30 Oct 2016
29 Oct 2016
CQWW SSB - too hard these days
In years gone by (before my stroke) I enjoyed this contest as a way of working new countries. Sadly, these days my voice is too poor. When I give my callsign it is a real strain and I am not quick enough. Sadly, I think my days with CQWW are now past.
10m was not as busy as the last few years: I heard several EA8s working stings of Europeans, but I was just too slow.
Looking back on the blog, I see I gave up on CQWW last year because of my poor voice.
10m was not as busy as the last few years: I heard several EA8s working stings of Europeans, but I was just too slow.
Looking back on the blog, I see I gave up on CQWW last year because of my poor voice.
BITX at bargain basement prices
My friend Steve G1KQH has pointed me to a website in India selling 40m BITX assembled PCBs at ridiculous prices. If you are after SSB on 40m, this may be for you.
The BITX is a well proven design. This assembled PCB uses a mix of SMA and wire-ended parts. You only have to assemble the PCB and pots into a case. It should be a low risk approach to 40m SSB and you finish the assembly yourself.
See http://www.hfsigs.com/ .
The BITX is a well proven design. This assembled PCB uses a mix of SMA and wire-ended parts. You only have to assemble the PCB and pots into a case. It should be a low risk approach to 40m SSB and you finish the assembly yourself.
See http://www.hfsigs.com/ .
MF "antenna"
6m and 10m JT65 and CQWW
4Z5ML (3571km) has already been spotted on 10m JT65 this morning despite a sunspot number of zero.
As I have a small window to operate on 10m SSB in the CQWW contest, I shall probably go on 6m JT65 soon in beacon mode.
UPDATE 1038z: G0LRD (25km) spotting me on 6m JT65, but no-one else. CQWW on 10m was slow with just a couple of Italians coming through earlier. So different from a few years ago.
UPDATE 1136z: G6NLZ (153km) near the South Coast of the UK has been spotted on 6m JT65. This was either by tropo or aircraft reflection. I'll try 10m SSB CQWW again after lunch.
UPDATE 1918z: Having returned to 10m JT65 I have spotted a couple of South Americas (Argentina and Brazil) and I was spotted by OE3BUB (1228km) in Austria.So, not everybody is on CQWW!
As I have a small window to operate on 10m SSB in the CQWW contest, I shall probably go on 6m JT65 soon in beacon mode.
UPDATE 1038z: G0LRD (25km) spotting me on 6m JT65, but no-one else. CQWW on 10m was slow with just a couple of Italians coming through earlier. So different from a few years ago.
UPDATE 1136z: G6NLZ (153km) near the South Coast of the UK has been spotted on 6m JT65. This was either by tropo or aircraft reflection. I'll try 10m SSB CQWW again after lunch.
UPDATE 1918z: Having returned to 10m JT65 I have spotted a couple of South Americas (Argentina and Brazil) and I was spotted by OE3BUB (1228km) in Austria.So, not everybody is on CQWW!
QRP and QRP Club
From Oleg:
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Welcome all QRP operators in the special QRP Chat room on the Club 72
web page - club72.su (QRP Chat in the menu) - see attached screen
shot. Don't worry for Russian words, there are only testing group of
Russian QRPers now.
In chat you must to create account and nik-name. for nik-name use only
your CALL sign, otherwise non-callsign nik-names will be deleted.
English or Russian languages may be used in the QRP Chat. QRP chat is
comfortable to inform "I'm on *** frequency now" as well as evening
"pub" with your friends, heheheh. Enjoy it! See you ALL in the QRP
Chat.
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please.
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Welcome all QRP operators in the special QRP Chat room on the Club 72
web page - club72.su (QRP Chat in the menu) - see attached screen
shot. Don't worry for Russian words, there are only testing group of
Russian QRPers now.
In chat you must to create account and nik-name. for nik-name use only
your CALL sign, otherwise non-callsign nik-names will be deleted.
English or Russian languages may be used in the QRP Chat. QRP chat is
comfortable to inform "I'm on *** frequency now" as well as evening
"pub" with your friends, heheheh. Enjoy it! See you ALL in the QRP
Chat.
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please.
Salcombe webcam - NOT amateur radio
See http://webcams.chestnutcorp.co.uk:8185/?rand=1391520236357
A lot of fun can be had looking at webcams. The one linked is at Whitestrand, Salcombe, Devon, UK.
