630m WSPR

Quite early for me, I have already QSYed to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%). Already I am being spotted and spotting others. Although activity is quite high, there are only a few in Europe on TX.

Rain! - NOT amateur radio

Today we have real rain. It looks to be here for the day, perhaps easing off later. Tomorrow looks more promising. The grass needs cutting, but that can wait until next week.

630m WSPR last evening and overnight.

In all, 9 unique stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR in the last day and I spotted 11 uniques.  Not the best of nights.

10m FT8 RX

I have been on 10m FT8 RX since breakfast. Only one station spotted so far 4X1QQ (3551km). I assume this is F2 propagation. Yesterday I had spotted several Europeans including several Russians by this time.

UPDATE 1026z:  Now spotted an Italian and one UK station on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1230z: 13 10m FT8 spots so far. Mainly Europeans.

UPDATE 1528z:  So far, nothing from Australasia, South Africa or South America but one spot from the USA N2GHR (5521km) in New York late this morning.

UPDATE 1624z: Apart from the single spot of the station in the USA, today has been a bit disappointing on 10m FT8. I'll give it a bit longer, then QSY to 630m WSPR. It would be good to try 137kHz WSPR RX, but the FT817 is very deaf on that band.

Sunspots - Saturday November 4th 2017

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number still zero. A=9 and K=1.

QSY to 630m WSPR

After a great day on 10m FT8 RX again, I have QSYed to 630m WSPR transceive. I made the switch at 1910z (10mW ERP, 20%).

First 50 minutes on 630m WSPR tonight

Up a tree - NOT amateur radio

These days I am very poor on ladders, so I was grateful that my son cut a few tall branches from the tree in our lawn earlier this afternoon.

Parliamentary Sex Scandal - NOT amateur radio

Times have changed.

When I was younger, girls were wolf-whistled at often. Putting ones hand on a knee was commonplace. Now, I am not saying this was right, just that it happened.

These politically correct days you can no longer do these things or you face the sack. In many ways, things are fairer nowadays, but personally I think the pendulum has swung too far. Open your mouth and say the wrong words and you are in jail!

When a real crime has been committed,  let the full force of the law be felt. When it was meant as innocent fun, let it go.

Also, I am a great believer in a trial in a court of law. A person is innocent until found guilty in law. It is wrong for the press and TV to besmirch a person beforehand. As they say, "mud sticks" and many an innocent person has a reputation for life. If guilty then a court of law will prove this.

OFCOM Update

OFCOM has given details of licences for 2GHz terrestrial base stations.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/010D3C06D35A5A8B2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

UK Rallies on Sunday

5 NOVEMBER 2017 : WEST LONDON RADIO & ELECTRONICS SHOW (Kempton Rally)
Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5AQ. There will be a talk in station and on site car parking is free. Doors open at 10am with disable d visitors gaining access 10 minutes earlier. There will be trade stations, a Bring & Buy and special interest groups. Other attractions are lectures, a raffle and catering on site. Details from Paul, M0CJX on 0845 165 0351, info@radiofairs.co.uk. www.radiofairs.co.uk.


5 NOVEMBER 2017 : BUSH VALLEY RADIO RALLY
United Services Club, 8 Roe Mill Rd, Limavady BT49 9DF Doors open at 11am and entry is £3 with a free draw ticket. Talk-in will be on 145.400MHz. There will be traders and a Bring & Buy. Refreshments are available on site. Tables are free and should be booked with Jack on 0788 529 2545.

630m WSPR

Overnight 12 unique stations spotted my 10mW ERP. Best DX spot was by DF2JP (448km). In turn, I spotted 13 uniques.

Son's brother-in-law - NOT amateur radio

The latest bulletin from Australia is "he's hanging on". Slowly dying, but clinging to life. At times our thoughts for his loved ones is totally overwhelming.  And yet, life goes on.

10m FT8 RX today - Friday Nov 3rd 2017

As usual, I am monitoring 10m FT8. So far a few Russians and a couple of Israelis, presumably via F2.  Best DX is currently 4Z5UY (3557km).

UPDATE 1000z: Although all spots so far have been Europe (including Russia) and Israel, there have been quite a number.

UPDATE 1046z: The earliest South African on 10m FT8 was ZS6ZA (9123km) at 1035z.

UPDATE 1130z:  Best 10m FT8 DX is VK9VKL (11970km).

