2m FT8 RX

It is still good this morning. I am amazed by the stations I am spotting. It is loads and loads. Already today 20 unique stations spotted in 4 countries. Best DX is currently PD0HCV (420km).

UPDATE 1235z:  33 uniques in 6 countries so far today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1517z: 40 uniques in 6 countries in the last 12 hours. 12 uniques in 3 countries spotted in the last hour. 144.174MHz USB dial is the spot.

UPDATE 1830z: DF7DX (564km) is the  best DX currently on 2m FT8 RX.

At Chippenham Hall - NOT amateur radio

This could almost be a Greek vase, but we saw it last week at Chippenham Hall, near Cambridge. The grounds were filled with snowdrops.

Sunspots - Sunday February 25th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today. Sunspot number is still zero.  A=9 and K=1.

Cold snap - NOT amateur radio

OK, I know our friends in the USA and Canada will be having a laugh, but apparently we are in for a cold snap in the UK with a good chance of snow in the east. This is all due to a big high pressure system out east feeding Siberian cold winds in the direction of the UK.

We seem to get few really cold snaps these days with little snow. Although this winter has been colder than for a while, it is nothing like 1947 and 1963 when it was very cold and snowy for months.

There is little doubt that the climate is changing and generally things are getting warmer, even if we do get a cold spell now for a while.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43167583 .

Growing - NOT amateur radio

Our amaryllis from last winter continues to thrive.

This picture was taken a few minutes ago. Barring any disasters (like the grandchildren tipping it over) it should flower in the next few weeks.

And to think we nearly gave up on it!

Maplin

There are rumours going around that Maplin is in trouble. Over the years I have bought the odd things from their Cambridge store including coax.

These days you can buy many things directly from China at lower cost, often with free postage. In the last week I bought 3 lens caps for a camera from Hong Kong for a total price of £2.97 with free airmail postage. They fit perfectly and I cannot fault the service. A while back, I bought a 40m CW Pixie transceiver from China for less than the price of just the crystal here in the UK.

If Maplin goes it will be a sad day. However, the retail market is changing. If we don't use these shops they will close, like bookshops, Woolworths, BHS, banks and other stores. Those that adapt have some chance. Those that do not, or cannot, will fail.

472kHz

For the last few nights I have given this band a miss. I seem to spot the same stations again and again. Someone pointed me towards 2m FT8 and that is where I have been looking lately. There is no doubt I shall return to 136kHz and 472kHz, but I think I need to sort out a better antenna on these bands!

2m FT8 RX

Overnight, I stayed on 2m FT8 RX. Even in the last hour I have copied 13 unique stations in 6 countries with best DX DK2DTF (644km).

The map shows the stations copied on 2m FT8 RX in the last day.

UPDATE 1212z: 26 unique stations in the last 6 hours!

UPDATE 1325z: Now 30 uniques in last 6 hours..

UPDATE 2100z: Just checked clock is sync'd to internet time, so I can remain monitoring overnight on 2m FT8. Still spotting lots of stations.

Sunspots - Saturday February 24th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number remains zero. I expect it will be zero, or close to zero, for years now until we start cycle 25.  A=16 and K=3.

FT818 MLS Price

The first indications of price are out. MLS says deliveries are expected April and their price £599.95.  From the specs provided by MLS it uses a NiMH battery pack, 6W RF (big deal), superhet RX and no mention of DSP or speech compression. Either MLS don't know much or these features are absent.

Are Yaesu getting desperate? Reading what is published, this a seriously unimpressive radio. I very much hope there is more - a lot more or this will bomb and Yaesu too.

There is so much riding on this and all Yaesu can do is provide a minor upgrade to a transceiver that is 18 years old? Yaesu, please get real! Look at your competitors!

Honestly, I am seriously under-whelmed.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/ .
See also: http://qrznow.com/yaesu-ft-818-6w-hfvhfuhf-all-mode-portable-transceiver/

Treat time - NOT amateur radio

Last week we treated our grandchildren to meals at our local farm shop. This is 2 of them enjoying a rather special drink.

