8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 Today, I am concentrating on 8m QRP FT8 (40.680MHz USB dial). As the match on my end-fed Par antenna is poor on 8m, I shall have to have breaks to let the PA cool.

Crystal set DXing

 

Many years ago I tried making and using a short wave crystal set. It is on my website.  As you can see, it does not cost much to have fun. I had aims of making a crystal set that covered VLF to VHF. Then my stroke scuppered plans!

Short wave radio is changing and there are far fewer English language broadcasters. I was pleasantly surprised by what I could hear back then. It is not just broadcast stations you can hear.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/crystal-set-dxing .

Nice sunrise - NOT amateur radio

It  looks like we’re in for a decent week with a big high pressure system over UK.

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

To say I am disappointed is an understatement. 

It certainly has encouraged some to assemble a ground station, but general activity is way below what I would have expected. 

My last "peek" at the narrowband webSDR at Goonhilly Down was mid evening in the UK on a Saturday evening, when I would have expected activity levels to be good.

Based on the activity levels seen, I think it is very unlikely we will see another geosynchronous amateur satellite in a hurry.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/.

Sunspots - Sunday September 15th

 Solar flux is 172 and the SSN 136. A=24 and K=2.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

 At about 1554z, I QSYed to 40.680MHz QRP FT8. No spots. There are far more 8m monitors.

UPDATE 2030z:  Spotted 1 Italian, but I was unable to work him. Now QRT.

Es or F2 or F2 backscatter?

Today, my QRP 6m FT8 has been widely copied in SE and central Europe. At the last count, 89 stations had spotted me. Now Es can occur at any time of year, but I wonder if these spots are related to F2 propagation?

I am definitely not a propagation expert, so would appreciate your thoughts.

The latest Es map suggests it is Es. See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

Last Tuesday on 70cm QRP SSB

Once a month I try my luck with 10W pep on 70cm in the activity contest UKAC. Because of my poor voice I rarely stop on more than 30 minutes. 

Also, I only have a 2m big-wheel omni antenna. Talk about making things hard, HI! 

In all I made 3 QSOs with the furthermost G4CLA (105km). He must have great antennas and ears.

Blackberry picking - NOT amateur radio

Autumn can be a great time of year. It is usually not too hot and the wild fruits are maturing in the hedgerows. When the sun is shining it is a perfect time to pick blackberries. 

Although we really should have gone last week, we still managed plenty for a blackberry and apple crumble and breakfast.

80m FETer transceiver

Years ago I was inspired by a circuit for a 40m transceiver by W2UW who is now a SK. My challenge was to see if I could make an 80m version with even fewer parts. 

This is a complete transceiver using just a single FET and very few components. It is detailed on my website.