2200m in 2013

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my 2200m tests. Apart from a very brief TX last year I have not been on that band on TX for many years.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 25th 2023

 Solar flux is 180 and the SSN 127. A=4 and K=0.

Cold winter? - NOT amateur radio

This winter we have seen far more cold and frosty days than for many years. We had snow on the ground before Christmas and we have just had another cold spell. 

It is odd to think that not many months ago we were too hot in bed! Come May we can expect blossom, summer migrant birds and warm days again.

23cm webpage added

As I have started my adventure on 23cm, it seemed the right time to add a webpage about 23cm on my website. Many are dead serious about the band with big antennas and high power. I am only playing!

As you know, I am using the transverter from SG Labs which looks well made. Several people have these and are pleased.

Yesterday was my first ever 23cm QSO.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/23cm .

UPDATE 1406z:  I tried to see if there was any sign of the 23cm beacon on Dunstable Downs GB3DUN on 1296.890 MHz. Nothing at all was spotted despite moving the antenna around to try to detect it, perhaps by a reflection off something. From here, this path is well obstructed. I assume it is on the air. The Martlesham beacon GB3MHZ on 1296.830 MHz is on the wrong side of the house, so I think I have no chance. I shall have a go though later.

Sunspots - higher than expected?

Some years ago, some were predicting a Maunder minimum with years without sunspots. 

On present showing, the current solar cycle is looking to exceed the last one. My favourite site for solar data is still expecting the peak late this year, which is early. With many months still to go to the peak, things are promising.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX with my beacon. It is now 0940z and I have been on for about 10 minutes. So far today, spotted by no stations.

UPDATE 1007z:  So far, 2 unique stations are spotting my QRP. The distances look like single hop F2. (Canaries and Finland).

UPDATE 1125z:  4 unique stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1446z:  12 unique stations have spotted me today.

8m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

 At the moment I am on 8m FT8 QRP. It is now 0934z. No spots yet, although I have only just turned on.

UPDATE 1610z:  4 stations in EI and G have suddenly spotted my 8m QRP FT8 TX. I am wondering if this is aircraft reflection? Apart from this, just 1 EI spotted on FT8 RX this morning.

UPDATE 1616z:  Since then, spots by 2 more at this time. This makes aircraft reflection even more likely. It looks like the position and Doppler made reception possible. I am not aware of aircraft reflection before now on 8m FT8.

UPDATE 2205z:  I have been advised to look at Airscout which is an app that can help predict when planes are in the correct place for airplane scatter. See  http://airscout.eh/index.php. 

Sunspots - Tuesday January 24th 2023

Solar flux is 189 and the SSN 144. A=7 and K=1.

8m T&I permit renewal application with OFCOM

The application to get a new 8m permit to replace my current one (at great expense, which I think is utterly STUPID!!) is with OFCOM. There is no certainty of a new 8m permit, but I have essentially asked for the same as the last one. 

If they reject it, I intend to WSPR with 10mW ERP in the ISM 8m band. Perhaps I should use the callsign OF3COM just to register my disapproval, HI.

My 8m FT8 was turned on late at 1645z.

UPDATE 1800z: Just S57A (1194km) has been spotted. Nobody has spotted my QRP today.

British politics - NOT amateur radio

It turns out that our one time chancellor (in charge of money) made an error with his taxes and has paid a very large sum to settle his mistakes. Our Prime Minister is married to a very rich woman who is worth millions (at least).  There are many we just do not know about.

In my view ALL in high office must be above reproach. It is also important that they understand the common man.

You could be forgiven for thinking many in high office are not there really for the common good and are out of touch with many.

At one time, those in high office had very high standards and went into politics with high levels of integrity. These days many enter politics for totally the wrong reasons.

Being wealthy is not a crime. Being out of touch with the common man is sad.

QDX - creeping up

At Christmas, I ordered a QDX digital transceiver, ready built, covering 20m-10m from QRP labs. As it will be ready built and cased, there is a waiting list.

My place in the queue is getting better. I shall wait patiently!! 

Hans makes some great kits.

23cm SSB sked (Monday) - success!

At 1430z today, I have a sked with G6UW/G3ZAY on 1296.3 MHz SSB. Martin is in Cambridge (far side).  At the moment, I am still using the 2 element test antenna indoors pointing out of the shack window.

UPDATE 1535z:  We made it!  This was my first ever QSO on 23cms. No great DX, but so important to me. This proves the 2W 23cm transverter works on TX and RX, but I must get a better antenna for /P work later in the year.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)

In a few moments, I am about to switch on my 500mW W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon. 

UPDATE 1100z: 5 unique stations have already spotted my QRP (see chart).

UPDATE 1547z: 16 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today.

Sunspots - Monday January 23rd 2023

 Solar flux is 199 and the SSN 166. A=9 and K=1.

23cm - partial success

Although I got no FT8 decodes, my 23cm QRP signal did make it to the QTH of G4HJW, despite double glazed windows, bushes, a shed and 2 hills! I am sure on a less obstructed path I would succeed. Tomorrow I have a USB sked with G6UW in Cambridge.

The second photo shows the 2 element antenna firing through the shack window.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)

It is now 1220z. About 30 minutes ago, I turned on my W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon. So far, 3 unique stations spotting me today.

UPDATE 1438z:  17 stations have spotted me so far today.

UPDATE 1635z: 18 unique stations have spotted my QRP with the furthermost FY5KE (7110km).

UPDATE 2045z: 19 stations spotted me today on QRP 10m WSPR. Now QRT.

Sunspots - Sunday January 22nd 2023

 Solar flux is 209 and the SSN 194.  A=17 and K=2.

Plans for today

 At the moment these are my plans:-

• 8m FT8 QRP on 40.680 MHz.
• 10m 500mW WSPR TX.
• 23cm QRP FT8 local tests at 1630z.

Norwich UK (Saturday)

This photo was taken on Saturday. It shows the market, with St Peter Mancroft church in the background. 

Norwich was largely overlooked by the industrial revolution. It is a lovely city with a fine cathedral.

Monism - NOT amateur radio

For a long time people have been searching for a "theory of everything" bringing together the macro and the micro worlds. On the one hand people are searching for ever smaller particles. On the other hand people are talking about multiverses. Our own universe looks to be at least 40 billion light years across.

As far as I know there has not been a proper bringing together of the quantum world and our "everyday" world.  According to quantum entanglement particles on opposite sides of the universe instantly know about each other.   Clearly, there is so little we know.

Monism may be on the right track, if not the whole way.  It views that reality is one organic whole with no independent parts.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism .