Dayton Hamvention - Ohio, USA

This is probably the biggest ham gathering in the world. Many (who can afford it!) like to go there to see the gear and meet old friends. It is on this weekend. 

It is often the place where new rigs are launched. You can imagine the panic in many labs in the run-up!  As yet, I have not (yet) seen any major announcements, but this is the place to do it.

See https://hamvention.org/ .

In my honest view, this is a last chance for some manufacturers including Yaesu. If they "miss the boat" they may never, ever, get another chance.  As the average age of radio amateurs increases and many become SK, the outcome could be bleak for many manufacturers and dealers.

UPDATE 2010z: Well Dayton has been running for several hours and I have not yet heard any announcements about new rigs.

OFCOM and eLoran

OFCOM is consulting on eLoran which may operate 90-110 kHz. I do not thinks this will cause issues with the Amateur Radio Service. The consultation is open until July sometime and your input would be welcomed.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 8m QRP FT8 has just been turned on (40.680, TX first period, DF about 1950 Hz). No spots yet.

UPDATE 1052z:  Still no spots. I get the distinct impression there are fewer people on 8m FT8 than in the last Es season. Unless things change soon, I may concentrate on 10m FT8 instead this season.

UPDATE 1434z:  one spot of me by EA3ERE (1153km). Es definitely. Spotted in 4 countries so far this Es season.

UPDATE 1550z: Now spotted by S50B (1220km).

UPDATE 1718z:   3 stations have spotted my 8m QRP FT8 today. Es at last.

10m 500mW WSPR TX

Although the QRP beacon has just been turned on, already spots from 4 unique stations. These look like Es and F2.  A very promising start today.

UPDATE 1047z:  6 unique spots of my QRP 10m WSPR so far today.

UPDATE 1200z:  8 unique stations have spotted me this morning on 10m QRP WSPR as the map shows.

UPDATE  1440z: 19 spots of my 10m QRP WSPR so far today. Once again, the furthermost is F61695 (9729km) on Reunion Is in the south Indian Ocean.

UPDATE 1805z:  27 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today. Es back with a bang!

SMD parts

Few radio amateurs  have the tools to solder SMD parts. As time progresses, SMD parts will get progressively smaller and discrete parts rarer. Some sort of SMD capability will become essential for experimenters.

In many ways SMD parts are better. Without leads they become more predictable in RF circuits. With leaded parts, lead inductance can be significant, especially at VHF and above.

The smallest SMD parts are now 0.25mm x 0.125mm!! Good job I am retired.  😁

Imagine a sneeze!! Oh b****r.  😆😊

Es - promising?

A quick look at https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ suggests that European Es could be promising later. My current plan is 8m QRP FT8 and 10m 500mW WSPR TX, with 8m WSPR later. Things will be turned on later this morning.

If 8m is disappointing and few stations are active this Es season, I shall probably QSY to 10m FT8 next week. If the Es looks really good, I shall go on 8m again and on 4m FT8.

My 8m "experiment" was to find out how effective a very simple QRP station could be. For this lots of monitors are needed. Sadly, I think there are fewer people on than in the last Es season, at least so far. I was hoping 8m would be busy with WSPR and FT8 beacons from stations without a licence operating under ISM rules.

UPDATE 1446z:  Good Es today in central Europe!

4m - underused

Yesterday I went on 4m for the activity contest and on FT8.

My conclusion is 4m is underused, at least outside the Es season. If you are thinking about getting on 4m you might be disappointed. 

Sunspots - Friday May 19th 2023

Solar flux is 151 and the SSN 121. A=3 and K=0.

6m FT8 (Thursday)

Quite late (1945z) I QSYed to 6m FT8.  Just 5 Gs spotting me. 

Stations spotting me on
6m FT8 this evening

UPDATE 2045z:  15 Gs have spotted me so far this evening. I am using the V2000 vertical omni antenna. It is interesting that these stations across England can spot my 20W to the vertical V2000 omni antenna. I guess this is  the normal range that can be expected.

4m FT8 (Thursday)

Whilst waiting for the 4m activity contest to start I went on 4m FT8. G3WCS (223km) spotted me pretty well. even though I was using the low 8m dipole via the auto-ATU in the rig.

After proving the rig/antenna worked OK on 4m SSB, I have returned to 4m FT8. At the moment just G3WCS is copying me.

UPDATE 1951z:  When I checked back on SSB activity later, I could copy few stations, so I went back to 4m FT8. Just G3WCS spotting me, so I QSYed to 6m FT8.