VHF NFD 2024

In the UK VHF NFD is this weekend. It is a pity the weather is wet here! This is a chance to work some new squares on the VHF/UHF bands up to 23cm as activity can be good.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/vhf/rules/2024/VHFNFD.shtml.

UPDATE 1422z:  The impression I am getting is that activity is down.  This may be due to the poor weather in this part of the UK or just that SSB is less popular than it once was. Local noise levels are higher too.

Sunspots - Saturday July 6th

 Solar flux is 166 and the SSN 111.  A=8 and K=0.

10m QRP FT8 (Friday)

At 1221z, 139 stations spotted me and I spotted 137 stations using my QMX+ rig.

Stations spotting my
10m QRP FT8 today

UPDATE 1736z: 425 stations have spotted me and 399 stations spotted by me on 10m QRP FT8.  My QMX+ may not be perfect (yet), but the results speak for themselves!

UPDATE 1841z:  435 stations have spotted my 10m QRP FT8 today.  400 stations spotted here.

Rallies this Sunday

 It looks like this is quite a busy Sunday for UK rallies. As always, I recommend checking with organisers to check the data is correct.

• Sunday July 7th - Barford Norfolk Radio Rally, Barford, Norwich, NR9 4AB. Contact radio@dcmicro.com.
• Sunday July 7th - British Vintage wireless Society (BVWS), Swapmeet for BVS members only, Royal Wootton Bassett.
• Sunday July 7th - Cornish Amateur Radio Club Rally, Truro TR1 1TN. Contact Ken 01209 821073.

QMX+ summary ..... so far

After owning and using my built and cased QMX+ for a few weeks , these are my initial thoughts. I don't think they are "finger trouble", but if they are my apologies to Hans!

• It is basically a very good rig.
• There are still a few bugs, which are preventing me fully enjoying it on FT8.
• Much like the QDX, I am finding the recognition of the QMX+ audio by a Windows 10 PC "flaky".
• The lack of a QMX+ manual is regrettable.

Overall, with these things corrected it represents very good value for money. Perhaps some of these things will be addressed in later firmware updates. 

Maybe, it needs more testing before release with a Windows machine and more testing in digital modes?

10m QRP WSPR (Friday)

So far, 8 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon in the last 12 hours as shown in the WSPR Rocks map courtesy of Phil VK7JJ.

Sunspots - Friday July 5th

 Solar flux is 173 and the SSN 113. A=10 and K=2.

10m 500mW WSPR (Thursday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on most of the day. So far, 5 stations have spotted me.

10m QRP FT8 with the QMX+ (Thursday)

14 stations spotted me early today on QRP FT8.  The RX audio seems to be too low from the QMX+ on digital RX. Sometimes it is (just) in the green on WSJT-X but many times it is too low and still in the red. 

Overnight, I wondered if the RX audio on digital was controlled by the volume control (a good idea?), but adjusting this made no difference. It is as if the default audio setting on digital RX on built QMX+ units is too low at least on a Windows 10 PC like mine. I checked that all settings of audio on the PC were at maximum.

I could see no mention of this in the QMX manual and I think, as yet, there is no operating manual for the QMX+.

It is to be expected there would be some teething issues on early builds.

UK General Election day - NOT amateur radio

 For readers in the UK, remember that this is a General Election day on which you have a chance to elect the MP of your choice to represent you. By voting you are having your say on the future government of the UK 🇬🇧. 

If you don’t vote you will have to accept the consequences. Whatever your political views it’s important that you vote!!