Definitely the end of the Es season

It comes and goes, but there is little doubt in my mind that the main Es season in the Northern Hemisphere has ended. Openings are still occurring, but Es is less common now than a few months ago.

QRT on all bands and thoughts of MF

At about 1930z I decided to go QRT on all bands.

It will soon be time to return to 472kHz WSPR. This autumn and winter I may concentrate on 472kHz RX and for this I need a better antenna. G3WCB, who moved to South Devon when he retired, has had good results with a small loop. Ideas!

Wrong? - NOT amateur radio

Many times I have said that I am most definitely not a financial expert.

My gut told me that the UK Pound would appreciate against the Euro. At the moment the exchange rate is worse than at any time in the last year. So, if you followed my advice you would be completely wrong! I am only going on gut feelings.

My gut still tells me that I will be right, but only time will tell.

Quiet Coffee - NOT amateur radio

Whilst my wife was busy spending, I opted for a coffee and sandwich in a Bury-St-Edmunds bookshop café reading one of the mags I'd just bought on a market stall.

Grumpy old man syndrome - NOT amateur radio

As I get older I seem to be less tolerant of stupid "jobs worth" people. I have several examples.

• The driver of a Cambridge Park and Ride bus who refused to take a £5 note which was legal tender, saying the note was no longer valid - he was wrong.
• A friend was refused service in a supermarket because his £20 note had a very small tear.
• British Gas, who rang me to set up an appointment for smart meters, yet no-one turned up.
• The bank cashier who could not read what was clearly stated on the cheque about which account the money should be paid in to.
• Having to wait ages to have an order taken in a restaurant, then waiting ages to get served. You had the feeling you were an inconvenience. In the USA I have always felt valued.

etc..

In my work days, such incompetence would have led to instant dismissal. Maybe I am getting grumpier, but surely it is not too much to expect decent service. All I am asking for is for people to treat their customers properly, not with total incompetence. These days, we seem to hit a wall of stupid people who are totally incompetent and unable to think. Surely, if people cannot do a job they should go and make way for people who can?

10m WSPR TX

Although I shall probably have to disconnect everything because of approaching storms, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW). No spots as yet and no Es seen here.

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

UPDATE 1528z: It could be because I had just turned on and w
as drifting, but I noticed a  lot of drift on my Es spots on 10m this afternoon.

UPDATE 1900z: It looks like there will be just 4 unique spots on 10m WSPR today. Definitely near the end of the Es season.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 23rd 2017

Solar flux is 85 today and sunspot number is 48. A=22 and K=4.

6m FT8 RX

We seem to be coming to the end of the Es season. It is getting harder now, although there is still Es about.  I am again on 6m FT8 RX, ever hopeful! At the moment just G spots and one station in northern France that may have come in via aircraft reflection rather than Es.

UPDATE 1315z: Having returned from shopping, I have switched everything back on. Es spots from southern and eastern Europe on 6m FT8. There was a threat of storms, but that seems to have passed.

UPDATE 1902z: 10 stations in 6 countries today on 6m FT8. Most were by Es I think.

Optical NLOS work

One of my interests before my 2013 stroke was optical communications over the horizon - non line of sight (NLOS).

Although I briefly tried a few years ago, I was still too wobbly, so had to give up. Sadly, I still feel giddy when on my feet, so further optical experiments are on hold for the time being. Others have continued the work and one thing worth trying is using infra-red, which many say is better for NLOS than red LEDs.

At some point I do hope my health improves so that I can resume these tests. Test gear is simple (easier than microwaves) and this really pushes the boundaries - true experimentation.

East Cambs 2m FM net

A reminder that at 8pm (clock time) on Mondays we hold an East Cambs net on 144.575MHz FM (One four four point five seven five megahertz).  If there is QRM we moved down around 25 or 50kHz.

Usually there are 2 or 3 on but everyone is welcome. We usually finish around 8.30pm. This is not a highly technical net and conversations vary from what we did the week before (ATV, WSPR, JT65, FT8, etc.) to gardens, model boats, trains - well anything!

Stations are in the Cambridge and East Cambridgeshire areas with vertical polarisation.

Put it in your diary.

6m FT8

Yesterday was disappointing with very little Es. Since breakfast time I have been on 6m FT8 hoping today will be better. As we are now at the end of the Es season, openings are likely to be less frequent. As yet (0842z) no spots.

