Sunspots - Wednesday October 25th 2023

Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 34.  A=4 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

Since about 2000z, I have been on TX. So far, UK spots.

UPDATE 2046z: 11 unique stations have spotted me today so far.

80m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My 80m QRP (2.5W) has been on for the last few hours. My "antenna" is the (almost invisible) earth-electrodes in the ground on which the match is very good. I do not know the ERP on 80m.  2 QSOs have been made with one being PE4BAS, Bas, (450km). Results on TX and RX are far exceeding what I expected. My furthermost spot on TX is UN7MAU (3446km) - quite amazing.

UPDATE 2015z:   QSYed to 630m QRP WSPR.

CQWW SSB contest this weekend

This is this weekend (October 28/29th). It is the biggest contest on the planet with 35000 people taking part over the SSB and CW contests. 

Exchanges are just report and CQ zone. For example, in the UK, this might be "5914". There is no need to submit an entry, Just come on to work a few more countries. The contest runs all weekend. Exchanges usually take a few seconds only.

At one time (when my voice was OK!) I used to enjoy this contest and have pages filled in the logbook even with 2.5W. I even worked the USA on SSB handheld with the FT817 whip indoors on the bed!

These days, I often forget.

See https://www.cqww.com/

The fog of war - NOT amateur radio

Recently I have been watching different news TV sites trying to get a balanced view of things. It is very noticeable that different outlets emphasise different things. 

In the "fog of war" it is very hard to get to the facts. All sides tend to stress what they want you to believe.

The best we can do is get the news from various sources, make our own minds up, and don't believe all we hear.

Getting over Covid-19 - NOT amateur radio

 As mentioned before, both my wife and I have had Covid-19, we believe for the first and only time. My wife got better after a few days. I seem to be getting better with the worst of the symptoms now gone. We have both (as "old" people) had all our injections and assumed we would never get it! 

As mentioned before we had different symptoms. So far, my sense of small and taste are the same. Since my 2013 stroke these have been "different"  in that I no longer want sugar in tea and coffee. Also, I like sweet things more - quite bizarre!

Anyway, assuming I have no relapses, I think I am getting better. If others get it, I hope you have similar experiences or better i.e. mild, and short.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

My 10m 500mW WSPR beacon has been on since breakfast. So far, plenty of spots from the Canary Is, by what looks like F2. Also, other stations, probably F2.

UPDATE 1325z:  19 spots of me so far today.

UPDATE 2044z: 31 stations have spotted me today as the map shows.

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My 2.5W has been on since after breakfast, but just spots by a local so far. As usual, 2.5W and the low dipole.

As the solar conditions do not look too promising today, the best I can really hope for is some tropo or aircraft scatter. Even this would be a bonus!

UPDATE 1316z:  ZR1ADI (9777km) has again been copied. With the SSN so low I am pleasantly surprised to see the MUF on N-S paths so high. I was not expecting this.

e-Loran

OFCOM is proposing to offer licences to e-Loran around 100 kHz. I have no idea if this will cause interference to LF and MF amateur bands. I remember the QRM caused by Loran at the top of 160m. I think OFCOM is after comments. See the OFCOM website.

160m QRP FT8 overnight

Stations spotting my 2.5W to the
earth-electrode "antenna" in the
ground on 160m FT8 overnight

My FT817ND and the earth-electrode "antenna" were left on overnight on FT8. I am amazed how well it works!  Amazing that this antenna is invisible. Even my XYL does not know it is there! My noise level in SSB bandwidths is about S8 here.

In all, I was spotted by 55 stations as the maps shows. 73 stations were spotted on RX. The furthermost on TX was OH6BG (1716km). 

My theory is this works as a loop in the ground, so that the efficiency should decrease as the skin depth goes down, so I would expect it to be poorer on 160m than 630m. Also, I was using FT8 which is some 10dB poorer than WSPR. Overall, very pleasing. 

