Sunspots - Saturday July 9th 2022

Solar flux is 130 and the SSN 81. A=19 and K=1.

2m operation

You often hear the cry "2m is dead these days". It is true that fewer people come on the band just for a chat as, these days, they can do this with video for free locally or across the world on the Internet. My XYL chats with an old friend in Australia on video and it is like she is in the same room. I am also amused when our club Zoom talks are given by someone 5000km away! In many ways the Internet has shrunk our planet and we feel more connected.

Back to 2m. These days there are far more modes, some which require far less bandwidth, yet can go a very long way. An example is FT8 which works with signals far weaker than SSB or CW. I have found that unheard of DX seems possible at just about any time on 2m QRP with an omni antenna. By the way, FT8 needs just 50 Hz of bandwidth whereas SSB typically needs 2400 Hz. 

Yes, 2m is quieter than it was 30-40 years ago, but there is still activity of a different sort. Indeed, if you listen on repeaters or FM simplex these can be quiet. Calling CQ on SSB is far less likely to get a response.

In some areas, local noise can be a nightmare. Here, thankfully, it is still fairly quiet. I use a V2000 vertical for FM and a big wheel omni for SSB and FT8. Even with QRP, I find great DX can always be worked with 2m FT8. Give 2m a go sometime.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/2m-operation .

OFCOM updates

 OFCOM has updated the data it holds about licences etc.  See the OFCOM website for details.

My brother's garden in Devon - NOT amateur radio

This is part of my brother's garden in Devon. He has a wood and bees in a part and a golf hole!! 

Bee - NOT amateur radio

 

This bee was spotted a few days ago at nearby Anglesey Abbey.

10m WSPR QRP TX

As usual, I am on 10m WSPR with my 500mW W5OLF beacon.

UPDATE 1516z:   45 unique stations have spotted me today. This is more than yesterday. I am pleasantly surprised by the level of activity on 10m WSPR.

8m experiment (Friday)

When the rig is cool I have been on 8m FT8 QRP TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. 

As encouragement to others, I have been copied by 5 stations so far this morning including DL0TUD/RX (939km), the latter being my 13th country to spot me on 8m FT8 despite just a few watts only from the FT817ND and low wire dipole. Es really is the QRPer's friend! However limited your set-up, I can guarantee fun on 8m, whether TX or RX.

I do hope administrations see sense and start to allow very limited amateur radio access to 8m. Ideally, this should be narrow digital only (no speech) with 40.680-40.685 MHz as a minimum.

Sunspots - Friday July 8th 2022

Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 88. A=20 and K=5.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Thursday)

So far today, 28 stations have spotted my 500mW WSPR on 10m. 

UPDATE 1900z: 35 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m QRP today.

Bury St Edmunds Abbey - NOT amateur radio

Most of the old Abbey is in ruins following the sacking by Puritans centuries ago in an act of pure vandalism. Luckily some of the ruins were incorporated into newer buildings.