A quick look at the lightning map shows that storms are still some way away. I have decided to leave my 10m WSPR and 6m JT65 systems connected, but will review this later.
UPDATE 1300z: At the moment the local weather forecast shows no storms are likely here.
22 Jul 2017
Hamsphere Virtual Amateur Radio
Already, I have posted that I prefer "the real thing" to virtual amateur radio.
As conditions worsen I expect more people will turn to systems like Hamsphere. Earlier this week I got an email offering Hamsphere membership for 15 Euros for returning users. This is quite tempting.
See http://www.hamsphere.com/ .
As conditions worsen I expect more people will turn to systems like Hamsphere. Earlier this week I got an email offering Hamsphere membership for 15 Euros for returning users. This is quite tempting.
See http://www.hamsphere.com/ .
Grandchildren coming later, so less amateur radio
Our "London" grandchildren arrive after lunch. It means that amateur radio takes a back seat for a few days, although I can still go on 10m WSPR and 6m JT65 RX or beacon mode. My usual Monday night sked on 2m FM is out as one of them sleeps in the bedroom near my shack.
Sunspots - Saturday July 22nd 2017
Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=14 and K=2. Luckily there is good Es in Europe.
6m JT65
As it was busy with Es from all across Europe, I decided to stay RX only on 6m JT65 for now. Already I have spotted stations from all over Europe by Es. At the moment, this is the best day this year for 6m Es. At the moment I have not spotted any stations beyond Europe on 6m.
UPDATE 0924z: XT3TCD (4423km) in West Africa has been spotted. This station has been spotted by others so is not a false decode. Of course, it could be a pirate! It is possible by Es.
UPDATE 0924z: XT3TCD (4423km) in West Africa has been spotted. This station has been spotted by others so is not a false decode. Of course, it could be a pirate! It is possible by Es.
10m WSPR TX - early Es
As usual , I turned on my 10m WSPR beacon (500mW) just before breakfast. It is now only 0845z and already I have had 10 unique reports, mostly Es. This is very early.
UPDATE 1108z: The photo shows the spots received for my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon so far today.
UPDATE 1357z: Been spotted again by SP9LJE (1261km). On all his reports (not others) the drift is bad. I presume this must be his end.
UPDATE 1108z: The photo shows the spots received for my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon so far today.
UPDATE 1357z: Been spotted again by SP9LJE (1261km). On all his reports (not others) the drift is bad. I presume this must be his end.
21 Jul 2017
Blackberries - NOT amateur radio
No, not the personal organisers, I'm talking about fruit.
There is a wild blackberry bush just outside our garden. When they come to stay these next few days, our "London" grandchildren will really enjoy picking the ripe ones and eating them. These are wild fruits and they taste delicious.
"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" - well almost!
"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" - well almost!
Swifts - NOT amateur radio
This morning I saw no swifts. Usually in August you just realise they are not there any more. Screaming swifts in the skies are part of a UK summer. It saddens me when they go, but they will be back next year.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/s/swift/
UPDATE 1530z: Spotted a few swifts lunchtime.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/s/swift/
UPDATE 1530z: Spotted a few swifts lunchtime.
Rally on Sunday
23 JULY 2017 : FINNINGLEY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY RALLY
The Hurst Communications Centre, Belton Road, Sandtoft, Doncaster DN8 5SX. Doors open 10:30am. Free parking. Massive indoor /outdoor trader's area. Hot food and drinks all day. Major traders and club stalls - microwave components to QRP kits. All on one level. Admission £3. Contact Kevin G3AAF Mob: 07831 614640 - email Kevin@avery03.fsnet.co.uk
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
The Hurst Communications Centre, Belton Road, Sandtoft, Doncaster DN8 5SX. Doors open 10:30am. Free parking. Massive indoor /outdoor trader's area. Hot food and drinks all day. Major traders and club stalls - microwave components to QRP kits. All on one level. Admission £3. Contact Kevin G3AAF Mob: 07831 614640 - email Kevin@avery03.fsnet.co.uk
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
10m WSPR TX
Although I am beaconing (500mW) TX on 10m WSPR, nothing reported today so far.
