2m activity contest last evening

Last evening was the June 2023 2m activity contest (UKAC). 

Conditions were well up, but I found it very hard work with my 2.5W to the big-wheel omni. I guess this is a combination of several factors.  Firstly, my low ERP is obviously a handicap with stronger signals being copied over me. Secondly, I have a very poor voice, not cut out to "outshout" others. Thirdly, I have no compressor, so my signal lacks punch. 

In the end 6 stations were worked before I gave up. These days, I find FT8 easier as I do not need to "outshout" other stations. To be honest, I am no longer attracted to VHF/UHF voice contests.

Sunspots - Wednesday June 7th 2023

 Solar flux is 172 and the SSN 133.  A=7 and K=1.

Friedrichshafen - mid June

This is the biggest gathering in Europe for radio amateurs. It attracts amateurs from a wide range of countries. I still keep hoping Yaesu will announce a new QRP SDR radio to replace the FT817. I suspect they will not, alas. In my view they have "missed the boat"....yet again. Personally, I fear Yaesu will leave the amateur radio market shortly. They could well be joined by others.

 "Times, they are a changing".

See https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/ .

The Knowledge newsletter - NOT amateur radio

This has been on before, but I make no apology as I find it so good. 

This comes free by email every day and is a digest of news from across the world's press. It usually takes about 5 minutes to read and seems pretty unbiased.  If you do not want to buy a newspaper or do not have time to read one, I strongly recommend it.

See https://www.theknowledge.com/ .

Shopping - NOT amateur radio

Most weeks we go about 12 miles on the bus into Cambridge. As we are old (!) we have free bus pass, so the journey is totally free. It is also as fast as taking our car. It is a pleasurable ride too.

Like most men, I hate clothes shopping. Instead I had a coffee whilst my wife did the spending!

OXO QRP TX

This circuit was originated by GM3OXX, hence the name. It has become a classic circuit. It produces about 1W CW. It has been built by many people in many forms and is very easy to replicate. You just need to add a low pass filter for your chosen band. I have used it to 10m.   This schematic was on the G3PTO website many years ago.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

Once again I am on 10m WSPR with my 500mW beacon. It is now 0820z and, so far,  20 stations spotted. Some are F2 and some Es. A very promising start.

UPDATE 1449z:  52 unique stations have spotted my 500mW today so far. Pretty encouraging.

UPDATE 2052z:  54 stations spotted today. Some would have copied me with just microwatts given a quiet noise floor.

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

As the Es looks promising, I am again on 40.680 MHz FT8 (TX 1st, DF about 1950 Hz).  No spots yet.

UPDATE 1452z:   My 2.5W 8m FT8 spotted by 5 unique stations so far.

OFCOM and my requested 8m T&I licence changes

I sent an email to Dave Parsons at OFCOM, who has always been quick and helpful. Within 24 hours he came back to me for some clarification. Hopefully, he will unblock things. He is one of the better people there.

UPDATE 1333z:  Just a day after contacting Dave, my licence has been amended so I can run 20W if I need/want to on 8m.

Sunspots - Tuesday June 6th 2023

Solar flux is 169 and the SSN 151. A=5 and K=2.