15 Jul 2022
Restored Constable - NOT amateur radio
8m experiment (Monday)
Today I returned to 8m FT8 QRP TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. This resulted in my first report from Denmark.
UPDATE 1543z: Now QSYed to 10m FT8.
When I could build and experiment
14 Jul 2022
10m simple sideband transceiver.
Before my stroke got in the way, I had every intention of making a simple transceiver for 10m sideband.
Originally, I was thinking of a DSB rig, but these days a better bet might be a phasing SSB. A synthesiser chip and low cost micro-controller might allow full band coverage and other bands with minor changes.
In my mind, this was to have been a small, single PCB design, much like a small Heathkit Lunchbox. It would make a neat and low cost club project.
Sadly, although I had some ideas, much of the design remains to be done. In the next few years 10m will be very good. Antennas for 10m are small and fit in most gardens. Even CB verticals and wire dipoles work well.
If you are in a position to finish this, I would be very pleased.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-simple-sideband .
Cornish poppies - NOT amateur radio
This photo was posted on Facebook a few days ago. It deserves sharing. It show a poppy field in Cornwall with the sea behind.
10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
UPDATE 1015z: 30 stations have spotted my 10m QRP FT8 today and I have spotted all over on FT8 RX (see photo).
UPDATE 1425z: 447 stations spotted on RX and I have been spotted by 61 unique stations.
Famous quote - NOT amateur radio
Every now and then you see a quote that resonates. We are finite and imperfect, but our experience of life is important and unique.
Blame it on old age!
Yesterday I was about to put a photo on of me testing a loop antenna in the garden at our old house in 2013. Then I checked and found that I had posted a very similar photo only a few weeks ago!! The trouble is I post in various places and can't remember where the photo has been posted. Blame it on old age.
13 Jul 2022
Shack PC fixed!!
In the end I had to reinstall the network drivers. This has totally fixed the issues I had, which were a total inability to connect to the Internet and sync network time.
My thanks go to everyone who tried so hard to help me fix it. It happened after a Windows update. I thought Windows updates were intended to make things better?
6m QRP FT8 TX (Wednesday)
10m QRP FT8
After a little while on full power with the FT817ND, I decided it was too easy on 10m FT8. So, I have now reduced to minimum power (500mW?) and am still making QSOs. Perhaps I should add an external attenuator and try at 1mW 10m FT8?
70cm activity contest reminder
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| Stations spotted on 70cm FT8 this evening |
This evening is the 70cm FT8 activity contest. I do not usually submit a score, but usually come on with my QRP and 2m omni big-wheel antenna. I am always surprised how far I can spot.
10m QRP WSPR TX
It is very easy to forget (I just did!) that I can go on 10m QRP WSPR TX with my 500mW W5OLF beacon. It has just been turned on at about 0812z.
UPDATE 0850z: 3 spots by OH2FHJ (1721km) I may try 10m FT8.
8m experiment (Wednesday)
At the moment I am on 8m FT8 QRP TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial using the old PC. Interesting that the power has not dropped suggesting the audio from the usual PC may have been dropping over time? No spots.
UPDATE 0851z: No spots. May QSY to 10m FT8 soon.
12 Jul 2022
Perugia, Italy
My son and grandson are visiting friends in Italy. Here they are enjoying a rather small water melon!
Perugia is near Assisi.