UPDATE 30.10.16 1605z. Every time I have tried to connect with this link recently it has failed. I think you have to subscribe to the South Sands Hotel Newsletter to be able to access it. See http://www.southsands.com/ .
A lot of fun can be had looking at webcams. The one linked is at Whitestrand, Salcombe, Devon, UK.
UPDATE 30.10.16 1605z. Every time I have tried to connect with this link recently it has failed. I think you have to subscribe to the South Sands Hotel Newsletter to be able to access it. See http://www.southsands.com/ .
BATC videos on YouTube
See https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUWLnUZllytlcCFd93tnBzw/videos .
Southgate News reports that videos of the recent BATC convention talks are now available on YouTube. I watched some of these when they were steamed, but it is good to hear they are available offline.
Southgate News reports that videos of the recent BATC convention talks are now available on YouTube. I watched some of these when they were steamed, but it is good to hear they are available offline.
Kent family - NOT amateur radio
Sunspots and 10m - Saturday October 29th 2016
Solar flux is 78 today. Sunspot number is zero. K=4 .
CQWW SSB contest all weekend so bands you thought were dead will spring into life magically only to appear dead again on Monday. Even with real QRP 5W or less SSB I usually have no problem filling a couple of pages of my log book.
CQWW SSB contest all weekend so bands you thought were dead will spring into life magically only to appear dead again on Monday. Even with real QRP 5W or less SSB I usually have no problem filling a couple of pages of my log book.
28 Oct 2016
ISWL (International Short Wave League)
Back in the 1960s, when the ISWL was thriving, I joined. Subsequently I left and rejoined some years ago. After a few years, I left again. When I left there were about 200 members only. I have no idea of membership numbers now, but I''d be surprised if it was more than 150 and probably far fewer?
Sadly, ISWL was no longer "for me". When I left a few years ago not one email was received saying they were sorry I was going. I was surprised. Every month I had contributed a log, as well as several articles.
My feeling is this is now a very small group that is on the way out. Back in the 1950s and 1960s it was a very strong, international group. No longer do I feel this is true, sadly.
If you are considering joining, then my recommendation is join GQRP Club instead. I have never been disappointed.
See http://www.iswl.org.uk/ .
Sadly, ISWL was no longer "for me". When I left a few years ago not one email was received saying they were sorry I was going. I was surprised. Every month I had contributed a log, as well as several articles.
My feeling is this is now a very small group that is on the way out. Back in the 1950s and 1960s it was a very strong, international group. No longer do I feel this is true, sadly.
If you are considering joining, then my recommendation is join GQRP Club instead. I have never been disappointed.
See http://www.iswl.org.uk/ .
Hamsphere Newsletter
This is not real radio. It is virtual ham radio with the internet acting as the propagation medium. If you have real issues with antennas, rigs, etc, it may offer you a kind of amateur radio experience.
See http://www.hamsphere.com/23_43446_read.html .
See http://www.hamsphere.com/23_43446_read.html .
Sunspots and 10m - Friday October 28th 2016
Solar flux is 75 today. Sunspot number is 12 and K=3. It will be interesting to see how 10m is later. If we get N-S DX I shall not be too surprised. Apart from Florida (once) I have not seen USA spots on 10m this autumn.
10m JT65 overnight and today
Last night I decided to stay on 10m JT65 overnight. Not unexpectedly, there were no spots overnight. I shall check internet sync soon, although this should happen every 1000 seconds automatically if the internet connection holds up. Yesterday, the internet was not reliable. This is unusual as normally it is good.
UPDATE 0930z: Just did a manual resync to internet time "just in case". No 10m spots overnight and so far today, but I see I spotted GD0TEP yesterday too on 10m JT65. This is an interesting distance. Could have been tropo, aircraft or backscatter.
UPDATE 1050z: My 2W QRP 10m JT65 has been spotted in Greece and Spain. Es I assume. RK6MF (2838km) is currently the best DX on 10m JT65 RX here. I assume this is F2.
UPDATE 1106z: A45XO (5708km) in Oman is now the best RX DX on 10m JT65.
UPDATE 1122z: EA5IDQ (1576km) in Spain now spotting my 10m JT65 (2W QRP). Looks like quite a widespread opening on 10m.
UPDATE 1606z: So far, 3 South Americans, in the Sao Paulo area of Brazil, spotted on 10m JT65.
UPDATE 1750z: No further South Americans and USA still noticeably absent.
