70cm Moxon antenna

Many years ago, I raided my wife's cupboard to make a 70cm Moxon antenna from a coat-hanger. If I remember correctly, the whole thing took about 30 minutes to make. It was used out portable with my FT817 and worked well.

Never say you don't have a 70cm antenna!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/70cm_moxon

Oscar 100 update

Periodically I check the web SDR at Goonhilly to see what the activity level is on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite.

My own view is activity levels are similar to a month ago. Certainly the band is far from crowded. There is room for many more stations.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Very simple 28MHz WSPR, FT8 or PSK RX

My trouble is I cannot remember where I've posted things!

So, if this has appeared here recently please accept my apologies. It is a simple, low cost, circuit and worth sticking on 10m WSPR when you have an antenna free. Most days you will copy something. As you can see it uses an oscillator running at half frequency and a Polyakov mixer.

I used a cheap GQRP 14.060MHz crystal, pulled. It worked well on 10m WSPR. The same idea would work on FT8 and PSK as long as you can find cheap crystals!

Our garden - NOT amateur radio

As the sun was shining, we did some work in the garden yesterday. In a month or so the leaves will fall and the garden will "sleep" over the winter. At the moment it looks tired and "late summer".

We'll blink and it will be spring.

Sunspots - Sunday September 22nd 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=2.

Late switch to 2m FT8

Just now, I moved to 2m FT8. Yet again, my 10W FT8 CQ was widely copied with my best being a spot by G4LOH (455km) in Cornwall. On 2m FT8 RX all very quiet so far with just one G spot so far. I shall stay on 2m FT8 overnight.

Crosses - NOT amateur radio

Time and again I notice how hard life can be for some people and most of us are unaware.

Many people have mental health issues, or difficult parents or children, or a serious illness, yet choose not to share this with others. This may be their choice: some choose their hobbies to escape from these traumas. Many times I have said, "never judge a book by its cover".

We do not know the struggles some people have. All we can try to do is treat everyone with kindness.

Madness - NOT amateur radio

The UK is in a mess over BREXIT so what does the main opposition party (Labour) do? They hold a party conference and try to oust their deputy leader.

Personally, I think this is self-destructive and will lose them votes. Utter stupidity when all eyes are on them! This is pathetic navel gazing.

UPDATE 1105z: Apparently, the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has quashed this. I expect he realised the harm it would do. Well, it is now almost inevitable I shall not be voting Labour in the near future.

6m FT8

Another promising start with 6 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Best DX spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX is SM0EUI (1387km) and my recent 10W 6m FT8 CQ call was spotted by G4RDC (127km).

I keep reminding people that 6m Es is there more often than people realise and FT8 is a perfect way of exploiting it.

UPDATE 1155z: Now 10 stations in 4 countries spotted so far this morning on 6m FT8 RX. A recent 10W 6m CQ call on FT8 resulted in one G QSO and 4 spots (all G).

UPDATE 1852z: 10 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. A recent 10W FT8 CQ was spotted by 1 G station, although no QSO resulted.

UPDATE 2032z: A late 10W 6m FT8 CQ got no spots.

A better crystal set?

Some years ago QST had a circuit for a better crystal set that used a MOSFET. I have never tried this, but I should. It is supposed to be more sensitive than conventional designs, and uses no batteries.

See http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/culter.pdf

Climate strikes - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday's climate strikes around the world were supported by millions. They were largely organised by young people, but supported by many older folk.

It is my view that climate change is real, but in the end there will be a tipping point when things will change: we will mostly be driving electric cars powered by batteries that don't depend on slave labour, with ranges that match petrol cars, with plentiful fast charging points. As with digital cameras and flat screen TVs, other technologies will suddenly seem "past it". We will eat less meat and we will find ways to counteract harmful emissions. OK, I may be wrong, but the momentum is certainly there.

The question is how soon will all this come?

Sunspots - Saturday September 21st 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=2.