UPDATE 1130z: No spots still.
UPDATE 1838z: Well it was a long time coming but SP9LJE (1261km) has spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon a few times this evening.
UPDATE 1130z: No spots still.
UPDATE 1838z: Well it was a long time coming but SP9LJE (1261km) has spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon a few times this evening.
6m JT65 RX
I stayed on 6m JT65 overnight. In the last 12 hours just Gs and near continent, possibly by aircraft reflection or tropo. No Es seen here yet on 6m.
UPDATE 0930z: Another station in Puerto Rico was spotted here late last evening. WP4G (6800km) was spotted on 6m JT65. So, a couple of Caribbean stations spotted.
UPDATE 1112z: I keep getting what I assume are false decodes which appear as a station in Algeria in the middle of the Sahara Desert! As he was spotted by no-one else, I am ignoring these.
UPDATE 1840z: As it seemed very quiet I went on 6m JT65 TX (1W ERP) and was spotted in Southern Europe. There is (at last) some Es on 6m here.
UPDATE 0930z: Another station in Puerto Rico was spotted here late last evening. WP4G (6800km) was spotted on 6m JT65. So, a couple of Caribbean stations spotted.
UPDATE 1112z: I keep getting what I assume are false decodes which appear as a station in Algeria in the middle of the Sahara Desert! As he was spotted by no-one else, I am ignoring these.
UPDATE 1840z: As it seemed very quiet I went on 6m JT65 TX (1W ERP) and was spotted in Southern Europe. There is (at last) some Es on 6m here.
Stroke update - NOT amateur radio
Some are interested to know how I am progressing since my stroke in September 2013.
Well, things are much the same: I still feel very tired (no, exhausted) after quite brief physical or mental exertion - normally this is after about 15-20 minutes. My voice is poor.
I am able to drive, but I estimate it is now about 5 times harder. I also drive slower as 50mph seems like 70 mph. It is as if my brain takes longer to process things. Also, subtitles seem to change too fast and I find it hard to keep up.
Although most foods are fine, I take an age with drinks, especially tea and coffee. For some reason cold drinks are easier.
Daft things are I find spelling harder, my writing is poor now and I feel tired much of the time. I think I get more anxious too.
Outwardly, I look "well". Others do not realise that life is a real struggle most of the time.
Overall, I find it hard to see improvements now. In most ways I feel like I did a year ago.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke
Well, things are much the same: I still feel very tired (no, exhausted) after quite brief physical or mental exertion - normally this is after about 15-20 minutes. My voice is poor.
I am able to drive, but I estimate it is now about 5 times harder. I also drive slower as 50mph seems like 70 mph. It is as if my brain takes longer to process things. Also, subtitles seem to change too fast and I find it hard to keep up.
Although most foods are fine, I take an age with drinks, especially tea and coffee. For some reason cold drinks are easier.
Daft things are I find spelling harder, my writing is poor now and I feel tired much of the time. I think I get more anxious too.
Outwardly, I look "well". Others do not realise that life is a real struggle most of the time.
Overall, I find it hard to see improvements now. In most ways I feel like I did a year ago.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke
Sunspots - Friday July 21st 2017
Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number is again zero. A=7 and K=3.
Luckily, Es is livening up the higher HF bands although I find WSPR activity disappointing.
Luckily, Es is livening up the higher HF bands although I find WSPR activity disappointing.
20 Jul 2017
10m WSPR
As usual, I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) since breakfast. Es has been good with widespread reports from around Europe.
UPDATE 1458z: SM5ISM (1288km) remains my best DX on 10m WSPR TX today.
UPDATE 1640z: DJ9PC/1 (825km) has received me at an astounding +7dB S/N. Es! Assuming a low noise floor, uW power levels would be enough.
UPDATE 2126z: 22 unique stations spotted on 10m WSPR today.
UPDATE 1458z: SM5ISM (1288km) remains my best DX on 10m WSPR TX today.
UPDATE 1640z: DJ9PC/1 (825km) has received me at an astounding +7dB S/N. Es! Assuming a low noise floor, uW power levels would be enough.
