HB100 (10GHz) Facebook page

Quite a few people have been experimenting with very low cost 10GHz units that can be bought for very little on eBay. A few cups of coffee saved and you can buy 10GHz units. In Italy these have been used to work over 200km. Some have used them for 10GHz ATV.

There is a Facebook page on the HB100.

I have to admit to being a "fireside fusilier" in that I'm gunner do this and gunner do that. At some point I'd like to try 10GHz.

Rally

30 JULY 2017 : CHIPPENHAM AND DISTRICT AMATEUR RADIO CLUB RALLY
Kington Langley Village Hall, Church Road, Kington Langley SN15 5NJ. Talk in on S22 (145.550MHz). There are disabled facilities and on site parking. Doors open 10am to 1pm. Entry is only £2, under 16s are free. Car boot pitches are £6 for cars/vans payable on entry, tables inside £8 each. Access available from 7am for set up. Hot food and drinks are available on site. Details from Brian by email to g6huim3hui@gmail.com www.G3VRE.org.uk

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

OFCOM, 26GHz and 5G

OFCOM is consulting about allocating 26GHz spectrum to 5G. They will need a lot of masts! Clearly written by "experts".

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/A4DCDE61BC2736792540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Tomatoes - NOT amateur radio

We are definitely not experts in growing tomatoes!

The smaller ones on the right were red ripe today, so these were picked. The larger ones on the left are still green. This picture was taken more than a week ago before they had ripened.

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

Sprite Satellites

Southgate News has information about the deployment of tiny Sprite satellites that send telemetry on 437.325 MHz.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/july/437-mhz-sprite-satellites-deployed.htm#.WXsE5bpFzIU .

10m WSPR

Yet again, I have been surprised by the Es spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon from all over Europe. Best DX is EW2ABC (1812km). This is very early for Es as it is just 0830z.

UPDATE 1556z: Unless things suddenly change for the better, today will go down as a disappointing day. No Es has been noted here since early this morning on 10m WSPR. Others may well have done better, but only 10 unique stations spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today whereas yesterday it was more than 40.

UPDATE 1852z: There seems to have been a late teatime Es opening with EW2ABC (1812km) again spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.

6m JT65

Since breakfast I have been on 6m JT65. Initially I was transceive (1W ERP) but I have switched to RX only. Already spotted Norway and Sweden by Es.

UPDATE 1456z: In the last few minutes I just spotted K4PI (6800km) on 6m JT65. As he was widely spotted in Europe and the USA, I am pretty sure this is genuine. This spot was quickly followed by 2 others in Georgia, USA.

Sunspots - Friday July 28th 2017

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot count still zero. A=6 and K=1.

Late Es

In the northern hemisphere the main months are usually May, June and July for Es (sporadic E), although Es can occur at any time, but most openings are missed. With modes like WSPR we really have no excuse: leave WSPR running in the background, say on 10m, and see what spots come in.

Although we are now nearing the end of July, we still have good Es around on 10m and 6m.

Patio flowers - NOT amateur radio

These flowers are on our patio. At the moment there is a riot of colour.

OFCOM on access to 5.8GHz

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/05926F4415CC62812540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

6m JT65

Things seem to be getting harder on 6m Es. I have spotted a station in the Czech Republic, but no-one else today so far on 6m.

UPDATE 1110z: With just 2 Es spots and 1 G (tropo or aircraft reflection?), this has been a disappointing day on 6m JT65 so far. Up to now I have been transceive (1W ERP), but just about to go RX only on 6m. There was at least 1 EI station who was spotted but not uploaded to the PSK Reporter database. Maybe the shack PC lost internet connectivity?

UPDATE 1120z: Now RX only on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 1525z: Widespread Es on 6m JT65 this afternoon to South and Eastern Europe. Best DX is 4X4DK (3582km).

UPDATE 1836z: Still plenty of Es about on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 1934z: UB7K (2733km) was recently spotted.

Tony's 10m Band Report - a question

Every week Southgate News has Tony's 10m Band Report. Reading this you could be forgiven for thinking 10m is still wonderful. In my experience, things are much harder than a few years ago. Yes there are lots of Europeans by Es, but far less "real" DX outside Europe.