2m big-wheel antenna

For many years now my main 2m antenna (and 70cms!) for SSB, CW and digital modes has been a 2m big-wheel omni, sometimes called a clover leaf. This has a little horizontal gain, but is a fixed antenna that does not need a rotator. It well suits my style of operating. I use this for 2m and 70cm UKAC sessions and casual use at other times.

Most days, irrespective of conditions, I spot at least 7 countries on FT8 RX and I am spotted at ranges of 400-500km when I call QRP CQ on FT8. For me, this antenna is perfect. For FM I use the V2000 vertical. At one time I had a hand-rotated small dual band beam, but I find the big wheel better suited.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/bigwheel

Autumn crocus - NOT amateur radio

Earlier, we came across this lone autumn crocus in the village. It demanded a quick photo.

My first photo with the smart phone was over-exposed, so I went back again with the "real" camera.

Network radios

Summer 2018, I bought a network radio, mainly to use with Echolink. These radios look like 2m handhelds, but are actually Android phones. I realise that mine has hardly been used for months. I find Echolink QSOs unsatisfying. I prefer the struggle with "real" radio!

Buying one, especially at sunspot minimum, I was expecting to feel differently.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/network

Is Trump stupid? - NOT amateur radio

OK, I have to admit I am not a great fan of President Trump and admit that others clearly hold different views.

His stance on world affairs seems naïve. He stands alone on climate change, in the face of mounting evidence he is wrong, even close to home. His position on Iran seems more aimed at American rednecks than world peace. His dealings with China are very questionable. Canute?

Allegedly, he does not agree with California's efforts to reduce pollution, although the legal battles could well continue way after the next USA presidential elections.

On the world stage he is viewed as a joke, although I acknowledge his policies may find favour at home in the USA. Caveat emptor. He may be fine on "The Apprentice", but is he a true statesman?

See https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-09-19/hiltzik-trump-california-waiver

Sunspots - Friday September 20th 2019

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=8 and K=1.

Times they are a changing on 6m FT8

Since about 15 minutes ago, I have been on 6m FT8. Initially I called CQ, but got no reports at all - ziltch. Not even a G spot. What this tells me is there are far fewer stations monitoring than a few months back in the Es season. I'll stick with it, but I am less hopeful of spotting much or being spotted with my 10W CQ calls.

UPDATE 0944z: 3 spots so far on 6m FT8 RX with best DX IS0AWZ (1598km) on Sardinia.

UPDATE 1012z: A10W 6m FT8 CQ was spotted by G0SYP (222km). This was 2 hours ago, so must have been my earlier CQ.

UPDATE 1145z: Well, there is still life in 6m FT8! At the moment 16 stations in 5 countries spotted including some that must be Es. Best DX spotted, so far, is CT1EUB (1814km) in southern Portugal. My own 10W 6m FT8 CQ was not spotted by anyone.

UPDATE 1600z: Although I have been monitoring 6m FT8 most of the day, no more Es seen here since lunch. At the moment 21 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with the best DX being  IH9YMC (1943km).

UPDATE 1918z: In the end, 26 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today as the map shows. There is still some Es, but it is harder to find than a few months ago. It is worth using FT8 and putting out the occasional CQ call.

UPDATE 2049z: Just now I put out a 6m 10W FT8 CQ.  I was not expecting anyone to spot me really. Then G3XGS (63km) spotted me.

Sunday Rally

The following takes place this Sunday:

Sunday 22 SEPTEMBER : WESTON-SUPER-MARE RADIO RALLY

The Campus Highlands Lane Weston super Mare BS24 7DX (Jct 21 M5). Doors open 10am to 3pm. Entry is £3. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy stall. Excellent catering and a large car park. Enquiries to Dave Dyer by email to G4CXQ@btinternet.com or on 07871 034206.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

2m FT8 RX

All day, I have been on 2m FT8 RX. As usual, lots of stations copied.

As of 1930z 74 stations in 10 countries had been spotted today. This seems usual on 2m FT8 RX.