Simple regen RXs

There is always a challenge getting the most from very little. Great fun can be had from simple regenerative receivers. 

This simple circuit works really well and has been a great surprise. I made an 80m transceiver version and I was surprised by how uncritical it was and by what it copied. 

The video shows the transceiver version and the first link takes you to a very simple RX schematic. The second link takes you to the FETer 80m transceiver.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-or-40m-regen-rx .

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-feter-transceiver .

Eating out in Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

When in Cambridge, one of our favourite places to eat is here. This is a chain, but their fixed price menu is always good. 

Lightning

Some call me paranoid about lightning. 

At this time of year in the UK lightning is far less common than in the summer, but I still disconnect antennas and PSUs at night as a precaution. In the daytime I check and disconnect everything if there is a hint of storms. 

OK, the chances of a direct strike are low, but I want to minimise risks. Power surges can be more common.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

10m FT8 RX (Saturday)

 In a few moments I hope to go on 10m FT8 RX. Yesterday there was activity, but fewer stations copied. I am not sure if this was just a poorer day?

UPDATE 0919z:  10m FT8 RX turned on. Plenty of stations coming in by F2.  I see Gs are calling VK on 10m. So far, 12 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost RA4AID (3140km).

Cambridge yesterday - NOT amateur radio

This was Trinity College in Cambridge yesterday.  The college is currently closed to visitors. I am not sure if this is related to Covid.

Sunspots - Saturday October 16th 2021

 Solar flux is 84 and the SSN 11.  A=6 and K=2.  We are obviously with the active side facing away from the Earth.

Cambridge punts - NOT amateur radio

For the first time since 2019, I returned to my University of the 3rd Age (U3AC) lectures in Cambridge. I am studying Medieval History, about which I know little! That's what's so nice: learning just for fun. As you can imagine, there is a huge range of courses in Cambridge. It was great to be back.

I had a little time to kill, so I took some photos around Cambridge including this one of the punts being prepared.

10m FT8 RX (Friday)

My system was turned on at 0755z. Just G5LP (137km) spotted so far.

Ely 1845 - NOT amateur radio

This picture was done in 1845. Much has changed, but much is still the same. 

VLF Earth-mode

This was 2012.  6km was spanned below 10kHz through the ground. My stroke got in the way!