Digital modes and time synchronisation

Many digital modes need the PC clock to be accurate. To this end, many use online time servers for this purpose. 

For some time now I have not bothered and use Windows 10 to do the syncing. To do this you have to make sure that Windows 10 can synchronise. Once a day seems to be adequate, although I have habit (probably not necessary) of doing a re-sync when I enter the shack.

If you have Windows 10, this may be all you need.

Hare Park, Chippenham near Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 

This is another view of Hare Park showing the lake. At this time of year the extensive gardens are open so the public can see the millions of snowdrops that carpet much of it.

8m QRP FT8

Gear turned on 40.680 MHz at about 1020z. No spots.

UPDATE 1705z:  No spots all day. Now QRT.

10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

Turned on the 500mW 10m WSPR beacon at about 1020z. So far, no spots.

UPDATE 1121z:  Spots from the Canaries and Italy so far.

UPDATE 1650z:   18 spots of my 10m 500mW WSPR TX beacon (see table).

Plans for Saturday

In a few moments, I hope to go on 8m QRP FT8 and 10m QRP WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon. Later, I need to test the FT-710AESS.

Mathematical bridge, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

When first erected this bridge was supposedly made without nails.

4m transverter

The photo shows my homebrew QRP 4m transverter. Late last year it was resurrected and copied some Es despite not having a 4m antenna. 

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/4m-transverter .

Sunspots - Saturday February 11th 2023

 Solar flux is 208 and the SSN 190.  A=16 and K=3.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

 Just turned on 8m QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz at 1000z. There look like brief meteor pings in the ISM band.

UPDATE 1220z:   G8JNJ reports very strong South African beacon reception on the WESSEXSDR this morning. I think I am receiving G9PUV (158km) by F2 backscatter and G0HVQ (181km) is spotting me, possibly by F2 backscatter.

10m QRP WSPR (Friday)

This morning, my 10m 500mW WSPR TX was turned on at about 0800z. So far, no spots. 

UPDATE 1007z:  It helps to connect the PSU!!  Just realised the -ve wire was out!  On QRP TX now.

UPDATE 1955z: 19 stations spotted my QRP today.

Sunspots - Friday February 10th 2023

Solar flux is 215 and the SSN 150. A=21 and K=2.

4m Es

Later this spring, I should be able to operate properly on 4m. Up to now, I have only used my homemade transverter. 

I intend to erect a 4m halo. Hopefully, I shall be able to work some Es on 4m later. I have not seriously tried 4m TX for many years. 

It would also be worth me trying a few 4m activity contests.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

Once again, I am on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8. As of now (1325z) no spots.

UPDATE 1404z:  ZS6OB (9099km) spotted a while ago. This is my first South African spotted on 8m this year.  Nobody has spotted my QRP.

10m QRP WSPR (Thursday)

As my 10m antenna is available, I am again on 10m WSPR with my 500mW beacon. 14 stations have spotted me so far.

Rally on Sunday

The following rally has been notified to me. As usual, it is best to contact the organisers before travelling any distance.

Sunday February 12th- MIDCARS Radioactive Fair, Nantwich, CW5 5DG. No contact details given I am afraid.

Sunspots - Thursday February 9th 2023

 Solar flux is 192 and the SSN 142. A=18 and K=3.

10m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)

As usual, I am on 10m QRP WSPR with my 500mW beacon.  25 stations spotted me today on 10m QRP WSPR.

Hare Park, Chippenham near Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Every year, the grounds of this place open to the public so people can see the snowdrops. At a guess, there must be millions here. The photo shows one of the lakes.

2m UKAC

Last evening, I was briefly on 2m SSB in the monthly activity contest. After a couple of QSOs I decided to go QRT: with my poor voice it was hard work. The band seemed a bit "up" as the photo indicates.

8m FT8 (Wednesday)

Yet again, my very low ERP 8m FT8 signal has been spotted in the USA and Canada. At the time or reception the ERP was about 1W as the power drops when the rig has been on a while.

I have also spotted CO2OQ (7510km) in Cuba on 8m FT8, although I suspect he may be a pirate. The time of day (1327z) was about right, so I am open minded at present.