Moved to 6m WSPR

As the Es season seems to have started, I have QSYed to 6m WSPR (1W ERP) and put the 500mW 10m WSPR beacon on 10m (100% TX).

UPDATE 0942z: I see that OZ9QV (864km) has copied my 500mW 10m WSPR a couple of times.

UPDATE 1022z: Several 10m WSPR spots but nothing yet on 6m WSPR.

Auroras?

This was on Space Weather earlier:

"SOLAR WIND ENGULFS EARTH: A solar wind storm is underway around Earth as our planet enters a high-speed stream of gas flowing from a large hole in the sun's atmosphere."

Be on watch for auroral openings.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday April 24th 2017

Solar flux is 82 today and the sunspot number 43. A=41 and K=4.

As I said in an earlier post today, I think our Es season has started and we can look forward to several months of good propagation on 10m, 6m and 4m. Es openings are mainly up to about 1500km, but most seasons Es openings bring in the USA, Caribbean and South America even on 6m. The conventional wisdom is this is multi-hop Es, but I have some doubts over this preferring some kind of chordal hop involvement.

Althurium - NOT amateur radio

My wife has a way with orchids and those we have live for years.

I had to look this house-plant up as I did not know its name. It is not an orchid - well I don't think it is! As you can tell, I am no plant expert!

10m WSPR (2W) transceive

After success yesterday, I am on 10m WSPR today running 2W (20% TX) with the rest of the time on RX. Before I switched to 2W on the FT817 I was spotted on my 500mW beacon overnight in Italy and Germany on 10m WSPR. I think this is the start of the Es season.

UPDATE 0816z: Several spots of my 2W 10m WSPR by EW2ABC (1812km).

UPDATE 0833z:  DF4UE (758km) reporting me at +7dB S/N - has to be Es.

Tulips - NOT amateur radio

We have had a crazy few months. Daffodils were about 6 weeks late, but most things are now early! Today, we visited Ickworth, near Bury St Edmunds. Most tulips were past their best and another week and we'd probably see none still in flower! This one would be over within a week.

QRP and QRP Club report

This came in from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (April, 23, 2017)
Visitors  of the week: HB9DAX, RV3GM, UA1CEG/p, US5ERQ, DK1HW, UR7VT,
R1CAF,  R2FAE,  UY1IF,  R1OA,  G3XJS,  DL8MEL, PD7CJT, OK1KW, RU3NJC,
R1CAN, UA1ADF, UA1CEX, R2AJA, UR0ET, OH3GZ, F5OYS, Z35M
New Visitors - DL8MEL, F5OYS - you are welcome!
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 page.
Some comments...
See full WQR Report including comments and pictures on the blog page -http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Thanks  ALL for activity and comments.
See all QRPers on the next QRP 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.

Dunnock - NOT amateur radio

We get fewer small birds in the garden these days. I did see a robin feeding a new born on the lawn earlier today. A robin was flirting with a nestbox in the garden yesterday. I think it is sitting on eggs. There was activity there this morning.

Our most common birds are pigeons and blackbirds. There are smaller birds around, but they are not as common as they used to be.

The bird shown is a dunnock or hedge sparrow. These birds tend to lurk, but we see quite a few on our lawns.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/d/dunnock/ .

Geosynchronous amateur satellite next year?

At the moment, 2018 seems the likely launch date of a Middle East satellite that includes a 250kHz wide linear amateur transponder. Now, it has to get into the right orbit and work. If successful, the 2.4GHz uplink and 10GHz downlink would enable very wide coverage around the world with small, fixed antennas. If it works, it could change amateur radio for ever. There are a lot of uncertainties.

See https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/eshail-2/

6m MSK144 RX again

Yet again, I have chosen 6m MSK144 RX this morning as well as 10m WSPR TX again. This mode/band (MSK144/6m) never seems to fail unlike 10m WSPR that has been very poor of late with an absence of even locals.

