UK Elections - NOT amateur radio

A reminder that there are local elections, as well as elections for some mayors, in many parts of the UK today. There is a general election in June.

Use your vote!

If you do not vote and the wrong people get in, you can only blame yourself. It is no use moaning! Voting is your democratic right. You can vote as you want. Your vote counts as much as anyone else.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday May 4th 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number is 15.   A=4 and K=2.

New QRP Club Member

This came in from Oleg yesterday:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

SV8CYR op. Alexander became a new Club 72 member (certificate # 97)
Who's next?

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

10m WSPR beacon

A few years ago I bought a 500mW (TX only) WSPR beacon from W5OLF. It has been copied in every continent including Antarctica even with my poor 10m antenna. I am not sure if these are still being sold but I was very impressed. It is small, simple and works.

Once sync'd to time (either using a BC receiver or internet time) it is totally stand alone and does not need a PC or external audio. It means I can operate on 6m WSPR or other modes (with the FT817 and PC) at the same time as using the WSPR beacon on 10m.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/w5olf

UPDATE 0820z: The 10m WSPR beacon has just been turned on.

UPDATE 0932z: No spots, as yet, of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.

UPDATE 1630z: With 8 different stations spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon, the Es season is definitely here! Best DX today, so far, is OH2VMP (1734km).

On 6m JT65 again

Actually I stayed on 6m JT65 overnight. At 0649z I was spotted by G1IDZ (182km). He is in the Worcester area. No other JT65 spots as yet on 6m.

Tomorrow onwards I shall probably swap to 6m MSK144 RX hoping to catch the Aquarids MS shower.

UPDATE 0816z: DC8RA (572km) has been spotted, probably by Es.

UPDATE 0850z: My 1W ERP 6m JT65 has been spotted by DK8NE (704km) in the last 20 minutes. Es definitely.

UPDATE 1114z: OF3DP (1702km) in KP10 square (Finland) spotted me earlier on 6m JT65. Definitely Es! Plenty of other 6m JT65 spots across Europe, but no WSPR spots on 10m.

UPDATE 2125z: Now gone QRT on 10m WSPR but have switched to transceive for a while on 6m MSK144 (was RX only).

Sepura and Hytera - NOT amateur radio

My old company is in the process of being taken over maybe by Hytera, which is a Chinese company. They are waiting on the UK government who are possibly concerned about security being compromised. Both the Spanish and Germans have said "OK".

It is OK to have our nuclear plants funded by the Chinese, but possibly not our public safety organisations like the police who use a system that is due to be replaced next year. Muddled thinking? 

There is also the small matter of a General Election next month. It is anyone's guess what the government will decide. Maybe they will delay until after the General Election? If they do, Sepura could go bust and lots of job losses in Cambridge. Politically, this would be bad.

6m MSK144

As you will have seen from posts over the last few months, this mode and band have proved very successful here, irrespective of conditions. Every day, I copy stations from all over western and northern Europe on 6m by this mode. I think my country count is in the low 20s, but I have not checked recently. Best DX is Spain, Balearics, Italy and Sweden. This mode just works.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/6m_msk144 .

Meteor shower

Peaking this coming weekend, the Aquarids meteor shower should bring some strong pings. I shall be on 6m MSK144 RX hoping for success.

The returns from just random meteors have amazed me. With a real MS shower, the pings should be longer, so I have a better chance of copying stations with my very simple set-up (V2000 vertical, lossy coax and FT817).

6m JT65

For a change, I started out on 6m JT65 today with 1W ERP in beacon mode, although I am looking for others 50% of the time and reporting all my spots to PSK Reporter Maps. I am hopeful of some G spots and maybe some Es.

UPDATE 0925z:  G8MIA (162km) spotted on 6m.

UPDATE 1100z: Now 3 G stations spotted on 6m JT65, but nothing from mainland Europe as yet on 6m.

UPDATE 1820z: ON4PG (342km) is my only continental today on 6m JT65, spotted here at 1706z. Tropo?

UPDATE 2100z: My first and probably the only spot on 6m JT65 was some 34 minutes ago when G1IDZ (182km) spotted me in  IO82tc square.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday May 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 76 today. Sunspot number is 25.  A=4 and K=1.

OFCOM May 2017 newsletter

OFCOM has published its May 2017 newsletter.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/E3AFDFA4A9C73112/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Mandelbrot sets - NOT amateur radio

As I get older, I get very frustrated trying to recall names.

One example was the Mandelbrot set. I knew about repeating patterns as you zoom further in, but I just could not bring the name out from the depths! I had a similar problem trying to recall the name Keely Hawes a few days ago. It is not a worry, just frustrating. So much effort is taken trying to remember these names.

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

2m UKAC this evening

Luckily I got an email reminder! In the UK, Monday was a public holiday and I feel a day out. Tonight from 8pm UK clock time the 2m activity contest takes place. This is organised by the RSGB and activity levels are usually good.

Normally I manage about an hour or less because of my poor voice. I use 5W and a big-wheel antenna.

UPDATE 2040z: I tried a "wait and pounce" approach, but waited a very long time for my first QSO. In all, 7 QSOs in 5 QTH squares. Best DX was the Peak District.

