Engineering in the future?

This photo was taken some years ago in the back of the garage in our old house. I failed with my grandson. 

Huge satellite - NOT amateur radio

A huge satellite should be clearly visible from Earth. In fact some astronomers are worried that this and its companions could be so bright they may interfere with some observations on earth.

See https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/bluewalker-launched-spacex-largest-satellite-astronomers/ .

12m FT8 RX

As 8m was drawing a blank, I went on 12m FT8 RX using the 8m (i.e. well off tune!) antenna. To my surprise, it was full of FT8 signals around 24.915 MHz. After probably less than 15 minutes, 126 unique stations spotted. I did try 15m briefly, but this was much the same.

UPDATE 1446z:  301 stations spotted from most parts of the world.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Saturday)

As the 10m antenna is available, I have remembered to go on 10m WSPR (I keep forgetting I can do this!).  No spots yet today.

UPDATE 0918z:  Several spots from the Canary Is. These look like single hop F2.

UPDATE 1650z:   21 spots so far, with lots from the USA. It appears I am romping into the USA on 10m WSPR.

8m QRP FT8 TX (Saturday)

The 8m FT8 gear was turned on at 0846z on 40.680 MHz.  No spots yet. 

UPDATE 0938z:    No spots.

UPDATE 1645z:    I am trying again on 40.680 MHz FT8 QRP to get spotted in the USA. Alas, no spots.

Speech processing

Most rigs of the modern era have speech compressors. Early radios did not, and it was vital to make sure your signal was "punchy". I well remember an article in an early VHF Communications magazine that looked at this.

See https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-DX/VHF-Communications/VHF-COMM.1971.1.pdf .

Norwich market - NOT amateur radio

Norwich is a fine city with a great market. We visited there on Thursday. 

10m WSPR yesterday

As I was on 8m FT8 yesterday evening and the 10m antenna was free, I decided to go on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon. 

As well as several Ws, I was spotted in Antarctica by DP0GVN/3. which is the German base down there. This is the first time I have been spotted in Antarctica this solar cycle.

Sunspots - Saturday October 8th 2022

 Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 146. A=15 and K=3. 

8m QRP FT8 TX (first)

As 10m was looking promising, I have switched to 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz.

UPDATE 1640z:  No spots on 8m FT8.

UPDATE  1921z:   No spots. Now QRT on 8m.

Autumn splendour

For about 6 years we have been following this tree at Anglesey Abbey nearby.  

At the moment it looks magnificent, but in a few short weeks it will be bare until spring. I just love seasons. 

Reflections - NOT amateur radio

 

We spotted these reflections in the River Wensum in Norwich yesterday.

The Tenner transceiver

Hopefully, this will spark some ideas. I build this rig on the up-slope of solar cycle 24, but with cycle 25 now in good shape, it should be capable of plenty of DX with simple antennas. It worked plenty of DX.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-tenner-qrp-cw .

10m FT8 RX

The 10m FT8 RX gear was switched on about 0851z.  It is now 0907z and, so far, 42 stations have been spotted.

UPDATE 1318z:  571 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far.

Plans for today (Friday)

My current plans are to go on 10m FT8 RX for most of the day and maybe 8m QRP FT8 TX later if things look promising. 

I must remember to go on 10m WSPR then as the antenna will be free and the PC will not be needed. Usually, I forget this!

Common darter (I think) - NOT amateur radio

We saw this some years ago I think this is a common darter, but I am no expert! 

Sunspots - Friday October 7th 2022

Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 139.  A=18 and K=4.

Optical communications 2012

10 years ago I got 3 phlatlights from the USA with the intention of doing more "over the horizon" (NLOS) optical tests at 481 THz. Then my stroke got in the way. There are 3 in the drawer unused. 

Norwich - NOT amateur radio

Norwich Cathedral
West Window

We went to Norwich by train today. We like Norwich a lot. On the train with our senior railcard, it is probably as cheap going by train. I enjoy trains as you can just sit back and enjoy the journey. 

We went to the market, up Tombland Alley,  down Elm Hill, in the cathedral and a nice walk beside the River Wensum where Caen stone was brought up years ago from France to build the cathedral.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

We spent the day in Norwich, but I turned on 8m FT8 QRP shortly after we got back at about 1630z.  At 1827z no spots.