Declining solar activity

We are heading downwards to the next solar minimum with plenty of spotless days ahead. What the next peak will bring is not clearly known, but don't hold your breath!

According to Southgate News we were grazed by a solar outburst which caused some unusual activity in the Earth's magnetic field.

See http://spaceweather.com/ .
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/unusual-oscillations-in-earths-magnetic-field.htm#.WpBGv0x2vIU .

10m WSPR TX

More in hope than expectation, I turned on my 10m WSPR beacon (500mW) at just before 1530z. I wonder if anyone will spot me today?

UPDATE 1658z: No spots today on 10m WSPR TX.

UPDATE 222oz: No spots at all today. Soon be time to turn the beacon off.

2m FT8 RX

As previous days, I am again on 144.174MHz FT8 RX. So far today 17 unique stations in 6 countries. Best DX is DK1VC (503km).

UPDATE 1405z: Now 21 uniques.

UPDATE 1515z: Now 23 uniques in the last 12 hours. I am totally impressed that my ultra-simple set up can spot stations so easily and so well on 2m VHF. I am also surprised how many 2m stations are using FT8.

UPDATE 1532z: I tried calling a few 2m FT8 stations, but without success, so I have gone back to RX only. Now 24 uniques today in last 12 hours.

UPDATE 1602z: Best DX now DK0IZ (643km) in JO43 square north of Hamburg at -16dB S/N. Now 29 uniques in last 12 hours.

UPDATE 1833z:  Best DX now DK2DTF (644km) near, or in, Frankfurt. Now 35 uniques in last 12 hours.

UPDATE 2230z: Best DX is now DJ6AG (689km) in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Rallies

25 FEBRUARY 2018 : BRATS MEDWAY RADIO RALLY

The Victory Academy, Magpie Hall Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 5JB. Doors open 10am-2pm (with disabled visitors gaining access at 9.30am). Admittance is £2.50. There is free parking and talk in on 145.550 using GB4RRR. There will be trade stands and an RSGB bookstall. Catering is available on site. Details from Hugh H, G0BRC on 0782 583 8877 or by email to Secretary@bratsqth.org.


25 FEBRUARY 2018 : PENCOED ARC TABLE TOP SALE

Pencoed Rugby Football Club, The Verlands, Felindre Road, Pencoed CF35 5PB. Doors open at 8am for sellers and 10am for buyers, entry is £2. Tables are £10 each on a first come first served basis. Refreshments available on site. To book contact Madeline Roberts on 0773 837 5775.


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

Sunspots - Friday February 23rd 2018

Solar flux is 70 today. Sunspot number remains zero. A=11 and K=2.

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon, as it was sunny, we did a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. We did the winter walk which is just over a mile. There were lots of snowdrops and hellebores out, but very few daffodils. Half way around, the National Trust had placed a coffee van. Next week could be very cold.

Guns for teachers - NOT amateur radio

So the ever modest President has met pupils from Florida who managed to escape the latest mass school shooting. That is good of him.  We seem to hear about these shootings every week in the USA.

His answer? Allegedly, arm the teachers. Why not ask the basic questions about USA gun crimes instead? The USA seems to have more school mass killings by far than anywhere else. Does no-one want to understand why this is? Could it be something to do with the ease of obtaining deadly weapons perhaps? Better checks, yes. Why sell automatic weapons in the first place? Why sell guns?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43149694

DXpedition to the Spraty Islands now March

According to the ARRL, the DXpedition to the Spratly Islands is to go ahead in March. You may recall the sovereignty of these was disputed by China. More than likely this is about oil, mineral or fishing rights.

See http://www.arrl.org/news/postponed-dxpedition-to-disputed-spratlys-reset-for-march

10m WSPR TX again

As the antenna is available, my 10m WSPR TX beacon (100% TX, randomised TX frequency, 500mW) is active.  This does not need the PC.

It is not much of a surprise that no spots received! If I get spotted even once I'll be pleased.

UPDATE 1328z: Still no 10m WSPR spots today.

UPDATE 2244z: No 10m WSPR spots all day.

2m FT8 RX

OK, I am amazed.

