8m antenna repair

For reasons I do not understand my 8m dipole has gone to resonance at about 49MHz. It is simpler to replace the antenna and coax. Assuming the weather is OK, I may try doing this in the next week. 

At the moment I am inclined not to apply for an 8m TX permit again, but instead concentrate on ISM rules and WSPR. In the UK this means 10mW ERP and compliance with IR2030. In the UK this is totally free (no licence needed) and I believe open to all. As long as there are people monitoring, much of Europe should be within range on 8m WSPR in the Es season.

Sunspots- Monday March 11th

Solar  flux is 127 and the SSN 77. A=6 and K=1.

Hamsphere and similar

Hamsphere and CQ100 have been around for many years. They behave as ham radio (simulated rigs, bands,antennas, contests ,etc, but use the internet as the communications medium rather than the ionosphere. 

I guess both have their places for some although I have never really been interested. It is just too easy for me and lacks the element of research and experimentation. Each to their own.

Bowling Green - NOT amateur radio

 

Our local bowling club is under threat of closure. There are too few people to look after the grass as people age. The grass looks perfect at the moment.

They had a stay of execution last year, but I don’t know the future.

10m 500uW WSPR (Sunday)

 Talk about a sucker for punishment!  Once again I am trying 10m WSPR with 500uW (0.5mW). No spots.

UPDATE 1456z:  No spots.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

8 stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR overnight. LA1TN (1305km) was on the list last evening, but is not there now for some reason.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was turned on just before 1000z. So far, just a couple of English stations are spotting me.

UPDATE 1153z:  7 English stations spotting me. On RX here, many stations, widely, across Europe spotted. F2 backscatter or Es?

Stations spotting me

Stations spotted here

UPDATE 1442z:  11 stations (all in England and Wales) have spotted me. Both the stations spotting me and those spotted here by me are shown on the maps.

UPDATE 1712z:  13 stations spotting me with the furthermost HB9SHD (780km).

Daffodils - NOT amateur radio

 

Yesterday, we did a short walk in the village. 

This well kept garden (seen on our walk) has lots of daffodils.

Sunspots - Sunday March 10th

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 99.  A=12 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

My 630m 10mW ERP WSPR has been on since teatime. So far, 15 stations have spotted me with the furthermost Norway (see table).

'Local' 8m TX?

A station in the adjoining county has applied for an 8m TX permit. I hope he is in range.

10m QRPP WSPR (Saturday)

 My 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR is on, but no spots. It is sync'd to internet time daily (at least).

UPDATE 1703z: No spots.

630m QRP WSPR recently

The map from WSPR.rocks by Phil VK7JJ, shows where I have been spotted in recent weeks. 

Despite 10mW ERP on 630m, I seem to be widely copied.

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 2.5W FT8 to the vertical omni V2000 antenna was turned on at about 0945z. So far, 3 English stations  have spotted me.

UPDATE 1652z:  18 stations have spotted my QRP 6m FT8 including OZ9QV (861km). 

UPDATE 2150z: Several 6m FT8 spots of my QRP including several in Scandinavia.

Yaesu cashback - last hurrah?

 MLS is again offering cashback on some Yaesu products. When they get it right, Yaesu create some great products, but I get the distinct impression they have lost their way in recent years. They now follow others whereas a while back they were clear leaders.

It is my contention that manufacturers and dealers are only really interested in profits. Once the amateur market ceases to deliver profits, they will move on or close.

In my view, MLS will be around longer than most, but both Japanese manufacturers and dealers will be questioning their options. The amateur market is OK now, but for how many years?

I hope I am very wrong.

Naming of policeman murderer

A judge has allowed an accused policeman to be named. He is not due to be tried for several months. According to UK law a person is innocent until proven guilty. There have been several cases of people being named before trial.

In my view nobody should be named until they are proven guilty. 

Sunspots - Saturday March 9th

Solar flux is 129 and the SSN 91. A=11 and K=2. 

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Overnight, my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR was spotted by 20 stations. As usual, my "antenna" was the earth-electrodes in the ground. Best were 3 spots by OHLSQ (1733km) again.

Alstroemeria - NOT amateur radio

We have some of these in pots in the garden, but these cut ones are in our hall. They are good flowers that last.

OFCOM

A reminder that OFCOM publishes and updates the data it holds regularly. It also has a number of publications. See the OFCOM website for details.