6m FT8

It seems obvious to me that FT8 has become the de facto mode for digital QSOs on 6m. Bandwidth is narrow, it is better than CW and QSOs can be fast. Once again, I am monitoring 6m FT8 RX in the hope of catching some Es.

UPDATE 0838z: Best DX already is IZ7FLP (1840km) by Es.

UPDATE 0906z: Already 6m FT8 is going great with 6 countries spotted with the best DX being SV9RGI (2776km) on Crete. Yet again, good early Es.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 30th 2017

Solar flux is 85 today. The sunspot number is 35. A=10 and K=1.

QRT on all bands

The big plug was pulled at 1925z and I went QRT on all bands until the morning. In the end, Es was good yet again on both 10m WSPR and 6m FT8, even though it is late in the season.

September swifts? - NOT amateur radio

Last night (when in the garden) I saw several house martins and one solitary swift. I must admit, I have not really looked today, as yet.

September swifts? Unlikely, but you never know. I guess an odd straggler is just possible. Further south and west is more possible than here in East Anglia.

Sloes - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we did a walk through nearby Reach Woods. These sloes were seen against a clear blue sky with temperatures around 28 degrees C.

Some people use these to make sloe gin.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sloegin_7722 .

Es - on and on?

It seems that this Es season does not want to end. We are nearly at the end of August and there is still good Es on 10m and 6m. Maybe WSPR and FT8 are showing up shorter and weaker openings? For a long time I have said these weak signal modes are helpful. Maybe they are helping to effectively lengthen the Es season?

Sunspots - Tuesday August 29th 2017

Solar flux is 82 today and the sunspot number 17. A=4 and K=2.

6m FT8

Since before breakfast I have been on 6m FT8 RX, apart from a very brief spell calling CQ before breakfast. The only spots on RX so far have been G and northern France and all could have been by aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 1118z: Es from Bavaria, southern Germany, spotted on 6m FT8 DL7AV (923km).

UPDATE 1802z: 6 countries spotted on 6m FT8 in the last 12 hours, most Es.

10m WSPR TX

Since just before breakfast I have been on 10m WSPR TX with my little W5OLF 500mW beacon. So far the only spot was from I3WXX (1090km).

UPDATE 1122z: 6 unique spots on 10m WSPR so far. All look like Es.

UPDATE 1804z: 10 unique spots on 10m WSPR so far. Another decent Es day on 10m WSPR. Spots as far apart as Italy and Denmark.

UPDATE 1922z: With 97 spots in total today on 10m WSPR, it is now time to go QRT.

10m Simple Sideband

Yes, you read correctly - simple sideband, not single sideband.

For some time, I have had in my mind a very simple 10m rig. Sadly, my stroke got in the way, so this has not progressed. Such a rig would be ideal for Es and, certainly here in the UK, most of Europe should be workable with a simple antenna. At some point, I'd like to complete this. Maybe someone else already has.

A few years ago, the whole world would have been workable. Sadly with declining conditions, this is far less likely now on 10m. May, June and July are the best months for Es (sporadic-E) in the northern hemisphere. Of course, there is nothing stopping you work local SSB stations at any time.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/10msimple_sb .

Ultra-low cost 70cm handheld

When I looked yesterday they were just £10 each with free shipping to the UK from Hong Kong. It has just gone up a few pounds. It is by Banggood and called the BF-T1.

The Moon - NOT amateur radio

This was the view of the Moon when we had tea in the garden yesterday. It seems incredible that man walked on the Moon in 1969, a year before I started work! Now, I have been retired for 9 years!

6m FT8 RX

Yet again, I am on 6m FT8 RX. Yesterday was fantastic on 6m with lots of Es propagation around Europe. I thought the Es season was winding down. If so, it is going out with a bang.

UPDATE 0952z: A promising start with several spots of stations in southern and eastern Europe. Could today be as good as yesterday?

UPDATE 1945z: Lots of Es in the last 12 hours on 6m FT8. Now gone QRT.

Sunspots - Monday August 28th 2017

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 22. A=10 and K=1.

10m WSPR TX

As usual, I am on 10m with my 500mW WSPR beacon. There is no way I can match yesterday with 37 unique spots, mostly Es from right across Europe. Even though it is now very late in the Es season, yesterday was probably one of the best days for Es this year.

UPDATE 0952z:  Well, there were Es spots of me way into the night (0022z) and today has already seen lots of spots of my 500mW WSPR beacon. Promising.

UPDATE 1450z: So far today, 14 unique spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.

