More "brain fog" - NOT amateur radio

As reported earlier, I got my E-field probe working on LF.  In the past, this would have been totally trivial, but I am exhausted just putting dry cells in the EFP and old FT817. Just undoing a few screws tired me out! 

Miracle antennas

These were popular some years ago, but I have no idea if they are still available. 

Like all sorts of small antennas, these are a compromise. On the higher HF bands, when used with a good ground or counterpoise, they can be quite effective, being within a couple of S points of a full sized dipole. I used mine with a central heating ground and worked some remarkable DX on 10m SSB QRP. They fitted directly on the back of the rig and were very easy to tune.

I suspect mine is in the loft as I have not seen it for 7.5 years! I am too wobbly these days to go up there!

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

136kHz E-field probe found

With a fresh battery, I think this will still work. It was re-found yesterday. 

If it does, it means I can do some local tests with my beacon into the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I already have a local RX test site in mind.

UPDATE 1540z:  A short range test in the house shows the EFP still works. 

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqr

p3/antennas/137efp

That royal interview - NOT amateur radio

Today, people are talking about 2 things in England. Firstly, all school children are returning to schools. Secondly, Oprah Winfrey interviewed Meghan and Harry, who now live in California.

Views on the royal family are very wide. My personal view is that they have to change. Wealth and privilege as a result of who your parents are or were has no place today. I am not a republican, but feel change has to occur or the UK monarchy will end in the next 50 years.

Why do we need to spend millions doing up a cottage in Windsor Great Park? 

Yes, our royal family and palaces are probably worth millions in tourism each year. We can still have this without the silliness that goes with it. Get real royals!

Maltings - NOT amateur radio

Many years ago maltings were places where hops were dried to make beer. 

We have a maltings building in our village, but these days it houses offices.

17m FT8 QRP (Monday)

It is now 0907z. Shortly, I intend to go on 17m FT8 again with 2.5W and the indoor loop. 17m seems a good daytime band. Even with my QRP and tiny indoor loop, I was spotted in the USA on that band again yesterday.

UPDATE 1139z: 43 stations spotted on RX, and 1 spot of me on TX by UA3PRS (2481km).

UPDATE 1200z: 60 stations spotted here today on RX.

UPDATE 1425z: 115 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1607z:  2 stations have spotted my 2.5W to the indoor loop on TX. 131 stations spotted on RX. No South Americans today so far.

sBITX?

Steve G1KQH sent me an email yesterday in which he mentioned that the inventor of the uBITX, Ashar Farhan VU2ESE, is working on an SDR version. I have no details of when this will be available, but can imagine it being low cost and very interesting.

The original uBITX is available from India, with most of the hardware built (he uses a woman's co-operative to build and test the main assembly).  It is a very inexpensive way to get on the HF bands.

See https://www.hfsignals.com/index.php/ubitx-v6/
See https:ex//qrparci.org/fdim

Sunspots - Monday March 8th 2021

Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 14. A=10 and K=1.

2m FT8 RX (Sunday)

Earlier this evening, I decided to go on 2m FT8 RX with the big-wheel omni antenna. So far (2140z) 19 stations in 4 countries spotted. The furthermost is DL6BF (479km).

UPDATE 2217z: No further stations spotted this evening. QRT soon.

10FT8R 10m FT8 RX

As mentioned before, my aim, despite my "brain fog", is to build a full FT8 transceiver for 10m.  This will be done in stages, starting with the RX. 

This photo shows the original WISPY 10m WSPR RX, which I want to base the design on, although I am still looking for the actual thing. I am not sure I still have it even! At least the photo will help with pad placement.