Sunspots - Thursday February 7th

 Solar flux is 191 and the SSN 159. A=6 and K=3.

10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Since fixing the RF feedback issue (see earlier post) I have been on 10m FT8 since about 0700z.

UPDATE 1940z:  14 spots already with the IC-705, all bar one in the USA .

RF in the shack on 10m with the IC-705

 For some reason I was getting RF feedback in the shack when using my IC-705 at 10W on 10m FT8. I added a few ferrite beads and this seems to have fixed it,

Waiting for the bus - NOT amateur radio

In the UK bus travel is free most of the time if you are old. It is as quick to go into Cambridge by bus as by car and is totally free. This was earlier waiting for our bus.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on since just after breakfast. So far, 14 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1400z: 16 stations have spotted me.

VLF transmitter

 

Looking through some old photos I came across this one of my VLF transmitter that was used for earth-mode tests though the ground. 

It produced about 5W and my best DX (before my stroke intervened!) was about 6km. Much further would have been possible.

Since my stroke, I have been unable to continue my VLF tests. It is still on my shelf.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 5th

 Solar flux is 191 and the SSN 194.  A=6 and K=1.

Huge sunspot

Apparently there is a very large sunspot that could result in increased solar activity this week. 

Is it or isn't it?

The Yaesu FTX-1F puzzles me. 

This radio was announced, and deposits taken, by many dealers months ago, yet (as far as I am aware) we have never seen any preliminary specs. 

The only data I am aware of was the demo at the Tokyo Ham Fair last summer. I am still getting the feeling that Yaesu is "tweeking" the design or was just testing the market to judge whether or not it would make any money. 

From what we have seen already it has fewer features than the 5 year old ICOM IC-705, meaning it would be unlikely to make Yaesu much, if any, profit.

As I have said many times, it has to be feature-rich and keenly priced to be a real winner. There are many loyal Yaesu fans, but the market place has become far more fierce since the FT817 was launched.

Come on Yaesu! Where are those specs?

Shetland sunrise - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned before, one of my friends on 365project lives on the Shetland Islands. He takes some stunning photos including this one of the sunrise over Mousa.

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My IC-705 was turned on at 0914z. 

UPDATE 1318z:  17 spots of me.

10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

My 500mW beacon was turned on at 0914z.

UPDATE 1320z: 17 stations are spotting me today.

Sunspots - Tuesday February 4th

 Solar flux is 220 and the SSN 153. A=4 and K=1.

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

With my IC-705 I am TXing on 6m FT8 using the V2000 vertical omni antenna. So far this afternoon, 12 stations in England have spotted me.

UPDATE 1712z:  17 English stations have spotted me.

RF in the shack

By turning the power down I seem to have proved that there is RF floating around the shack. So far I have tried one clip-on ferrite bead on the antenna coax as it enters the rig. I have more clip-on ferrite beads on order which I shall add on the leads between the USB plug on the PC and various rigs. These should be here later this week.

OFCOM licences

OFCOM has announced granting ground station licences to Amazon for its satellite system, mainly aimed at providing internet services. I think their system of low earth orbit satellites is to compete against Starlink.  No doubt there will be a price war. See the OFCOM website for more details.

This will result in a huge number of additional satellites in low earth orbit. At some point these either burn up or fall to earth!

Tariffs - NOT amateur radio

The USA has already imposed heavy tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. It is threatening tariffs on the EU and UK. Whilst I can (I think) understand the reasons, my view is this is a blunt tool that can do much damage to the world economy.

Like it or not the world is very interconnected with supply chains that go the world over. Whilst I can see the incentives to keep things local, this will come at a cost. Suppliers nearer to home are likely to have higher labour costs, so things are likely to be more expensive.

The USA may be big enough to cope on its own. Much of the world cannot. 

We may be at the start of a new world order with the USA (for now) forging an isolationist policy, unlike the rest of the world. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Local church - NOT amateur radio

This was our local church some summers ago. It will (all too) soon be spring. This winter has felt very long for some reason with lots of dull and dreary weather.

See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk .

10m QRP WSPR (Monday)

 In a few moments I expect to turn on my 500mW WSPR TX beacon.

UPDATE 1050z:  My beacon was turned on at 0948z. So far, spotted by 13 stations.

WSPRrocks by Phil VK7JJ

UPDATE 1504z:  Spotted by 28 stations today.

Winchester Palace - NOT amateur radio

This is NOT in Winchester, which was once the capital of England. It dates from the 12th century and is actually near Southwark Cathedral in London. It was in use until about 1700.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Palace .