Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday January 4th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and sunspot number 11. A=12 and K=2.

10m JT65

Although I have been on 10m JT65 since before breakfast, no-one has spotted me and I have spotted no-one at all so far today on 10m.

UPDATE 1206z: Still no spots today yet.

UPDATE 1400z: DL0ZB (601km) spotted. Es or aircraft?

UPDATE 1748z: No further 10m spots today, so soon be time to QSY to 630m.

472kHz (630m) WSPR overnight

Although there was a new reporter overnight, it was yet another disappointing session. I seem to be getting spotted by fewer different stations this season on MF and I have still to break through the 1000km barrier with my 5mW ERP. I shall persevere, but I think I need to radically improve my antenna before my sphere of influence increases.

New 472kHz reporter

PA0LSB/RX1 (326km) was spotting my 472kHz WSPR this evening (5mW ERP). He is a new reporter for me.

The next WRC in 2019

We are still several years away from the next ITU World Radio Conference that looks at frequency allocations. This takes place in 2019.

See http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/conferences/wrc/2019/Pages/default.aspx .

For CEPT (Europe) prep see: http://www.cept.org/ecc/groups/ecc/cpg/news/latest-news-from-the-2nd-cpg-19-meeting/ .

Personally, I'd like to see a CEPT 100kHz wide 60m allocation (secondary), a small 8m allocation (for Es research) as well as better access across CEPT nations to VLF/ULF. These will only happen if we press for them.

Propagation Prediction Tool

Thanks again to Southgate News for pointing me to this resource for propagation prediction. I have  yet to try it, but it assumes 100W and a dipole, so JT65 should work with much lower powers, as long as the path is "open".

See http://www.predtest.uk/ .

See also: http://www.itu.int/oth/R0A0400006F/en

10m JT65 - all quiet so far today

Having been on 10m JT65 most of the morning, no spots as yet. Not even UK spots and no winter Es so far today.

UPDATE 1356z:  Still no 10m spots.

UPDATE 1725: Still no 10m JT65 spots today. Time to QSY to 630m WSPR.

Panto - NOT amateur radio

Curtain call at Aladdin, Ely

It is a UK tradition to go to a pantomime with children at Christmastime. Pantos are usually daft with the lead woman played by a man, with lots of ad libs and jokes. We went to Aladdin in Ely Maltings as we did last Christmas (different panto theme). We went a few days after Christmas and everyone enjoyed it.

Had we gone in Cambridge, it would have been much more expensive. The panto runs until next week. Great family fun.

See https://thelittleboxoffice.com/kdtheatre .

2m FMAC and UKAC sessions this evening

As reminded by Dave G0LRD yesterday, the RSGB's new FM activity session is in the hour preceding the 2m UKAC this evening. The FMAC is designed to encourage FM 2m activity and runs for the hour before the UKAC session. I hope to try both if my voice holds out!

In the UKAC sessions it is horizontal polarisation and mostly SSB with a little CW. For the FM sessions I am unsure which polarisation, so will start with vertical, but have the horizontal big-wheel if needed. Certainly the UKAC activity levels are high. I hope the FMAC brings plenty on the air.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2017&contest=2mfmac&seq= .
See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2017&contest=2mukac&seq=

UPDATE 2142z: Well the FMAC was a dead loss for me! I was unclear of where to look on the band and unclear about polarisation. Only one station heard calling CQ contest and no QSOs made! UKAC was better with 11 QSOs in just under an hour with 5W and an omni antenna. Best DX 123km.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday January 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and the sun is yet again spotless. A=7 and K=2. I am not expecting much on 10m today, but the band always brings surprises! Maybe some winter Es may liven things up in the northern hemisphere?

Overnight on 472kHz

As our grandchildren went home yesterday, I returned to 630m (472kHz) WSPR last evening and overnight. It was a bit disappointing with several Dutch spots of my 5mW ERP but nothing further. I have now moved to 10m JT65 for the day.

Back to radio

Now the house is back to normal, I can concentrate again on my amateur radio hobby. The pattern is usually 630m WSPR in the evenings and overnight and 10m JT65 in the day time.

This year, I should try for more 2-way QSOs with JT65. At some point I may buy a new radio, but I am in no hurry and am waiting for prices to drop. I expect quite a bit of price cutting in 2017 as dealers fight for our trade. I would like to see them all survive, but they have to be totally fair to customers making a fair profit but without exploiting us.

