Old friends - NOT amateur radio

We got a surprise visit from some old friends who moved from our village to the Cotswolds some years ago. They just turned up in their camper van. They stayed for a cup of tea and came back for lunch the next day. The photo was taken as they left. It was good to see them.

Where I was born - NOT amateur radio

It is fun to say I was born in a grand stately home, but I was! After WW2 Flete House was a nursing home. In another age, I would have been born in a very modest place.

I am pretty sure I've posted this before, but it is fun to pretend I was born of nobility. 😏

20m FT8 RX overnight

Well, as an experiment I stayed on 20m FT8 overnight. There is a big take-up in the USA and Europe of this new mode. I lost count of the USA stations spotted using 20m FT8, but it was at least 21. In the other direction Kuwait and all over Europe were spotted. There is little doubt this will become the de facto digital mode for QSOs, especially on 20m.

It is a pity there is not a WSPR mode with a shorter period, maybe 30 secs. Several brief openings are missed on WSPR and WSPR is an ideal beaconing mode.

UPDATE 1708z: JA1BOQ (9484km) is currently the best DX on 20m FT8 RX.

2m UKAC activity contest last night

Last night was the August 2m UKAC activity contest organised by the RSGB.  Best DX was 182km, although I was on for less than an hour with just 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna.

As before, if I had been able to stay on longer, I'd have worked several more squares and stations. Sadly, my stroke affected voice said, "stop".

Stations worked last night in the contest.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 2nd 2017

Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number 0. A=6 and K=1.

Visits - NOT amateur radio

Even without the regular trawling by our Eastern European "friends", visits to this blog are way up. All I hope is that the content is enjoyed. I enjoy doing it, as it does not involve my poor voice. Usually, the content is pretty mixed. Mostly, but not exclusively, it is amateur radio related.

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

So, the swifts have nearly gone until next year. I heard some screaming this morning and saw one this evening, but already they are moving south to warmer climes.

Most swifts have gone by mid-August although swallows are often seen much later.

With swifts you just realise they are no longer here. Sad, but they will be back. To me, the screaming swifts are a mark of an English summer.

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

10m FT8

As of about 15 minutes ago, I am now on 10m FT8. After a brief period on TX, I am now on RX only. Sadly, no spots given or received so far.

UPDATE 1848z: Just M1CVJ (327km) spotted so far. This is too near for Es and too far for tropo, so could be aircraft reflection? This station is in North Devon in IO71 square.

QRT - storm risk

The latest weather forecast show the greatest storm risk here is now 1300-1400z, so I have decided to go QRT and disconnect everything including rigs, PC, antennas and mains plugs. I may be back on later after the storm risk has passed. Already, the wind is blowing. Bad weather is coming.

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

UPDATE 1524z: So, the storms never came and there are no storms forecast. Shortly I shall reconnect things and start TXing again.

OFCOM monthly update - August 2017

Every month OFCOM produces an update.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/CF2593BB1808A8092540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Whistlers at VLF

As an undergraduate (a long time ago!) I did a project on whistlers, which are natural VLF noises produced as a result of VLF emissions being dispersed along magnetic field lines. I nearly did a PhD studying these. There are lots of different natural sounds at VLF. Whistlers are just one type. Tweeks are far more common. I recall going out to quiet parts of Wales to make recordings, although tweeks could even be heard in the centre of Liverpool after the manmade noises subsided late at night.

See https://soundcloud.com/nasa/whistler-waves2 . Eerie noises and not manmade.

Trump - NOT amateur radio

Apologies to all my readers in the USA who voted for him, but personally I find your current president sad. Maybe many in the world are misjudging him?

Allegedly, he has now sacked his latest media chief after a few days in the job.  How can we in the rest of the world take your president seriously? It is about time he acted as a president. This is my personal view and others may well disagree, which is your perfect right.

Sending tweets, claiming lots of the news is fake and sacking people after a few days in office does not sound like a leader of the western world. "You're fired" belongs in a TV show, not in the White House.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40782299 .

Sale again? - NOT amateur radio

Yet again, Alibris UK is having a sale. Nobody in their right mind would buy at the full price as nearly every week (every week?) they seem to have a sale.

Kentwell Hall - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we visited Kentwell Hall, which is a fine moated Tudor house just outside Long Melford, Suffolk. Years ago, my wife took kids there on school trips when she was a teacher.

20m FT8

At the moment I am on 20m RX. After a brief period in which I called CQ and was heard in GI, I have reverted to RX only for now. I have spotted several Europeans including European Russia.

20m FT8 early

UPDATE 0835z:  Lots of Europeans seem to be on 20m FT8. Later I'll try TX again on  20m FT8. I need to check the storm maps first and do some shopping as we have friends for lunch. They are very easy going. Once, they were coming for tea at 4.30pm. They arrived at 10.30pm! They never change and I like them as they are. The map shows the stations received this morning on 20m FT8.

UPDATE 1610z: As the storm was a non-event, I have reconnected everything on 20m FT8. I was TXing for a few minutes (calling CQ) and was copied in Southern Europe, but have now reverted to RX only on 20m. Plenty of Europeans spotted.