I stayed on 2m FT8 (144.174MHz) overnight and checked internet time was in sync earlier.

Just in the last 6 hours 13 unique stations in 4 countries spotted with best DX GW6TEO (371km) in west Wales in IO71 square. All this with just a big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 1030z: 14 uniques in 5 countries spotted in the last 6 hours alone!

UPDATE 1310z: Now 20 unique stations spotted in the last 6 hours. Incredible.

UPDATE 1322z: Best DX currently is PD0HCV (420km).

UPDATE 2058z: Well the last day has been extremely good on 2m FT8 (see below).

Sunspots - Thursday February 22nd 2018

Solar flux is 67 (very low) and the sunspot number zero. A=4 and K=2.

144MHz FT8 RX

Someone suggested I try this, so I have! Impressive. 3 countries spotted in first few minutes. 144.174MHz seems to be the place to set your USB dial. The GW spotted did not get uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps. All I have is a big-wheel omni.

UPDATE 1821z: Currently 8 unique stations in 4 countries on 2m FT8 so far.  My thanks to Mike G8ALS for suggesting I try 2m FT8. Best DX is G4ALY (376km).

UPDATE 1907z: Now 9 uniques in 5 countries with best DX DF1JC (486km).

UPDATE 2224z: Now 22 unique stations in 6 countries spotted on 2m FT8 with best DX DJ6AG (689km) in central Germany. Quite amazing.

More "Grumpy Old Man" - NOT amateur radio

Today, I continued my very unscientific survey of mobile device usage by young people in Cambridge. I did 2 very unscientific surveys about 90 minutes apart counting the usage of mobile devices by unattached young people in Cambridge.

All users, I guess, are under 30 years of age. Firstly, by a considerable number, young users outnumber older users and young, single women outnumber men. In the first survey I counted 13 female users and 11 male. In the second survey I counted 9 female users and 4 male. My conclusion is still that mobile devices are used more by young women (leave me alone) than men, although the ratios are much lower than I'd previously seen. I would guess that mobile devices were used by less than 20% of young people. Although "face to face" talking is down, perhaps I should be charitable as at least some of these people were texting their friends, like.

Now for a moan: seen in the T.K.Maxx window "Always up to 60% less". What the heck does that mean? Nothing! It could mean a 1% reduction compared with the most expensive shop in 2000 or 60% reductions on John Lewis prices today. Basically it is marketing drivel and meaningless.

Moaning over.

Overnight on 630m WSPR RX

Last night I was on 630m WSPR RX. In all, 14 unique stations spotted, all European. Not brilliant.

6m MSK144 RX

Since before breakfast, I have been on 6m MSK144 RX on 50.280MHz. As yet, no spots.

10m WSPR TX

All day, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW). If I get any reports I will be pleasantly surprised. I am only on 10m as the antenna is free.

UPDATE 1412z: No spots so far. I rechecked the PC clock is sync'd to internet time.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 21st 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number zero. A=5 and K=0.

472kHz WSPR RX

This evening I am back on 472kHz WSPR RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far 10 unique spots with best DX EA5DOM (1525km).

UPDATE 2252z: Shack PC battery now charged, so PC on battery power for the night. 6 stations spotted at 2248z and 10 uniques in the last 8 minutes!

Never give up! - NOT amateur radio

This amaryllis was given up as past it. After glorious flowers last winter it was consigned to the garden.

Then there was a hint of growth, so it was re-potted and brought inside the house. Every week it gets fed and watered. It is thriving now and there is even a bud. Another 2 weeks and it could, barring disasters, be in flower.

FT818 (the real one)

Some weeks ago we heard that the FT817 was to be replaced by the FT818 and that the new model had been tested by the FCC in the USA. Since then, I have heard nothing. I was hoping for some leaks about what it will be, but nothing so far. From the FCC report it looked nothing special, although I hope I am wrong.

As I have said many times, this product should have been brought to the market years ago on the way up to the last sunspot maximum. In my view not launching it then was a marketing disaster.  If I was a Yaesu director heads would have rolled. Is their marketing department filled with kids or others who really don't know the market? No, this was total incompetence of the highest order. And that is said as a loyal Yaesu purchaser since the 1970s. I have owned the FT7, FT77, FT747 and many other Yeasu products over the years.

