Sunspots - Thursday July 13th 2017

Solar flux is 90 today (high) and the sunspot number 43 (high for this part of the sunspot cycle). A=4 and K=1.

How simple can you make a rig?

This is a question I asked myself a few years ago. Here I am talking about a complete transceiver. Inspired by a design from W2UW, I designed and built the FETer transceiver for 80m CW. It worked remarkably well.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/feter-80m-qrpp-cw-transceiver

Friedrichshafen this weekend

14-16 JULY 2017 : HAM RADIO SHOW, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany Trade stands, special interest groups and IARU Member Societies all have stands in the main hall. Large flea market. Lectures take place each day, some in English. There will be a large RSGB book stall. www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de.

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

This probably the biggest gathering in Europe. It is the European Dayton.

Better weather - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday it rained heavily. Today couldn't be more different: blue skies, sunshine and warmth. We are off to one of our favourite National Trust places - Coleton Fishacre near Brixham.

See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre .

Sunspots -Wednesday July 12th 2017

Solar flux is 91 today and the sunspot number 27. A=8 and K=1.

PC language - NOT amateur radio

So an MP has been suspended for using a word that is no longer politically correct. All I can say is, "what is this world coming to?". Clearly she just said the words in error and deeply regretted this.  People are not allowed to play conkers in case they hurt themselves. Yet, we can house people in dangerous tower blocks.

Sorry, but I think we are becoming stupid. We should worry about real issues.

By the way I well remember a 4 hour training course at work on lifting heavy boxes. For the previous 38 years I had managed to lift heavy test gear without training. Oh, in the last minute of the training I got to lift a box! The course was more about my manager being seen to have given the training than really making things safer.

All I can say is rubbish!

Cattle Egrets - NOT amateur radio

These birds are getting more common in the UK. They have yellow beaks unlike little egrets that have black beaks.

This is probably due to climate change. Another 20 years and they will probably be common.

At the moment there are cattle egrets 2 miles from where we are staying in Devon, although I have not seen them. Well, I may have, but the one I saw was too far away to ID positively, although it was very close to a cow.

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

History of the BBC

It is hard to think that the BBC has been going for almost 100 years. It started in 1922. I hope it manages to be independent of government interference in the years ahead.

Around the world it has gained a reputation for honesty. So, governments of all flavours keep out!

Just imagine the celebrations in 2022!

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

Cellphone power harvesting

Southgate News reports on a cellphone design that uses power harvesting to minimise power consumption. I suspect this is a "proof of concept" project rather than a practical design. Clearly, it requires a major name to introduce power harvesting to minimise power usage. Most cellphones use milliwatts or even watts of power on TX.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/july/battery-free-cellphone.htm#.WWT3UrpFxMs

No coastal walk tonight! - NOT amateur radio

As it is still raining heavily, I think we'll give our after-dinner coastal walk a miss this evening. I suspect watching TV is more probable.

UPDATE 2020z: The rain stopped so I managed to walk out to the cliffs and back. With breakers crashing on the beach, it was a very different kind of evening.

Seats - NOT amateur radio

When my dad retired, he got a job with the National Trust running a job creation scheme maintaining the coast paths near where he lived in South Devon. When he died (1987) they put up 2 seats in his honour. They are still well used today! On each there is a small plaque which I expect few read. Nonetheless, it is a fitting memorial for all his hard work. He loved this area in the South Hams of Devon and so do I.

More OFCOM stuff

OFCOM is auctioning microwave spectrum. After all, all they (allegedly) seem to be interested in is money.

Amateur radio? What is that then?

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/ED1113E2A6F4FFBB2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Looking west - NOT amateur radio

This is a view looking west from the coastal path in South Devon looking towards Cornwall in the evening. It threatened rain which didn't come. Today we are expecting lots of rain. Mind you, this is Devon "where it rains 6 days out of 7". This is how I remember it! So far, we have been lucky with good weather every day. Today was the exception with heavy rain all day. The rest of the week looks better.

Sunspots - Tuesday July 11th 2017

Solar flux is 92 today (decent). Sunspot number is 32 (respectable for this part of the cycle).  A=9 and K=3.

70cm UKAC activity contest

Being the second Tuesday in the month tonight is the 70cm activity contest starting at 1900z and lasting for 2.5 hours. Unfortunately I am unable to enter this month.

UPDATE 1635z: With lots of rain, I suspect the number of 70cm /P stations will be down this evening.

