10m WSPR

Today has been very fruitful on 10m WSPR with plenty of spots by Es of my 500mW beacon. OZ9QV (864km) has spotted me many times. All spots have been by Europeans by Es I think.

UPDATE 1522z: In past seasons I seem to recall more Es from Northern Europe later in the season. This may be incorrect, but perhaps the things that trigger Es are more common in Northern Europe later in the summer?

Pound to Euro exchange rate - NOT amateur radio

Some time ago I predicted that the UK Pound would strengthen against the Euro before then end of the year. At the moment it is weaker. Only time will tell.

My assumption was the Euro still has problems especially with Greece and fewer "rich" contributors once the UK leaves the EU. As I said before, I am no financial expert and may be totally wrong.

Most of the burden will be on France and Germany, both of whom want the EU to succeed. If Greece defaults Germany will be most hurt.

6m JT65 - now RX only

For a while now, I have been on 6m JT65 but RX only. Earlier, I was also on TX and reached Austria and the UK.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 19th 2017

Solar flux is 78 today (down) and the sunspot number has returned to zero again. A=7 and K=1.

Storms over - for now

We had thunder, lightning and rain overnight, so I do hope my brown patched lawn starts to improve! I turned on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m JT65 at breakfast time. There seems to be plenty of Es to Eastern Europe on 6m. Plenty of early Es spots of my little beacon on 10m WSPR too (Italy and Germany).

Storms coming

Looking at the weather, it seems likely we'll have thunder and lightning later, so everything will be turned off and disconnected later this evening. I am resisting as conditions on both 10m and 6m are so good currently.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en .

UPDATE 1937z: Most of the storms are still SW of London, so I think I'll leave things connected until dark. Most or all of the 10m WSPR spots stopped an hour ago here.

UPDATE 2015z: The storms are now reaching London. I reckon they will reach here in about 2-3 hours.

UPDATE 2125z: QRT and everything disconnected.

Spectrum Pollution

Southgate News reports on Don Beattie's speech at Friedrichshafen in which he drew attention to the extreme pressures of noise pollution (getting worse) in many areas. It is no use having spectrum allocated to the Amateur Radio service if the spectrum is unusable.

See http://iaru-r1.org/images/PR_Communications/FHN-opening-address---G3BJ.pdf

Electric cars: the future? - NOT amateur radio

I like the idea of electric cars. Less pollution, economic, quiet. However, I am still concerned about range between charges.

Some models now claim ranges of up to 300 miles. I wonder if this is like mpg claimed figures which rarely match "real world" conditions. I expect these figures are in summer, new battery, no lights on, no air-conditioning, just a driver, no luggage. I also expect replacement batteries will be very expensive.

Unless there is a major breakthrough in battery technology that comfortably does 300 miles in real world driving, I do not think electric cars will really take off.

For some time I have wondered if the answer might be smaller batteries and power charging from a buried cable in main roads. The battery would only be used "on its own" on minor roads.

There is lots of research into batteries and lots of money invested.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

"Dear Club 72 members and friends, Today our friend Victor RU3NJC have an operation with his heart in the clinic. All Russian Club 72 members organized QRP Marathon for support Victor today. Keep your activity on QRP freq's over a day, not only in the  "rendezvous"  period. We hope, each QRP QSO will be transform to smiles of doctors and medical sisters near Victor. Since heart operation is enough risk and long time procedure, Russian club  members  collect some money for Victor's family. We are welcome all  QRPers  and  friends  to  connect  to our "Mercy Marathon". Only voluntary  donations  will  be  appreciated  today. Club 72 financial manager UA1CEX is keeper of donations with his PayPal account - ua1cex@mail.ru   All  totals  incomes  will  be published here in "72 Newsletter"  tomorrow.  No  personal  names,  calls,  amounts  not be published, only totals. Keep your heart open and kind! Thanks for your help in advance! P.S. Exactly today, July 18, is Victor's Birthday 39'th. On behalf of all you there I wish Victor good health and the best of all! On   the   picture  is  Victor  RU3NJC  with xyl Tanya on the Club 72 QRP-Fest 2015 near Saint Petersburg, 2 years ago. Sincerely youth  - 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"

EURAO

Until I saw a posting on the Southgate News page I had never heard of this organisation. I had to resort to Google to find out who they were! Apparently there is a meeting with the IARU late this year.

See http://www.eurao.org/en/welcome

10m WSPR TX - early spots

My little 10m WSPR beacon (500mW) is being widely spotted around Europe by Es this morning. It looks like today is going to be a good day both on 10m and 6m.

