20 May 2023
Lunch - NOT amateur radio
8m QRP WSPR (Saturday)
For a change, I am on 8m QRP WSPR. I am on 40.680 MHz (DF about 1550 Hz, Tx 20% of the time) running 2W.
UPDATE 1305z: Just one spot by HC02 in Portugal. Back on 8m QRP FT8 again now.
8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
My gear was turned on at about 0800z. I am on 40.680 MHz FT8 (DF about 1950 Hz, TX first). With strong Es already in Europe, I am hopeful.
UPDATE 0930z: No spots of me.
UPDATE 1304z: After a period on WSPR, I am back on FT8.
8m amateur band in Belgium
Although I have no data yet, I gather, after much lobbying, the Belgian authorities are releasing some spectrum at 8m for radio amateurs. At this time, I repeat, that I have no details. If correct, this is great news.
10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)
My 10m 500mW W5OLF TX WSPR beacon was turned in just before 0800z. So far, no spots.
UPDATE 1333z: 16 unique stations have spotted my 10m QRP WSPR today.
OFCOM crappery
Way back in early April I wrote to OFCOM to request a simple change to my 8m T&I licence. They wrote back to say they were very busy, but I have still not received an answer. The answer would have taken about 90 seconds in an email. I am sure that if I was talking about 6G I would have got an answer back in just minutes!!
No, basically we do not matter much and it shows. My own view of OFCOM is they could not care less about anybody unless they can generate money.
Is this the future? Deregulation and go ahead, but you must not cause interference to services that generate money. As mentioned before, I can see a day coming when all non-licenced operation is combined and we can use any CB, amateur radio frequencies and ISM frequencies without a licence. Amateur radio generates no money, so why care?
The Es season is already well through. Perhaps I should go ahead anyway and seek forgiveness later!
BTW, OFCOM updates the data it holds every week. See the OFCOM website for the latest.
New Yaesu HF QRP Transceiver?
Does anyone have any idea if Yaesu is planning to launch a new HF QRP radio as a proper replacement for the FT817? The FT818 is a joke.
One has been overdue for many, many years and I fear they have lost their chance. They now have an SDR platform and surely could do this.
With the right features and form, it could still be a winner. I would certainly consider one. As time progresses, they are facing yet more competition from ICOM, Elecraft and various Chinese offerings.
This is their very last chance!! If one is not forthcoming very soon, I fear it is curtains for Yaesu in the Amateur Radio Service.
UPDATE 1314z: I think Yaesu has blown it (yet again). Initial reports from Hamvention suggest nothing. If they had anything at all (even a non working mock-up) they would have shown it. I give them 3 years in the Amateur Radio Service market before they are out, possibly less at this rate. I am a great Yaesu fan, but in recent years their marketing has been unbelievably poor. If I was in charge, the entire marketing department for amateur radio would have been sacked as totally incompetent.
19 May 2023
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.
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