Solar flux is 182 and the SSN 122. A=15 and K=3.
5 Mar 2023
4 Mar 2023
Sub 9 kHz DX
Some years ago, I was quite keen on amateur radio below 9 kHz. I well remember people saying it was a waste of time and nobody would get beyond the garden fence. How wrong they were!! Some quite remarkable distances have been spanned.
Although for radiated DX below 9 kHz very big antennas are needed for TX, on RX some tiny antennas can work perfectly well such as an E field probe which is tiny. What is needed is very high stability and very narrow bandwidths, usually achieved by locking to a VLF MSK signal or GPS. Some years ago DJ8WX was spotted by locking to a VLF MSK signal (see photo). All this was possible with free software. Sometimes it is necessary for signals to be integrated for hours or even days.
It is some years since I have experimented at real VLF.
8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
It is now 1625z and I have been on 8m QRP FT8 for about 30 minutes. So far, no spots.
UPDATE 2025z: QRT now. No spots all day.
10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)
When we got back from Peterborough (at about 1550z), I turned on my 500mW WSPR beacon. So far, at 1620z, 5 spots from the Canary Is..
UPDATE 1745z: 6 unique stations have spotted my 500mW WSPR today.
UPDATE 2026z: 11 spots of me today with 9 transatlantics.
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.
3 Mar 2023
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.
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