Sunspots - Monday October 18th 2021

Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 0.  A=10 and K=3.

Yaesu FT818

This was introduced some years ago, mainly to address component obsolescence with the FT817.  I have owned 2 FT817s over many years and these were good, solid QRP transceivers. In my case they have been used from 136kHz to 432MHz, in some cases with homebrew transverters. I have never, ever regretted having them.

When the FT818 came out I was extremely disappointed. It seemed that Yaesu had lost its way and ignored the huge worldwide market for a better, modern, product. They could have used the same mechanics and just changed the battery and guts. Instead, they introduced basically the very same product. Such a wasted chance.

In my view, they have one last chance. We are on the way up to the next solar peak and the world is expecting a replacement for a product that is about 20 years old.

Yaesu is well capable of designing a worthy successor to the FT817, so get on with it!

Yaesu  -  wake up!!!

10m FT8 RX (Sunday)

As we had visitors who have only just left, I am only now on 10m FT8 RX at 1452z. So far, 26 stations spotted after just a few minutes.

UPDATE 1516z:  So far today, 33 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1600z:  126 stations spotted so far (see map). 10m is definitely becoming a great DX band again.

UPDATE 1743z: 193 stations spotted.

Archetypal Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

The Cambridge colleges are policed by bowler hatted proctors. This is a typical Cambridge scene with bicycles, colleges and proctors. 

FaceTime chat - NOT amateur radio

One of the things we have all learned recently is to communicate with friends and family remotely. Some use Skype, Zoom or FaceTime. 

This was our grandsons in London via FaceTime. We chat with this grandson most nights. 

Local natter box

Some years I toyed with the idea of making a simple rig for local QSOs. This was to be based on my 2m Fredbox. The ideas was not to work DX, but rather be designed for simple cross-town natters. The aim was to design something low cost that worked. Various parts have been breadboarded. Then my stroke got in the way and the project stopped. Perhaps it will inspire you to make something similar.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-am-tenbox .

Cambridge cottages - NOT amateur radio

These cottages overlook Jesus Green in Cambridge. I walked this way most mornings when I first came to Cambridge. That was a long time ago! I think most of these are owned by the university.

10m FT8 RX yesterday

Yesterday was quite a good day on 10m FT8 RX.  I all, 276 stations spotted with most via F2 propagation. In all, stations in 5 continents spotted with the furthermost LW2EDM (11776km).

Sunspots - Sunday October 17th 2021

Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 11 .  A=6 and K=1.

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 .