Sunspots - Tuesday November 23rd 2021

Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 22 (again).  A=9 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR RX with the Wellgood Loop active antenna

As an experiment I am on 472kHz WSPR RX using the Wellgood Loop. It will be interesting to see how this compares with the coax up to the big-wheel.

Home - NOT amateur radio

Even though I have lived away from the area for far longer than I lived there, I still think of the South Hams in Devon as "home".  I am sure lots will have changed. This photo shows people enjoying the sea near Salcombe, Devon, UK. 

ICOM IC-703

This is the radio that preceded the IC-705. I sold mine many years ago to a friend in Cambridge and regret it. If you are after a basic HF/6m 10W radio, then you would be hard pressed to do better. It is the same size as the IC-706 range, but hard to find these days. One advantage is the auto-ATU, which matched my long wire on all bands from 80m to 10m. It would probably have done 6m too!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/icom-ic-703 .

Tomatoes - NOT amateur radio

My home grown tomatoes were successful this year and I shall definitely grow more next year.  The position was in the sun, but sheltered. 

The same place will be used next year.

We have dark cold nights until then!

10m WSPR QRP (Wednesday)

As my 10m antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR with my 500mW W5OLF beacon. At 1316z, 3 stations spotted with the furthermost EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1428z:  Still just the same 3 stations spotting me!

UPDATE  1842z:  Still just those 3 stations spotting me. QRT soon.

6m FT8 (Wednesday)

At about 1000z, I turned on my 6m FT8 running to 2.5W to the V2000 vertical antenna. I was very briefly on TX getting a couple of G spots. On RX 5 spots (mostly Gs) with the furthermost LB2WD (868km).

UPDATE 1840z:  6 spots of stations all day.  Apart from the station in Norway, all were Gs. QRT soon.

Autumn splendour - NOT amateur radio

This was the view out of my son's window earlier. 

472kHz WSPR RX last evening and overnight

18 stations spotted, which is the best yet this season. Furthermost was again OH1LSQ (1733km). Antenna is still the coax to my 2m big-wheel tuned with the ferrite rod ATU on the bench. Earth was just the mains. May try again tonight with the Wellgood active loop.

What is the best QRP transceiver ever?

Many of us enjoy the challenge of getting the most from the least. Some define this as the fewest number of parts or the lowest cost.

What do you reckon is/was the best QRP radio design ever? Tell us all what you think and why, and leave some links if possible.

Most designs are compromises. Ideally, I am looking for a rig that really holds its own on TX and RX. As an example, the Pixie and Micro80 had dreadful receivers. I am wondering if anyone has come up with a rig with a decent receiver?