UPDATE 1736z: Another 6 continent day on 10m FT8 with even KW4BY (7134km) in Florida spotted. Did someone say 10m is dead? Oh by the way, the sunspot count is zero again.

Sunspots - Friday November 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number zero. A=9 and K=2.

Deep things - NOT amateur radio

Today has been a strange day: my son's brother-in-law is dying in Australia after a cruel accident and yet I seem calm now. Earlier both my wife and I shed bucket loads of tears just thinking how sad this all was. Is there meaning in life?

It is strange how life goes along then suddenly something happens to alter the status quo. I expect life will return to normality - in many ways, oddly, it already has. For the parents, sisters and girlfriend of this young lad, life can never, ever be the same again.

I guess it is at moments like this that life appears in its true colours: a mix of happiness and sadness. Yet life goes on. We must go on.

Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you will weep know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow’s springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.

630m FT8 and WSPR

More in hope than expectation, I am on 630m FT8 transceive calling CQ. As yet, nobody has spotted me and no QSOs! Later, I shall try WSPR.

UPDATE 1837z: I have now changed to WSPR. So far, the only spot is of G4FTC (123km) who was quite strong.

UPDATE 2115z: Amazingly, my 10mW ERP WSPR to my unbelievably poor antenna and ground has been copied by 35 unique stations in 7 countries in the last 2 weeks with 9 unique spots in 4 countries this evening alone. If I can then anyone can! Basically, my 630m system is just cobbled together. Try it - you will have lots of fun even if your ERP is very low.

Left-over daffodil bulbs

We had a few bulbs left over, so these have been planted in these pots and in the garden where we had sweet peas over the summer. Hopefully they will come out sometime in the winter or spring. At the moment they look pretty boring!

UK interest rate rise - NOT amateur radio

UK interest base rates have gone from 0.25 to 0.5%. This is the first rise in 10 years. Modest, but upwards. What will it do for the UK Pound?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41846330 .

UPDATE 1300z: At the moment, the UK pound is down against most currencies. Perhaps they were expecting a bigger rise?

Well, I have come to the conclusion that the best advice is to do the opposite of whatever I suggest! By now, I was expecting the Euro to lose value against the UK Pound.

UPDATE 2215z: So the UK Pound - Euro exchange rate has worsened by 1.74% today. This completely the opposite of what I expected! Will it get even worse tomorrow?

BBC Click

Southgate News brought to my attention a post on the BBC "Click" technology programme about amateur radio.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05lmbhy .

Fleeing wars - NOT amateur radio

Sometimes, most times, we take for granted our freedoms and lives. This video on the BBC really brings this home. I hope after 3 years they get granted permanent residency.

We must all work towards a free, fair and inclusive society, wherever we are on Earth. There is no place for hate and unkindness.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/stories-41835112/starting-a-new-life-in-a-foreign-country-at-13 .

630m WSPR overnight

Overnight my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR was spotted by 17 unique stations and I spotted 13 uniques with best DX again EA4GHB (1300km).  I am sure many weaker signals are buried in my noise, so I am just copying the better signals.

10m FT8 RX

Apart from OK1KT (1104km), all spots so far have been Russians. I have been on 10m FT8 RX since 0646z. Best DX is currently R9WJ (3662km).

UPDATE 1106: Twelve 10m FT8 spots so far. Some spots are quite near in Europe, so probably not F2. Ranges vary from France, Germany, Turkey, Holland, Switzerland, Denmark to Russia.

UPDATE 1215z: Now 13 spots - all Europe, Russia and Turkey. No "real" DX as yet on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1405z: 14 spots on 10m FT8 so far, but still no "real" DX.

UPDATE 1515z: Still no "real" DX on 10m FT8 today.  At 1539z EA8GF (2973km) was spotted in the Canary Is..

UPDATE 1630z: I am getting the feeling that there will be no South Americans today on 10m FT8. I'll leave things running, but I am not too hopeful.

UPDATE 1810z: Still no South Americans on 10m FT8. Soon be time to QSY to 630m WSPR - I'll maybe give it another hour?

Sunspots - Thursday November 2nd 2017

Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number zero. A=4 and K=2.

Don't QSY yet!

So, I was about to QSY from 10m FT8 to 630m WSPR, but I see very recent South American spots, so left 10m running. In another hour or so, I shall QSY to MF.

UPDATE 1847z: Best DX today on 10m FT8 RX was LU8XAF (13413km). As there has been now DX for over an hour, I think it is time to QSY to 630m.