Although my voice is not great, I try to go on the East Cambs 2m FM net at 2000z Mondays 144.575MHz (yes forty four) and the 2m and 70cm UKAC sessions on Tuesday evenings. I assume the first 2m UKAC is tomorrow evening? It is very easy to forget at this time of year!

As for New Year amateur radio resolutions, I have made none, although  I hope my health improves so I can do more building and field work again.

Quiet at last - NOT amateur radio

We seem to have had visitors for about a month! Firstly my brother came, then some old friends, then over Christmas and New Year both lots of grandkids and their parents, thankfully not at the same time.

Now we are alone again and the house feels empty. We love seeing them, but it is "good to see them come and good to see them go" as my mother-in-law used to say. It was "clean mess", but I was exhausted and now in need of a rest!

Sunspots and 10m - Monday January 2nd 2017

My source of solar data is either fit again or back from holidays!

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number zero again. A=14 and K=2.

10m JT65

Although I have been on 10m JT65 since mid morning, no spots given or received as yet.

Return to 472kHz WSPR

About an hour ago, I QSYed from 10m JT65 to 472kHz WSPR with about 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Uniques in 1st hour on 472kHz WSPR this evening

Best TX DX so far is a spot by F1AFJ/1 (607km).

Solar Data - Sunday January 1st 2017

Yet again, my source is still showing old data, so I cannot provide the data I want today again. Sorry.

New Year 2017

As we enter 2017, may I wish all readers all the best in 2017. It will take me a while to get used to the new year and writing 2017 instead of 2016!

Luckily we do not know what is ahead but I hope the new year brings you lots of happy times.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Happy New Year for all you there!

WQR Report (December 31, 2016)
Visitors  of  the  week: IK2RMZ, RV3GM, US3EN, UR0ET, UR5EFD, IK2RGV,
R1CAF,  UA1ADF,  UA0SBQ,  UA1CEG,  G3XJS, DL2WA, RW3AA, US7IB, DK1HW,
UR5MKZ, EA5EQ, UA1CEX, UA1AQC, SV2BBK, UT5EDU, SM1IRS, G3KOJ, UW5EKR
Comments...
see full report on the blog page - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
See you all QRPers on the 2017 year Rendez-Vous!

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.

10m JT65

I was on 10m JT65 all night and am still on now. No recent spots and no DX.

UPDATE 1612z: A little winter Es on 10m with LA9NKA (929km) spotted but just Gs otherwise and still no real DX.

Now Australia (nearly) on the 60m band

Southgate News reports that Australia is about be granted the new WRC15 15kHz wide 60m band. It seems that many countries are gaining access.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2016/december/new-60-metre-amateur-band.htm#.WGg3AYXXL4g

10m JT65 all day

I have been on 10m JT65 since early yesterday, but without internet I was unsure of my PC clock sync until this morning. Also, updates to PSKreporter maps will not have occurred yesterday and overnight.

As in recent days, no DX with the best spot being of 2E0NEP (123km). G4NUA (12km) was the best DX (!) on TX.

Solar data

My source is 2 days behind, so either the site maintainer is unwell or away. So, I am again unable to pass on this information. This week, I shall look for a new source, as the one I use is not reliable any more.

In the meantime check out http://www.solen.info/solar/ .

No internet

My apologies for the few postings this last day. My internet packed up Friday morning and I was only able to get on again late today. We also have young grandchildren staying, so I have had no time today until now.

10m JT65

I have now QSYed from MF to 10m JT65. Let us hope we see more winter Es on 10m, or even some real DX from outside Europe. The latter will depend on conditions but southern Africa is certainly possible on 10m JT65.

Tropo DX on 2m

Here in the UK there has been some good VHF tropo of late, not that I have tried! Martin Cranage in Salisbury has been copying European beacons at great range and he has worked quite a bit of DX on 2m via tropo.

See http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html .

Solar data

As my source is still showing yesterday's data, I shall update the solar data later, assuming it is available.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR - disappointing

Although I was on 472kHz WSPR overnight, it was disappointing. Best TX DX (5mW ERP) was Holland and no new spotters on the band. I was expecting better.