Region 1 IARU Conference near Munich

Southgate News reports on the IARU Region 1 Conference in Germany next month. I hope they discuss a 4m allocation in Region 1 . At one time there was talk of CEPT countries recommending a 4m allocation, although I cannot remember what became of this.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/august/24th-iaru-region-1-general-conference.htm#.WaMOk7pFzmI

Fontenay Abbey, France - NOT amateur radio

Some years ago, we visited this abbey. It is in a wooded valley and is very beautiful. It is located in Burgundy, France. If you are going this way, it is well worth a visit. Of course, Burgundy has other attractions too, like wines!

See http://www.abbayedefontenay.com/en/

6m FT8 RX

There is no doubt that this mode is now very popular. Having been on 6m FT8 RX for a couple of hours, I have spotted stations all over Europe by Es.

UPDATE 0925z: 15 countries already spotted on 6m FT8 today, mostly via Es.

UPDATE 1638z: Quite incredible Es on 6m FT8 today so far. This looks more like 20m!

10m WSPR TX

My little 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on since before breakfast. It has already been spotted all over Europe. A good Es day this late in the season.

UPDATE 0920z: 15 unique spots so far, which is very good. Some reports are massive too e.g. I3WXX (1090km) at +5dB S/N. Es today is very good.

UPDATE 1634z: With 38 unique spots today so far on 10m WSPR, today has been one of the best Es days all season. The Es season is not dead yet!

UPDATE 1735z: Now 39 unique spots today on 10m WSPR making this a very good Es day on the band.

Sunspots - Sunday August 27th 2017

Solar flux is 78 today and the sunspot number 35. A=5 and K=1.

QRP and QRP Club

Oleg's usual report:

Weekly QRP Report (August, 27, 2017)
QRP Rendez-Vous visitors of the week:
UY1IF,  UR7VT,  US3EN,  RV3GM,  RW3DF,  UA1CEG, DK1HW, F5SSI, ON4ADR,
US5ERQ,  UR3UM,  OM6TC,  ON6WJ,  G3JFS,  F3MB, IV3RJH, OK1KW, RU3NJC,
G3XJS,  OH3GZ,  DL7JO,  UA4NU, UR5FA, Z35M/p, DL2DXA/p, EA8YV, ON6KZ,
UR5EFD,  SM2FIJ, EA2BH, DL4HG, R1CAN, RZ4NWA, R2AJA, DJ0MEW, YU/4O4A,
R4NX, RZ4AH, S59GI
MRP visitors:
UY1IF (W1), RV3GM (W3), F5SSI (W3), RU3NJC (W3), UR5FA (1W), ON6KZ (W3)
Welcome new RV visitors - UR3UM, DL7JO, EA2BH, 4O4A, RZ4AH, S59GI
Congrats!
IV3RJH, OH3GZ, DJ0MEW became Honor Frequenters (regular visitors)
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 page, please.
Some comments and pictures...
see  full WQR version including a lot of comments and pictures on the
blog page - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/

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

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.

Late, late swifts - NOT amateur radio

Quite unexpectedly, a couple of swifts were seen in the sky above us as we ate tea in the garden this evening. Also, some young swallows were seen, but usually these are around for few more weeks, whereas most swifts have already gone south.

It would not (now) entirely surprise me to see swifts in early September. A few weeks ago I'd have said impossible.

Late summer day - NOT amateur radio

Today was a lovely, warm, late summer day. We had lunch in the garden and did a few gardening jobs later.

I like the seasons: they all have something good about them. The summer flowers are past their best, but soon we'll have the glorious colours of autumn.

This year our crab apple tree is filled with crab apples. Usually a friend of my wife turns them in to delicious crab apple jelly.

House Martins - NOT amateur radio

This year, we seem to have had plenty of swifts (now gone south) but fewer swallows and house martins. Mind you, we saw lots of house martins (100+ ?) at Castle Acre yesterday. A few more weeks and these will be off too.

The house martins were in the air and resting on the roof on the left. I hope you can make them out in the photo. You may have to click the photo.

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

Sunspots - Saturday August 26th 2017

Solar flux is 81 today and the sunspot number 39. A=5 and K=1.

Rally on Bank Holiday Monday

28 AUGUST 2017 : HUNTINGDONSHIRE ARS RALLY
Ernulf Academy, Barford Road, St Neots PE19 2SH. Doors open at 7am for traders and 9am for the public. Admission is £3 with free parking. Catering including hot meals and drinks are available on site. There will be an RSGB bookstall. More from Malcolm, M0OLG on 01480 214 282 or by email to events@hunts-hams.co.uk

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

6m FT8 RX

After a rather disappointing evening on 472kHz WSPR with just PA3ABK/2 (306km) spotted, I have returned to 6m FT8 RX. So far, 3 stations spotted - a couple of Gs and one station in northern France. The latter could well have been aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 2125z: Quite a good Es day as the photo shows. Surprisingly good really.