UPDATE 2126z: 22 unique stations spotted on 10m WSPR today.
Summer colour - NOT amateur radio
A few weeks ago our lawns were green. Then the sun really shone and patches turned brown. Slowly they are recovering.
By mistake, we bought impatiens for our front garden instead of begonias. Luckily they have been a good splash of colour.
Our sweet peas look healthy, but we have yet to see a single flower. My brother down in Devon has also had a disappointing sweet pea show this year. We both bought these as plugs from a well respected seed supplier.
By mistake, we bought impatiens for our front garden instead of begonias. Luckily they have been a good splash of colour.
Our sweet peas look healthy, but we have yet to see a single flower. My brother down in Devon has also had a disappointing sweet pea show this year. We both bought these as plugs from a well respected seed supplier.
6m JT65
Since breakfast I have been on 6m JT65. At first I was transceive but for the last hour or so I have been RX only. Plenty of 6m Es.
UPDATE 1332z: Most of the 6m spots have been Southern and Eastern Europe, presumably by Es.
UPDATE 1638z: UT8IO (2720km) in Ukraine is the best DX today so far.
UPDATE 2138z: KP4EIT (6830km) in the Caribbean has just been spotted on 6m JT65.
UPDATE 1332z: Most of the 6m spots have been Southern and Eastern Europe, presumably by Es.
UPDATE 1638z: UT8IO (2720km) in Ukraine is the best DX today so far.
UPDATE 2138z: KP4EIT (6830km) in the Caribbean has just been spotted on 6m JT65.
Sunspots - Thursday July 20th 2017
Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspots number is again zero. A=4 and K=2.
19 Jul 2017
QRT and disconnected
As I had received no new reports on 10m WSPR TX for nearly 2 hours and 6m JT65 looks like the best DX on RX was the Azores and Canary Is, I decided to go QRT.
No storms are forecast here but you never know. I should be back on tomorrow at breakfast time.
I noticed that ONs were calling KP4 earlier on 6m JT65, so there was some real DX around.
No storms are forecast here but you never know. I should be back on tomorrow at breakfast time.
I noticed that ONs were calling KP4 earlier on 6m JT65, so there was some real DX around.
BBC salaries - NOT amateur radio
The BBC was made to disclose (by the government) the salaries of their top stars and presenters. Quite a few earn more than £500k a year and some over £2M a year! Sorry, but I think this is insane and immoral: I am sure there are people who could do as good a job on much lower salaries. BBC? Big Bangs Corporation or Big Bonkers Corporation.
Remember we pay for these people with our licence fees. Shame!
Remember we pay for these people with our licence fees. Shame!
Crab Apples - NOT amateur radio
Solar conditions - improving?
On average, solar conditions have improved these last few months. In the longer term, we are definitely on the slide towards the next minimum, but there will always be days when things are far better than average.
Of course, there is no correlation between solar activity and Es (as far as I know). Certainly some great Es has been seen in periods of low sunspot activity. 10m, 6m and even 4m and 2m can suddenly spring into life with some quite remarkable signals. DX out to several thousand kilometres is not unheard of by Es on 10m and 6m.
In my experience just a few watts and simple antennas are all that are needed to work all over Europe on 10m and 6m from the UK in the Es season. As Es can occur (less often) at any time of year it is worth beaconing on 10m and 6m with WSPR or JT65 in the quieter months as people often just give up.
See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .
Of course, there is no correlation between solar activity and Es (as far as I know). Certainly some great Es has been seen in periods of low sunspot activity. 10m, 6m and even 4m and 2m can suddenly spring into life with some quite remarkable signals. DX out to several thousand kilometres is not unheard of by Es on 10m and 6m.
In my experience just a few watts and simple antennas are all that are needed to work all over Europe on 10m and 6m from the UK in the Es season. As Es can occur (less often) at any time of year it is worth beaconing on 10m and 6m with WSPR or JT65 in the quieter months as people often just give up.
See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .
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?
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.
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).
18 Jul 2017
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.
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
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.
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
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?
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.
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.
17 Jul 2017
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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