My optical tests were great fun. They all happened before my 2013 stroke. I can recommend optical experiments to anyone, as all the gear for use and testing was homemade easily in the back of the garage (literally).
If that darn stroke had no got in the way, I should probably still be doing optical tests today!
We will probably be pushing up daisies!
At the moment, I am on 40.680 MHz FT8. My TX period is first. No spots at 1212z.
UPDATE 1322z: No spots today.
It looks like all UK amateurs (anyone actually!) may legally operate beacons on some of the ISM bands without a licence as long as they comply with IR2030. Callsigns are not needed, but you could use your amateur callsign.
ISM is not for radio communication, but my reading of the rules suggests beaconing is fine.
In the case of 8m this means 10mW ERP. My current plan is to test locally initially at the power of my T&I permit (5W) and then repeat the test at 10mW ERP. I shall probably try WSPR and maybe (if the test is successful) later with FT8.
If successful, it means many more in the UK could run beacons on 8m, or indeed any permitted ISM band, albiet at low ERP. 10mW ERP at 8m is probably enough to cover the local area. On better Es openings DX copy is possible.
Of course a small amateur allocation at 8m would be better. I cannot understand why in the UK and other administrations they don't permit amateurs access to 8m with just a band of even 5 kHz wide, narrow digital only, secondary, low power, by NoV or similar, strictly no interference. To my mind this is stupid and backward. Such a band would actively encourage research and self training. As it is, in the UK we have to pay annually to do this!!
UPDATE 1824z: I have emailed members of my local radio club membership list hoping to do some local tests with WSPR. When using 10mW ERP I propose to use the call ISM1, so people know when I am on 10mW ERP WSPR. FT8 might work, but WSPR works with much weaker signals. Measuring 10mW ERP could be a challenge.
See https://www.rfcafe.com/references/electrical/pwr2volts.htm .See https://www.qsl.net/co8tw/Coax_Calculator.htm .
Yet again, I am trying to be spotted in the USA on 8m QRP FT8. I was spotted there by 2 stations a few days ago. A transatlantic QSO would be even better.
On RX, ZS6WAB (8931km) has been spotted strongly several times.
UPDATE 1922z: No spots all day apart from the ZS several times on 8m FT8 RX. Now QRT.
My stroke was in 2013. Apart from my poor voice and always being giddy, most of my body is fine.
I am now even more aware of a couple of things that may have been a result of my stroke or just old age.
Firstly, names of words rarely automatically look wrong when they are written down. At one time I could just look at a word and know it was wrong.
Secondly, I hate driving or being driven. It as if my mind is in overdrive and stressful. All the time I am thinking of potential hazards. It also seems my perception of speed is different. It feels like everything seems faster 30mph feels like 50mph and so on. Perhaps my brain needs more time to process things.
Later, I hope to go on 8m FT8 QRP. At the moment I am on 10m QRP WSPR TX. So far at 1007z, 7 unique stations spotting me. This is encouraging.
Just had this response from OFCOM about the use of ISM bands without a licence in the UK:
“The use of licence-exempt apparatus is authorised under exemption regulations, with set emission powers and other criteria. This is in order for it to be available to all users with minimal risk of disruption or interference.
The limits, including maximum power levels and whether airborne use is permitted, are set out in the UK Interface requirement. If apparatus being used for testing meets the relevant technical criteria and complies with IR 2030, then a licence will not be necessary. Please note that some frequency bands which may be licence-exempt in other countries, such as the USA, may not be so in the UK and only the frequency bands listed are eligible for the exemption of qualifying apparatus.
In some circumstances we may be able to authorise the test or development of non-compliant radio apparatus under an Innovation and Trial (I&T) licence. However, this generally will be under conditions that are sufficiently remote, shielded or otherwise unlikely to affect other users. I&T is not intended for the operational use of radio apparatus, such as for the monitoring / control / telemetry of other apparatus, where a licensed or exempt authorisation is already generally available. Even if it were the radio apparatus itself that is under test or development (in excess of normally permitted limits) we should emphasise that, as described above, it will not be possible to grant an operational permission for its future deployment and use.”
My reading of this is that as long as we meet the interface requirements set out in IR 2030, we are perfectly at liberty to use ISM bands for beacons without a licence.
At 8m, this means a limit of 10mW ERP. 10mW ERP does not sound much but on WSPR or FT8 range might be surprising.
This means anyone in the UK can use 8m (or any other ISM band) for beaconing as long as they fully comply with IR 2030.
I am not a legal expert and I have just shared what OFCOM has written in answer to my question earlier in the week. In this instance, OFCOM has been very helpful indeed. I should like to thank OFCOM for the prompt reply.
Twice this week I have received blog comments that I have reported as SPAM.
On first reading , they look like genuine comments, often with flattering comments saying how useful the blog is. Then there is a link which takes you directly to, what is, blatant advertising.
Every comment is approved. Almost all get posted. Just a very few do not get that far. It is some time since I have had to reject one.
For the avoidance of any doubt, adverts or grossly off topic comments will never appear.
If making a comment I would be most grateful if you post your callsign (if you have one). Anonymous posts are not usually allowed, especially if the poster is not known.
I would very much like this blog to be a friendly and inclusive place. I do not mind views that grossly differ from my own. We are a free country and we each have views.
Just had the latest email from a major UK dealer and I see that prices for second hand gear seem expensive. I am not sure if these have recently gone up, or if they have always been high. I was aware of certain prices rises on new gear.
Times are hard for us all, and there is less money around for discretionary spending. People are using most of what they have for food, fuel and heating. In times like these being a dealer cannot be great, so I have some sympathy. On the other hand, you want people still to be buying. It is getting the balance right. Profits are necessary, but you cannot afford to ask too much.
As usual, OFCOM has updated the information it holds on us. See their website for details.
10m QRP SSB DXCC was achieved over 30 years ago, so I no longer actively chase DX. If I chance on DX that is fine, but I cannot see the point of just going after it purely for another tick. 8m is different as this is real radio science.
These days I am far more interested in radio propagation. My favourite HF band remains 10m. Antennas are small and when it is wide open the world can be worked with low power on SSB..
Mostly I am on WSPR or FT8 because of my poor voice. I am told fewer people are on SSB these days. Chasing DX on FT8 seems to be the favourite activity. I guess there is less need for amateur radio for those just wanting to chat. Some years ago there was little choice.
If you want to know what some DX sounds like you may want to look at this site.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/dx-soundbites-2020 .
Hoping to reach the USA again, I am on 40.680 MHz FT8 with my modified FT817ND and low wire dipole. So far today, no spots.
UPDATE 1500z: No spots.
As my 10m antenna is available, I am on 500mW TX with my W5OLF beacon. It is now 1141z and, so far today, 12 unique stations have spotted my QRP.
UPDATE 2200z: 29 spots of me today on 10m WSPR TX.