UPDATE 1102z: Just Gs spotted so far with no Es as yet.

UPDATE 1226z: EA1YV (1320km) in Galicia, N.Spain was the first Es spot on 6m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1546z: So far, 5 countries spotted on 6m FT8 today: England, France, Germany, Finland and Spain. Mostly Es.

UPDATE 2110z: In the end 7 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Yesterday was very disappointing with very little Es on the band here. I am back on 10m WSPR TX again, hoping for better results today. So far, no spots.

On Monday I was even hopeful of some F2 DX, but no-one spotted me outside of Europe on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1102z:  With 9 unique 10m WSPR spots so far, today is proving quite a good Es day. Spots are from all over including, Italy, Germany, Poland and Belarus. This late in the season, Es seems to be better on the lower frequencies; as yet it has not reached 6m here.

UPDATE 1602z: Now 13 unique 10m WSPR spots today. OY1OF (1164km) has spotted me many times at up to +6dB S/N i.e. very strong.

"Our" windmill - NOT amateur radio

We live right next door to a restored windmill. Here it was earlier this month with a stormy sky. Our grandchildren think the front of the windmill grounds are part of our garden.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 22nd 2017

Solar flux is 91 today (good) and the sunspot number 43 (pretty good). A=10 and K=5.

Eastern European Storms - NOT amateur radio

The last time I checked most of the severe storms were over eastern Europe and Scandinavia. There was nothing over the UK.

Ever since a work colleague suffered a direct strike many years ago I have always been wary of electrical storms. His was a very ordinary house in a very ordinary estate. He certainly was not isolated and on a hill. OK, the chances are low, but I try to minimise my risks.

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

2017: where did it go? - NOT amateur radio

They say as you get older, time appears to go faster. Indeed! It is already well into August and this year seems to have sped by. It is already over 2 months since the longest day and already the nights are drawing in. We'll blink and it will be the shortest day.

I try to enjoy every season, as there is something good about each, although my favourite time is the spring with the promise of longer and warmer days ahead. Still, enjoy the now.

VE7SL

When others are "into" many things, I sit up. One good example is Steve, VE7SL in western Canada. He seems to be keen on many things and reading about what he gets up to is always interesting. He has a keen interest in 630m and lightwaves, both close to my heart. He is "into" lots besides, which is why his blogs are so interesting.

See http://ve7sl.blogspot.co.uk/

End of the Es season?

Today has been much quieter on 10m and 6m, so I think the Es season in the northern hemisphere is coming to its end. There will still be Es openings, but these will be a lot less often. For example, yesterday on 6m FT8 I spotted loads of countries, but today has been quite quiet. On 10m WSPR just a couple of Es spots from Spain.

A photo a day - NOT amateur radio

For several years now I have taken a photo every day as a kind of visual diary. It is quite interesting to look back several years to the day and see what we were doing.

Usually I try to put things we were doing, unless I have gaps. It costs $19.99 a year if you want privacy and extra albums, but otherwise is totally free if you don't mind others looking. Most of my photos are not great artistic works and of little interest to others. Some use this platform as a way of creating great photographic art. I don't 😉 .

See http://365project.org/g3xbm/365

6m FT8 RX

This mode never stops amazing me. Again, after a brief transceive go before breakfast, I have been RX only ever since. Several southern EU stations spotted, presumably by Es plus several Gs.

UPDATE 1920z: Apart from a couple of stations in Sardinia nothing by way of Es on 6m FT8.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Although I have been active since about 0730z, no spots as yet.

UPDATE 1048z: a  couple of spots from northern Spain, EA1KV (1304km) received.

Sunspots - Monday August 21st 2017

Solar flux is 85 today (decent) and the sunspot number 44. A=22 and K=2. There is even a chance of some long distance F2 10m openings today, maybe South America on 10m?

Strength of Es signals

One thing that surprises many is just how strong some Es signals can be. For example, my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was being spotted at +2dB S/N implying that even at microwatt level I could have been spotted. Also, my 10m antenna is a compromise and could be far better.

This is not always the case. Sometimes Es signals can be marginal. With WSPR everyone has a chance. It also works with much weaker signals than SSB or CW.

