Six metres

6m is sometimes called "the magic band" as it can open when least expected to incredible distances. In early July I have often copied Japan on 6m. This is a very long way for a VHF band. There have been some even further distances covered. With the Es season a few watts (or less) can work DX  to at least 1500km.

It is also a useful band for local chats and that inspired my Sixbox. This is not suitable for DX working, but is ideal for local natters.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/sixbox .

No photos please - NOT amateur radio

 

One of our granddaughters does not like her photo being taken, as you can see!

Plans for Monday

My 481 THz test software and lead are my priority. When I did the optical tests way back more than 10 years ago PCs had separate mic and headphone jacks. All my PCs now have combined jacks! 

So, I have to interface my optical RX and the PC in a new way. With soldering skills very hard these days, this requires some thought. Years ago I would just have bought a new jack socket (with mic input) and just changed the plug! I think years ago I just used a lead with standard 3.5mm plugs at each end.

I may put the 10m WSPR beacon on too.

UPDATE 1038z: 10m WSPR beacon is ON and my audio setup (interface from 481 THz RX to the PC) is working with Spectran. At G1KQH's suggestion I used a USB sound card I already had and it worked first time. Thanks for the suggestion Steve. 

UPDATE 1144z:  No 10m WSPR spots of my 500mW beacon. I suspect things are very disturbed. I checked all was well on another RX.

UPDATE 1515z:  4 stations have spotted me today so far on 10m WSPR. My 481 THz TX beacon and RX work with QRSS and Spectran. 

Sunspots - Monday April 24th 2023

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 86. A=66 and K=3. Things seem pretty disturbed.

Spectroid app

My lounge PC and smart phone have Android apps including a free one called Spectroid. This might be suitable for my 481 THz tests. It is available on the Play Store. It is a powerful audio spectrum analyser (see screenshot).

Robins - NOT amateur radio

Of all our garden birds, the humble robin is probably the most endearing. They can be very tame. Actually, as shown in David Lack's famous 1947 book "The Life of the Robin", it is a far more complex bird than it at first appears.  By the way, the book has been reprinted many times and the latest version is available online.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/robin/ .

Salisbury - NOT amateur radio

 

I do not think I posted this photo of Salisbury last week. If I did, put it down to old age!

10m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

Since about 0945z, I have been in 10m FT8. Plenty of spots.

UPDATE 1426z: 149 stations have spotted my 10m FT8 QRP today.

QRP 10m FT8 spots of me today

UPDATE 2030z:  245 stations have spotted my 10m FT8 QRP today. QRT soon. No spots from N.America.

Endings - NOT amateur radio

Endings do not work for me. When things end, I can find things hard. As I get older, and friends around me die, it is sometimes harder to make sense of things. Many years ago some things were very important to me whereas now they are less so.  Impulses that were strong long ago are less so now. 

As I have said many times, most religions seem to be too Earth-centred for me. I still think it must be great to have a strong faith, but I cannot be true to myself. As a youth I tried to be "saved", but never was. 

My philosophy has been to be as honest and open as I can be and kind to others. I am not perfect, but I know this.

80m QRP FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

80m FT8 spots of my QRP using the
earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

As I managed to match the FT-710 to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I was on 80m QRP FT8 early last evening and again now. So far, 60 stations have spotted me. It certainly works! 

Later, I may try calling into the CDARC (Cambridge) 80m net.

UPDATE 1000z: I tried to go on the CDARC 80m net, but heard nobody. Noise level was S9, so I QSYed to 10m FT8 instead on the FT-710 at QRP level. Plenty of spots on TX and RX.