UPDATE 1802z: LX1JX (469km) spotted me 2 hours ago.
UPDATE 0930z: Just did a manual resync to internet time "just in case". No 10m spots overnight and so far today, but I see I spotted GD0TEP yesterday too on 10m JT65. This is an interesting distance. Could have been tropo, aircraft or backscatter.
UPDATE 1050z: My 2W QRP 10m JT65 has been spotted in Greece and Spain. Es I assume. RK6MF (2838km) is currently the best DX on 10m JT65 RX here. I assume this is F2.
UPDATE 1106z: A45XO (5708km) in Oman is now the best RX DX on 10m JT65.
UPDATE 1122z: EA5IDQ (1576km) in Spain now spotting my 10m JT65 (2W QRP). Looks like quite a widespread opening on 10m.
UPDATE 1606z: So far, 3 South Americans, in the Sao Paulo area of Brazil, spotted on 10m JT65.
UPDATE 1750z: No further South Americans and USA still noticeably absent.
UPDATE 1802z: LX1JX (469km) spotted me 2 hours ago.
27 Oct 2016
Our back garden in autumn - NOT amateur radio
Shakespeare - NOT amateur radio
OK, I come from England and I am supposed to love Shakespeare. Alas poor Yorick, he sends me to sleep!
I do not know why, but ever since school days Shakespeare has had this effect on me. Maybe it is the style or the rhythm but I am not a Shakespeare fan. There are a few famous verses which I have remembered since school days, but other than these I am afraid I do not like the bard.
Each to their own I guess, but I am sure I am not alone.
I do not know why, but ever since school days Shakespeare has had this effect on me. Maybe it is the style or the rhythm but I am not a Shakespeare fan. There are a few famous verses which I have remembered since school days, but other than these I am afraid I do not like the bard.
Each to their own I guess, but I am sure I am not alone.
10m JT65
After a good day yesterday, I returned to 10m JT65 (2W) at 0652z this morning. As yet, no spots.
UPDATE 0922z: Still no spots as yet.
UPDATE 1056z: Just spotted on 10m JT65 by IZ0AIS (1506km) suggesting there is some Es about on 10m. I spotted another Italian further south too.
UPDATE 1154z: No further spots since the Italians as yet, but most days 10m opens to somewhere.
UPDATE 1932z: 2 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 today. Dead band? Low sunspots? Disturbed conditions? JT65 is the answer!
UPDATE 0922z: Still no spots as yet.
UPDATE 1056z: Just spotted on 10m JT65 by IZ0AIS (1506km) suggesting there is some Es about on 10m. I spotted another Italian further south too.
UPDATE 1154z: No further spots since the Italians as yet, but most days 10m opens to somewhere.
UPDATE 1932z: 2 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 today. Dead band? Low sunspots? Disturbed conditions? JT65 is the answer!
QRP and QRP Club
More from Oleg:
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
I glad to inform about new Club 72 member -
# 93 US7IB op. Vyacheslav (Slava) from Kramatorsk city
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
I glad to inform about new Club 72 member -
# 93 US7IB op. Vyacheslav (Slava) from Kramatorsk city
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
Sunspots and 10m - Thursday October 27th 2016
Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 15. K=5.
On the face of it, it does not look promising on 10m. Yesterday was similar and it turned out to be pretty good! You can never tell.
On the face of it, it does not look promising on 10m. Yesterday was similar and it turned out to be pretty good! You can never tell.
Salcombe Lifeboat Disaster, 100 Years On - NOT amateur radio
See http://salcombelifeboat.co.uk/lifeboat-disaster-centenary/ .
One hundred years ago today the small Devon town where I came from suffered a tragedy when the lifeboat overturned with the loss of life of most of the crew. Only two men survived. It was a tragedy in a small community.
There will be a special service to mark this 100 year anniversary.
One of my aunties witnessed the tragedy when she was a young girl. Most of the crew were not young men as most of these were fighting in WW1.
To this day the RNLI crews go out in any weather to save lives. They are brave men and women.
See https://www.periscope.tv/w/1gqxvRAQEjgxB?q=salcombe for live coverage of the service.
UPDATE 1115z: I watched the service live on the internet. It was a dignified affair with a packed church. Sad to think that all the generation that remember this sad event are now long gone, but good that so many wished to remember them.
One hundred years ago today the small Devon town where I came from suffered a tragedy when the lifeboat overturned with the loss of life of most of the crew. Only two men survived. It was a tragedy in a small community.