A lot hangs on the success of this.  They now face serious competition from SDR products, plus they will have a harder job selling it on the way to the quietest solar conditions for years. It will have to have some truly knock-out features. If I was ICOM I think seriously about launching the QRP version of the IC7300 outside of Japan. This could make a serious dent in the market of the FT818. It could even kill Yaesu for good.

Would I buy one? If you'd asked me in 2012 the answer would probably have been "yes". In 2019? Probably not, unless it really is a killer product. I suspect a lot of people are of the same mind.

I fear for the future of Yaesu. For years it was a leader, whereas now it just follows. It almost seems they have lost their way.  So, Yaesu may well be struggling. I cannot see the FT818 as the ubiquitous piece of kit the FT817 was, and still is.  If I am wrong, so be it. For the sake of Yaesu I hope I am very wrong.

If you know any more details about the real FT818, please let me know.

Chinese transceivers

These are coming thick and fast now and I suspect the Japanese are very worried.

It may still be a few years before they are a really good match, but they are coming and at prices that will undercut the big Japanese companies by some way.  Finally, the Japanese will have met their match.

Either the Japanese will leave the market altogether or they will design in Japan and make in China. Some will exit stage left, never to return, or some will decide on the latter course. My bets are on ICOM being the one company to adapt and survive. I am no expert though. Yaesu? Kenwood?  We'll soon see.

One example is the Xiegu-108G which retails well below 500 Euros. Not bad for a 20W HF portable transceiver. It already has quite good reviews. Give the Chinese a couple of years and their products will be as good as any Japanese radio, but at much lower cost.

Most things you buy say "Made in China" whatever it is, simply because their labour costs and parts costs are so low. The best we can hope for is a price war (for survival) amongst the Japanese in the short-term. The writing is on the wall for them. Either they find some way to reduce their prices or bye bye.

5 years hence? Goodness only knows.

See https://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/12587

10m FT8 RX

Yet again, I am monitoring 10m FT8, but no spots as yet today. I have been active since 0720z.

UPDATE 1356z: No spots yet.

UPDATE 1910z: Just a couple of Gs spotted all day on 10m FT8. Dire. Switching to MF RX shortly.

Sunspots - Tuesday February 20th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 0.  A=17 and K=1.

Last night on 472kHz WSPR RX

Overnight I was on 472kHz WSPR RX, this time on my compromise Marconi vertical. In all, 13 unique stations were spotted. This is fewer than on the earth-electrode "antenna" and not altogether unexpected.

Return to 472kHz WSPR RX

As 10m was dire today, I have already QSYed to 472kHz WSPR RX. Already, quite a few stations spotted. This evening, I am using the "compromise" Marconi vertical, which really is a poor antenna for the band. The following shows the unique stations already spotted.

UPDATE 2047z: So far this evening 8 uniques spotted, although 39 unique stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR RX in the last 2 weeks.

UPDATE 2244z: At the moment I am off whilst the shack PC battery charges. It should be ready about 2300z.

Church blog updated again - NOT amateur radio

Like buses, they come along together!  It was months since the churches blog was updated and now it has been updated twice. This time I have added Chippenham (no, not the one in Wiltshire).

See https://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .

Geomagnetic storm

According to Southgate News we are experiencing a G1 geomagnetic storm, that often leads to good auroras. Maybe this is why 10m FT8 is so bad today so far.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/geomagnetic-storm-in-progress.htm#.Woqz1Ux2vIU

OXFAM in deep poo? - NOT amateur radio

The charity OXFAM looks like it is in deep trouble. They seem to have mishandled their operation in Haiti in 2011. It would not surprise me if they lose lots in donations.

If OXFAM people want to use prostitutes this is a private matter and OXFAM should not be involved. The negative publicity is nothing short of a disaster for them.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43107985 .

Granddaughter finding painted pebble - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I mentioned the craze for hunting painted pebbles hidden around our village.

This is our granddaughter finding one a few days ago.