Next SAQ (17.2kHz CW) test transmission

Next Sunday, this historic alternator TX is transmitting for Alexanderson Day on July 4th. I have a QSL card somewhere from them for a transmission many years ago. This is a good chance to test your VLF system.

See https://alexander.n.se/category/news/?lang=en .

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

10m FT8 in the last day with the loop

Compared with a half decent outside 10m antenna I know my loop (50cm across, indoors) is at least 1 S point down. This means stations others copy, I miss. 

Nonetheless, 197 spots in the last day is not bad. These were in Europe, Africa and South America. In the next few weeks with help, I hope to get a decent outside antenna up for 10m.

10m FT8 RX

 

Stations spotted
to 0950z

At 0653z, my 10m FT8 RX was turned on with the tiny indoor loop. So far (at 0700z) no spots.

UPDATE 0710z:   Just M0BPQ (74km) spotted.

UPDATE 1020z:   140 stations spotted on RX. Mostly Es. The map shows the stations spotted on RX at 0950z.

UPDATE 1336z:   247 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2120z: 336 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. QRT shortly.

Sunspots - Tuesday June 29th 2021

 Solar flux is 89 and the SSN 50. A=4 and K=0.

Replacing the slats - NOT amateur radio

The 200 year old windmill next door is being repainted. Today, they've started to put the slats back on the sails. 

Backscatter compendium

The microwave bands are an area of amateur radio that I have never got seriously interested in, although we can only do so much I guess. Quite a few people are doing ATV at 5.6GHz using low cost modules.

Years ago I bought the "Backscatter compendium". This is now available free to download. 

See https://www.microwavers.org/backscatter.htm .

30THz tests

 Working on optical frequencies at 481THz seems easier!

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

We are lucky to see quite a lot of some of the grandchildren. 

Here two of them are with their granny. 

eBay fan - NOT amateur radio

Talking about eBay made me think about a fan my wife bought off eBay many years ago. See photo of the fan.

PFX Manual

 Years ago, I worked on the Pye PFX.  An old friend has just pointed me to a PFX service manual for sale on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pye-PFX-Pocketfone-VHF-UHF-FM-Transceiver-Reference-35-06-2021-/133800248662?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

I have just spotted that it was my personal copy with my name on it!

No, I shall not be bidding, HI.

The PFX was widely used by the UK police and some were used on 70cm. It was the first synthesised portable Pye Telecom ever made. It had a few false starts, but was very successful in the end. The PF85 was a crystal controlled handheld using many of the same modules.