630m WSPR

Just after dark I switched to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%) Although a bit better than last time, no spots to get excited about. I shall check in the morning, but for 630m WSPR I have to make radical improvements to my antenna, drop my RX noise floor considerably, or look for a new challenge on a different band.

Mustard - NOT amateur radio

For 160 years Colman's has had a mustard factory in Norwich. Even the local football team is called "the Canaries" after the yellow mustard. Now Unilever is closing its Norwich site - a sad day.  They are transferring production to Burton-on-Trent and Germany. No doubt, this will be to save money and streamline the business. Never mind those who will lose jobs. Capitalism - leave it to the markets.

See www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-42569750 .
See https://www.colmans.co.uk/ .

MSF off-air periods

Southgate News has a useful reminder of the days and times MSF will be off-air for maintenance.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/january/msf-scheduled-maintenance-periods.htm

UK Pound exchange rate - NOT amateur radio

OK, I was wrong about the UK Pound and Euro exchange rate, but the UK Pound has appreciated against the Yen and US Dollar. This should mean goods bought in US Dollars and Yen should get less expensive.

QSYed to 10m FT8 RX

As of 1140z, I have moved to 10m FT8 RX, hoping for some winter Es and maybe some N-S F2 DX. I shall probably be on 10m FT8 until I switch to 630m WSPR after tea.

UPDATE 1545z: Still no spots on 10m FT8 RX here all day today.

Sunspots - Thursday January 4th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=4 and K=1.

6m MSK144 during the Quadrantids MS shower

Quite a reasonable night with a wide spread of stations spotted, many I assume via MS. My antenna is just a simple omni vertical V2000.

I was only on RX on 50.280MHz, which is where the European 6m MSK144 seems to be.

QSYed to 6m MSK144 RX

At 1706z I QSYed to 6m MSK144 RX. G3YDY (65km) was copied calling CQ almost immediately. I am monitoring 50.280MHz.

Quadrantids MS shower

Southgate News reminds us that the Quadrantids meteor shower peaks overnight. I shall be on 6m MSK144 RX (50.280MHz) looking for European action.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/january/the-quadrantids.htm  .

Storm Eleanor - NOT amateur radio

We are still being battered by strong winds, although other parts of the UK have been hit much worse.  Parts of Northern Ireland have had power cuts. By comparison, we got off lightly.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42549441 .

Ducks - NOT amateur radio

Every day this year so far, we have done a walk.

Yesterday, on a walk around the village, we spotted these ducks. They went into the drive of a house, obviously expecting to be fed.

10m FT8

Since mid-morning I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far, just one UK station spotted - G4HZW (208km).

UPDATE 1615z:  Well, unless things change, this will be the first time in several days without Europeans, or further, DX.

UPDATE 1832z:  In about 30 minutes I am moving to 50.280MHz MSK144 RX. No further stations spotted on 10m FT8 today.

630m - waning interest in Europe?

Last night I spotted just 4 unique stations in 3 countries. My own signal (10mW ERP) was only spotted by a couple of stations. Now there could be several reasons such as people using modes other than WSPR. However, it could be that stations on this side of the pond are getting disillusioned and are abandoning the band. They have spotted or been spotted by all the active stations and have decided to look for a new challenge?

I shall keep to 630m WSPR at night for now, although tonight I shall be on 6m MSK144.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 3rd 2018

Solar flux is 70 today. Sunspot number is still zero. A=5 and K=1.

630m

After a brief period on JT9 RX (nothing copied), I have gone on WSPR (10mW ERP,20%).

2m UKAC activity contest

Tonight was the first 2m activity contest. With 5W and an omni antenna I managed to reach South Devon for my best distance yet in these contests (346km). I only stayed on for 45 minutes because of my poor voice.

10m FT8 - Newfoundland

The spotting earlier this week of a station in Newfoundland on 10m FT8 goes to show that this band and mode can bring surprises. Sunspot number is zero and solar flux numbers poor, yet the band still opens up. OK, it is much harder than a few years ago.

Latest Solar Conditions

The latest solar numbers are out and these show the slow fall in solar activity as we run down to the next minimum. Solar conditions, on average, will fall for another couple of years. The next peak may be very poor. This is not certain, but the most optimistic forecast I have seen shows a peak like the last one a few years ago.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .

Exhaustion - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went for a walk around the village and tried the new café, Elk, on the way. As we left the café it started to rain. The café was busy and the coffee fine. Being central and near the school, it deserves to do well.

By the time I got home I was totally exhausted, even though the walk was probably only about 1.5 miles. I feel giddy all the time when on my feet. It is impossible to explain my giddiness and exhaustion to others. After 4 years of this I have given up trying: one just has to make the best of things.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke .

OFCOM annual plan

OFCOM is consulting on its annual plan. I have made my views known - more enforcement!

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/proposed-annual-plan-2018-19?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=annual-plan-events

Cheque Book Amateur Radio

When browsing earlier, I chanced on this video. It made me sick.

According to this ham you need a linear, a big ATU, a big SWR bridge and several high cost radios to enjoy the hobby. Total rubbish in my view!!!