With good Es so early I am wondering if 4m or even 2m will be open for Es?

6m JT65

Quite a bit of Es this morning on 6m. This is early, so bodes well for the day. 2 hours ago I was briefly on 6m JT65 TX and was copied in southern Europe. Most of the time I am RX only on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 0904z: Best DX on RX (ignoring my pirate supposedly in "Indonesia") is UN6T (5211km) in Kazakhstan. I am pretty sure this is genuine as he was widely spotted in Western Europe and the Middle East.

UPDATE 1734z:  I was out this afternoon, so went QRT and disconnected the rigs and antennas in case there were storms. These now look unlikely until later, so everything is on again (10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 RX). There seems to be a lot of Es about.

Sunspots - Tuesday July 18th 2017

Solar flux is 84 today (still quite respectable) and the sunspot number 13 (down). A=27 and K=3.

QRT on all bands

At about 2122z I went QRT on all bands and turned off the PC. Storms permitting, I intend to be back on around breakfast time tomorrow. I shall probably be active again on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m JT65 (mostly RX, but occasional TX with 1W ERP).

Puerto Rico on 6m JT65

A few hours ago KP4EIT (6830km) was spotted here and by a few others in the UK and Europe. I am pretty sure this was genuine. Otherwise it has been a very quiet day on 6m JT65 with just one station in Sweden spotted this morning. The Caribbean station was spotted calling CQ just once.

Baking - NOT amateur radio

Last night our "Kent" son and grandchildren came to stay briefly before they go off to Australia to see their relatives on my daughter-in-law's side. This is one of my granddaughters busy baking.

10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 RX

Apart from a spot on 10m WSPR in the middle of the night, no evidence of Es today on either 10m or 6m. Yet more evidence of a UK pirate or false decode on 6m JT65 as I was (yet again) supposed to have received an Indonesian station on 6m.

Sunspots - July 17th 2017

Solar flux is 86 today. Sunspot number is 26.  A=41 and K=4.

QRP and QRP Club

From Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (July, 16, 2017)
Independently of poor condition we keep activity over QRP Rendez-Vous
periods. Actually, we have 5 new "rendezvous" visitors and two regular
visitors  became  our  Honor  Frequenters  this  week. I only ask all
visitors  try to invite other QRPers to connect to "rendezvous" round
tables.
If you'd like to get the "72 Newsletter" regularly or become a member
of  the  "QRP  Rendez-Vous" discussion group (reflector) ask RV3GM by
e-mail - mr72(at) club72.su - please

Visitors  of  the  week:  UA1CEG,  ON6KZ, RK8W, G3XJS, OH6NPV, OM6TC,
UA0SBQ/p,  RW3AA,  DL9LO/m,  F5IN, G3JFS, UR5IFM, DL4HG, DK4AN, RA1M,
US3EN,  US5ERQ,  UY1IF,  DK1HW/p, EA1TG, R1CAF, PA0PJE, F5OYV, UR7VT,
UR0ET, HA2PP, UA4NU, RZ4NWA, F5DM, UA1CEX, R1CAN, RW3DF, RV3GM

Congrats!
PA0PJE and HA2PP became Honor Frequenters
New Visitors - RK8W, DL9LO, EA1TG, F5OYV, F5DM
See  full  Visitors  and  Frequenters  lists  on  the  Club 72 page -
www.club72.su Some comments...
see full version of the WQR Report including all comments on the blog
page - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/ Thanks  all  for  activity and comments! See you on next "rendezvous"
round tables.

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.

Regen RX PCB

Yesterday, I received this email. I had no idea that Andy had made a PCB of my little regen RX.

"Hi Roger,

I saw your blog post a couple of days ago which reminded me that I had produced a little PCB of your design to test it out.

It works very well for the small number of parts used. The tuning was quite broad with the polyvaricon used but I was still able to resolve cw fairly easily down on the 40m band.

I am quite sure I still have one or two of the unpopulated PCBs knocking around in the shack should anyone want to try and build this regen.

These single evening projects that result in a useful working radio really give 100pct enjoyment factor.

Keep those designs coming !

73's

De Andy"

WSPR - how QRP can you go?

It is well known that some people use low milliwatts or even microwatts with WSPR. My antenna is not the best on 10m, but certainly with Es I could run low milliwatts or even microwatts and be copied at good ranges when the band is open. Some of yesterday's reports were plus dB S/N even with 500mW, implying there is 20-30dB in hand.