Needless packaging - NOT amateur radio

It really annoys me when supermarkets "go overboard" and package things far more than is needed. There is an online petition aimed at stopping this. Sign if you feel the same way. In years gone by we managed, so why not now?

See https://www.change.org/p/uk-parliament-stop-supermarkets-from-selling-raw-fruit-and-veg-in-plastic-packaging?recruiter=32433470&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=des-lg-share_petition-no_msg .

Optical Communications

It is some years (before my stroke in 2013) that I last tried seriously with optical communications using red LEDs that I bought at low cost via eBay. These days, I expect a google will bring up lots of links. This is a fun branch of our hobby, with very low costs and lots of homebrewing. This is a branch of the hobby I'd like to try again. There is much to learn.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/optical .

10m JT65 again

After some Es yesterday and some 10m DX from Brazil, I am back on 10m JT65 this morning. No spots so far, but it is quite early.

UPDATE 0935z: Some Es already on 10m JT65 with DF4WQ (596km) already spotted this morning.

UPDATE 1534z: No more Es seen here since early this morning. I shall stay with 10m JT65 for several hours still. Es often has a second peak around teatime, although I do not know why.

UPDATE 1720z: Still no further 10m JT65 spots here.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday May 2nd 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number 11. A=5 and K=2.

On yer bike - NOT amateur radio

We are lucky to live at the end of a quiet Close with no through traffic. It is ideal for our grandchildren to play outside. We always watch over them.

Ferrite rod antennas on TX

It is some years since I tried this, but I remember being surprised how well this worked. As long as the ferrite is not saturated, a ferrite rod will work on TX. I tried it on WSPR with the antenna just on the shack table. Of course, WSPR works well.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/ferrite_tx

Sunspots and 10m - Monday May 1st 2017

Solar flux is 76 today and the sunspot number 33. A=6 and K=0. 10m? Who knows. With undisturbed conditions we might see some N-S DX.  Es should also start to get more commonplace in the northern hemisphere.

10m JT65

Rather later than normal, I am on 10m JT65 today (2W) in beacon mode sending "B G3XBM JO02" every minute. So far just G4CJC (73km) in IO91xp square spotted. This is inside the M25 north of London.

UPDATE 1434z: Spots exchanged with G0LRD (25km) but no real DX on 10m today here.

UPDATE 1500z: My best DX today on 10m JT65 is a spot of me by IZ2ODN (1095km).

UPDATE 2020z:  PU9DCB (9884km) was copied on 10m JT65. Real DX and quite late!

Nests - NOT amateur radio

We have (at least) 2 birds nesting. A robin has decided to build a nest in a nest-box (see above) I installed last year. There is also activity in our loft, which may be a blackbird's nest. I suspect there are also nests in our hedges. We see lots of blackbirds and robins.

UPDATE 1900z: Although there are swifts and cuckoos about near here, I have not managed to see any in April.

Pound still up against major currencies - NOT amateur radio

The UK pound is still up against the Euro, the Yen and the US Dollar. Let us hope this continues as BREXIT talks take place.

In my bones I think the Euro will significantly weaken - after all, most of it serious weaknesses remain. In the last few days the Yen has weakened a lot.

UPDATE 1840z: Still up.

10m JT65

As I had been getting no spots on 10m and 6m WSPR I have swapped to 28.076MHz (10m) JT65. As I recall, this mode was more successful than WSPR in the last Es season. Unfortunately, I can only use JT65 on a single band.

UPDATE 1216z: No 10m JT65 spots as yet.

UPDATE 1546z: Still no 10m JT65 spots today.

UPDATE 1845z:  Just a single spot of M0AAX (107km) on 10m JT65.

10m and 6m WSPR

Yet again I am back on 10m and 6m WSPR. 10m WSPR (100% TX, 500mW) and  6m WSPR (20% TX 1W ERP, 80% RX).

As yet no spots today.

QRP and QRP Club

As usual, Oleg RV3GM has written a report of recent activity:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (April, 30, 2017)
Visitors  of  the  week:  UR0ET, RV3GM, US5ERQ, US3EN, UR7VT, SM2BYW,
OF5LP,  OH6NPV,  R1OA,  R1CAF, UA1CEG, RW3AA, UR5EFD, UA0SBQ, RU3NJC,
R2FAE, R1CAN, IZ0RQF, RA1M/mm, Z35M, RV3DSA/0
Thanks all for activity!
Some pictures:
- ants hill on the UA0SBQ's forest position
- UA1CEG in the snow forest position
See full WQR Report and pictures on the blog page -http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Thanks all for activity and see you on the next 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.

Concert - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday was my wife's concert at the Cambridge University Music School in West Rd, Cambridge, UK. She sang Mendelssohn's "Elijah".  We were joined by old Liverpool university friends. The acoustics at this concert hall are very good. The concert was very good.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday April 30th 2017

Solar flux is 76 today and the sunspot number 34. A=6 and K=2.

CCS Concert Tonight - NOT amateur radio

Wife's concert tonight. West Rd Concert Hall, Cambridge at 7.30pm. Tickets should be available on the door.

