Fresh green - NOT amateur radio

I like the fresh green of spring. 

The photo shows the 2 horse chestnut trees planted in our churchyard in memory of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

FT8 on the IC-705

I have the USB drivers and audio CODECs set up now on the rig, but have not got FT8 working yet. 

Years ago this would have been a trivial task, but with my "brain fog" this is like doing it blindfold: tasks that would have been easy in 2012 are now really hard, taxing and exhausting.  I also thought a USB-C was the same as a micro-USB!! It isn't! Luckily I had one around. 

I think for FT8 on the IC-705 I shall need a lead with isolation as the PC introduces noise I think.

More on the 10FT8R RX

This afternoon, using the very slightly revised circuit (thanks for the circuit simulation Jay) I have been receiving yet more Es signals on the 10FT8R receiver with the tiny indoor loop. 22 stations just copied in southern Europe.

UPDATE 1604z:  67 stations spotted this afternoon.

UPDATE 1835z: 135 stations spotted today. 

Stations spotted today

UPDATE 2020z: 145 stations spotted today on the 10FT8R and tiny indoor loop.

Revised 10FT8R circuit - rev c

Attached is a revised circuit. Just 1 part has changed value (470n on the input to the first audio stage). For clarification, the caps feeding the PC mic input are 100n. Just for clarity I have made it clear this is my design G3XBM  R.Lapthorn following the comment below by John Desmond EI7GL.

A proper CAD schematic will follow shortly.

Homebase10 dual band

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my dual band 10m /6m version of my Homebase10 antenna. It was erected at my old QTH some years ago. This was taken in 2012. This antenna is on my website. Sadly I cannot make this now. 

10m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

At 0640z I turned on my 10m FT8 RX with the 10FT8R and tiny indoor loop antenna. No spots yet. 

Sunspots - Tuesday May 4th 2021

 Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=1.

New website ready soon (this week?)

As mentioned yesterday, I am working on a new Googles Sites website. All being well, it will "go live" later this week. You will still point to www.g3xbm.co.uk and it will automatically take you to the new pages when they are ready. Most pages have been done, but some remain to be done. 

The main difference is pages will be accessed via drop-down menus at the top of the home page rather than the index on the left. It allows some new features including embedding, so my 10m FT8 grabber will be there too. I may be able to use this feature for other things as well.

All being well, there will be some new pages too.

10m FT8 RX with the 10FT8R

It is now 0948z. I have been on RX for about 25 minutes using the 10m 10FT8R receiver with the tiny indoor loop antenna.  So far, just OM0ALE (1431km) spotted.

UPDATE 1014z:  Now more stations being received by Es.

UPDATE 1129z:  10 stations received today so far using the 10FT8R RX and the tiny indoor loop antenna.

UPDATE 1547z:  20 stations spotted so far today. The 10FT8R seems to work well, even with the tiny indoor loop.

UPDATE 2128z: 47 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX with the 10FT8R and the tiny indoor loop.

Albania - NOT amateur radio

When we think of Albania we often think of the dark communist days and as a sort of "dour" place devoid of fun. These days, Albania is trying to throw off these shackles. It is trying to market itself as a holiday destination.

Some years ago we went to coastal Albania on a day trip from Corfu. We had a total surprise. We went by coach down the coast to one of their very ancient sites. After lunch we went to a place with the purest, clearest, water I have ever seen.

The main town where our boat landed was filled with empty beaches, awaiting visitors. Prices were far lower than on Corfu. They accepted Euros.

Other parts may still be backward. All I can say is do not let your old views get in the way. Albania is trying to change. We were very pleasantly surprised.