The Internet

We all take instant global communications for granted. 

As an example yesterday we had a (free) video call from our son who is staying with his Australian in-laws in Brisbane. The quality was excellent. It was almost as if he was in the next room. 

It has not always been easy. I was surprised to read how extensive the telegraph network already was in the mid 1800s. Before that, news was very slow depending on boats, pigeons and dispatch riders. Just imagine life now without the internet. We have grown dependent on it in so many ways.

Just for chatting, we no longer need amateur radio.

Pathfinders - NOT amateur radio

I have just finished reading a book about the RAF Pathfinders. My dad was one in WW2. I had no idea how brave they were. On every mission they must have been terrified. No wonder my dad did not want to talk about his wartime that much.

My dad died in 1987. I think his wartime experiences haunted him. Overall, he was a peace loving man who enjoyed his quiet life. What a pity he died before I really understood. RIP dad.

The book by Will Iredale is available on Amazon and I expect it may be ordered by most bookshops.

Most wars serve no good.

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My 2.5W FT8 has been on most of the morning.

UPDATE  1032z:  So far, spotted by 14 stations mostly in England. The spots in Southern Eire and Norway could be Es.

UPDATE 1336z: Spotted by 19 stations. 

UPDATE 1814z:   28 stations have spotted me today including V51MA (8460km) in Namibia.  6m TEP? See map.

Sunspots - Monday August 19th

 Solar flux is 231 and the SSN 170 . A-=12 and K=2.

Most from the least?

One of the things I like is seeing how much I can get from something not costing much. 

There are plenty of designs for regenerative receivers around, but I was pleased with this one. I am sure it may be improved.

See  https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-or-40m-regen-rx .

Cottage in Moulton earlier - NOT amateur radio

 

Earlier today. Moulton is not far from us.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 My 6m 2.5W FT8 has been on most of the morning.

UPDATE 1117z:  Spotted by 29 stations mainly in the UK and northern Europe. 13 stations spotted here.

Stations spotting me

UPDATE 1810z:  44 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 13 stations. See map for stations spotting me.

Sunspots - Sunday August 18th

 Solar flux is 230 and the SSN 170. A=30 and K=2.

Anglesey Abbey walk - NOT amateur radio

This is a National Trust property with extensive grounds not far from us by car. We went there yesterday (early) for a walk. 

This is a collage my wife made. 

The bottom photo is two old friends we bumped into with the same idea!

10m FT8 RX on the cheap

With 10m in such good shape, perhaps it is time to remind readers of my very simple receiver for 10m FT8. It works remarkably well and could be built and cased for the cost a few coffees out. It frees up "the big rig" for something else. It was in RadCom not long ago.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10ft8r-rx

Old age changes? - NOT amateur radio

At the moment my wife and I are lucky. As far as we know (!) , we have nothing much wrong with us. I still have a few things that are longer term after effects from my 2013 stroke, but compared with many I have been lucky I know. Most of me still works!

As we age, several of our friends have died or now have serious illnesses. My interest in sex has dropped off and the death of others no longer seems so odd. I recall a doctor once asking me (probably 10 years ago) "if it was all too much" and I retorted "no". If he asked me now I am less sure.

Although I find so much to be interested in, I get exhausted more easily and I am tired of being giddy most of the time. Life is harder than it was.

Garden yesterday - NOT amateur radio

So far, we have had a nice warm and sunny August on the whole. Up to very recently it was very dull and wet and we were beginning to think this summer was a wash-out. 

My wife puts a tick on the kitchen calendar when we have had a decent day. So far we have had 9 ticks, which is pretty good. Our grass is just starting to turn brown and will look bad in about a week unless we have a good downpour.

The photo shows our garden yesterday.

10m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

 In a few moments I shall (hopefully!) turn on my 2.5W 10m  FT8.

UPDATE 1054z:  Turned on about 1000z. 22 stations have spotted my QRP and I have spotted 65 stations here.

UPDATE 1127z:  31 stations have spotted me so far. 

UPDATE 1236z:  So far
today,164 stations spotted here and 52 people have spotted me.

Stations spotting me

UPDATE 1822z:  101 stations have spotted my 10m QRP and 478 stations have been spotted here. See maps.

UPDATE 2057z:   129 stations have spotted me today. 595 stations spotted here. Now QRT. I noticed DL stations working ZLs as I closed down.

Stations I have spotted

Sunspots- Saturday August 17th

 Solar flux is 225 and the SSN 169. A=8 and K=1.

VLF Earth Mode

Before my 2013 stroke, I enjoyed experimenting with VLF earth-mode, which anyone can enjoy. 

In the UK OFCOM is not interested in licencing this (and taking your money!), so anyone may make an earth-mode beacon. 

For the TX PA a low cost audio IC was used. It produced 4-5W.

Years ago I kept a blog of my exploits. I hope you can get some ideas here.

See https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/vlf-using-earth-mode/g3xbm-earth-mode-blog .

10m QRP FT8 (Friday)

Stations spotting my
10m QRP this morning

I have been on 10m FT8 with my 2.5W for about 2 hours. So far (at 1104z) I have been spotted by 195 stations and here I have spotted 280 stations with the furthermost Western Australia.

Antarctica

UPDATE 1153z:  Spotted VK0DS (14844km) in Antarctica. 314 stations spotted here and I have been spotted by 216 stations.

UPDATE 1821z:  Spotted by 229 stations and I have spotted 503 stations here today (see map of stations spotted here). 10m FT8 seems to be coming in from everywhere, even though it is still August. May the good times continue!

UPDATE 1948z: 239 spots of me and 543 spots of others.

Tunwell Court, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Having lived in the Cambridge area for 54 years I have never noticed this cottage opposite the Fitzwilliam Museum! 

It dates back to the 1500s and is currently owned by Peterhouse College. 

Message to self,"keep your eyes open in future".

Rallies this Sunday

 The following have been notified to me. The usual caveats apply: always check before going any distance.

• Sunday August 18th - Rugby Amateur Transmitting Society Annual Radio Rally, Rugby, CV23 9PY. Contact rally@rugbyats.co.uk .
• Sunday August 18th - West Manchester Radio Club Red Rose Summer Rally, Leigh, WN7 2PJ. Contact rally@wmrc.co.uk .

Antennas and amateur radio

My latest RadCom arrived yesterday.

One major dealer is advertising widely (the RSGB must really value this income) and I could not help noticing a major antenna manufacturer selling antennas (on the centre pages) via this dealer for £3899.99 and £4199.99!

If this major UK dealer decided to "hang up his boots" and leave the amateur market then RadCom would have to radically change. It would probably have to shrink and come out less often.  The only amateur radio magazine remaining on newsagent's stands would really struggle.

Now, I am not able, nor wish, to say how you spend your money. However, for me, these antennas are not amateur radio. A fan dipole covering all the higher HF bands could probably be made for the cost of a few coffees out. So you might be a few dBs down on a big tower with one of these antennas on the top, but you will probably save a 4 figure sum in the process.

In the end, we have to understand what our hobby is really about.  To me, there are 2 major sorts of radio amateur: (a) those who just get out their credit card and (b) those that experiment. I prefer the latter.

In my view, the writing is already on the wall. I personally see a battle looming between the credit card operators and experimenters.  In my view credit card operators will merge with CB. Experimenters?

Australian treats - NOT amateur radio

Our son and family are spending a few weeks in Brisbane, Australia with his in-laws. I see our grandson has found some treats!

They are currently at the Sunshine Coast, although the weather looks better here! 😊