UK VLF earth-mode test

Jim G7NKS is testing on 8.9kHz with 300W earth-mode:

Hi All
I’m running a VLF test beacon on 8.9kc .  Ground loop electrode system.   35m long
Any spots welcome (if unlikely!) 
with best regards
Jim
Dr. Jim Cowburn G7NKS     IO92ub
Biggleswade  UK
Details on QRZ.com

Stone-curlews - NOT amateur radio

Thanks to a very kind man who pointed them out (otherwise I'd never have seen them!) I saw my first ever stone-curlews at Cavenham Heath on our walk this afternoon. The heather there was just amazing.

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

5MHz in Canada

According to Southgate News, Canada may end up with the 5MHz WRC15 allocation and the existing 5 domestic channels. At the moment they are consulting.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/august/canada-to-add-5-mhz-and-keep-five-existing-domestic-channels.htm#.WZmFEbpFzIU

Trump - NOT amateur radio

BBC TV had a professor of American Studies on this morning. He thought Trump was running the Presidency like a business and was using "The Apprentice" TV show as a model. "You're fired", seems to be the catch phrase for those around him with whom he falls out. This professor thought Trump would be out by June next year.

A lot in the USA did vote him in. Personally, this is more worrying. Did so many really think he would "make America great again"? As a clear outsider, I fail to see how the good ordinary citizen of the USA could be well represented by this man. Clinton was also far from perfect in many eyes.

As I said yesterday, we reap what we sow. Elections and referenda have serious consequences and it pays to think of the future, whether with US presidencies or EU "leave"/"remain" votes.

Sadly it appears many in the UK and USA believe the clocks can just be turned back to "the good old days". They cannot: we live in a very connected, multi-cultural world and we have to adjust, not be ostriches pretending otherwise. The USA is a trading nation and depends on the rest of the world. Isolationism is history - wake up!

10m WSPR TX

For several days now my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon is being spotted by Es. This morning it has been spotted in Germany already. Not as good as yesterday, but I am getting out and it is still very early for Es.

UPDATE 1247z: Up to now, 12 unique spots received of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon with spots from as far apart as Italy and the Faroes. Another good Es day on 10m WSPR.

6m FT8

In the end, I remained on 6m FT8 RX overnight. This morning there is some Es about (Greece and Montenegro), but it is not as good as yesterday. Every time I look at 50.313MHz FT8, I seem to spot stations. Some are Gs by tropo or aircraft, but it rarely fails.

UPDATE 1718z: A truly amazing day on 6m FT8 RX again. In the end, there have already been more Es spots than yesterday! It is hard to believe this is a VHF band.

UPDATE 2140z: After yet another amazing day on 6m FT8 RX, I am now going QRT. V2000 vertical omni seems to work very well.

Stations spotted on 6m FT8 today

Oleg's report (QRP and QRP Club)

As usual, a report from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly Rendezvous and Parade (WRP) Report (August, 20, 2017)
Pay attention, please!
For  all  active  QRP  operators, for all Rendez-Vous and Micro Radio
Parade  Frequenters and Visitors, for all simplest radio constructors
and milliwatt operators - new "72" e-mail reflector and on-line group
created. To enter the "72" group send empty e-mail to address -
72+subscribe@groups.io
See the group on-line -
https://groups.io/g/72
Also visit page "QRP 14.060" in the Facebook

RV  Visitors of the week: UR7VT ON6KZ, RA1M, IZ4VSZ, IK2UZQ, F6ACV/p,
RV3UF,  UA1CEG,  UA0SBQ,  RV3GM,  Z35M, DJ0MEW, PA0WDW, EA6BB, G3XJS,
RW3DF,  SA2RFQ,  PA0PJE,  LY3G, HB9AGO, HA2NP, IK5SRE, SP5AGU, SP9MA,
RX3DOR,  EA2BD,  DK1HW,  UY1IF,  OM6TC, DL1HSI, F6EAZ, UR8QV, OH6NPV,
ON6WJ,  R2AJA,  G3JFS, OE5PGL, UA9MLY, US5QV, F5MAI, RU3NJC, R2FAE/p,
UA1CEX, US3EN, F3MB, UW5EKR, R1CAN
MRP  Visitors:  ON6KZ (0W3), IZ4VSZ (0W2), RV3GM (0W3), PA0PJE (0W1),
UY1IF (1W), US5QW (QRPp)
Welcome new Visitors -
IZ4VSZ, SA2RFQ, HB9AGO, HA2NP, IK5SRE, SP9MA, EA2BD, US5QW, F5MAI
Congrats!
LY3G, F6EAZ became Honor Frequenters (regular visitors)
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 web page, please.
Comments...
see full version of the WRP Report including comments and pictures on
the blog - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Thanks all for activity and comments!
See you on the next week RV and MRP

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 August 20th 2017

Solar flux is 88 today (not bad) and the sunspot number a respectable (for this part of the cycle) 33. A=-31 ad K=5 (high).

