Ukraine war - NOT amateur radio

The war in Ukraine is almost 1 year old. What a total waste of everything! 

I hear now that Germany and the USA are sending tanks. I am sure we in the west, as well as people in Russia, are not being told the whole truth. This often happens in wars.

Russia is paranoid about its security, but at the same time invading a neighbouring country is not the answer. More countries (Finland and Sweden) want to join NATO. If these countries were attacked or any NATO country, the reaction would be devastating.

In the end I very much hope some sort of peace can be found. It seems to me that the elements of this must include:

• No nation to be invaded by neighbours.
• Russia gets guarantees that nobody ever intends to invade it.
• Sweden, Finland and Ukraine do not join NATO but have their security guaranteed by NATO.
• Russia has access to Crimean ports for its Navy. 
• Sanctions are lifted with guarantees of good conduct after a fixed period.
• Both Ukraine and Russia do not apply war crimes against each other.
  

All conflicts are resolved in the end, usually with some degree of compromise by warring parties. This is  stupid waste of lives and property. The sooner everyone tells the whole truth the better.

8m - is 10mW ERP legal for beacons without a licence in the ISM band?

Recently, I was asked this question. If it is, many more UK stations could get on 8m. It is my firm view that 10mW ERP is enough to get into southern Europe from the UK in good Es conditions by WSPR. It might even be possible rarely with FT8. Local tests have proved to me that well over 17km is possible locally, even without 8m antennas at the RX end.

Now, I am no legal expert, so you will have to seek your own legal advice. In different countries, different regulations will apply, so it is your duty to ensure legal operation.

My interpretation is WSPR beacons without a licence are legal in the UK in the ISM bands as long as the technical requirements and IR 2030 are met. This means 10mW ERP.  Interference must not be given and must be accepted.

This is NOT the Amateur Radio Service, but is arguably very much amateur radio!

This is what OFCOM said when I asked:

"The use of licence-exempt apparatus is authorised under exemption regulations, with set emission powers and other criteria.  This is in order for it to be available to all users with minimal risk of disruption or interference.

 

The limits, including maximum power levels and whether airborne use is permitted, are set out in the UK Interface requirement IR2030.  If apparatus being used for testing meets the relevant technical criteria and complies with IR 2030, then a licence will not be necessary.   Please note that some frequency bands which may be licence-exempt in other countries, such as the USA, may not be so in the UK and only the frequency bands listed are eligible for the exemption of qualifying apparatus.

 

In some circumstances we may be able to authorise the test or development of non-compliant radio apparatus under an Innovation and Trial (I&T) licence.  However, this generally will be under conditions that are sufficiently remote, shielded or otherwise unlikely to affect other users.  I&T is not intended for the operational use of radio apparatus, such as for the monitoring / control / telemetry of other apparatus, where a licensed or exempt authorisation is already generally available.  Even if it were the radio apparatus itself that is under test or development (in excess of normally permitted limits) we should emphasise that, as described above, it will not be possible to grant an operational permission for its future deployment and use."

8m QRP FT8

 My 8m FT8 QRP on 40.680 MHz was turned on at 1406z. So far, no spots.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at 1406z. So far, no spots.

UPDATE 1833z: 12 unique stations have spotted me today.

U3A course - late on radio

As I am in Cambridge for my University of the 3rd Age lecture on the Bank of England history, I will be late on the radio today. 

2200m in 2013

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my 2200m tests. Apart from a very brief TX last year I have not been on that band on TX for many years.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 25th 2023

 Solar flux is 180 and the SSN 127. A=4 and K=0.

Cold winter? - NOT amateur radio

This winter we have seen far more cold and frosty days than for many years. We had snow on the ground before Christmas and we have just had another cold spell. 

It is odd to think that not many months ago we were too hot in bed! Come May we can expect blossom, summer migrant birds and warm days again.

23cm webpage added

As I have started my adventure on 23cm, it seemed the right time to add a webpage about 23cm on my website. Many are dead serious about the band with big antennas and high power. I am only playing!

As you know, I am using the transverter from SG Labs which looks well made. Several people have these and are pleased.

Yesterday was my first ever 23cm QSO.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/23cm .

UPDATE 1406z:  I tried to see if there was any sign of the 23cm beacon on Dunstable Downs GB3DUN on 1296.890 MHz. Nothing at all was spotted despite moving the antenna around to try to detect it, perhaps by a reflection off something. From here, this path is well obstructed. I assume it is on the air. The Martlesham beacon GB3MHZ on 1296.830 MHz is on the wrong side of the house, so I think I have no chance. I shall have a go though later.

Sunspots - higher than expected?

Some years ago, some were predicting a Maunder minimum with years without sunspots. 

On present showing, the current solar cycle is looking to exceed the last one. My favourite site for solar data is still expecting the peak late this year, which is early. With many months still to go to the peak, things are promising.