Post Office Travel Card - NOT amateur radio

The UK Post Office offers a prepay travel card which appears quite good. As my old card expired last month and I changed my address, they promised to send me a new card, credited with the money left on the old card. No card arrived and I got an email saying they were experiencing very high loads and apologies. Today I got an email asking me to call their customer services number. All I can say is CRAP!! To say I am annoyed is an understatement.

Sunspots - Monday July 10th 2017

Solar flux is 91 today (good) and the sunspot number 31 (respectable). A=28 and K=4.

Gone away? - NOT amateur radio

For the first time in a week, a certain eastern European country seems to have lost interest in this blog and gone away. There are visits from there, but I suspect these are real people rather than trawling bots.

Devon - NOT amateur radio

I am spending a week in South Devon, were I was brought up. The coast is stunningly beautiful. The weather has been good so far, so a coastal path walk each evening has been possible. I know I posted a very similar view a few days ago, but thought readers might enjoy it again too. Where we are staying is just a short walk from this point.

Pixie CW QRP transceiver

Some time ago I bought a Pixie kit from China. It was really bought to test my building skills since my stroke. In years past this would have been trivial. The kit was so low cost that even if it had to be thrown away it would not matter.

As it turned out, it worked first time. A QSO with a local a few miles away proved all was well. The crystal supplied was 7023kHz, but a very kind person sent me a 7030kHz crystal, which is the 40m QRP CW frequency.

I see from Southgate News that the Banbury Club is running a Pixie Challenge.

See http://www.banburyares.co.uk/Documents/Pixie.pdf

QRP and QRP Club

Another weekly report for Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (July, 9, 2017)
News! News! News!
Special "rendezvous" discussion group (reflector) created for all QRP
Rendez-Vous round tables visitors. To connect this group send request
to - mr72@club72.su - including your name, call, e-mail, please.

Visitors  of the week: UA1CEG, RV3GM, US5ERQ, RA1M/mm, RU3NJC, UR0ET,
UR5EFD,  G3XJS,  UY1IF,  UA1CEX,  RA7RA,  IU0AHC/IS0,  PA2JJB, HA7SG,
OH6NPV, US3EN, I5/DK1HW, UA0SBQ, R1CAF, LY2BAW, DL6ZB, IT9GAK, G3JFS,
DL9FI,  EA2EFI,  ON6KZ,  R1CAN,  MM0CYR, UA4NU, OM6TC, EA7JUK, R2AJA,
F5UKL/p, F3MB, R4NX
Welcome new Visitors
IU0AHC/IS0, PA2JJB, HA7SG, LY2BAW, DL6ZB, IT9GAK, DL9FI, F5UKL/p
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 web page
Comments...
... see full version of the WQR Report including a lot of comments and
pictures here - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Thanks all for comments and activity!
See you on 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.

Sunspots - Sunday July 9th 2017

Solar flux is 87 today. The sunspot number is 24. A=3 and K=2.

QRP DXing from the great outdoors

Here in the UK we have enjoyed some great summer weather. Maybe it is time to try your QRP SSB rig out portable. During the summer Es season some stations can be worked with a very modest QRP portable station: no big antennas, just a whip on the rig can be enough. I find a counterpoise can make a lot of difference. Always be mindful of "humans" who may not understand. 😉

F2 DX on the higher HF bands is getting harder, but Es is a different matter.

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

Cornish rally this Sunday

9 JULY 2017 : CORNISH RADIO AMATEUR CLUB RALLY
Penair School, Truro, Cornwall TR1 1TN Car parking is available on site. Doors open 10.30am and admission £2 There will be traders, Bring & Buy and club stalls. Catering is available. Contact Ken, G0FIC 01209 821 073 for more information.

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

2m SSB

Certainly here in the UK, 2m SSB is far less active than 30 years ago. Even FM can be quiet. Apart from contests and big lifts 2m can be very quiet. It was very different back then. I had (and still have) an MX2 2m SSB 200mW handheld. Back in its day it worked some impressive DX handheld.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/mx2 .

Beetles - NOT amateur radio

Saw these last night on a walk. At first I thought they were feeding or collecting nectar, but I think they were mating.

See http://www.uksafari.com/soldierbeetles.htm .
Apparently their nickname is "bonking beetles". 😉

Sunspots - Saturday July 8th 2017

Solar flux is 81 today and the sunspot number 25. A=5 and K=1.

There is a large sunspot growing. See http://spaceweather.com/ .

Home - NOT amateur radio

My family has been in this area for centuries. It s humbling to think my ancestors looked on much the same view in the reign of Henry VI in the 1400s.