OFCOM statement about local mobile communications on ships

OFCOM as released a statement about localised mobile communications on ships.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/451A88C0BEE0D1772540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

FT8 digital mode

This new digital mode is available in a beta release of WSJT-X. Although keen to give this new mode a try, I think I'll wait until it is formally released, although I am told it is already being widely used on 20m.

Western Backway - NOT amateur radio

Kingsbridge, Devon has very old pedestrian walkways that go around the town. This is Western Backway that also has a mill leet, although the mill closed long ago. Not many visitors are aware of these.

Sunspots - Sunday July 16th 2017

Solar flux is 90 today (high) and the sunspot number 34. A=4 and K=4.

10m WSPR TX

Since before breakfast, I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW), although no spots received yet.

UPDATE 2022z: 10 unique spots of my 500mW today on 10m WSPR.

6m JT65

I was briefly on RX and TX, but I am now just on RX. Plenty of EU Es in evidence with stations in southern Europe being copied.

Last night briefly I was also JT65 TX (1W ERP) and was copied in southern Spain and the UK.

Back on the air

This time, I decided not to take any radios to Devon. I did last year, but hardly used them because of my poor voice.

On my return home I have been active on 10m WSPR TX (no spots) and 6m JT65 where I copied a few stations in southern Portugal and Spain, but no-one copied my 1W ERP.

Model Village - NOT amateur radio

On our way home, we called at Bourton in the Water to visit the model village. It was worth a look.

See http://www.bourtoninfo.com/tourist-attractions/the-model-village/ .

Sunspots - Saturday July 15th 2017

Solar flux is 91 (high) and the sunspot number 58 (quite high). A=4 and K=1. At this stage of the solar cycle these are good numbers.

Home again - NOT amateur radio

After nine days away from home (7 in Devon and 2 stopping on the way) we are now back home again. The grass needs cutting and those annoying brown patches in the grass, although smaller, are still there! Obviously we did not have enough rain.

OFCOM annual report and accounts

The annual report and accounts for 2016/17 is now available from OFCOM.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/F38DFBC79600293C2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

A dead simple regen receiver

There are plenty of designs out there (try Googling "regen"). but I offer you this simple design with very few parts. It works. You may be surprised that something so simple can hear so much.

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

Sunspots - Friday July 14th 2017

Solar flux is 91 today and the sunspot number is 55. A=4 and K=1.

The 2m Fredbox

This was designed in 1974, when I was still "green behind the ears". It got rebuilt much later and still worked well.

The Sixbox came much later.

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

Rethink over climate deal? - NOT amateur radio

Is Donald having second thoughts over climate change? I certainly hope so. On this the USA is at odds with the entire world and that can't be good for one's ego. He sounds and behaves stupidly in the eyes of the rest of the world. Come on Donald! You'll look better (more presidential) if you come into line.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40597244 .

Sixbox 6m AM QRP transceiver

As we slowly progress to "quiet sun" years, it is worth remembering that our VHF bands are useful for local QSOs. Some years ago I designed and built the Sixbox which was a very simple AM transceiver for 6m local communications. It should be easy to build and develop further - maybe with more power and a loudspeaker amp added. I am pretty sure this has been shown before.

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

Groundsman's hut - NOT amateur radio

Bolt Tail in the distance. This groundsman's hut at Thurlestone Golf Club is being rebuilt. It was a corrugated shed. I expect the next time I see it, it will be completed!  The second view is a typical Devon scene with Burgh Island in the distance.

OFCOM and 5.8GHz Wi-Fi

OFCOM has made a decision regarding 5.8GHz Wi-Fi in the UK. This now legally increases the number of 80MHz Wi-Fi channels from 4 to 6 in the UK. Their hope is the extra spectrum will help broadband.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/380368699EAB7D432540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Virtual Amateur Radio? - NOT yet

On the Southgate News page is a link to a French blog extolling the virtues of virtual ham radio such as HamSphere. These use the internet rather than the ionosphere, so it is not real radio, just a simulation. You can still communicate world-wide, exchange QSL cards etc..

At the moment this not for me: I prefer the challenge of real radio and have moved over to JT65, WSPR etc. to still catch 10m and 6m DX. It is definitely getting harder and I might turn to virtual ham radio for some QSOs in the quiet years ahead.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/july/10-reasons-to-go-to-virtual-amateur-radio.htm#.WWcvIbpFzIU

See also: https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/virtual/hamsphere