There will be a special service to mark this 100 year anniversary.
One of my aunties witnessed the tragedy when she was a young girl. Most of the crew were not young men as most of these were fighting in WW1.
To this day the RNLI crews go out in any weather to save lives. They are brave men and women.
See https://www.periscope.tv/w/1gqxvRAQEjgxB?q=salcombe for live coverage of the service.
UPDATE 1115z: I watched the service live on the internet. It was a dignified affair with a packed church. Sad to think that all the generation that remember this sad event are now long gone, but good that so many wished to remember them.
Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica - NOT amateur radio
See http://motherboard.vice.com/read/scientists-warn-the-collapse-of-this-glacier-could-be-globally-catastrophic-thwaites
It looks as if this glacier is melting fast and could result in a huge sea level rise.
I know the skeptics will say this is just scientists after funding, but we ignore these risks at our peril.
It looks as if this glacier is melting fast and could result in a huge sea level rise.
I know the skeptics will say this is just scientists after funding, but we ignore these risks at our peril.
CQWW DX contest this weekend (SSB)
As many of you know, I am not a great contest person, but CQWW is "special" as bands that seem dead suddenly spring into life. This weekend is the SSB leg. As we have grandchildren, I shall miss a great deal of this. Even if you do not like contests, it is a chance to enjoy the increased activity, especially on the higher HF bands. It runs all weekend.
See http://www.cqww.com/rules.htm .
See http://www.cqww.com/rules.htm .
26 Oct 2016
Slowly declining solar conditions
We are now on the gradual slide down the solar cycle to the next minimum. The slide down is usually slower than the climb after the minimum. The experts are not expecting great things of the next maximum. As always, these are averages, so some days can be much better.
Next autumn we should not expect conditions on the higher HF bands to be much good, although I firmly believe 10m is better than people think. OK, you need to hunt for the DX - it is not as easy as a few years ago, but it is there quite often.
See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .
Next autumn we should not expect conditions on the higher HF bands to be much good, although I firmly believe 10m is better than people think. OK, you need to hunt for the DX - it is not as easy as a few years ago, but it is there quite often.
See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .
10m JT65
I returned to 10m JT65 (2W QRP) at 0715z today, having turned the rig on and resynced the shack PC to internet time. So far, no spots.
UPDATE 1008z: EU7FBB (1931km) spotted me recently. F2 or Es?
UPDATE 1050z: Spots of my 2W QRP 10m JT65 also received from Italy and Slovakia. Es? Nothing yet from outside Europe.
UPDATE 1100z: It looks like there is widespread 10m propagation to Europe with my 2W QRP JT65 being spotted in Austria, Italy, Slovakia and Belarus. I am assuming this is Es. As I have said many times, 10m is open far more than people think. We have weak signal modes like JT65 and WSPR to thank for enlightening us all.
UPDATE 1345z: 8 European spots of my QRP 10m JT65 so far. Who said 10m was "dead"? Remember, my antenna for 10m is very very average and low. If you have more power and a better antenna you are likely to do better.
UPDATE 1800z: 2 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 here today (Argentina and Brazil). I am sure this is TEP with the extension to the UK because of good openings in Europe.
UPDATE 1813z: Now 6 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 here. Not bad at all.
UPDATE 1835z: Now a couple of South Americans have spotted my 10m JT65 QRP: PY1TS (9350km) and PU4ENY (9359km). 10 South Americans spotted here with best RX CE7KF (12753km) in Chile.
UPDATE 2020z: Now spotted 22 South Americans on 10m JT65 today, including HC5K (9541km) in Ecuador. Nothing from the USA.
UPDATE 1008z: EU7FBB (1931km) spotted me recently. F2 or Es?
UPDATE 1050z: Spots of my 2W QRP 10m JT65 also received from Italy and Slovakia. Es? Nothing yet from outside Europe.
UPDATE 1100z: It looks like there is widespread 10m propagation to Europe with my 2W QRP JT65 being spotted in Austria, Italy, Slovakia and Belarus. I am assuming this is Es. As I have said many times, 10m is open far more than people think. We have weak signal modes like JT65 and WSPR to thank for enlightening us all.
UPDATE 1345z: 8 European spots of my QRP 10m JT65 so far. Who said 10m was "dead"? Remember, my antenna for 10m is very very average and low. If you have more power and a better antenna you are likely to do better.
