Last gasp on 630m QRP WSPR

At about 2000z this evening, I shall try 630m WSPR for probably the last time until the autumn. 

I am unsure what nighttime challenge I shall try instead. 

My tests with 10mW ERP 630m WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground have been fun. The beauty is that neither my XYL nor the neighbours have any idea it is there!  

From my WSPR tests, I suspect it is only about 2 S-points down on a monster antenna and ground.

Buttercups and cow parsley - NOT amateur radio

Buttercups have been very good this spring. My wife took this photo yesterday at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden,

Es so far

Although I have seen Es openings on 6m FT8, things are average rather than great. 

When Es is in full swing bands like 10m and 6m are open for QSOs with very low power. 

The fact that I am still struggling on 10m WSPR with 10mW speaks volumes. When Es is really good, I would expect to be spotted across Europe with 500uW 10m WSPR. Probably a few milliwatts of 10m or 6m FT8 would suffice.  I must try this!

When things are this good I confidently expect to span Europe on 8m 40.680MHz (USB dial) with 10mW ERP WSPR as long as there are monitors and not too much QRM from local ISM signals. Under UK ISM rules I am sure 8m WSPR is available to all without a licence as long as IR2030 is complied with. It is best to use a callsign of your choosing that WSPRnet can use so you can see who is receiving you, These are ISM rules and NOT amateur radio.

Rallies this weekend

 The following have been notified to me, but please check the details are correct before going.

• Sunday  May 5th - Lough Erne ARC 40th Annual Radio Rally, N.Ireland. BT92 0JZ . Contact argault91@gmail.com .
• Sunday May 5th - Thorpe Camp Hamfest, Lincs LN4 4PL. No contact details.

Electric vehicles - NOT amateur radio

It is my view that there will be a "tipping point"  when most people will drive electric cars. We are not at this point yet. These days the vast majority of people use flat screen TVs and digital cameras, The use of CRTs and film cameras would feel odd for most.

There are several things wrong with electric cars at present. These include:

• Poor range.
• Use lithium ion batteries.
• Too few changing points
• Expensive to buy.
• Insurance costs high.
• Inexperienced garage staff.
• Repair costs high?

This is what may happen:

• The massive research into battery technology will reduce costs and increase range dramatically. One possibility is solid state batteries.
• Prices will drop (possibly with influence from the Chinese).
• There will be far more charging points, although most will charge at home and be able to do long journeys without a recharge.

We are not there yet, but it is coming.   Expect 1000 mile ranges and prices similar to petrol cars.

10m QRPP WSPR

On 10m, I am currently trying 10mW WSPR, but no spots yet today.

As you may recall, earlier I was using 500uW and was pleasantly surprised with my results. At 10mW it should be better.

6m QRP FT8

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical has been on for about 40 minutes and has been spotted by 7 stations. Some look like Es. 

On 6m FT8 RX I have spotted a station in Norway.

UPDATE 1021z:  19 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 20 stations. Definitely Es.

UPDATE 1246z: 24 stations have spotted my 6m QRP FT8 today.

UPDATE 1551z: My QRP 6m FT8 has been spotted by 28 stations and 27 stations have been spotted here.

UPDATE 1735z:  29 stations spotted my 2.5W 6m FT8 today (see map).

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Last night I gave 630m WSPR a parting shot.  Unlike earlier in the season, just 2 stations spotted my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. A few months ago this would have been 12-15 including some good DX spots.

I think I shall stop until the autumn.

2m FT8 activity contest yesterday evening

It is amazing what may be heard on 2m FT8 when there is an activity contest.  Last evening 67 stations were spotted here despite just using a big-wheel omni antenna and no beams. 

Furthermost was OV3T (694km) in Denmark. 

The map shows the stations spotted here.

Kite (bird) - NOT amateur radio

About 30 years ago seeing a kite here would be unheard of. A few pairs were re-introduced locally and now they seem to be everywhere. They are quite common near roads where they like roadkill. .

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/red-kite.

Sunspots - Thursday May 2nd

Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 104. A=8 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR

 Since about 2000z I have been on 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP. So far, just one station spotting me. A few months back I would have been spotted by many more. Let’s see how many by breakfast time.

2m FT8 activity contest (Wednesday)

After working a local, I am now RX only on 2m FT8. The furthermost copied is DK0TR (617km).  With FT8 I am sure we are able to tap into some kind of scatter. My own 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna was copied by by 14 stations with the furthermost G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall.

Mysore Trumpetvine? - NOT amateur radio

We saw lots of plants at the Cambridge Botanic Gardens earlier today. I think this is called Mysore Trumpetvine, although I am no expert.

10m 10mW WSPR (Wednesday)

Apart from a single spot by OE3GBB (1233km), there have been no spots of my 10mW WSPR today. I expect this was a brief patch of Es.

UPDATE  1830z:   EA8BFK (2880km) has now also spotted me.

630m WSPR going "off the boil"

With only 3 stations spotting my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR overnight it looks like 630m WSPR is getting worse. I shall try again overnight, but it would appear only the true diehards are still monitoring. Also, noise levels are probably higher as we approach summer, making copy of weak signals harder.

Beetle - NOT amateur radio

This small beetle was seen in the Cambridge Botanical Gardens earlier. At a guess I would say it’s about 1cm long.

Police and crime commissioner - NOT amateur radio

This Thursday in the UK there are some local elections and the election of new police and crime commissioners. As in 2016, I have no idea who my police and crime commissioner is and I have had nothing through the mail.

In my view, police and crime commissioners are a total waste of time and UK tax payers money. I shall NOT be voting for this government quango.

Sunspots - Wednesday May 1st

 Solar flux is 130 and the SSN 85.  A=12 and K=2.

Oscar 100 activity

It seems ages since I gave an update on Oscar 100, which is the Qatari geosynchronous satellite. When I looked mid afternoon UK time there was some activity, but it was hardly busy. 

I look on the narrowband web SDR at Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall, UK.

Probably the lack of "black box" solutions puts many off, although it allows much of the planet to be worked without QSB and with a small fixed antenna at any time. I remain surprised that it is still so quiet. No need for linears or towers!

Sadly, many in the amateur radio community are "black box" operators who would rather spend money than experiment. In my view this will lead to the death of the hobby.