First aconites - NOT amateur radio

This winter seems much colder than last. We have yet to see a daffodil out and the snowdrops are later. Yesterday I saw the first aconites out, in a garden not far from us (see above).

We are seeing more birds from Scandinavia like fieldfares, redwings, starlings and waxwings. The latter I have still not seen. Each winter we see some but usually they come as it is very cold in Scandinavia. Seeing lots here often suggests a cold winter.

MSK144 (6m - 50.280MHz)

Since about 1820z I have been on 50.280MHz MSK144 mode (2W). I am hoping to receive stations by tropo, aircraft reflection and maybe MS. Unfortunately I am only vertically polarised on 6m using my V2000 omni antenna.

UPDATE 1840z:  No spots as yet.

UPDATE 1905z: M1BXF/SDR (14km) has just spotted me. I changed the TX to "enabled", F TOL 200, and the TX period to 30secs so the relay changes less often. No spots on RX yet.

UPDATE 1940z: G0LRD (25km) has now spotted me on 50.280MHz MSK144.

UPDATE 2010z: F8ZW (652km) in Alsace, France is the best RX DX so far. Aircraft reflection?

UPDATE 2336z:  For the last hour or so I have been on RX only and intend to stay on RX until after breakfast tomorrow. Maybe I'll catch some random MS in the early hours?

I am surprised how effective this mode is proving. Getting better RX DX by random MS pings would not surprise me now.

RSPB Bird Count this weekend - NOT amateur radio

A reminder to those in the UK that the annual RSPB bird count is this weekend (Jan 28-30th). The idea is very simple: you simply choose any hour Jan 28, 29 or 30th and count the highest number of unique species seen in your chosen spot in that hour. For example: 6 wood pigeons, 2 robins, 4 blackbirds. You can do it in your garden, school, a local park or wherever. I have done this for many years. You just go to the RSPB website and upload your results. RSPB membership is not required. You may be surprised.

Tonight?

I am still thinking about my overnight challenge for tonight. Maybe I'll try a WSJT-X and PSK Reporter Maps supported mode on 6m? Still not sure.

UPDATE 1606z:  Based on G0LRD's comments (see below) I think I'll try MSK144 on 50.280MHz this evening and overnight. Depending on how often the relay would switch I may be RX only.

Growing amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

Our amaryllis is really growing. It might be in flower next week?

Our lounge (where it is) is pretty warm - usually 22-26 deg C most evenings.

The longest stem is 44cms, so it has grown 5cm since yesterday! You can almost watch it growing! Great fun.

10m JT65

A few minutes ago I switched from 2m ISCAT-A RX to 10m JT65. I am currently beaconing sending "B G3XBM JO02". With low 10m activity any reports are welcomed.

Please may sure you have "upload to PSK Reporter Maps" or similar ticked in your JT65 software package, so I can see who is receiving me. I have this ticked so if I get you, check PSK reporter maps.

UPDATE 1212z: Yet again, only G4CJC (73km) in North London has been spotted on 10m JT65 so far today. No-one has spotted me yet on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1332z: Spotted by David G0LRD (25km) on 10m JT65. No DX as yet on 10m JT65

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday January 28th 2017

Solar flux is 80 today. Sunspot number is 33. A=21 and K=2.

Rally

29 JANUARY 2017 : HORNCASTLE WINTER AMATEUR RADIO RALLY

Horncastle Youth Centre, Willow Close, Cagthorpe, Horncastle LN9 6B

Doors open at 10am and there is free car parking on site. Entry is £2. The venue is all on one level and so is suitable for less able visitors. There will be hot drinks and snacks available including bacon butties. The RSGB bookstall will in attendance.

Details from Tony, G3ZPU on 01507 527 835.
If travelling far, ring first.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

2m ISCAT-A

At present, I am beaconing in ISCAT-A on 144.370MHz as this is supported in WSJT-X v1.7 and PSK Reporter Maps. The rig relay switches every 5 seconds, which was a surprise to me! Hopefully if I spot anyone this will show on PSK Reporter Maps.

As my ERP is low, I am only really hopeful of tropo and aircraft reflections. MS pings would be a bonus!

