QDX coming

This morning, I had an email from QRP Labs and the carrier saying that my QDX is on its way. It is due this week. It covers 20-10m at 5W FT8.

See https://qrp-labs.com/qdx.html .

UK winter 1947 - NOT amateur radio

The winter of 1947 was very harsh. This is a photo of my cousins outside their house. Some years later we lived a few houses down. In Salcombe, snow is rare.

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

Been on 8m FT8 early (since just before breakfast). So far, no spots today.

UPDATE 0955z:   Still no spots. OFCOM has confirmed that my new T&I 8m licence has all I asked for.

UPDATE 1639z:  7 stations have spotted my QRP 8m FT8 today with 4 being in the Caribbean. It seems that if the F2 MUF is high enough, I get spotted across the Atlantic even with QRP.   At one time to be spotted "across the pond" was magic on 8m, whereas now it seems quite commonplace.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on before breakfast. It is now 0912z and all the usual reports including many from the Canary Isles, which I assume is F2 propagation.

UPDATE  1658z:  So far today, my 500mW WSPR has been spotted by 19 unique stations with the furthermost WA2N (6488km).

UPDATE 1837z:   22 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today.

Sunspots - Tuesday February 21st 2023

Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 135. A=8 and K=3. 

Woke - NOT amateur radio

Today I heard that Puffin books is sanitising Roald Dahl books so that they do not cause offence. Now, he was far from an angel, but kids love his books and do not need wrapping in cotton wool. 

In my view, the world is going stark staring mad!! 

Should we pull down the pyramids because they were built by slaves? Should many UK country houses be pulled down because money was made by slaves workers in the West Indies? Many street names in big cities were named after slave merchants.

I am all for a fair world, but where does this end? 

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This path at nearby Anglesey Abbey is lined with snowdrops. On the trees, buds are appearing. It can turn much colder, but there are signs of spring all around.

New T&I 8m TX permit approved

Just heard from OFCOM that they have approved my T&I 8m permit for when mine runs out in April. I have asked for a provisional copy to check over. Assuming this is OK, it means I have broadly the same as currently until April 2024.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)

It is now 0950z and I have been on since 0900z. Spots of me by a local and from the Canary Isles.

UPDATE 0959z:   4 unique stations spotting me now. Most are probably via F2.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

It is now 0945z and I have been on for about 45 minutes. So far, the only spot of me is by 4X1BG (3532km). Nobody has been spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1754z:   My own QRP 8m FT8 was spotted in Israel and Kazakhstan  I have spotted 5 stations including 1 in the USA and 1 in Canada.

Sunspots - Monday February 20th 2023

Solar flux is 169 and the SSN 112. A=7 and K=0.

Remember this?

If I remember correctly, this was a prize at our Liverpool University Amateur Radio Society (G3OUL) dinner one year. I think it was 1969.  It is possible the prize was the successor which was the Micromatic.

When I first came to Cambridge, Sinclair has small premises at 20 Newmarket Road.  

Sir Clive once asked me for advice on antennas!

Talking of G3OUL made me quite nostalgic, so I did some Googling!

See https://www.radiomuseum.co.uk/g3oul.html .

Useful archive online

A recent posting on an IO group reminded me of this most useful archive on radio history.

See https/worldradiohistory.com

Chocolate boxes? - NOT amateur radio

These cottages are in the delightful village of Dalham, not too far from us. 

Today, I guess these well kept thatched cottages are owned by the wealthy who can afford them. In the 1800s, they were probably worker's hovels.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

Been on for about 30 minutes (it is now 0945z) and, so far with the 500mW 10m WSPR beacon, 3 unique stations have spotted me. No surprises!

UPDATE 1156z:   7 spots of me so far today. USA also spotting me again.

UPDATE 1615z: 29 unique stations have spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR today with the furthermost being FR1GZ (9724km).

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

Only been on for a short while, but been spotted by 4X1BG (3552km) and I have spotted G4APG (88km).

UPDATE 1008z:  A reminder that I believe anyone in the UK may legally put 10mW ERP beacons on without a licence on the 8m ISM bands as long as the technical requirements and IR 2030 are met. As encouragement, an Australian 8m WSPR beacon at 5mW was copied over 5000km away! See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2023/01/successful-low-power-tests-on-40-mhz.html . It would be good to see many WSPR beacons on 8m this Es season. 

UPDATE 1150z:  ZS6OB (9099km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1238z: 4X1BG (3552km) has again spotted me and I have spotted this station too on RX. The map shows the stations spotted here this morning on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1454z:  Spotted by 2 stations in the Caribbean on 8m QRP FT8. Amazing! When the rig gets hot, the power drops to 1W ish.

UPDATE 1512z:  Several stations were copied on 8m FT8 RX today, that were not reported to PSKreporter.  I am unsure if PSKreporter does not report in a QSO or it was a problem with my internet. G9PUV, G8BCG and another Eire station seen today. Probably F2 backscatter.

UPDATE 1525z:  5 stations have spotted my QRP 8m  FT8 today, including 3 in the Caribbean. I think FG8OG (6670km) in Guadeloupe may be a new country for me on 8m?

UPDATE 1543z:  It must be an issue with uploading to PSKreporter (delay?) or at my end as VA2CY clearly spotted calling CQ. He is on my screen several times , but not showing on PSKreporter.

UPDATE 1557z: WW1L (4976km) has spotted me on 8m FT8 this afternoon. Even with a very low ERP, I am still being copied "across the pond" many times.

UPDATE 1621z:  Now RX only on 8m FT8.

Kingsbridge NOT amateur radio

Not sure when the photo was taken, but it looks over a hundred years ago. This is where I was brought up as a teenager. I ate at the Shambles in the photo just last year. It used to be a coffee bar in my youth. 

Sunspots - Sunday February 19th 2023

 Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 109. A=6 and K=0.

First steps

Looking back, I noticed this photo that shows my first setup on 600m. Later we got an allocation at 630m.

10m Tenner Transceiver

This was created before the last sunspot peak. Although many have migrated to FT8, nothing beats working DX on a simple transceiver that you have made yourself. 

Although you made not build this, I hope it gives you some ideas.

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