4m operation

This is a band I have had little to do with. 

Back in the 1960s at university I worked ZB2VHF on 4m AM with 4W and a ground plane. At this time there were very few countries on the band. In 1971, I went /P in a 4m contest. 

Several years ago I made a QRP transverter for 4m that appeared in SPRAT (shown in photo).  I have no antennas for the band, but a local has made a personal beacon, that I shall try to copy. It produces 10mW. He has a vertical colinear for the band.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/4m-transverter .

Sunspots - Tuesday February 1st 2022

 Solar flux is 130 and the SSN 100.  A=10 and K=2.

2m FT8 RX

At 1945z my 2m FT8 system was turned on.  So far, 8 stations have been spotted.

UPDATE 2148z:   14 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2235z:   QRT.

8m NoV application - STILL no news!

It is now 3 weeks and a day since I asked OFCOM for an update on my NoV application submitted in October.  Still no news! 

I am only really after 50Hz of spectrum during the 2022 Es season at low power.

In the last few years  OFCOM has released 2000000Hz of precious VHF spectrum for DATV experiments.

Come on!!!!

Oscar 100 activity update

Every few weeks I take a peek at the activity levels on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite by looking at the Goonhilly webSDR. This was at 1400z on a Monday. There were 6 SSB QSOs going on, which is better than the last time I looked. There is still plenty of space.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Solar data update soon

Usually on the first or second day of the month the solar data on my favourite solar data site is updated. Expect an update Tuesday or Wednesday.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

Village cottage - NOT amateur radio

 

In our village is a mix of old and new houses. This one is quite new!! 1800s I think. 

10m FT8 QRP (Monday)

After a very brief period on TX at 2.5W (spotted by 2E0VDS), I am RX only.  So far, 75 stations spotted including several in Australia.

UPDATE 1352z: 483 stations spotted on RX.  There is little doubt 10m is getting back into its stride as a great DX band with most of the world spotted.

UPDATE 1559z:   620 stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1915z:  682 stations spotted on RX. QRT soon.

Parasite? - NOT amateur radio

This photo shows a tree at Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds yesterday.  

Sunspots - Monday January 31st 2022

Solar flux is 130 and the SSN 70.  A=10 and K=3.