OK, I am confused: I think this is a list of stations reported and not DX heard or worked from the UK.

Well equipped stations will be able to do far better than me, but I need someone to tell me this is a list of reports and not stations heard or worked from the UK. If I am wrong, then some people are doing far better than me!

See http://southgatearc.org/bands/10metres/2017/july/july-27.htm#.WXjyBbpFzIU

Sunspots - Thursday July 27th 2017

Solar flux is 68 today and sunspot number zero.  A=11 and K=1.

Heathkit HW8

Some years ago I owned an HW8 transceiver. It worked very well and I managed several DX contacts. Working stations with a very modest wire antenna was remarkably easy. I know QRP CW is not for everyone, but I was surprised.

In recent years Heathkit is making a comeback. I hope this is successful.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hw8 .

10m WSPR

Since breakfast, my 10m WSPR TX beacon (500mW) has been on and received 119 spots, mainly in Germany and Denmark. So, plenty of Es on 10m.

UPDATE 1105z:  437 10m WSPR spots so far today. 36 unique spots, which is the best day yet this season and it is only just after noon local time!

UPDATE 1402z: 537 10m WSPR spots so far today. Es has been good on 10m so far. (

UPDATE 1832z: With 40 unique 10m WSPR spots, this is definitely my best day on 10m this season. Best DX is a spot by OE1SJS (1230km).

UPDATE 1935z: Although I am still seeing Eastern Europe on 6m JT65, all has been quiet on 10m WSPR here for an hour.

Now QRT

At about 2115z I went QRT on all bands and disconnected the PC. All Es stopped here over an hour ago. Sometimes it comes back, but there will be other days. It matters not.

Trump's latest - NOT amateur radio

His latest thing (allegedly) is to ban all transgendered people from serving in any capacity in the US military.  One transgendered friend was once Mayor of Cambridge. At work no-one cared about it when this man became a woman. This person had a job to do and that was all that mattered.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40729996 .

Amateur VLF

Yesterday I had an enquiry about amateur VLF. I referred him to https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/ which has lots of data on what I did in the past. There are schematics of the receivers and transmitters I used as well as details from others. Most of my experiments were with "earth mode", although I also received several European amateur VLF stations by radiation. For receive you do not need a large antenna. Even on "earth mode" transmit the power and antenna requirements are quite modest.

Simple pleasures - NOT amateur radio

Well, some blackberries made it to the crumble, but quite a few got eaten! Simple pleasures to be for ever treasured long after the grandchildren have grown and flown. I hope they do this with their children and grandchildren.

Sweet peas - NOT amateur radio

Eventually, the sweet peas in our front garden are coming into flower. We have one white one and two pink ones about to flower. We have planted sweet peas in the front garden and on the patio in the rear garden. The latter have still to flower. Last year we had one set in the front garden but these were nibbled by muntjac deer. Later they flowered well.

10m WSPR

Since before breakfast I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW). Already I have been spotted in Germany many times by Es.

UPDATE 1357z: 12 unique spots on 10m WSPR, but all were this morning. Best DX was a spot from Sweden. I assume all these were Es.

UPDATE 1456z: Several Es spots in the last 30 minutes from Germany.

UPDATE 1730z: Best 10m WSPR DX, so far at least, is OE3BUB (1229km).

6m JT65

Until now, since before breakfast, I have been on 6m JT65 transceive (1W ERP), but I have just switched to RX only.

So far, spots have just been G stations either by tropo or aircraft reflection. It is now 0814z.

UPDATE 1402z: 4O6AH (1788km) is the best DX on 6m JT65 RX today so far.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 26th 2017

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 12.  A=9 and K=2.

Parker's Piece, Cambridge, UK - NOT amateur radio

Wild flowers on Parker's Piece, Cambridge, UK. I think these were planted by the pupils at Park Side School.

Parkers Piece was the focus of a big celebration in 1838 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria.