UPDATE 2038z: As I did not like the FT817 relay clicking every few seconds, I am now on 2m ISCAT-A RX only.

UPDATE 2315z:  Nothing received so far.

UPDATE 28.1.17 1030z: ISCAT seems not to be listed in PSK Reporter Maps any more.

EU frequencies for ISCAT and FSK441?

This evening and overnight I was (am?) planning to try ISCAT or FSK441 on 2m. Despite Googling for 5 minutes I failed to find an answer. So, can someone please tell me?

I plan to beacon sending "B G3XBM JO02" if this is allowed, so results show on PSK Reporter Maps. My ERP is low at around 8W so I am only really looking for tropo and aircraft reflections. Any MS results would be surprising!

WSPR on PSK Reporter Maps

This is something I have not used. Apparently PSK Reporter Maps can be used to plot WSPR spots. PSK Reporter can, in fact, be used with very many modes. I use it for JT65 but I may try ISCSAT on 2m tonight sending a beacon message like "B G3XBM JO02" if this is supported.

Famous Five books (for adults) - NOT amateur radio

In several places recently I have come across "Famous Five" books designed for adults. Depending where you buy these, the prices are from about £2.99 to £8.99. They are cheapest on Amazon. As a child, I enjoyed the Enid Blyton "Famous Five" books. The adult books have really made me laugh. I might buy some.

See https://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Brexit-Island-Blyton-Grown/dp/178648384X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid

So called "facts" - NOT amateur radio

Recently I have seen adverts on Facebook about famous people who are reported to have died. All these turn out to be untrue. Apparently it is called "clickbait" designed to make you click the link, no doubt to then try to download something nasty to your computer. I have "shared" news items in all good faith only to find out later that they are not factually correct. In this age of "post-truth" news, one has to be very careful. Do not take things at face value!

See http://www.snopes.com/category/facts/

Back on 10m JT65

After quite a decent outing on 2m WSPR last night and overnight, I returned to 10m JT65 at 0817z. No spots as yet on 10m JT65, but things have been very quiet of late.

My old work colleague Ted G4NUA erected a 20m dipole a few weeks back (to replace a half sized G5RV) and seems to be going "great guns" on 20m JT65. I just looked at his log for the last day and he is being spotted all over the place. Since erecting his 20m dipole, the difference is remarkable. I have told him that he will be able to work the world now with QRP.

UPDATE 1345z: G0OYQ (177km) has been spotted on 10m JT65.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday January 27th 2017

Solar flux is 82 today and the sunspot number has fallen to 31. A=13 and K=4.

Return to 2m WSPR

I have returned to 2m WSPR from 10m JT65. 10m JT65 was disappointing again today. I have tuned the FT817 to 144.488980 which should put the rig on 144.489MHz USB when stabilised. This could take some while though!

UPDATE 2038z:  2E0DWP (203km) just spotted. G8LDJ (112km) spotted 7 times so far. Nobody has yet spotted me on 2m WSPR.

UPDATE 2100z: G6AVK (78km) and G8TTI (186km) have now spotted me on 2m WSPR.

UPDATE 2246z: G8OFA (189km) has now spotted me on 2m WSPR. I'll stay on 2m WSPR overnight. Despite 2m WSPR not being recommended, I seem to be managing pretty well with 2W and my big-wheel.

Amaryllis growing - NOT amateur radio

Our amaryllis plant is growing at a rate of about 1cm a day. Although not in flower yet, it soon will be. We planted this a few weeks ago.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday January 26th 2017

Solar flux is 85 today (not bad) and sunspot number 46.  A=6 and K=2.

10m JT65

Slightly earlier than usual I have QSYed to 10m JT65. My XYL had to go out at 0900z, so I did the QSY at around 0740z. As yet, no 10m spots, although it is very early on 10m. I have not yet checked solar conditions, although a lot depends people being active on 10m. Of late, solar conditions have been quite reasonable, but activity levels dire.

UPDATE 1108z: Yet again, G4CJC (73km) has been spotted on 10m JT65. So far, this is the only spot on 10m JT65.

