Solar flux is 224 and the SSN 275. A=5 and K=1.
18 Jul 2024
17 Jul 2024
Hollyhocks - NOT amateur radio
Once they have flowered it is better to cut them back before the seeds scatter.
We call them "triffids". Just imagine if they could walk!! If you are thinking about planting any, think hard.
Sunny at last! - NOT amateur radio
In all my years, I cannot remember a worst summer. Until yesterday it was cold, dull and wet.
Today we have warm sunshine! It makes you feel so much better. It is only expected to last a few days. Well, I suppose we have to be grateful for having any summer here in the UK. 😀
10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)
As the 10m antenna is free when I am on 6m, I decided to try 500mW 10m WSPR with my 10m WSPR beacon. No spots at all after about an hour.
6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
Just before lunch I went on 6m FT8 with the QMX+. So far, 11 stations have spotted me including one in the south of Spain. Nothing spotted on RX, which is surprising.
UPDATE 1222z: Just a single G spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.
QMX+ start-up
Since adjusting upwards I have had no problems whatsoever with the WSJT-X audio levels on my QMX+ rig on 6m and 10m.
Using Windows 10 I am still having issues with the PC recognising the QMX+. This may well be a Windows 10 issue and I have still not worked out the order in which things have to be connected and turned on. Once I fully understand this it should not be an issue going forward.
All I know is this problem does not occur with my SignalOne USB from Tigertronics, which just works every time.
Overall the QMX+ is very good, but it would be even better not having to struggle every time.
10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
In all, my QRP 10m FT8 has been spotted by 5 stations. These seem to be via Es.
UPDATE 0937z: My QRP FT8 spotted by 11 stations including ZS4ZO (9235km).
UPDATE 1405z: 12 stations have spotted me in the last 30 minutes. Best DX is a spot from South Africa again.
UPDATE 1832z: 77 stations have spotted me on 10m QRP TX (see map) and 107 stations spotted here on 10m FT8 RX.
Muntjac deer - NOT amateur radio
These dog sized, introduced deer are a real menace eating many garden plants. One of our neighbours is trying to keep them at bay by planting these!
16 Jul 2024
QMX+ oddity
After about 4 hours with no spots of me on TX, I noticed the QMX+ display had an "s" after the VFO A frequency and no power, suggesting the TX had detected a high SWR and inhibited TX. A little while before I had been successfully TXing on both 10m and 6m FT8 and I knew the SWR was good. I feared the PAs had been blown, but could not understand how this could be with a good SWR and several diodes in the supply line.
In desperation, I thought I should turn off the QMX+ and turn it on again. At first the QMX+ sound cards were not recognised. I unplugged the USB cable, waited a decent while (20secs?) and reconnected it. Power was immediately visible and on 6m FT8 I was spotted all over Europe. It was NOT the PAs (thankfully) so must have been the firmware. I think there is another possible bug.
UPDATE 1930z: 49 spots of my QRP FT8 this evening on 6m with the QMX+. It is a good rig, but there are still (I think) a few teething problems.