More on the SDRplay RSP1B SDR receiver

In the last few days I have not found time to play with, and familiarise myself, with the RSP1B receiver. There is a lot to learn, but on the default settings it does a credible job. 

An eHam.com review will have to wait until I have really got to grips with it. My first impressions are that it is a sensiitve on 2m and 70m as my FT817ND, but more artifacts than I was expecting.

Wicken windmill

One of our favourite walks is to Wicken Fen, where we have a bite to eat. Wicken also has a village windmill (shown in the photo).

630m QRP WSPR overnight

In the last day and overnight 21 stations spotted my 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Plenty of spots from Norway, but nothing from Finland.

Our day - NOT amateur radio

On Tuesdays, we go to a free concert at the university in Cambridge. 

We grab a bite to eat first, walk through the Grand Arcade and the grounds of King's College. 

The collage here captures this.

6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My 2.5W FT8 to the vertical V2000 omni antenna is on. At 1040z, spotted by 7 English stations. No spots on RX yet.

UPDATE 1622z: 13 stations have spotted me with the furthermost EA6VQ (1419km). 7 stations (all England) spotted on RX. No international DX on RX. The map shows the stations spotting me.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 28th

 Solar flux is 180 and the SSN 103. A=6 and K=1.

Electric cars - NOT amateur radio

Compared with a few years ago, there are about twice the number of electric cars on the road. Having said that, I would guess only about 1% of cars are electric. 

At the moment, electric cars are not good value. They are expensive, the range is not good enough, they use battery materials that are not commonly available and their insurance is high.

In my view, there will be lots of battery research leading to batteries that have far greater range and far lower cost cars. 

I expect a tipping point in a few years from now when electric cars will be similarly priced to fossil fuelled cars with ranges that mean charging will be infrequent. Many will charge at home on low energy deals and cars will only need charging every few weeks.

My feelings are "not yet, but soon".

It would be a great shame if the Chinese and Americans got there first and guarded all the patents.

500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR (Tuesday)

 My QRPP WSPR is on again. So far, no spots, although I am not surprised.

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

 

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on. So far spots from 6 English stations (see map).

UPDATE 1840z: 14 stations spotted me today and 3 stations in South Africa were spotted here with the furthermost ZS6NJ (9115km). This is the first time I have spotted South Africans on 6m since the 1980s I think.

630m QRP WSPR in the last 2 weeks

My 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground has been spotted by 56 stations with OH1LSQ (1733km) spotting me 12 times! In the last 12 hours 22 spots.