2m WSPR frequency stability

Most users (including me!) have real issues with accurately getting to, and staying on, frequency with 2m WSPR. The WSPR slot is just 200Hz wide and the short-term and long-term rig drift can be a real problem. With WSJT-X v1.7 one can see most stations drifting wildly.

Last night I was greatly helped by David G0LRD who uses a GPS stabilised frequency reference, so he knows his frequency very accurately. He is also very strong with me, so I could see his signal clearly. All I had to do was net my rig so I was reporting to WSPRnet his correct frequency on RX. I did this late last night. My rig had to be set 20Hz low (144.488980MHz) to get G0LRD as close as possible. Of course, during the night I drifted off again, but in the short-term I knew I was on the correct window in the 2m band.

Longer term, the answer is a more accurate, and stable, frequency reference. Ideally this would be a GPS locked source. An accurate TCXO would be an affordable second best.

I was very grateful to G0LRD last night.  Incidentally, David put up my 2m antenna some time ago. Kindness itself - thank you David!

I've now QSYed to 10m JT65 for the day.

Return to 2m WSPR

As 10m JT65 proved dire today,  have returned to 2m WSPR for a second evening (144.489MHz USB dial, 2W) using the big-wheel horizontal omni antenna.

Early evening 2m WSPR spots tonight

What next?

Although 10m conditions were quite good lately, activity on the band has been poor, which is disappointing. After quite a successful 2m WSPR outing last night, and continued interesting results on 630m, I am after a new challenge. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

To operate on VHF, I think I need a better TCXO in the FT817. If I (eventually) get an IC7300, maybe I should try 4m WSPR or other modes? Although some years ago I made a 4m transverter, I don't think the stability and frequency setting would be good enough for digital modes.

At present, I do not have any antennas up for 4m. I think a 4m halo would be a good choice: fine for European Es in the summer and probably fine for inter-G work when the band is dead.

Winter Sun - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday was cold, bright and frosty. Today it is just cold, dull and "January". We see this windmill (just over the garden wall, literally) from our kitchen and lounge.  We are lucky to have such a nice view. The mill is almost 200 years old and was fully restored a few years ago.

2m WSPR

Yesterday evening was quite successful with spots exchanged with several stations on 2m WSPR. G8OFA (189km) was the best DX.

I am thinking of buying a Chinese TCXO for the FT817. Reports of these are good and it should give frequency accuracy and stability to 432MHz. At less than £10 shipped, one can hardly go wrong. It should be good for digital modes with the FT817.

10m JT65

About 30 minutes ago I turned on the rig and PC and am now on 10m JT65. I was not on 630m overnight. The PC was manually resynced to internet time although this should happen automatically every 1000 seconds.

UPDATE 1100z: No 10m JT65 spots as yet.

UPDATE 1452z: Just spotting G4CJC (73km) only and no DX.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday January 25th 2017

Solar flux is 82 today and sunspot number 55. A=3 and K=1.

Newer car - NOT amateur radio

Cars do not excite me - they are pieces of metal to help you get around. We bought our last car, a Kia, in 2010, so we bought the same make and model, but a 2016 version with low mileage. This is made in Europe and comes with a 7 year warranty. Our last car did around 60mpg and road tax was £20 a year. On this one, it is nothing a year road tax and we should get similar fuel consumption.

10m JT65 earlier

Apart from G4CJC (73km) being spotted, nothing at all on 10m JT65. I am sure this is due to a lack of activity rather than conditions as the sunspot number, K index and solar flux were all pretty good for where we are in cycle 24

2m WSPR

G8OFA in Salisbury is trying 2m WSPR on 144.489MHz beaming towards Cambridge, so I have QSYed from 10m JT65 to 2m WSPR.

As I am dependent on the FT817's internal TCXO, drift may well be an issue. As you can see, drift is a real problem. In the end I set the FT817 100Hz low which seemed where I was centred on the WSPR segment.

On WSJT-X V1.7 you can see about 2.5kHz of the band in real time, so I just made the frequency adjustment to where most activity seemed to be. This could be wrong and I could drift off!

Just exchanged WSPR spots with G8OFA (189km).