QSYed to 472kHz WSPR

Initial 472kHz WSPR spots this evening

Much later than normal, I QSYed from 10m JT65 to 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP). This was about 2250z. I'll leave the WSPR running overnight.

Facebook "deaths" that aren't - NOT amateur radio

There must be plenty of us on Facebook these days. I am appalled by the ads I see on the RHS which purport to give notice of deaths of famous people. In my experience these are all untrue. How can people do this? If I believed all I read there would be hardly anyone left! I guess these are designed to grab attention so you click the links. Don't.

Welcome to the post-truth world?

23cm transverter by SG Labs

It is years since I listened on 23cm but there is good lowish cost transverter (2W RF out) for the band that is tempting, even for me.

See http://www.sg-lab.com/TR1300/tr1300.html . The photo above (courtesy http://www.sg-lab.com/TR1300/tr1300.html) shows the SG Labs unit.

PA3FQA DXCC Status

PA3FQA has posted his DXCC status on Twitter and very impressive it is too.

Although my DXCC for 10m QRP SSB is well over 100, I have not counted for years!

To be honest I am not really a great DX hunter. I am happy for others who do this, but if I work DX it is not through acts of patience and perseverance on my part. I guess I just don't have the staying power these days!

Recurring Dreams - NOT amateur radio

It is probably a very common theme to dream about upcoming exams and not having done any or enough revision. At one time I repeatedly dreamt about catching trains to Devon. Both probably are easily explained.

In recent years, I dream of being at work and about to retire again. Usually I am wondering how I am going to manage (again) on my pension. I have been retired now for almost 8 years!  I have no idea why I dream this!

In my current state of health there is no way I could work again. Apart from my health issues, I am very happy to be retired and I have no wish to return to a job.

PSK Reporter Maps

Before I go on, I accept this could be my end and the internet connection playing up, but I am struggling to get a connection to PSK reporter maps at the moment. I use this regularly to see where I am spotting and who is spotting me on 10m JT65.

InnovAntennas

Via Southgate News, news of a new antenna from InnovAntennas.  I am sure they are very well made and perform well, but to me they are just too expensive!

See http://www.innovantennas.com/ .

All quiet on 10m JT65 so far

Having been on 10m JT65 all morning, nothing has been spotted so far. I shall go and check sync to internet time.

UPDATE 1308z:  Time sync is fine. Still no spots on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1445z:  Still all quiet on 10m JT65. With people going back to work after the Christmas break, I expect there are even fewer people active now on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1724z:  Just G4CJC (73km) in north London spotted a few minutes ago on 10m JT65. A disappointing day.

Tiny radio?

See http://electroiq.com/blog/2016/12/worlds-smallest-radio-receiver-has-building-blocks-the-size-of-2-atoms/ .

This looks like it was written by a sensationalist national newspaper writer, but it wasn't. Behind the sensationalist headlines there are probably some factual data. To me this looks like it was written by a teenager who did history for his/her degree, although am probably being grossly unfair. Bah humbug!

DP1POL in Antarctica

Since changing to a 20m dipole my old work colleague G4NUA has been spotted across the world with a few watts on 20m JT65. Yesterday he was copied in Antarctica by DP1POL. In 2017 I am pretty sure he will get every continent on QRP.

This is from QRZ.com:

"DP1POL is located at the German research station "Neumayer III" in Antarctica, about 1,300 miles North of the South Pole. My home call sign is DL5XL, and I was a member of the 29th Neumayer wintering team as an electronics engineer. The station was officially inaugurated on February 20, 2009. My first assignment at "Neumayer III" lasted from December 2008 to February 2010, and I was back on the air from the same location from December 2011 to February 2012, from December 2013 to February 2014, from December 2014 to February 2015, and from November 2015 to February 2016. Another activity is planned from November 2016 to February 2017 - and I hope it will not be the last one!"

UPDATE 29.12.16 1446z: Ted G4NUA called me, but I was beaconing at the time.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday December 29th 2016

Solar flux is 73 again today and sunspot number 14. A=6 and K=1.

Salcombe - NOT amateur radio

Many times before I have mentioned that I was brought up in Salcombe, Devon. This picture of Salcombe in the sunset was posted on Facebook yesterday by an old colleague who now lives in Dartmouth.