Lack of activity, not conditions, seems to be the main reason why 10m seems "dead". If we don't use it, it may be allocated to CBers before the next peak. We have a wide allocation and could you really blame the FCC or OFCOM if they decided to reallocate? We'd only have ourselves to blame. As they say, " use it or lose it".  In this day and age, we deserve to lose it sadly.

UPDATE 0915z: On 6m already 22 stations spotted in 11 countries.

UPDATE 1035z: Surprise, surprise! Some 10m WSPR spots at last!

On 6m MSK144 RX the score is 25 stations in 12 countries spotted so far today.

Where do you buy HB100 10GHz modules?

Someone in Australia asked this recently. There are many sources on the internet at rock bottom prices. Remember the price includes a screened box,  dielectric resonator oscillator, PCB, 2 PCB antennas and a RX mixer! Think modern Gunnplexers. Incredible value!

Some are as low as $2.32 each with free shipping!!

See https://m.nl.aliexpress.com/search.htm?listType=keyword&keywords=hb100#/. This link is Dutch, but I am sure they have an English site too.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday April 23rd 2017

Solar flux is 82 today and the sunspot number 29. A=54 and K=4. I am not expecting much of 10m WSPR today again. Indeed it has been many days with no WSPR spots lately. No spots yet again on 10m WSPR yesterday. 

6m MSK144 RX and 10m WSPR TX

I only try 10m WSPR TX as this uses a different rig, no PC and a separate antenna, although it is days since anyone spotted me on 10m! It is a different story on 6m MSK144 RX where I have already spotted 18 stations in 6 countries so far on by this mode. Best 6m DX so far is IK0XBX (1355km) in Umbria, Italy. This mode and band never fail me. Conditions can be poor, but with this mode I still copy all over the place.

UPDATE 1225z:  23 stations in 11 countries on 6m MSK144 RX so far today. Best DX (also a new country) is EA6VQ (1424km) in the Balearic Is.

UPDATE 1508z: now 30 stations in 8 countries spotted on 6m MSK144 RX today so far. This is more stations than I can ever remember.

UPDATE 1822z: The score on 6m MSK144 RX is currently 31 stations in 12 countries.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday April 22nd 2017

Solar flux is 82 today and the sunspot number 39. A=18 and K=6. I am not expecting much of 10m WSPR today, indeed it has been days with no WSPR spots lately.

HB100 10GHz frequency agility

Steve G1KQH sent me this link:

http://ik1zyw.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/hb100-10-ghz-module-frequency-agility.html

You may recall that the HB100 is a very low cost Doppler radar module that can form the heart of a wideband FM 10GHz transceiver.

UK Rallies this Sunday

APRIL 23rd 2017 : 33rd YEOVIL QRP CONVENTION
Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3AA. There are disabled facilities at this venue. The doors will be open between 9.30am and 3pm. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, RSGB bookstall and stands for RSARS and RAFARS. A programme of talks will take place on the day. Refreshments are available on site. Details from Bob Harris by email to wjh069@gmail.com [http://yeovil-arc.com/qrpconvention]

APRIL 23rd 2017 : RIPON RADIO RALLY
Hugh Ripley Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 2PT. Doors open to stallholders at 7.30am and to the general public at 10am. Entry is £2 on the door, under 16s are free. Enquiries can be made via email to rally@ripon.org.uk www.ripon.org.uk/content/ripon-rally-2017

APRIL 23rd 2017 : ANDOVER RADIO AMATEUR CLUB SPRING BOOT SALE
Wildhern Village Hall, Tangley, Andover SP11 0JE Doors open from 10am to 4pm, with disabled gaining access earlier. Admittance is £2. There are tables in the hall and outside pitches. Hot food and drinks available. Contact Paul, G4KZY on 07775 738 200 or by email to paul.g4kzy@gmail.com.

C5 solar flare

Southgate News reports that there was a C5 solar flare a few days ago. This was expected to mainly miss the earth, although conditions were disturbed yesterday.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/april/massive-explosion-on-the-sun.htm#.WPm7WoWcHIU

Growing up - NOT amateur radio

Our grandchildren are growing up all too fast!  This is one of them in pensive mood.