Burwell Fen - NOT amateur radio

We went for a brief walk this afternoon up near the "cock-up" bridge on Burwell Lode. We saw several birds including some swallows, a tern and 2 mute swans as well as these fine highland cattle with big horns. Although the fens are bleak, they have a certain beauty, especially the wild fen skies. Burwell Fen is now owned by the National Trust.

Diversity in our hobby

Southgate News brings to our attention a piece by the RSGB president. There is little doubt we have to work on this if our hobby is to survive and thrive.

Before my stroke I used to give talks at several clubs in East Anglia. Certainly at that time we, in the UK, had, in the main, a hobby for older white males. I do not know if things have improved since then, but they needed to.

Just think, in your club what happens when the older members are too disabled to get to meetings? Will your club still exist? No, we have to encourage more younger people into the hobby. They need to be fostered and encouraged so they stay. Is radio really no longer the magic it was to the majority of us?

See http://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/2017/08/17/diversity-in-amateur-radio/  .

Sentence intonation - NOT amateur radio

Have you noticed that younger people tend to go up at the end of a sentence? It rarely fails: if a sentence goes up at the end then the person saying it is probably under 30 years old, like. 😉

FT817 and FT817ND

These little rigs from Yaesu have basically remained unchanged since 2000. They cover all bands from 160m-70cm (not 4m or 1.25m), all modes, 5W. With transverters, mine have been used from VLF upwards on all available bands. They work well, but I was surprised Yaesu did not do an upgrade in time for the last sunspot peak. Also, I was surprised they had no real competitors. These days there are a few SDR radios around, but the FT817 reigns supreme.

With mine I have worked the world including some great handheld DX. For base station use I recommend the Z817 auto-ATU. I tried the Elecraft auto ATU but prefer the Z817. I am very happy with the FT817, although the early ones had PA failures with low voltage. This was fixed (I think) in the FT817ND.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/ft817 .

Still good Es on 6m

After a brief transceive period before breakfast, I am again on 6m FT8 RX. So far, plenty of early Es about. Best DX on 6m FT8 RX is SV1QEZ (2402km).So far, 5 countries spotted on 6m FT8: England, Spain, Slovenia , Italy and Greece, but it is only 0835z.

UPDATE 0900z: Now 7 countries spotted with the best DX on 6m FT8 RX SV9RGI (2776km) on Crete.

UPDATE 1332z: Another excellent Es day on 6m FT8 RX. The photo shows the stations copied so far today on 6m. This mode has really "taken off".

UPDATE 1935z: Even more 6m FT8 spots!

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

So I returned to 10m WSPR TX just before breakfast. Already DK8FT (898km) has spotted me. Not sure of the reason, but I wonder if weak signal digital modes, or different monitoring patterns, are finding Es paths open we would have missed in the past?

UPDATE 1322z: 12 unique 10m WSPR spots, so far, with best DX spot being by CT7AEZ (1618km).

UPDATE 1614z: 16 unique spots today so far of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon. A good Es day.

UPDATE 1752z: 17 unique spots today, so far, on 10m WSPR with reports as widespread as Spain, Faroes and Belarus. A great day.

UPDATE 1940z: Now 18 unique spots of my 500mW WSPR today.

UPDATE 2210z: 19 unique spots. Time to go QRT on all bands.

Sunspots - Saturday August 19th 2017

Solar flux is 81 today. Sunspot number is 41. A=21 and K=4.

Now QRT on all bands

Even though propagation was still good, I decided to go QRT for the night. All being well, I'll be back on again at breakfast time - storms permitting.

Still good 6m Es

Well I went into the shack with the intention of going QRT. Instead 6m was wide open, so I had a QRP QSO (1W ERP) with EA7AH on FT8.  I see I was also copied in southern Portugal on 6m FT8. The gear is still on.