See https://sites.google.com/site/cambschoral/ . Guess who does their website?

Turkey blocks Wikipedia? - NOT amateur radio

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39754909 .

This online encyclopaedia is one of the most famous in the world. Access to it is a sign of a nation being at one with itself and one that trusts its citizens. Countries that ban access to it usually have something to hide.

Bank Holiday Rally

This Monday is a national holiday in the UK - May Bank Holiday. There is a west country rally as detailed below.

MAY 1st 2017 (Bank Holiday Monday) : 33rd DARTMOOR RADIO RALLY

Tavistock College, Crowndale Road, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8DD Doors open at 10:30am with disabled visitors gaining access at 10:15am. Admission is £2 with under 14s free accompanied by an adult. There is ample free car parking on site with catering available too. There will be trade & club stands and the usual Bring & Buy. Details from: Viv Watson, G7AWG on 01752 823 427 or by email to vivwatsondrc@aol.com

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

Crystal set DXing

This is not as easy as it once was as there are fewer English language AM broadcast stations left on the traditional shortwave broadcast bands. Nonetheless, you may be surprised by what you hear.

My best DX on a simple crystal set is Radio Australia (broadcasting from Australia, not via a relay), All India Radio, Cuba and the VOA from Liberia years ago. You can even envelope detect amateur SSB signals although IDing these can be tricky. Remember, all the power is provided by the TX with none required at the RX end.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/crystalset

10m and 6m WSPR yet again

At the moment I am on 10m WSPR (100% TX, 500mW) and 6m WSPR (1W ERP 20% TX,  80% RX). I am seeing some UK spots on 6m, but no Es yet on either band.

UPDATE 1312z: G0LUJ (278km) is the best copied on 6m WSPR this morning. EA1FAQ (1249km) spotted me on 10m WSPR. I think the latter was Es. There is some Es about. G4APB (88km) has also been spotted on 6m WSPR.

UPDATE 1324z: I see that G4KPX (14km) has spotted my 500mW beacon on 10m WSPR. No doubt Richard is looking a bit further afield!

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday April 29th 2017

Solar flux is 77 today. Sunspot number is 35. A=6 and K=2.

Drivers - NOT amateur radio

Some of the most courteous drivers on UK roads are women.

I also note the high numbers of young women drivers who seem to take risks. This is by no means "getting at" women drivers but, in my judgment, women often seem to take more risks than men.

Certainly, this is not a proper statistical survey. Perhaps I am used to bad male drivers! Maybe I just notice this as I am looking, but I can't begin to tell you how often I see bad driving and say to myself, "that was impulsive and poor" and it turns out to be a young woman at the wheel. Call me a male chauvinist pig if you like, although I am not. I am only saying what I notice.

UK Rallies this Sunday

APRIL 30th 2017 : CAMBRIDGE REPEATER GROUP RALLY

Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, Cambridge, Cambs CB22 6RN. Doors open at 9.30am with traders gaining access from 7.30am. Entry is £2. There will be a talk in station and car parking is free on site. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, car boot area and RSGB bookstall. The usual burger van will be in attendance. Contact Lawrence M0LCM on 0794 197 2724, email rally2017@cambridgerepeaters.net. www.cambridgerepeaters.net


APRIL 30th 2017 : WEST LONDON RADIO & ELECTRONICS SHOW (Kempton Rally)

Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5AQ. There will be a talk in station and on site car parking is free. Doors open at 10am with disable d visitors gaining access 10 minutes earlier. There will be trade stations, a Bring & Buy and special interest groups. Other attractions are lectures, a raffle and catering on site. Details from Paul, M0CJX on 0845 165 0351, info@radiofairs.co.uk. www.radiofairs.co.uk.

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

Sunspots and 10m - Friday April 28th 2017

Solar flux is 78 today. Sunspot number is 23.  A= 7 and K=1.

60m band

According to Southgate News, Malta has just released its new frequency plan that includes the WRC15 5MHz amateur band. This is only 15kHz wide, so we must hope for more later.

See http://www.mca.org.mt/sites/default/files/pageattachments/
NFP_edition%205-4.pdf

10m and 6m WSPR again

Once again I am trying 10m WSPR (100% TX, 500mW) and 6m WSPR (20% TX 1W ERP, 80 % RX). Yesterday was hopeless, so I hope today is better! It cannot be any worse, HI. As we approach May there should be more Es.

UPDATE 1034z:  A 10m WSPR spot by DK6UG (633km), so there is some Es about on 10m today.

UPDATE 1835z: EA1FAQ (1249km) spotted me at lunchtime on 10m WSPR. No 6m WSPR spots all day.

Pye PF8 on 70cm FM

The Pye Telecom PF8 was, in its time, a very futuristic handheld UHF transceiver. They are very rare. I was fortunate to be part of the design team a very long time ago. I was responsible for the TX audio and the antenna which was quite novel. At the time Sir Clive Sinclair asked me for advice!

The PF8 was made famous in the UK TV series "The Professionals". If you can find one, they can be made to work on 70cms. Finding one is very hard. Before you ask, no, I do not have any. TX power was 500mW.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/pf8 .