If you have any, then my recommendation is enjoy your time with them as they are only young once.

OFCOM Consulting on 700MHz

OFCOM wants to free up spectrum at 700MHz early and they are consulting on this.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/support-pmse-equipment-owners?utm_source=update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pmse700mhz

Sunspots and 10m - Friday April 21st 2017

Solar flux is 82 today and sunspot number 26.  A=30 and K=2.

Just maybe there will be some 10m WSPR spots today?

6m MSK144 RX abd 10m WSPR TX

Well, more in hope than expectation, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW, 100%) as well as 6m MSK144 RX. On 6m, 3 stations in England so far with the best DX 210km. No spots on 10m thus far, although I am not really expecting much on 10m.

UPDATE 0805z: Now 6 stations in 2 countries on 6m. Best DX now 507km.

UPDATE 0925z: Now 7 stations in 2 countries on 6m.

UPDATE 1124z: Now 13 stations in 4 countries on 6m.

UPDATE 1934z: Now 17 stations in 9 countries in last 12 hours on 6m MSK144 RX.

Blossom - NOT amateur radio

This blossom was on a path a few days ago. It is lovely when here, but so ephemeral.

The blossom on our ornamental cherry lasted just a few weeks. The grass soon looked like snow!

The lilac next door and some of our roses are already in flower about a month early.

6m MSK144 yet again

This mode is ideal for me. I put the RX on 50.280MHz and monitor what is spotted on PSK Reporter Maps on another PC in the lounge. Most signals come in strongly by reflections off the ionised trails of random meteors. Even with my poor antenna and coax I usually spot at least 10 countries on 6m most days. The pings may only be a few milliseconds long but WSJT-X V1.7 (free software) decodes the signals. Most signals I get are in the -1 to +3dB S/N range i.e. strong.

As it uses a different antenna, rig and no PC, I am also on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 0840z: 12 stations in 3 countries so far on 6m MSK144 RX today. Nothing again on 10m.

UPDATE 1434z: 14 stations in 3 countries so far on 6n MSK144 RX and nothing still on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1634z: 15 stations in 4 countries on 6m MSK144 RX in last 12 hours. Nothing on 10m WSPR.

Sixbox 6m QRP AM transceiver

Some years ago I did a 6m version of my 2m Fredbox QRP AM transceiver. This had more power than the 2m version and a tuneable receiver. It was built on a piece of copper laminate, but not a PCB. It uses readily available parts, so it should be easy to duplicate. Using a super-regen RX, this is more of a "cross town natterer" than a rig for DX.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/sixbox .

Stroke update - NOT amateur radio

It is now over 3.5 years since my cerebellum brain bleed. In all honesty, I never doubted a full recovery, so it is really disappointing that my voice is still very poor, I am still giddy when walking and that I get tired so quickly.

Other subtle effects are that I think others say one thing and I find they said something else. I find driving much harder nowadays. Often people don't understand me when I speak and I find it very tiring repeating myself. I am more emotional than I was and in many ways I must be harder to live with.

In many ways I'm lucky not to have more serious disabilities. My main problem is others think I am fully OK - indeed I look fine - but inside I still feel unwell.

Improvements, if they are still happening, are now very slow and hard to see. Still, I am grateful that most of me still works. Life goes on: I never give up.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday April 20th 2017

Solar flux is 80 today and sunspot number is 14.  A=15 and K=6.

Negative Mass - NOT amateur radio

Apparently, scientists have created a fluid with negative mass.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39642992

Nesting bees - NOT amateur radio

These bees were spotted yesterday at Brampton Wood, UK in a hole in a tree. A few hundred there?

There were lots of bluebells out too.

The bees were on the RHS path going around the edge about 400m from the car park. There were several warnings of nesting bees, but they did not bother us at all.

6m MSK144 RX

I have decided not to go on 10m WSPR TX today, although I have returned to 6m MSK144 RX.

UPDATE 0933z:  So far, 15 stations in 8 countries spotted on 6m with best DX IS0BSR (1603km).

UPDATE 1156z: 18 stations in 9 countries in the last 12 hours on 6m MSK144 RX.