Sunspots - Friday July 7th 2017

Solar flux is 80 today and the sunspot number 11. A=7 and K=1.

OFCOM

They have issued a statement about commercial multi-user gateways. Don't get too excited: it is not good for your heart!

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/A7E73F6AB9A1B7EB2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Thunder - QRT!

There is some thunder about, so I have gone QRT and disconnected everything.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/?lang=en#m=sat;r=0;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;n=0;y=53.9231;x=-12.5879;z=5;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

Rallies this weekend

8 JULY 2017 : LAMFEST in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Elsecar Heritage Centre, Wath Road, Elsecar, Barnsley S74 8HJ Doors open from 10am to 4.30pm and admission is £2. Tables are free. Contact Clair Marsh on 226 361 700.

8 JULY 2017 : STOCKPORT RADIO SOCIETY RALLY
Walthew House, 112 Shaw Heath, Stockport, Cheshire SK2 6QS Doors open from 10am to 3pm. Admission is £2 and there will be catering on site. There will be trade stands, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. There will be a raffle held on the day. Contact: Heather Stanley, M6HNS on 07506 904 422 or by email to info@g8srs.co.uk

8/9 JULY 2017 : 2017 uWAVE ROUND TABLE
Finningley ARS, The Hurst Communications Centre, Belton Road, Sandtoft, Doncaster DN8 5SX A 2 day event with presentations, demos, test lab, and buildathon of a nanowave optical transceiver. Updates are on www.g0ghk.com and www.facebook.com/g0ghk

And STILL they wait....zzzzz

In the USA the FCC has still not released 137 and 472kHz to radio amateurs!! Frankly this is almost unbelievable. The FCC seems so unbelievably S L O W. At this rate many potential users will be dead i.e. those over 30 years old before these bands are released.😟 

I suspect most at the FCC know absolutely nothing about radio. This is demonstrable by the time taken to make radio related decisions. Come on FCC - get a grip!!!

I am losing all faith in the USA. First you elect Donald, seen by many in the world as a bad joke, and your main radio regulator appears useless to many of us in the rest of the world.

See http://www.arrl.org/news/band-plan-proposed-for-eventual-472-479-khz-use .

Sunspots - Thursday July 6th 2017

Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number 11. A=3 and K=1.

10m WSPR TX

Although I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) since before breakfast, no spots so far.

Yesterday on 10m WSPR I was spotted 117 times by 12 unique stations, all Es around Europe.

UPDATE 1140z: Before going QRT about 30 minutes ago (storms) I had been spotted by no-one all day! Still thundering.

6m JT65 RX

At present, I am on 6m JT65 receive only. Best DX is Morocco. Storm risk may cause me to go QRT later.

Less 6m JT65 "beaconing"

As I have had a few comments about my 6m JT65 "beaconing" mode, I have decided to RX more and "beacon" less.  During the Es season, when just 1W ERP can span a very long way, occupying a JT65 channel (around 150Hz wide) can be seen as anti-social. When the band is quiet, I think sending "B G3XBM JO02" is fair, especially if well away from 50.286MHz but still within the JT65 window. PSK Reporter Maps show where my signal is being received.

For now, I shall continue with 10m WSPR TX (500mW) as this takes up far less bandwidth and the TX frequency is randomised within the 200Hz WSPR window.

Spotting pirates and false decodes on 6m JT65

When you are supposed to have received an exotic DX call on 6m JT65 it is worth looking to see who else copied the call and in what area. Some of the calls supposedly were seen only by me, suggesting false decodes. When several others spot the same DX call it is often a pirate nowhere near where the DX is supposed to be.

Some really long 6m JT65 DX is genuine: for example the 13 (thirteen) Japanese stations spotted a few weeks ago were genuine, but one has to be careful. Some exotic calls are actually pirates just down the road.

UK 60m band(s)

At present in the UK, we have a number of secondary bandlets at 60m, but not the WRC 15kHz wide allocation. Our primary user is the military who seem to be in no hurry to change things.

Purely personally, I'd like to see the WRC allocation available in the UK as I find multiple bandlets very confusing. I know we have more power and plenty of choice, but I am a QRPer and having a common allocation would be better in my personal view. I fully accept my views may not be widely accepted.

In the quiet years ahead the 60m band will become more and more important. I have said many times before, it would be good if CEPT countries allocated a wider 60m band. I think we are happy to be secondary users.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 5th 2017

Solar flux is 72 but the sunspot number zero again. A=4 and K=1.  Es on 6m, but nothing seen as yet on 10m WSPR, although I think this is my antenna largely.