It is also acknowledged as the home of Association Football rules. It is a famous park in Cambridge.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker%27s_Piece

6m JT65

So far this morning I have only spotted G stations on JT65, with no Es yet. I suspect the Gs are by aircraft reflection. At the moment, I am RX only on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 0840z: SM5CEU (1170km) copied by Es.

UPDATE 2115z: More Es earlier from E and SE Europe.

10m WSPR TX

Although I turned on the 500mW beacon about 30 minutes ago, no spots as yet, although it is very early.

UPDATE 0845z: Some early Es on 10m WSPR (see table).

UPDATE 1900z: Recent Es spots from Denmark and Germany.

UPDATE 2115z: Still getting Es reports from Denmark on 10m WSPR. Es on 10m today seems better than 6m.

Sunspots - Tuesday July 25th 2017

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number remains zero. A=12 and K=2.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Although I have been on 10m WSPR TX since before breakfast, there have been no spots as yet.

UPDATE 1448z: Quite a decent amount of Es today, mainly Northern Europe.

6m JT65 RX

At the moment I am on 6m JT65 RX. Although there is some Es about, it is nothing like yesterday.

UPDATE 1450z:  So far, the only 6m JT65 spots have been G stations with no Es this afternoon, although  there was some Es this morning.

Rain - NOT amateur radio

We have had grandchildren here since Saturday. Most of the time it has been wet!

Our lawns still have brown patches. They should recover if the heatwave has ended and we get a bit more rain. Already the lawns are improving, but they have a way to go still.

Sunspots - Monday July 24th 2017

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number zero. A=14 and K=3.

QRP and QRP Club

The latest report from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (July, 23, 2017)
First of all, I'd like to thanks a lot my friends who donated for Victor RU3NJC heart trouble operation. God bless you all!
QRP Rendez-Vous e-mail group (reflector) created for all regular visitors. Send request to become the group member to "mr72 (at) club72.su" e-mail, please. All QRPers are welcome to join active QRP group!

Visitors of the week: RV3DSA/0, RV3GM, YL3GU, OH6NPV, UA1CEG, UR5EFD, G3XJS, RW3AA, G3JFS, G4AFI, EA2EIE/m, UY1IF, UR5IFM, ON4ADR, RX3DOR, UA1CEX, RV3UF, HB9DAX, DK2HZ, MM0CYR, ON6WJ, RA7R, RV9WMZ, RU3NJC/3, UR7VT, F5SSI, EA2EFI, R1CAF, R1CAN, UA4NU, RW3XZ, RW3DF, IT9IFI, US3EN, SV8CYR, DK1HW, RX3PR, UR0ET/p
Congrats!
ON4ADR, MM0CYR, F5SSI became Honor Frequenters (regular visitors)
New Visitors are welcome -
YL3GU, G4AFI, DK2HZ, RW3XZ
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 web page
Comments...
See  full  version  of  the WQR Report including A LOT of pictures and
comments on the blog - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Thanks  all  QRPers  for  activity  and  comments,  see  you  on next
"rendezvous!

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.

QRP transceiver kit

This 5W QRP kit has been brought to my attention. I have no idea how easy it is to build. It covers 2-30MHz.

See http://www.m0nka.co.uk/ .

Sunspots - Sunday July 23rd 2017

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=16 and K=3.

10m WSPR TX - good Es

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on all morning. With lots of spots from across Europe this is another good Es day.

6m JT65

There has been plenty of European Es on 6m this morning. At one point I got excited about a USA spot, but as I was the only one to spot him, I assume this was a false decode sadly.

High numbers, even without the hackers from Eastern Europe - NOT amateur radio

Visits to this blog are already well up today, and this is without our "friends" in Eastern Europe doing their regular probe. I have no idea why.

Sunflowers out - NOT amateur radio

This morning I noticed that our sunflowers were out. In the accompanying photo you can hardly see them! "Our" windmill is in the background and the red berries on one of our rowan trees are visible on the left. The sunflowers are just visible (if you look hard!) towards the right.

Trump - NOT amateur radio

So Donald has now been in office for 6 months. In an electoral system such as that in the USA you get the person voted for by most. What amazed me was that so many voted for him. Let history be his judge.