UPDATE 1256z:  20 stations in 10 countries spotted so far in last 12 hours on 6m MSK144 RX.

UPDATE 1542z: 22 stations in 11 countries spotted so far in last 12 hours on 6m MSK144 RX. 12 countries spotted on 6m MSK144 RX in the last day.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday April 19th 2017

Solar flux is 85 today. Sunspot number is 12.  A=7 and K=5.

Of late, 10m has been disappointing. I have not had my 500mW WSPR beacon spotted now for a couple of days. I think this is due to a lack of activity as much as conditions.  I remain convinced that if more stations were on WSPR we'd find out that many paths are useable, but people think it is bad and just give up. Meanwhile, the CB bands at 27MHz continue to have activity.

UK General Election - NOT amateur radio

OK, if I was Theresa May I guess I would have been persuaded to hold a General Election on June 8th. The opposition parties are in a mess and there is a good chance the ruling Conservative Party will win a few more (or a lot more?) seats.

However, General Elections often result in surprises. 52% voted OUT in the recent EU referendum, but most wanted a return to "good old England" with control over our laws and borders. I suspect most would prefer us to still be in the single EU market without tariffs.

It would not totally surprise me if this General Election threw up a few surprises. This is a chance for the Lib Dems to start a comeback. Personally I think Labour is committing suicide.

2m UKAC results

The latest results have just been published and I am now 51 out of 131 in the AL section. This is up. Considering I only use 5W to a big-wheel omni and I am usually on for less that 40% of the time because of my poor voice, this is fine. I only really go on to exercise my voice and see if I can reach new squares. The contest is always fun and people are friendly and helpful.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=144MHz%20UKAC&year=2017

Decluttering - NOT amateur radio

My daughter-in-law runs a decluttering business (SpaceinMind) in North London. She has a special offer.

As usual, clicking the image brings up a bigger, clearer image.

See www.yourspaceinmind.com

70cm antenna

A lot of people are plagued by noise on HF. Not only that, HF conditions on F2 are likely to be poorer in the coming years, so people look elsewhere for their fun.

70cm is quiet here and there is always activity on SSB in the RSGB's UKAC activity contests each month. If you are looking for a really low cost antenna for the band raid your XYL's wardrobe! The antenna linked is easy to make, low cost and definitely works.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/70cm_moxon .

UK Pound - NOT amateur radio

The UK pound seems to be gaining ground against most major currencies including the euro and the US dollar. BREXIT talks are at an early stage, but talk of a UK pound "melt-down" seems premature.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/market_data/currency/default.stm

More on International Marconi Day

From Jos:

Hi Roger,
More on Marconi Day...https://www.kerryamateurradiogroup.com/news/international-marconi-day-2017
Kind regards,
Jos.

Brampton Wood - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went bluebell hunting. One of the nearest places was Brampton Woods which is 900 years old at least. It is a very large, ancient wood. Nowadays it is a nature reserve. We saw plenty of bluebells.

The wood is some way out of Brampton, famous for the Samuel Pepys connections. We ate lunch at a pub mentioned in his 1600s diaries.

Marconi Radio International

Although I have no more data, Southgate News reports that Marconi Radio International will be on the air tonight (Tuesday April 18th) and looking for SWL reports.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/april/mri-on-air-on-tonight.htm#.WPXR1YWcHmI

6m MSK144 RX and 10m WSPR TX

Repeating the pattern of yesterday, I am on 6m MSK144 RX and 10m TX with my 500mW WSPR beacon. Best DX on 6m MSK144 RX this morning is IS0GQX (1595km).

As yet, nothing (again) on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 0848z:  So far 7 stations in 6 countries spotted on 6m MSK144 RX today.

UPDATE 1600z: 15 stations in 9 countries spotted on 6m MSK144 RX so far today. Nothing on 10m WSPR still.

UPDATE 1814z: No spots on 10m WSPR. On 6m MSK144 RX 17 stations in 9 countries spotted today.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday April 18th 2017

Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number remains zero.  A=4 and K=1.