Amateur radio kits

It is very hard to make money selling amateur radio kits. Some try and then fail quietly to disappear for ever. 

Some (especially from China) appear very low cost. Some of these are fine, but some are poor with unclear instructions and errors. If buying these, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). My advice is look at what others have said first. If you are not sure do not spend money!

One of the very best has been QRP-Labs, by Hans Summers. His kits have been around for many years and are of high quality. They sell fast.  Hans is a bright man. Unlike many, he really understands.

If you are considering getting a kit, think about what you are buying. Will they be here next year? Will the quality be what you expect? What if there are issues? Do they understand English? Can you communicate with them?

Plans for today (Tuesday)

This morning I intend to go on 10m FT8 RX. At lunch time I will QSY to 8m QRP FT8 TX on 40.680 if things are promising. 

Some will get this - NOT amateur radio

 This was sent to me in 2011.

Sunspots - Tuesday November 8th 2022

Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 80. A=19 and K=3.

Not on the radio today (Monday)

As I was out most of the day at my Cosmology lecture at the University of the Third Age in Cambridge (given by an ex Cambridge mathematician), I decided not to go on the radio at all today. My overriding thought is, "this cannot be the whole story". We really understand so little.

Following Murphy's Law, there were several transatlantic 8m FT8 QSOs today!  Hopefully, I shall be on tomorrow and conditions might support 8m FT8 QSOs. Compared with better equipped stations, I am probably at least 10dB down. To achieve a transatlantic FT8 QSO, I probably need conditions to be very good. At least I know my signal can reach the USA judging by results last week.

The Earth as a living organism? - NOT amateur radio

At first this seems a crazy idea. In some ways it is less so. Certainly it is worthy of some thought.

For a long time I have been puzzled by scale. The world of sub-atomic particles and the sheer vastness of the universe seem so remote from each other. I have often wondered if our concepts of space and time are wrong. Perhaps the universe (or some universes) are actually in what we perceive as the micro world?  What if every cell and atom in our body is a whole universe? We are used to thinking of things on the scale that we know.

See https://fancy4work.com/astrobiologists-say-planet-earth-itself-might-actually-be-an-intelligent-being-marie-2/

A quote from the article:

"Earth seems to be stuck at a stage called an “immature technosphere.” This is a scenario where technological activity has fully developed and taken root — yet it’s not yet harmoniously integrated with other systems, such as the physical environment. It is important to integrate these two spheres, for only when the biological and technological processes are in sync can we ensure productivity and human’s future on this planet."

What's so interesting? - NOT amateur radio

This photo shows my wife, son and 2 of our grandchildren at Anglesey Abbey nearby. 

Something is fascinating them!

137kHz (2200m)

It is a very long time since I was on this LF band. 

On TX, I have used my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground and a loop in the garden made with 0.2mm diameter multi-strand wire.  Thicker wire would have been better.

On TX I used a QRSS beacon or a transverter, both home designed. I have been copied overseas. My transverter is shown on my video channel and on my main website.

For RX only, the antenna can be very small e.g. an e-field probe, also described on my main website.

Sunspots - Monday November 7th 2022

 Solar flux is 131 and the SSN 82.  A=10 and K=1.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

When on 8m FT8, I keep forgetting that I can go on 10m WSPR as this uses a different antenna and does not need the PC.  

At about 1555z, I went on 10m QRP WSPR with my W5OLF 500mW WSPR beacon. I could have gone on hours earlier.

UPDATE 1609z:  4 WSPR spots from the USA and Canada.

UPDATE 1847z:  6 unique stations spotted me today on 10m QRP WSPR TX. Now QRT.

Lithium-Ion batteries

Since I retired in 2008, technology may have moved on. What I recall was li-ion batteries were a nightmare. 

Failures were, thankfully, rare but when they occurred they could be very bad. At a guess I would say 1 in 150000 failed. This does not sound too bad, but how many are out there in laptops and other devices? I know of at least one person who had her flat totally destroyed when she was charging a li-ion battery pack.

If abused, the batteries can catch fire and explode. For this reason I never ever leave li-ion batteries charging unattended. Assume they are potential bombs.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-63532906 .

I am sure many incidents in the past were brushed under the carpet as product recalls could be extremely expensive.

These batteries can be misused. Treat them with the greatest respect.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

Yet again, I am trying to get spotted in the USA on 8m. A QSO would be amazing! So far, I have been on about an hour, but no spots. With my 5W and low dipole, it has to be good to be spotted.

UPDATE 1557z: No spots. QRT on 8m.

Miniature UHF transceiver

In this week's newsletter from MLS, I see they are selling a miniature UHF transceiver (the G63) with MiDel branding for £49.99. From Ali Express with shipping is less than half this figure shipped from China.  It looks like it is sold under various brand names.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/amateur-radio/handheld-radio/all-handhelds .

I have no idea about guarantees, extras and programming. MLS  have given me good service in the past, but I wonder why the price is so different? Surely MLS could sell this for far less and still make a good profit?

As you know, I am all for dealers making fair margins.

You can even get three from Ali Express with shipping from China for less!

10m FT8 RX (Sunday)

 Since just after breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1110z:   265 stations spotted.

Bonfire night - NOT amateur radio

In the UK, we celebrate November 5th as Bonfire Night. This is a bizarre festival celebrating the failed attempt to blow up parliament in 1605. This photo was posted on 365project yesterday. It is an excuse to launch fireworks and let off bangers.

Plans for today (Sunday)

Around midday I shall try again to be spotted on QRP 8m FT8 in the USA.   Before then, I shall be on 10m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Sunday November 6th 2022

 Solar flux is 131 and the SSN 82.  A=10 and K=1.

23cm

Apart from an evening on RX about 40 years ago, I have never been on this band. 

As reported yesterday, my 2W transverter has arrived from Bulgaria. I now have to work out what leads I need initially from the home QTH. 

Some take the band very seriously with large antenna arrays and high power. In my case, I shall have a very small station and shall be extremely pleased to work a few locals. In better weather next year, I shall try some /P operation from a local highspot.

It is a new challenge quite unlike anything I have done so far.

Birthday boy (nearly)

 

One of our grandsons has a birthday next week. Here he is opening his presents from us.

8m QRP FT8 TX and RX

 As yesterday was successful, I have gone on 8m FT8 QRP on 40.680 MHz (TX first). I am on RX and TX, hoping for more spots from the USA.

UPDATE 1351z: Nothing from the USA.  A spot of me by G0HVQ (181km) on 8m FT8.