL).

UPDATE 1712z: 18 stations have spotted my 6m FT8 QRPoday. TX with the furthermost being IS0YFG (1600km).  82 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. This looks like winter Es.

Stations spotting
me today

UPDATE 1819z:  QRT soon.  85 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX today.

10m (28MHz) - my best band

Although, at the moment, 10m is not a great DX band, this will soon change. Within a few years it will again be one of our greatest DX bands. Even with simple antennas and low power, worldwide DX should be possible. Being 1.7MHz wide there is space for all modes. Even a wire dipole is very small.

With my poor voice I find FT8 better than SSB or AM or FM. It will be interesting to see the impact of FT8, which is already very popular on many bands. I like it as most DX is concentrated in a few kHz and there are lots of people monitoring.  It works with signals weaker than SSB or CW. Being a very narrow-band mode (each TX takes about 50Hz only) it seems better with man-made noise than wider band modes. 

I suspect there may be less AM activity this cycle, which would be a pity: often operators use old "boat anchor" rigs with beautiful modulation. In the last (poor) sunspot cycle several USA AM stations were copied well in the car with just a super-regen RX and a base loaded whip.

In the past I have well exceeded DXCC with 10W SSB on 10m with low dipoles. 

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/10m_op

Sunspots - Monday December 28th 2020

Solar flux is 88 and the SSN 26.  A=6 and K=2.

Homemade trifle - NOT amateur radio

My wife likes to make homemade trifle at Christmas as shown in the photo. 

They always taste delicious.

Village houses - NOT amateur radio

We have lots of different house styles in our village as the photo shows. 

Some houses go back many centuries and some were built this year. One old house dates to the 1100s I think.

Muddy walk - NOT amateur radio

We have just got back from a walk. It was very muddy! Part of the walk is through a wood planted for the millennium making the trees about 20 years old. 

I don't get tired walking, just being giddy all the time: it feels like I am always about to fall: this exhausts me.

10m FT8 RX

It is now 1013z. A short while ago I turned on my 10m FT8 gear using the FT817ND at the tiny indoor loop antenna. So far 24 stations spotted here on RX. Winter Es?

UPDATE 1623z:  79 Europeans spotted. Good. 

UPDATE 1724z:  88 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.   Unless there are surprises I expect this is it for the day. Still, this is good for 10m in winter at this part of the solar cycle.

UPDATE 2047z:  QRT.  95 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Sunday December 27th 2020

Solar flux is 88 and the SSN 31.  A=4 and K=2.

Morons? - NOT amateur radio

This cartoon appeared on Facebook earlier. No idea who the moron could be or where the cartoon originated  😉.