This begs the question - what is it like on 80m FT8? If the match is OK, I shall probably try this tonight!

This is experimentation I can still do! At some point I must try my 2200m (136 kHz) beacon on QRSS. I think it can do QRSS. It is over 10 years since I last used QRSS.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 24th 2023

 Solar flux is 122 and the SSN just 25.  A=3 and K=0.

160m FT8 this evening?

As a change from 630m WSPR, I might try the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with QRP 160m FT8 as long as I can get a match that is low enough. 

I cannot recall trying this at this QTH. Mind you, it it is more than a month ago I probably cannot remember it!

UPDATE 1450z:   I turned on my 160m QRP FT8 to the earth-electrode using the same 3C90 matching transformer. With the same taps as used on 630m the SWR is pretty low.

UPDATE 1704z: 2 stations have spotted me on QRP TX (2.5W and the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground) with the furthermost ON7KEC (293km.). On 160m RX stations spotted all over Europe with the furthermost nearly 3000km away. It has just got dark here! The antenna works well even on 160m FT8. The map shows the stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1811z:  7 stations have spotted me with the furthermost LA3MHA (1074km).

UPDATE 1900z:   10 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 2000z: 19 stations have spotted me, as the map shows. Not bad for the "antenna" which nobody can see!

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

My furthermost spot has increased in distance. Last night was probably my best ever on the band.

Count your blessings - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned yesterday, I have tested positive for Covid-19 despite having all the injections and avoided it until now. My wife also has it, with different symptoms. At the moment I feel rough and hope things get better soon. I have not felt this unwell since my 2013 stroke.

Just imagine this if I lived in Gaza. I have no sympathy with killing innocent people whatever their religion.  I am sure revenge just fuels the flames.  I just wish everyone could live in peace and respect our differences.

At the moment my symptoms of Covid are many and varied. It feels like a very heavy cold and it hurts when I cough. Also, I have noticed I make far more mistakes typing.

Enjoy every moment.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My 2.5W to the low dipole has been on since about 0945z. So far, no spots.

UPDATE 1424z:  So far still no spots on TX or RX.

10m QRP WSPR (Monday)

My 10m QRP WSPR TX beacon was turned on about 30 minutes ago.

UPDATE 1258z:  39 stations have spotted me today.

UPDATE 1435z:  40 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon (by W5OLF) today. This little unit has proved excellent.

New Elecraft CW rig

 Jason Woodman has passed on this data on new Elecraft CW rig.

"Elecraft has announced a new hand portable CW transceiver KH

Self contained rig idea for SOTA/POTA. Covers 40M - 15M up to 5w.

KH1 Hand-Held, 5-Band Transceiver (Rig only $549.95)

Package:     

    KH1 Hand-Held, 5-Band Transceiver
    KHATU1 Antenna Tuner
    KHPD1 Keyer Paddle
    KHLOG1 Logbook Tray w/mini-ballpoint pen
    KXBT2 rechargeable Li-Ion battery
    KHIBC1 Internal Battery Charger
    ES20 Custom zippered carrying case.

   Total cost $1099

"NOTE:  We currently cannot ship the KH1 to any EU country.  The KH1 is currently not CE certified."

More info on KH1: https://elecraft.com/products/kh1-edgewood-package "

I agree with Jason - expensive. Presumably there is VAT and import duty to consider when they get CE approval eventually.  A nice rig.... if you can afford it. Personally, I am disappointed there is not (I think) an FT8/WSPR option.

Separately, I was sent a You Tube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc5P2rhpUpo. There are several videos on YouTube.

Sunspots - Monday October 23rd 2023

 Solar flux is 119 and the SSN 48 . A=8 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

For this evening and overnight, I am on QRP 630m with the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far 9 stations have spotted me.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 My 2.5w FT8 to the low dipole was turned in about 0930z. So far, no spots on TX or RX. 3 stations spotted in continental Europe plus on "QSO" with EA1TX (1240km). Not sure they have legal access to 8m.