10m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

 At about 0840z, I went on 10m FT8 with 2.5W for a few minutes, then RX only. I spot of my QRP by GM4WJA (624km) and 3 Gs spotted by 0856z. I notice that some Gs are calling VK6.

UPDATE 1035z: 23 stations spotted. Mostly these are Gs, although the furthermost was IZ7NLJ (1770km) in the heel of Italy. All Europe so far.

UPDATE 1113z: 25 stations so far spotted on RX. 

UPDATE 1245z: 34 stations spotted with the furthermost PU1KPS (9402km) in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

UPDATE 1500z:  53 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. Plenty from South America again, plus the Comoros Is yet again.

UPDATE  1907z: 130 stations spotted on RX. See map.

Sunspots - Sunday September 26th 2021

Solar flux is 88 and the SSN 38.  A=7 and K=0. 

Where I come from in South Devon - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows where I come from in South Devon. I lived in Salcombe until 1959.  When this photo was taken, the small pier on the right was in place.

Neighbour's flowers - NOT amateur radio

In the UK, dahlias flower mainly in the autumn. Our neighbour always has a good show. The ones in the photo are in his garden now. We can enjoy them from the lounge window.

10m FT8 QRP (Saturday)

Although I have been on 10m FT8 for about 15 minutes (it is now 0825z), no spots on 2.5W TX or RX so far. 

UPDATE 1030z:  9 stations spotted on RX so far, with the furthermost EA7CBQ (1739km).

UPDATE 1320z:   15 stations spotted on RX including South America. The furthermost is PY1XYZ (9585km).

UPDATE 1503z:  Now 19 stations spotted on RX including 2 in South America and 2 in South Africa.  See map.

UPDATE 1632z:  24 stations spotted with the furthermost ZS1F (9745km).

2012 workshop

The photo shows the back of the garage, at the old QTH, where I did much of my building. 

Tidy!! 😉

Autumn jewels - NOT amateur radio

This is the season of conkers. Although now in my old age, I still enjoy seeing them. 

Zoom success

Last evening the Cambridge club (CDARC) had another Zoom talk.  This time it was by Martin G3ZAY, who writes the HF column in RadCom, on the activation of rare Scottish islands for SOTA. 

It was again excellent. By sharing the speaker's screen you can see slides perfectly.  I am totally impressed by how good these virtual talks are. It is good as speakers and viewers can be anywhere without the need to travel. Potentially members could be in New Zealand or China, or anywhere.

Personally I would be happy for these talks to continue on Zoom, for membership fees to be reduced, and a social gathering in a pub or cafe say every month.

Sunspots - Saturday September 25th 2021

 Solar flux is 88 and the SSN 75.  A=8 and K=1.

472kHz transverter fault

Years ago, finding a fault would have been easy. Now, even in small steps, it is exhausting and hard. 

I think the issue is that the oscillator has stopped for some reason: I can detect nothing at 3.2MHz on a nearby RX.  I shall look again at the weekend as now I am so so tired! Just a few minutes is so taxing now. 

This may be as simple as a dry joint. I guess the first thing to try is retouching all the solder joints in the oscillator. It is most likely to be this. I had a diode probe, but I have not seen it for years! I guess I should check the DC volts around the oscillator before doing this.

In the end, the aim is to TX again on 630m QRP. Before the fault arose my measured ERP was just under 10mW. This regularly was spotted on WSPR in Norway.