In my view, not one of these are needed. Each to their own, and how people choose to spend their disposable income is their decision. However, it is not necessary to spend vast amounts to enjoy amateur radio. For the cost of the income from a few paper-rounds or meals/drinks out with friends you can buy or build a rig capable of spanning the globe with a simple wire antenna. Just don't believe this total crap.

Sunspots - Tuesday January 2nd 2018

Solar flux is 72 today with sunspot number still zero. A=11 and K=2.

10m FT8

I remained on 10m FT8 RX overnight. This morning G0OYQ (177km) and DF7IW (613km) were spotted early on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1040z:  Now OY1DZ (1163km) spotted on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1524z:  9 unique stations in 6 European countries so far today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1816z: Well, well, well VP8LP (12772km) has just been spotted on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1842z: Now PU4YEN (9137km) is coming through.

Near the R.Cam - NOT amateur radio

When most think of the River Cam they think of punts outside Kings in Cambridge. Further downstream it is bleak and wild. Most New Year's Day's we go for a walk and reminisce about the year just ended. Today it was very very muddy on the banks of the Cam near Upware!

Sub-9kHz amateur radio

One of the websites I run is Sub-9kHz Amateur Radio. This is one of the true frontiers and is surprisingly accessible. Most of the software you need is totally free and audio amps work! Layout is not critical.  On RX especially large antennas are not required.

Why not give it a go in 2018? I promise you that you will not be disappointed.

13A UK socket with USB charging and wifi extender

7dayshop is selling a dual 13A 240V UK power socket which has a built in USB charging socket together with a wifi extender. What next?

See https://www.7dayshop.com/products/masterplug-double-electrical-socket-with-wifi-extender-and-usb-port-wh2-922uwr?utm_source=maillist&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20180101

Old Scatterpoint Microwave Newsletters

Thanks to Southgate News I reminded that old copies of Scatterpoint are available online. If you want to read 2017 and 2018 editions you need to join UKuG.

See http://www.microwavers.org/indexs.htm

10m FT8 RX

Currently I am monitoring 10m FT8. The first station copied this year was D41CV (4517km) in the Cape Verde Islands. Since then, quite a wide spread of stations spotted.

UPDATE 1605z:  I wonder if this was winter Es? Signal levels were very strong. D41CV was clearly audible too. No further spots since.

UPDATE 1734z: Still no further 10m FT8 spots. Me thinks this was an Es opening that came and went.

630m WSPR overnight

Overnight my 10mW 630m ERP WSPR was spotted by 8 unique stations in 2 countries. In turn, I spotted 5 unique stations in 4 countries. Overall, disappointing.

Happy New Year 2018

To all readers, I hope you have a very happy 2018. Solar conditions are likely to decline further, but nonetheless there are still plenty of things to enjoy in our hobby.

Sunspots - Monday January 1st 2018

So I remembered 2018 and not 2017!

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=4 and K=2.

QSYed to 630m WSPR

At about 1945z, I QSYed to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%TX) from 10m. My signal will drift for a few minutes until the transverter crystal warms.

DXlab

Apparently DXLab now has a waterfall when used with the ICOM IC7300.

See http://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxlabwiki/GettingStarted .

Still probing? - NOT amateur radio

With blog visits over 4 times the normal level at this time, I am convinced there is evil intent abroad. This peak again corresponds with high visitor numbers from Romania. I suspect Romanian bots. Now off to check my other blogs!

UPDATE 1544z:  Looked at the other blogs and visits seem normal.

10m FT8 RX

Although I have only been on 10m FT8 RX for a short while, DM1FL (495km) in the Rhine area has been already spotted.

UPDATE 1512z:  No further 10m FT8 RX spots all day here, so, unless things rapidly change, a dismal day!

UPDATE 1530z: Well, well, well thing did change with VO1NE (3931km) being spotted on 10m FT8. He has been widely spotted across Europe and in North America, so he is definitely genuine.

UPDATE 1620z: More Gs and near Europeans now being spotted on 10m FT8. Currently 7 stations, 5 countries, 2 continents today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1708z: Lots of Eastern Europeans coming through on 10m FT8. I suspect Es again.

UPDATE 1847z: 10m FT8 was still good a little while ago.

630m WSPR overnight

Last night was disappointing with just G spots of my 10mW ERP. On RX too it was unexceptional as well. Shortly it will be time to move to 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1103z: Now QSYed to 10m FT8 RX.

2017 - NOT amateur radio

So, another year draws to a close. Despite the after-effects of my 2013 stroke (giddiness and tiring quickly) I have still managed to do a lot including a 10 day trip to Italy, a week in Corfu (Greece) including a trip to Albania and a week in Devon. Things are much harder, but one has to milk life and accept oneself.

2018? I have no idea what it will bring. Live each day as if the last and "go for it".

Sunspots - Sunday December 31st 2017

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number zero. A=3 and K=0.

Painting by our 8 year old grandson - NOT amateur radio

When I was sent this picture drawn by our 8 year old grandson I was very impressed. Even for a boy twice his age it would be good. A year ago he did a picture of the Santa Maria ship in great detail. In my view he is a natural artist with real talent. Note that the perspective is good and the shading.

Christmas - NOT amateur radio

Our younger granddaughter enjoying unwrapping Christmas presents earlier in the week. They went home today. Our house is now quiet!