Beaconing and PSKreporter?

Unless I am wrong, I do not think there is way of showing up on PSKreporter without calling CQ. It would be really good if messages like "BCN de G3XBM" would show up so stations could clearly see you are not currently looking for QSOs. On many occasions I just want to see where my QRP signal reaches.

More on regen receivers

 Yesterday I mentioned  just how effective regen receivers could be. They are especially suited to "first time" builders as they can be extremely simple, but remarkable receivers. If you have never tried one, I highly recommend you build one and try.

New life - NOT amateur radio

 

These horse chestnut trees in our village churchyard are very old. They were planted to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. 

Generations of children have collected conkers from these and I hope many more will do so. 

The rooks are busy mending nests high above.

More Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

 

This was another photo of Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge, that we visited earlier this week.

10m 100mW FT8 (Saturday)

This morning I am trying 10m FT8 at 100mW. There is far more chance of being clobbered by a stronger station, but it's fun to try. I have my IC-705 set to 1% power on HF. My gear was turned on at about 0845z.

UPDATE 1149z:  3 spots of me. Furthermost is 4X5KS (3545km). Who needs power!!? 52 stations spotted here.

UPDATE 1403z:  6 spots of my 100mW 10m FT8. 

UPDATE 1920z:  15 stations have spotted me at 100mW. See map. Now QRT at 100mW.

UPDATE 1930z:  Now at 6W and signing "De G3XBM JO02" hoping this appears on PSKreporter.

ICOM IC-705 versus Yaesu FTX-1F

You can see what ICOM need to do as an upgrade to the IC-705. Let's call this the IC-705A.  They could include an ATU internally and offer 4m. If they did these, they would probably easily compete against the Yaesu FTX-1F if it ever does come to market. 

I am losing faith with Yaesu, who appear to be drifting yet again. The last I heard was they were planning a worldwide launch after FCC approval. With the goings-on in the USA, I cannot see the FCC approving it soon. Also, Japan now faces a 10% tariff in the USA. I expect all Japanese manufacturers are revisiting their business plans. We have heard nothing more about this product since it appeared under glass last summer in Tokyo. I expect (if not withdrawn altogether!) Yaesu is trying to see which features will make it a real winner.

In my view the FTX-1F was put out in Tokyo to judge reaction. Unless it comes to market very soon, it is dead. It is interesting that we have not even seen updated specs! 

Meanwhile, the IC-705 is already years old, has many features already and the only thing against it is price. Just imagine if ICOM dropped its price by £150. Yaesu would be scrabbling around in a right mess.

Sunspots - Saturday April 19th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 113. A=13 and K=4.

Regen receivers

 Regen receivers are simple, but effective. I have designed and built several. See my website. One of the classics was by Charles Kitchen N1TEV. It appeared in QEX.

See also Kitchin Regen is Revealed #soldersmoke #vintageradio #retro #regen - YouTube

Our village - NOT amateur radio

 

This photo collage was taken yesterday.

FT4 and JS8Call

These are two digital modes I have never tried. The former is faster than FT8, but less sensitive. JS8Call allows chatting with a keyboard, but is basically the same as FT8. JS8Call is meant for real communications.

See JS8Call | The official site for JS8Call