20m FT8 RX last few hours

UPDATE 2136z: For the last few hours I have been on 20m FT8 RX. Plenty of stations, even with my low, poor 20m antenna.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 1st 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 11. A=5 and K=0.

Now QRT

About 15 minutes ago I went QRT on all bands and disconnected everything. Storms permitting, I plan to be on 20m FT8 around breakfast time tomorrow.

The Bull - NOT amateur radio

Today we visited Kentwell Hall near Long Melford, Suffolk, UK. We ate at a pub called "The Bull" in Long Melford. The pub, which opened about 1450 (quite old!) was excellent is all respects. Good service, good food, good prices, friendly, old. Recommended. We had ham, egg, peas and chips for £5.99 each. Although we did not have one, desserts were just £2.99 each with a decent choice.

20m FT8 tomorrow?

Tomorrow there is some thunder expected here in the afternoon. I may try FT8 on 20m tomorrow in the morning. I may adopt the auto sequencing system to see how this works. I can probably only manage a few hours before I have to disconnect everything to avoid the storm risk.

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

Lack of personal touch - NOT amateur radio

Recently I have been playing ping pong with emails to and from my energy supplier. I keep saying "no reply wanted or expected" only to get yet another reply! Judging by the names, this comes from an automated call centre in India. Much of the letter appears to be computer generated, with maybe a small bit of human intervention, complete with spelling mistakes. I have nothing against call centres in India and wish these good people all the best.

What I really dislike is the lack of real human touch. Years ago you could ring your local bank. Now you get a call centre thousands of miles away and you are just a sort code and account number: they really don't know or care who you are.

Grumpy old man, me? Yes.

Regen 40m and 80m RX

A nice simple RX built by NG9D is demonstrated on YouTube.

10m WSPR

So far, 2 unique spots this morning early. It is now only 0825z, so this is probably good this early. Both look like Es (GMs).

UPDATE 1935z:  6 unique spots of my little 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today. Not as good as yesterday.

6m FT8 RX

At the moment I am on 6m FT8 RX. 5 stations copied this morning so far: all Gs by tropo or aircraft reflections probably. The 15 second TX period must help on paths that open only briefly.

I have a question. With FT8, does the auto QSO automatically sequence through the whole QSO or just auto respond to the first CQ answer received and then leave the rest to the operator?

UPDATE 1820z: Best DX on 6m FT8 RX today is K7BV (6360km) in FM04 square (N.Carolina) at 1653z at -15dB S/N. Judging by where he was being spotted, I am pretty sure this is genuine too. This seems a great mode.

Sunspots - Monday July 31st 2017

Solar flux remains at 69 (poor) and the sunspot number 11. A=4 and K=1.

6m FT8

In the end I decided to download the beta version of WSJT-x V1.8 which includes FT8. I have taken a look on 50.313MHz and copied a few stations by Es and a G in IO91 calling CQ. Although I called him, he did not respond. There is always tomorrow.

UPDATE 2110z: G4NBS (14km) was my first FT8 QSO on 6m. Well on any band!  I am not sure the PSK Reporter Map upload is working properly. Several stations have been reported, but none appear to show.

UPDATE 2118z: Well it helps if you look on the right band! Doh! All is well.

Hedge trimming - NOT amateur radio

Our hedge in the front grows fast. I cut it about 2 months ago and it has grown about 6 inches since then. So, today it got a haircut! The worst part is picking up the leaves afterwards.

10m WSPR

Again, my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon is on. This was designed and made by W5OLF and is totally stand-alone. It does not need a PC. It has already been spotted in Italy and Germany. I use this "in the background" as it does not tie up the FT817 or PC, which I use on other bands and modes.

UPDATE 1156z: With 13 unique spots so far today on 10m WSPR TX, this is far better than yesterday. The spots are from all over Europe.

UPDATE 1505z:  Now 21 unique spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today.

UPDATE 1914z: 23 unique spots on 10m WSPR today. Quite a good day really.

6m JT65

The value of 6m JT65 was again witnessed this morning. Monitoring PSK Reporter Maps you can see who you are spotting and where others are receiving you, if on TX. As the JT65 allocation is quite small, all users tend to be in a similar place making activity concentrated. In fleeting Es openings it is quite easy to miss stations. This is far less likely with digital modes. They work with very weak signals and PSK Reporter Maps can give you a picture of activities and openings well after the event too. Although I have not tried it, I am told many 6m JT65 users have already switched to FT8 mode which is available in a beta release of WSJT-X. I am waiting until the official version comes out.

This morning, I was copied well over Europe with 6m JT65 (1W ERP). At the moment I am on 6m JT65 RX only.

UPDATE 1203z:   Lots of Es spots today on 6m JT65 RX from all over Europe.

UPDATE 1307z: Best DX on 6m JT65 RX is currently OH6GKW (1839km).

Sunspots - Sunday July 30th 2017

Solar flux is 69 today. Sunspot number is 12. A=4 and K=2.

