Sunspots - Wednesday February 17th 2021

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=15 and K=2. This month, the sunspot count has been dreadful. 

472kHz (630m) WSPR RX

It is now 2030z. A few minutes ago I went on to 472kHz WSPR RX. So far G0MRF (139km) and DL1HWK (816km) copied.

UPDATE 2215z: 5 stations spotted this evening with the furthermost being IZ3QQG (1155km). Still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

2m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

At 1845z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 using 2.5W (FT817ND) and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, just 1 spot of me by G4TRA (185km).

UPDATE 1858z: 2 stations spotted here on RX. 5 stations have spotted my 2.5W QRP with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 2007z: So far this evening I have been spotted by 6 stations as shown on the map. 2 QSOs this evening.

Old QTH

This aerial photo shows my old QTH. We moved from here about 300m. That was 7.5 years ago. My son lives in this house now. 

We now live next door to the windmill in probably the highest spot in the village.

SETI - NOT amateur radio

As far as I know, we have been searching the universe for almost 50 years via SETI (search for intelligent life) without success. Much of the decoding is done by volunteers using spare processing power on their PCs.

Based on the estimates of planets, I find this odd. As time goes by the means of looking have improved. By now, I would have expected to get some indications.

Maybe, we are looking in the wrong way? Maybe intelligent life self destructs? Maybe we really are alone? Maybe our whole understanding of the universe is wrong?

If ever we did find intelligent life elsewhere, it could have profound implications for humans.

See https://seti.org/

The FETer transceiver

Thinking of ultra-simple rigs, perhaps consider my FETer. I was surprised how well this worked.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/feter-80m-qrpp-cw-transceiver

Pixies and Micro-80s

One of the fun parts of our hobby is seeing how simple gear can be made that is capable of contacts of several hundred miles or more. 

Examples are the Pixie and Micro-80 designs. Pixies can be bought as kits from China for a few pounds or euros. In the past, I have made versions for 80m and 40m, including homebrew and kits.

With these circuits, the main limitation is the RX. These are compromises using the PA device as the RX mixer. Often the sensitivity is a bit lacking and AM breakthrough can be a problem. The front end selectivity is barn-door and the audio filtering mainly one's ear! Nonetheless, many miles can be spanned. In terms of "bang per buck" they take some beating. 

The challenge is to find the best overall circuit which has a decent TX and RX.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/pixie

Old photo - NOT amateur radio

When my mother's house was being cleared some years ago, we came across this old photo which we had never seen before. 

It was on a metal plate and is hand tinted. It probably dates from the 1800s and is possibly of my great great grandmother.

15m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

It is now 0835z.  About 15 minutes ago I turned on my 15m FT8 QRP gear using 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop antenna on the shack windowsill.   Already I have spotted 8 stations on RX and I have been spotted by 3 on TX.

UPDATE 1835z:  Spotted by 11 stations on TX with the furthermost being EA8AXT (2996km).  265 stations have been spotted on RX with the furthermost YB2DX (12050km).  I continue to be amazed just how well this loop does considering how small and thin the wire is!

Spring coming - NOT amateur radio

All the seasons have their own beauty, but this winter has felt very long. At last there are signs of spring coming. 

The daffodils in the photo are under a tree in our close.  In a few days some will be in flower. Robins are on high branches singing out to mark their territories. The first daisy has been seen.

Spring is coming! With it, new hope and new life. In a few weeks winter will be gone.