17 Dec 2024

RF in the shack?

 As reported yesterday, I have an issue using my IC-705 on 10m FT8. There was no problem on 6m. 

It suddenly occurred to me that this might be due to RF in the shack as I use an end-fed antenna on 10m. Later I will try adding some RF chokes to see if this cures it.

Times Radio - NOT amateur radio

Most days, I watch the YouTube videos from Times Radio.  Often they interview a wide range of experts on a host of world affairs. It is hard to find unbiased sources of world news, but this is pretty good.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 17th

Solar flux is 170 and the SSN 90. A=28 and K=2.

16 Dec 2024

"Early doors" - NOT amateur radio

Until this year I had never heard of this phrase. This year, I have heard it several times. Maybe I have led a too sheltered life!  

I am wondering if it was a common phrase in the UK before?

OFCOM updates

A reminder that OFCOM updates the data it holds on licences etc.. It also has announced more about the auctions of 26GHz and 40GHz spectrum.

10m QRP FT8 (Monday)

Before it went funny I was briefly on 10m QRP FT8. 20 stations spotted me before I moved to 10m QRP WSPR with my beacon.

10m QRP WSPR (Monday)

 My 500mW 10m WSPR was turned on earlier this morning. At 1101z, 8 stations had spotted me.

UPDATE 1311z:
  20 stations have spotted me. See table.

IC-705 FT8 issue?

After working faultlessly for several days on 6m FT8, I am getting an error message when I try to TX on 10m FT8 with the IC-705.  

I checked the COM ports and audio selection (all fine). I re-installed WSJT-X v2.6 (same issue). The next thing is to re-install sound cards on the IC-705 and try again.

New version of WSJT-X released

Apparently WSJT-X 2.7.1 is now on general release. There is a YouTube video all about it.  I shall have to download the new version and have a play.


UPDATE 1050z:  No it is not!! I just looked and I could only see this as a release candidate. I expect it soon will be on general release. 

Sunspots - Monday December 16th

Solar flux is 172 and the SSN 97. A=12 and K=3.