Amplitude Modulation (AM)

When I was first active, AM was the main mode on all bands. On HF this was replaced by SSB and, in very recent times, FT8 has become very popular. On the VHF bands most use FM, although there are fewer coming on just for a chat as there are now (free) alternatives on the internet.

Now I am not saying AM is brilliant, but the gear is often simple and low cost. There has been a growing interest in AM on bands like 160m, 80m and 10m. If you have never played with AM, you don't know what you are missing! At one time, ex PMR AM gear was practically being given away.

On 2m, the centre of AM activity is 144.550 MHz.

I get the feeling that most people have a dim view of AM, not least our national society, the RSGB. In my view this is totally wrong. Like other modes, AM has its place. Just listen above 29 MHz when 10m is open.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/vhf-am .

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

After just a few minutes, my 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon has been copied by 4 unique stations.  Very encouraging.

UPDATE 2053z:   25 unique stations have spotted me today.

8m experiment (Sunday)

Almost immediately, my QRP 8m  FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial was spotted on the Iberian peninsula by 2 stations. I have the feeling today could be good.

UPDATE 1103z:  3 stations have spotted my QRP 8m FT8 today. Rig now off cooling. Back on later.

Bodium Castle - NOT amateur radio

This castle is in Kent. We went there in 2012. 

Sunspots - Sunday August 7th 2022

Solar flux is 116 and the SSN 69. A=4 and K=1.

Tiny 8m amateur band plea

If you get a chance, please contact your national amateur radio society and whoever your national authority is on radio matters (e.g. FCC, OFCOM or similar) making the following plea:

• Just 5 kHz wide amateur allocation
• Narrow digital modes only (no speech) e.g. WSPR and FT8 
• 40.680 - 40.685 MHz (just 5 kHz wide) in the ISM band
• By special authority only (e.g. NoV in the UK) and NOT generally available
• Coordinated allocation
• Strictly no interference
• To encourage research and self training (may help with RF engineer shortage)

For some reason both the FCC and OFCOM do not want to allocate amateurs a band at 8m. To my thinking this is totally illogical when radio amateurs can actively contribute to propagation research at zero cost. We are not asking for much! Also, with no speech, and no commercial gear available, it is hardly likely to be "more of the same". Speaking personally, I would happily lose 5 kHz off every amateur allocation as a trade. 5 kHz at 8m is perfectly enough to carry out research with modes such as FT8 and WSPR.

Personally, I think such an allocation would definitely encourage research.

No, I think a tiny 8m amateur band is badly needed, and soon.

ATV DX

Some time ago, it was reported that amateurs were to carry out some tests on 10m and 6m with reduced bandwidth ATV. I have no idea if these tests were carried out.

I think in the 1950s UK broadcast TV was copied in South Africa and Australia when the MUF reached band 1.

ATV is one area of our hobby I have never tried. These narrowband digital tests sound fascinating. I am sure that they will be well published when successful.

See https://wiki.batc.org.uk/UK_ATV_DX_Records .

10m WSPR QRP TX (Saturday)

Later, I hope to be on 10m QRP WSPR TX as we are out shortly. 

Yesterday was pretty successful on 10m WSPR. I am surprised by the number of active WSPR stations on 10m. Although I may be wrong, I think there are more stations active on 10m WSPR than last summer. I would have expected fewer as more people try FT8. WSPR works with far weaker signals and takes up far less bandwidth than FT8 that needs about 50Hz.

UPDATE 0920z:  On TX now.

UPDATE 1912z:   27 spots of me today.

8m experiment (Saturday)

As we are out this morning, I cannot go on 8m QRP TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial until later. Whilst on 8m, I shall also go on 10m QRP WSPR with my 500mW WSPR beacon from W5OLF.

UPDATE 0928z: EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted me. Probably F2?

UPDATE 1340z:  EA8BFK, HC02 (1808km), SR4DON (1352km) and EA3ERE (1153km) spotting me on 8m FT8 today Another decent day.

More Kingfisher Bridge - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we went for a walk at a local nature reserve called Kingfisher Bridge. Last time we went (pre Covid) there were water buffalo, but these seem to have gone. We saw Konik ponies and one little egret, but we were disappointed. It was very dry.