Back on 472kHz WSPR RX

I have moved to 472kHz WSPR RX having been on 50.280MHz MSK144 RX most of the day. Last evening results were far better than I expected on MF with my compromise antenna.

UPDATE 2015z: Just PA3ABK/2 (306km) spotted so far.

Rally this Sunday

27 AUGUST 2017 : MILTON KEYNES ARS RALLY.
The Irish Centre, Fenny Stratford, Bletchley MK2 2HX (opposite Dobbies) Doors open at 10am. Contact is Tim Cowell, G6GEI on 07976 262 497 or email renegade62@hotmail.co.uk

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

Castle Acre Priory, Norfolk - NOT amateur radio

Castle Acre is a jewel. It is an oasis of calm. The priory there dates back to Norman times, but was sacked in the reign of King Henry VIII.

Sadly, many of the world's treasures have been lost forever by the people of today thinking they know best. However much we may hate some things, we have no right to destroy them. They should remain so that future generations can make up their minds, not have them decided for them.

Last evening on 630m WSPR RX

Well, I was amazed. My antenna was just the feeder to my 2m big-wheel with a mains earth. In all 7  unique stations were spotted with the best DX EA5DOM (1525km). And this was despite my S8 noise floor!

Sunspots - Friday August 25th 2017

Solar flux is 80 today and the sunspot number 43. A=11 and K=1.

6m MSK144 (50.280MHz)

As the Es season is drawing to a close, I am monitoring 6m MSK144. So far this morning, just EA1YV (1320km) spotted.

First steps again on 630m WSPR RX

As the autumn and winter are approaching, I've made my first tentative steps back on to 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX.

What I had forgotten was the high noise level on RX from my PC's charger. In addition to this, I seem to have a very high external noise level too now.

For now, the PC is on battery power and I have loaded up my coax to my 2m big-wheel. This is far from ideal. We'll see if this gets any spots this evening.

UPDATE 1930z: M0FMT (51km) is my first 630m WSPR spot this autumn. Despite all the noise, it works! Currently, my 630m noise is reading S8.

UPDATE 2034z: GM3YXM (425km) just copied on 630m WSPR.

UPDATE 2112z: So far, with a very indifferent set-up, 4 unique spots this evening so far on 630m WSPR.

No Es today?

As far as I am aware, today is the first day in many months in which no Es has been spotted here on 10m and 6m. OK there is still time for an opening, but at the moment it seems unlikely. This points to the end of what has been a good Es season.

As I have said many times, we will still get Es openings, but far less often. Also, people hungry for easy QSOs, will go lower down the spectrum. Even I expect to start on 630m shortly.

Sadly, I think we have seen the best of Es until next spring. There is a smaller peak around New Year and there will be the occasional openings at other times too.

With F layer DX getting much rarer than a few years ago on 10m, we will have to seek other ways of DXing on the higher bands. FT8 seems a good mode and I have been impressed how much DX can be copied on 6m MSK144 via meteors at any part of the solar cycle. My 6m antenna is just a V2000 omni vertical fed via cheap CB coax. I think I have copied European DX on 6m every time I have tried 6m MSK144.

Migration - NOT amateur radio

Personally, I have no problem with the UK (or for that matter any country) deciding who can live, learn or work here. We are a tiny, overcrowded island. We will still want people to come here to study and work, but we should have the last word, not the EU.

By the way, I voted to "remain" in the EU in the referendum last year. Personally I think most "leave" voters were worried about this issue rather than anything else. Dare I say many who voted "leave" were rather simple minded and just wanted the UK of the 1950s back again? Sorry, this is NOT going to happen, ever.

According to official figures out today, net migration is lower but still way above government targets.

Blip? - NOT amateur radio

Against most currencies, the UK Pound has appreciated today so far. OK the UK Pound had fallen in recent days. It remains to be seen whether this is a blip.

10m WSPR TX

Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) although I have received no spots so far. I have been active since before breakfast. I shall keep plugging away.

UPDATE 1133z: Still no 10m WSPR spots so far.

UPDATE 1328z: Still no 10m WSPR spots here all day. Es mainly over?

6m FT8 today

So far, just M0AAX (94km) spotted on 6m FT8, with no signs of early Es. This could have been aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 1135z: 3 G spots so far and no Es.

Sunspots - Thursday August 24th 2017

Solar flux is 85 today and the sunspot number 40. A=25 and K=3.