Peterborough - NOT amateur radio

Today we went on the train from Ely to Peterborough.  This is a nice day out. The train takes about 35 minutes. Peterborough has a fine cathedral with some famous royal burials. Mary, Queen of Scots is buried there and Katherine of Aragon was buried there before being moved.

Sunspots - Saturday March 4th 2023

 Solar flux is 175 and the SSN 133. A=22 and K=2.

The rise of FT8

Looking on John's blog I see the recent Bouvet Island DXpedition did not use SSB on some of the major bands, concentrating on FT8 instead. 

No wonder some bands appear quiet. Because of my poor voice, I use FT8 quite a bit. However, in the long run, I can see few coming into the hobby by just chancing upon radio amateurs. FT8 needs special (free) software. If our hobby is to be there in 20 years' time, we need something else to attract and keep people.

In truth, far smaller amateur bands could accommodate us in future. I know to say this is heresy, but is it true? Personally, I would prefer more, smaller, bands throughout the spectrum for the Amateur Radio Service. In 20 years'time I can see many differences coming.

ICOM's IC-905 microwave transceiver price

MLS has just announced the expected price of the ICOM microwave transceiver , the IC-905. It is expected to be £3549.95.  It covers 2m,70cm, 23cm, 13cm and 6cm. 3cm needs another transverter.

At this price, I really cannot see huge sales.  Remember the GPS receiver and a 10 GHz transverter are extras on top. I cannot see change from £4000. This sort of price is only for the well off. Also, microwave antennas are on top as well!

No, I predict this will flop and be withdrawn within 2 years.

ICOM make some very good products and I really hope I am wrong. Sadly these manufacturers and dealers are, ultimately, in business to made profits. I just cannot see how this will make them money. They will sell a few to the well off, but I cannot see this ever becoming a mass seller.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/icom-ic-905-vhf-uhf-shf-transceiver-deposit-only .

Rose pruning - NOT amateur radio

Just realised that the roses must be pruned! They will soon be growing.

UPDATE 1547z:  Front roses pruned. 

OFCOM updates

 A reminder that OFCOM updates the data it holds every week. Check the OFCOM website for the latest.

Spectran V2

It is many years since I last used this program. It runs under Windows and allows a spectrum view in narrow bandwidths. I used it both for VLF and optical tests. It is now at version 2. It proved very useful in the past. I must download it again.

 See https://www.sdradio.eu/weaksignals/spectran.html

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

At the moment I am on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8.

UPDATE 1258z: No spots. Just switched to second period TX.

UPDATE 1333z:  Still no spots today.

UPDATE 1940z:  Just G9PUV (158km) spotted today. QRT.

Talk ....without the talking

 Next Friday, I am giving a "talk" at the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC). This is a bit of an experiment as I have prepared the slides and someone else is doing the talking. These days, my voice is pathetic!!

CDARC is experimenting with hybrid talks so those of us unable to attend can watch on Zoom. Let's hope there are not too many questions! The talk is entitled, " Fun in Amateur Radio". I have been blessed with over 60 years of fun in the hobby and my greatest wish is that others can have as much fun. We all enjoy our hobby in different ways and that is one of the things that make it great.

10m QRP WSPR (Friday)

 As the 10m antenna is available, I am again on 10m WSPR with my 500mW TX beacon. At 0935z, just a single spot from EA8/DF4UE (2876km).

UPDATE 1237z:  3 unique stations spotting the 10m QRP WSPR today.

UPDATE 1535z: 5 unique stations spotting me today.

UPDATE 1920z:  QRT. 6 unique stations spotted my QRP today. Quite a poor day.