Getting ready for winter - NOT amateur radio

It is surprising how quickly the nights get longer and we switch to "winter mode" with the curtains drawn and nights by the fire (assuming we can afford one!). 

In the next few weeks we dig up the bedding plants and put in daffodil bulbs and winter flowering plants like primroses.

This year we may put in some pansies, as our local nursery had some good, colourful ones (see photo). If these flower over winter, we may get some.

E-field probe antennas

 

At VLF, LF and MF, external noise usually is the limiting factor.  Making the RX antenna bigger also increases the noise picked up, meaning that tiny RX antennas can be as effective as huge ones. This is the case with E-field probe antennas, that can be tiny.

Many years ago I made one on a mag-mount for 136 kHz so I could drive around trying to pick up my QRSS 6uW beacon. There are several designs around, some which are untuned. Much to my surprise, I could easily pick up my little beacon at 24km.

As the frequency is increased, external noise ceases to dominate and they become less effective.

You may find one useful for LF or MF bands.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/137khz-efp-rx-antenna .

Signs of autumn - NOT amateur radio

 

It is getting cooler!  Autumn is here. 

We'll blink and it will be Christmas again and days will be getting longer once again.

10m FT8 (Tuesday)

Just before lunch, I went on 10m FT8. I transmitted for a few goes (spotted locally and in Turkey) with QRP, but most of the time I have been RX only.

UPDATE 1405z:  Spotted by 173 stations on RX.

UPDATE 1456z:  239 stations spotted. I think 10m FT8 yesterday was better at this time.

Simple regen RX

This is probably one of the simplest receivers you will find. It is really effective and has copied lots of QRP signals from across Europe.  

It is unbelievably simple. If you can think of a simpler RX that is as effective I would like to know! It is on my main website and in my free PDF book. 

By changing the tuned circuit it would work on other bands like 160m or 60m. Not sure where it originated, but you can find lots of similar circuits. 

Sunspots - Tuesday October 4th 2022

Solar flux is 155 and the SSN 144. A=24 and K=4.

481 THz optical communications

Before my 2013 stroke, I used to do a lot of portable tests on optical communications. My favourite activity was over the horizon optical communications. I was surprised to see my beacon even when nothing could be seen in the sky. On the PC, the signal was very clear.

What is good is that equipment is homemade as well as the testgear.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/optical-nanowaves/over-the-horizon .

Tea in the garden - NOT amateur radio

Even though it is October 3rd, we had a cup of tea in the garden in shirt sleeves. I cannot imagine this being possible for much longer before the spring.

Shetland Islands cliffs - NOT amateur radio

 

This photo was on 365project earlier. 

It was taken by a friend in Shetland. There are few trees there, partly as it is so exposed and windy.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

Later today, I hope to go on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 hoping to be spotted in the USA.  

As F2 improves still further, copy in the USA on 8m by FT8 is certainly possible as I have worked the USA on 10m QRP SSB handheld from the bedroom!

The main issue is there are too few 8m monitors in the USA. Better equipped 8m stations will make QSOs across the Atlantic. I could, but I am not getting my hopes up!

For the avoidance of doubt, I give everyone permission to report my 8m signals and if this is in the form of a 2-way FT8 exchange, so be it.

The photo shows my wire dipole for 8m. I have been spotted in 14 countries so far with it and QRP. 

UPDATE 1715z:   Turned on 8m FT8 at 1700z.