QRP and QRP Club

Oleg's weekly update:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly Rendezvous and Parade (WRP) Report (July, 30, 2017)
Happy Birthday to op. Slave RW3AA! In Saturday he was 72 years young.
The best wishes!
op. Victor RU3NJC finished his clinic procedures and go back to home.
Good health to Victor!
The 1'st MRP day was in Saturday. MRP means Micro Radio Parade - keep
activity  of  the simplest milliwatt radios. Parades have a place in
the same as "rendezvous" days in 10 UTC at 14060 kHz +/-
Users of any Micro-80, Pixie-2, FOXX, Chirpy, Lil'Squall, Pititico etc
are welcome to enjoy milliwatting!
All  other QRP operators are welcome also, but only we ask you to not
"CQ" and keep your ears open for milliwatt stations, please.
QRP  activity  in Saturday was super! So we have a lot of "1'st time"
visitors.

Visitors  of  the  week:  UY1IF, OH6NPV, RV3GM, UR7VT, ON4AEF, DK1HW,
US3EN,  RA1M,  G3XJS,  OM6TC,  US5ERQ,  ON6WJ, IV3EAD, SV8CYR, M6MPC,
RU3NJC,  DL1HRY,  R1CAF,  EA1/DL2DXA/p,  UR5EFD, R4NX/6, SV2/YU1CA/p,
SM2BYW,  UA1CEG/p, 7X2EZ, SM2FIJ, R2AJA, F5SSI, F8ALX, RW3AA, ON4ADR,
RN4AO,  UA0SBQ/p,  ON6KZ,  SV2BBK,  UA1CEX,  RW3AI,  RW3DF, RX3ALL/p,
UA6BFE/p,  I2AOX,  R2FAE,  UR5IFM/p,  UR0ET,  G3JFS,  DK7SS,  DF1XC,
UR4MCK/p, US5EQ, CT1JGA, HB9DAX, OE5PGL, DJ8HK, F5NFB, F5LMJ

MRP "Parade Guardians" - UA1CEX, RV3GM, ON6KZ, OM6TC, UR0ET
Congrats!
New Frequenters - ON4AEF, SV8CYR, UA6BFE
Welcome  New  Visitors  - IV3EAD, M6MPC, DL1HRY, YU1CA, 7X2EZ, F8ALX,
I2AOX, DK7SS, DF1XC, US5EQ, CT1JGA, OE5PGL, DJ8HK, F5NFB
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 site
Comments...
See  full  version  of the WRP Report including a lot of comments and
pictures on the blog  page - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
See you all on the next week "rendezvous" and MRParades!

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.

Now QRT

As the Es seems to have stopped, I went QRT on all bands at 2110z. Depending on where the storm risk is, I hope to be on again tomorrow. At the moment the storms are mainly over Belgium.

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

Another site - NOT amateur radio

My wife sings in a local choir and I do their website for them: Cambridgeshire Choral Society. If you are local, you may want to join.

See www.cambschoral.org.uk

10m WSPR TX (again)

Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) with my little W5OLF WSPR beacon hoping for more Es. Yesterday there were 16 unique spots. The day before there were 40 uniques. So far today nothing! Is the main Es season drawing to a close?

UPDATE 1454z:  6 unique spots today, so far, of my little 500mW 10m WSPR beacon from all over Europe. There does seem to be less Es though.

UPDATE 1740z: Still just 6 unique spots on 10m WSPR. Several spots from OZ9QV (864km) - thank you.

Sunspots - Saturday July 29th 2017

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number zero. A=7 and K=1.

UK Pound against the Euro - NOT amateur radio

My prediction was that the UK Pound would appreciate against the Euro later this year. At the moment it is getting weaker!

I am no expert, but still believe that the Euro will weaken. I am definitely not a financial expert and this is more of a hunch than science.

UK Pound against the US Dollar - NOT amateur radio

At the moment the USA seems to have a joke in charge who is even losing the respect of his own party. Personally, I give him 6 months, maybe 12, before his time will be up.

I fail to see how this billionaire is able to be the voice of ordinary US citizens. "Make America great again" is a fine tag line, but making it happen requires the gravitas of office and serious behaviour, not silly tweets.

Meanwhile, the US dollar continues to weaken against the UK Pound.

6m JT65 again

Yet again, I am on 6m JT65. Yesterday brought 3 USA stations in on RX, but it is anyone's guess what today will be like. I started on transceive (1W ERP) but no spots at all so far on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 1452z: In the last few hours there seems to have been an Es opening to Central and Eastern Europe on 6m JT65. As it was quiet, I stayed on beacon mode (1W ERP) sending "B G3XBM JO02" which has been widely spotted.

HAARP news

There are some interesting experiments going on.

See https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/gakonahaarpoon/operations-news

OFCOM and 3.6-3.8GHz

OFCOM intends to release this spectrum to mobile users and is consulting on this.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/043A427CF942D7962540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Anyone for blackberries? - NOT amateur radio

Our neighbours are on holiday so they said, "help yourselves to the blackberries". I have lost count of the number we have picked, but it is a lot. Our "London" grandchildren ate a lot too.

The picture show those picked today. There are lots still there.