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday January 24th 2017

Solar flux is 82 today and the sunspot number 53. A=4 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR last night

A mixed bag. LA8AV(1035km) was spotted 39 times last night.  LA3EQ (769km) spotted my 472kHz 5mW ERP WSPR 7 times. In all, 9 unique spots in 3 countries last night. Still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

472kHz WSPR

LA8AV (1035km) has already been spotted 17 times so far this evening and DH5RAE (995km) several times. Promising.

UPDATE 2245z: LA3EQ (769km) spotted me at -25dB S/N at 2118z. I'd like to break the 1000km barrier this season, but I think LA8AV has gone QRT!

Sunspots and 10m - Monday January 23rd 2017

Solar flux is 86 today. Sunspot number is 61. A=9 and K=0.

This looks quite promising, but I left 10m JT65 this morning (late) for 630m WSPR as I detected no activity!

Trident - NOT amateur radio

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38714047

Sorry, but irrespective of whether or not this nuclear missile went off course and PM Mrs May not answering Andrew Marr's questions on TV on Sunday, I think renewing Trident is a HUGE waste of money. At the time of the Commons debate this was put at £40 billion. Yes, forty billion pounds!

Years ago, for work, I visited Faslane, where these nuclear submarines are based - a very creepy place.

Just why does the UK need an "independent" nuclear weapons system? Most countries don't have one and use their money for other things. We buy the warheads from the USA anyway!

Early return to 472kHz WSPR

As 10m JT65 was going nowhere, I returned instead to 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna"). I am on battery power so my noise floor is low on RX. So far just a spot by G0LRD (25km).

UPDATE 1400z: Another 2 spots by G0LRD shows that he is just copying me! With JT9-1 this would probably not have been possible.

On 10m JT65 again

Following on from my poor JT9-1 outing last night on 630m, I have now returned to 10m JT65 (2W) but no spots as yet here.

Apparently I was last spotted 15 hours ago, presumably on 630m JT9-1, although I haven't been able to trace this spot.

As my as source of solar data is still showing old data, I have no idea of the current solar conditions.

Wicken Fen - NOT amateur radio

As I said yesterday, we went for a walk at Wicken Fen in beautiful January weather. It is dull and cloudy here today! The photo shows the windmill used to pump water and the frozen lode. Yes, it was cold.

QRP amd QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous report (January 22, 2017)
Visitors  of  the  week:  OK2BMA, UR7VT, UA0SBQ, R1CAF, RW3AA, UR0ET,
UA1ADF,  RA1M,  US7IB,  R6TQ,  SM2FIJ,  IK2RGV, DF1HK, RV3GM, UA1CEX,
HB9FAB,  Z35M,  G3XJS,  HB9DAX,  OK1DNZ,  US5ERQ, RW3DF, RD2A, DH0DK,
RX3DIT, OH8UL, RA6AJ, ON6KZ, UA1CEG, OH5LP, EA6BB, OH6NPV, DK3WX
Congrats!
OK2BMA became Honor Frequenter (regular visitor)
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 web page - www.club72.su
Comments...
See full version of the WQR Report on the club's page (blog in menu)

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.

472kHz (630m) JT9-1 overnight

Well, I stayed on this band and mode overnight but not a single spot! On the waterfall I saw several WSPR signals. I will check settings again, but it looks like WSPR is the better mode for me on this band. Maybe my low ERP and just being buried in the noise on JT9-1 is working against me, whereas with WSPR I am just detected. WSPR on 472kHz tonight!

UPDATE 1040z: All the settings were OK. I think there are fewer stations on this mode on this band, and I need to get my ERP up so my signal is not buried in the crud.

JT9-1 on 472kHz

For a change, I am trying JT9-1 on 472kHz. I have been active for about 10 minutes so far.

At the moment I am beaconing, although I tried a few CQ calls earlier. Someone was just ending a QSO with someone called Gerd but he did not send his call, so I have no idea who this was.

If you should spot me please send to PSK Reporter Maps.

UPDATE 2038z: No JT spots on 472kHz so far. There seem to be fewer stations on the band using JT modes than WSPR.

UPDATE 2240z: Still no JT spots on 472kHz. I shall remain JT9-1 beaconing overnight in the hope that someone will spot me and upload to PSK Reporter Maps.