UPDATE 1800z: 2 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 here today (Argentina and Brazil). I am sure this is TEP with the extension to the UK because of good openings in Europe.
UPDATE 1813z: Now 6 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 here. Not bad at all.
UPDATE 1835z: Now a couple of South Americans have spotted my 10m JT65 QRP: PY1TS (9350km) and PU4ENY (9359km). 10 South Americans spotted here with best RX CE7KF (12753km) in Chile.
UPDATE 2020z: Now spotted 22 South Americans on 10m JT65 today, including HC5K (9541km) in Ecuador. Nothing from the USA.
Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday October 26th 2016
Solar flux is 77 today. Sunspot number is 17. K=4.
On the face of it, today does not look promising on 10m.
On the face of it, today does not look promising on 10m.
The Dutch and the Danes - NOT amateur radio
It is now 8 years since I retired. In my working days I visited several countries around the world. Without doubt the people I liked most were the Dutch and the Danes. Somehow we just "clicked" and got on. They seemed to be like us with a similar sense of humour.
It is some years since I was last in Denmark, but we were in Amsterdam earlier this year. I still like Holland and its people. They are my kind and I wish them, and the Danes, well.
It is some years since I was last in Denmark, but we were in Amsterdam earlier this year. I still like Holland and its people. They are my kind and I wish them, and the Danes, well.
25 Oct 2016
Smart phones - NOT amateur radio
Tuesday is one of my days in Cambridge doing Polar Studies at the Scott Polar Research Institute. The course is run by the University of the Third Age. We are very lucky to have a huge range of courses in Cambridge. We are lucky to have many ex-university lecturers.
See http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/ .
In a not very scientific study into smart phone use, these were my findings, just looking:
See http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/ .
In a not very scientific study into smart phone use, these were my findings, just looking:
- Younger people are the main users
- About 1 in 10 (at least) seemed to be using these
- More women than men seemed to use these (keep away, don't speak to me, acknowledge my private space?)
Above 275GHz
OFCOM is issuing NoV for bands above 275GHz (the Terahertz bands). Although I have experimented at lightwave frequencies (where the test gear is easy) I have not tried terahertz frequencies. What is needed is very simple design that is "sure fire". At the moment, I suspect only professionals with access to terahertz test gear will apply.
See http://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/headlines/2016/10/21/new-terahertz-band-nov/
See http://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/headlines/2016/10/21/new-terahertz-band-nov/
RadCom and RadCom Plus
This is the magazine of the RSGB, the UK's national amateur radio society. There is also an additional online version available to members (RadCom Plus) with extra content. Usually the paper copy is a mix of technical and operational news.
See http://www.rsgb.org/ .
See http://www.rsgb.org/ .
10m JT65
Before breakfast I turned the PC and rig on and checked internet time sync. As yet, no spots given or received. South America (if at all) usually gets through late afternoon. There are quite a few monitors in Europe, but they have not copied me yet. I am convinced that JT65 is a very effective 10m mode as the solar cycle recedes and conditions get worse. I remain convinced there is life on 10m long after most people abandon it. My advice? Run 10m JT65 or WSPR in the background and be surprised. On most recent days, 10m has opened to somewhere briefly.
UPDATE 1054z: Still no 10m JT65 spots as yet.
UPDATE 1625z: Only UK spots today on 10m JT65 with best DX G0JEI (141km) on RX. So, no great DX today!
UPDATE 1054z: Still no 10m JT65 spots as yet.
UPDATE 1625z: Only UK spots today on 10m JT65 with best DX G0JEI (141km) on RX. So, no great DX today!
Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday October 25th 2016
Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number 13. K=4. On the face of it, we should not expect great 10m conditions today, but we may be surprised on JT65 and WSPR!
24 Oct 2016
QRP and QRP Club
Latest from Oleg:
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Welcome new members:
# 89 - RU3GS op. Vladimir
# 90 - R1CAF op. Victor
# 91 - UW5EKR op. Maxim
# 92 - R2AJA op. Igor
Note: to become Club 72 member recommendation require from true member
with more than 1 year membership experience. See rules on the Club 72
page.
Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous report (October 17 to 23, 2016)
Visitors of the week: US3EN, DK1DW, SM7RYR, DK1HW, UR7VT, G3XJS,
UA1AV, RU3NJC, UA0SBQ, OH6NPV, UR5EFD, RA1M, OK1KW, UA1CEX, UR0ET,
ON6KZ, HB9AFI/p, HB9DAX, RA3AL/m, PA3GQD, HB9ACQ, SV2BBK, UR5LEH,
RX3DOR, EA2IF/p, EW1CY
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 page -
www.club72.su
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Welcome new members:
# 89 - RU3GS op. Vladimir
# 90 - R1CAF op. Victor
# 91 - UW5EKR op. Maxim
# 92 - R2AJA op. Igor
Note: to become Club 72 member recommendation require from true member
with more than 1 year membership experience. See rules on the Club 72
page.
Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous report (October 17 to 23, 2016)
Visitors of the week: US3EN, DK1DW, SM7RYR, DK1HW, UR7VT, G3XJS,
UA1AV, RU3NJC, UA0SBQ, OH6NPV, UR5EFD, RA1M, OK1KW, UA1CEX, UR0ET,
ON6KZ, HB9AFI/p, HB9DAX, RA3AL/m, PA3GQD, HB9ACQ, SV2BBK, UR5LEH,
RX3DOR, EA2IF/p, EW1CY
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 page -
www.club72.su
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
Back on 10m JT65
I returned to 10m JT65 quite late this morning, as we were late getting up. Normally, I put things on before breakfast. So far just UA3GT (2635km) spotted by F2.
UPDATE 1202z: As well as spots of my signal from across Eastern Europe I have spotted stations widely in Europe and Israel. Best on 10m JT65 RX is 4X1QQ (3551km).
UPDATE 2026z: Just a single South American spotted on 10m JT65 today, after a more promising start.
UPDATE 2050z: Now QRT. Back in the morning.
UPDATE 1202z: As well as spots of my signal from across Eastern Europe I have spotted stations widely in Europe and Israel. Best on 10m JT65 RX is 4X1QQ (3551km).
UPDATE 2026z: Just a single South American spotted on 10m JT65 today, after a more promising start.
UPDATE 2050z: Now QRT. Back in the morning.
Sunspots and 10m - Monday October 24th 2016
Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number is 14. K=3.
23 Oct 2016
QRT until the morning
After a pretty good day on 10m JT65, I have now gone QRT and will be back on the band in the morning. I did not expect to be copied in Australia this autumn or ever again on 10m. With declining solar conditions, this was a total surprise.
SAQ (VLF CW) Off Air
Apparently, SAQ (17.2kHz) had a fire caused by arcing and is off the air presently. I have no idea if they will be back in time for their usual transmission around Christmas. I am a proud owner of one of their QSL cards from several years ago.
See http://www.arrl.org/news/antenna-fire-puts-saq-alexanderson-alternator-station-off-the-air .
See http://www.arrl.org/news/antenna-fire-puts-saq-alexanderson-alternator-station-off-the-air .
Maths - NOT amateur radio
10m JT65
This morning I went straight to 10m JT65. I switched on about 20 minutes ago, which is later than usual. As normal. I checked the PC was synced to internet time. Before I set things going I could hear a couple of stations.
UPDATE 1012z: Several stations in Russia, Finland and South Africa spotted and my own QRP 10m JT65 spotted by several Russians. F2 I assume. At the moment, things look quite promising on 10m JT65.
UPDATE 1130z: My 2W 10m JT65 was spotted by VK6KXW (14542km) in Western Australia and ZS6ZP (9121km) in South Africa as well as widely in Europe. 10m JT65 is good today.
UPDATE 1954z: Lots of spots of South Americans but no spots of my own QRP 10m JT65 signal from stations in that continent. Still waiting for a decent F2 opening on 10m JT65 to the USA this autumn.
UPDATE 1012z: Several stations in Russia, Finland and South Africa spotted and my own QRP 10m JT65 spotted by several Russians. F2 I assume. At the moment, things look quite promising on 10m JT65.
UPDATE 1130z: My 2W 10m JT65 was spotted by VK6KXW (14542km) in Western Australia and ZS6ZP (9121km) in South Africa as well as widely in Europe. 10m JT65 is good today.
UPDATE 1954z: Lots of spots of South Americans but no spots of my own QRP 10m JT65 signal from stations in that continent. Still waiting for a decent F2 opening on 10m JT65 to the USA this autumn.
Learning CW
It is some time since I tried CW - I use JT65 and WSPR mainly because of my health - but this can be a very effective mode with simple gear. Learning CW can be hard for some. An on-line resource that may help is http://lcwo.net/en/cwsettings .
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