630m WSPR last night

As is my usual pattern, I was on 630m WSPR last night. My own 10mW ERP signal was spotted by 6 unique stations and I spotted 12 unique stations with best DX EA4GHB (1300km).

Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Like many towns, Cambridge has a fair number of shops which you can see in any UK town.

In Cambridge the M&S store is on 2 sites and they have just widened the path to 1 of these, as the photo shows.

Like most clothes retailers, M&S is struggling on the high street. All retailers are facing competition from on-line suppliers. It is anyone's guess what our high streets will be like in 20 years' time.

10m FT8 RX

So far, and I have been on since breakfast, more spotted than yesterday with quite a few South Americans spotted already on 10m FT8: it seems these are coming through earlier. I guess this is to do with the seasons.

4 continents spotted so far today on 10m FT8.

Sunspots - Wednesday November 1st 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number 11. A=3 and K=0.

QSY to 630m WSPR

As of a few minutes ago, I have QSYed to 630m WSPR transceive (10mW ERP, 20%).

UPDATE 2118z: So far an average evening on 630m WSPR with my QRPP being spotted by 4 unique stations. I have managed to spot 4 uniques too.

UPDATE 2300z: Best RX DX on 630m WSPR this evening is IW4DXW (1190km).

A good God? - NOT amateur radio

As I write, my son's brother-in-law is clinging to life after suffering horrific injuries in Australia whilst a pedestrian crossing a road on green. A car struck him with the driver going through a red light whilst fiddling with her phone. He is dying.

It is hard to believe in a just God at these times. The sisters and parents are living in limbo and clearly are in a living hell. In history, the past is littered with cruelty such as the mass extermination of Jews in Europe not that long ago.

Can someone please explain to me how God is good? All the evidence is life is random and at times deeply cruel.

10m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. A few Europeans spotted with the best DX being UN7AB (3825km) near the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan, presumably by F2.

UPDATE 1938z: For the first time in many weeks, 10m FT8 resulted in just Europeans and Russians - no ""real" DX. Shortly, I shall QSY to 630m WSPR.

630m WSPR overnight

Overnight I was again on 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%). In all, I was spotted by 14 unique stations with best DX LA3EQ (769km) in Norway. In turn, I spotted 12 unique stations.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 31st 2017

Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number is 22. A=3 and K=0.

630m WSPR

As usual, I have QSYed to MF WSPR (10mW, 20%). So far, 4 spots of my QRPP with best DX spot of my signal by PA0RDT (243km).

UPDATE 2017z: For a brief period after 2000z I tried calling CQ on 630m FT8 hoping for a 2-way QSO.  Sadly no-one heard me! Just before, I did see the trace of a weak FT8 signal. Obviously I was just too weak. I have since gone back to WSPR.

In the field

Southgate News links to a very informative video from OH8STN on operating in the field i.e. out portable away from the home QTH.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/october/getting-started-in-amateur-radio-field-communications.htm#.WfdYILp2vIU .

Lack of 10m DX?

Today, there has been a distinct lack of real DX on 10m FT8. Although I saw plenty of Russians and Israelis this morning, I have not (yet) seen any Africans or South Americans on 10m FT8. There is still time for this to change.

UPDATE 1640z:  Just one South American, so far: LU6HWT (11346km) in Cordoba, Argentina.

UPDATE 1652z: Maybe conditions or post CQWW blues, but definitely less activity on 10m FT8 today.

Who can you trust? - NOT amateur radio

Quite a lot of politicians and their associates across the world it seems cannot be trusted. They are in high office and should be "whiter than white". Time and again we find out they are "dodgy". I am sure some seek high office for the right reasons, but sadly not all.

I am a great believer in "innocent until proved guilty". Too many have had their good names ruined even before any offence is proven. As they say, "mud sticks".

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41804740 .

Autumn leaves - NOT amateur radio

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" and all that. Today we went for a stroll at Brandon Country Park, Suffolk, UK. It was quiet and there were definite signs of autumn, as the photo shows.

Overnight on 630m WSPR

As usual, I went on 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%) overnight. My own QRPP signal was spotted by 11 unique stations and I spotted 15 unique stations on RX. There seem to be a few more active stations on 630m WSPR.

Sunspots - Monday October 30th 2017

Solar flux is 76 and the sunspot number 23. A=4 and K=1.