2m FT8

Once again, I am on 2m FT8. After a brief period on TX calling CQ (no replies, but spotted by a couple of Gs), I am now RX again. At the moment (0952z) I have received 24 unique stations in 6 countries already.

UPDATE 1242z: Currently 43 uniques in 6 countries in the last 6 hours.

UPDATE 1550z: Now 63 uniques in 7 countries today alone on 2m FT8. This mode is getting more popular daily. It is good to see so much activity in flat conditions.

UPDATE 1742z: Now an amazing 76 uniques in 7 countries already.

UPDATE 2146z: Currently 81 unique stations in 7 countries. Remember these are flat conditions and with just an omni antenna!!

British Summer Time - NOT amateur radio

British Summer Time (BST) starts tonight. This seems hard to believe after (what for us) has been a hardish winter. Some parts may even see snow over Easter. As far as I am concerned this news about BST is great. Evenings get 1 hour lighter and I do not care about the mornings.

We lose 1 hour of sleep tonight when the clocks go forward.

Sunspots - Saturday March 24th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number zero. A=16 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR RX

For about an hour now, I have been on 472kHz WSPR RX.  So far 6 unique stations spotted with best DX EA3AER (1142km).

UPDATE 2218z: So far this evening 8 unique stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna".

QRP Marathon in April

This came in from Oleg today:

Dear QRPers,
after a week, from 1'st to 30'th April annually QRP Marathon "Look In
the Horizon" have a place. Remind rules on the Club 72 (club72.su) web
page, please. Registration form will be open in 00.01 UTC April 1'st.
Check-in and add your QSOs on the on-line form daily.
Have enjoy and wish you all good "Luk" collection!

72! Oleg RX3G / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

More rallies

25 MARCH 2018 : CALLINGTON RADIO RALLY

Callington Town Hall, Callington, Cornwall PL17 7BD. Doors open at 10am and admittance is £2.00. There will be a Bring & Buy and trade stands. Catering available on-site. Ample free parking in the adjacent carpark. Rally organised jointly by the Devon & Cornwall Repeater Group and Callington Amateur Radio Society (CARS). More information and bookings from Roger on 07854 088882 or email 2e0rph@gmail.com.

The Callington rally was the first rally I ever attended back in the 1960s. I went with a fellow SWL called Derek Wilson.  At the time I coveted a Heathkit Twoer. Must have been 1966?

25 MARCH 2018 : 33rd WYTHALL RADIO CLUB HAMFEST

Wythall House, Silver Street, Wythall B47 6LZ. Doors open at 10am with access for disabled visitors from approximately 9:30am. Free on-site parking is available. Admission £4.50 with 4 separate halls of traders including club stands and a Bring & Buy. Information from Ian Reeve on 01386 839655 or by e-mail to wrc4hallsradio@outlook.com [http://www.wythallradioclub.co.uk].

25 MARCH 2018 : CAUSEWAY COAST GLENS ARC RADIO RALLY

Bushmills Community Centre, 14 Dunluce Road BT57 8QG. Doors open from 11am to 4pm with disabled guests gaining access at 10.45am. Admittance is £3. There is on-site parking and on-site disabled parking. Light refreshments available ie tea, coffee, sausage rolls sandwiches, etc. There will be a Bring & Buy, RSGB Book Stall and trade stands. Stevie Morrow, MI0ULK, 07544 923 956, CausewayCoast_GlensARC@yahoo.co.uk.

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

Trade war? - NOT amateur radio

Although I understand President Trump's wish to impose heavy tariffs on steel imported at knock-down prices from China, he must know the Chinese will likely retaliate against the USA. A trade war could follow.

As many in the USA could lose jobs as are gained in the steel industry. He is treading a very dangerous path. Those "adding value" in the USA (such as car manufacturers) will have to bear higher costs with steel costing more.

There is no guarantee that the republicans will come out on top in the mid term elections in the USA later in the year. We have to be very careful and realise we live in a very interconnected world these days. The USA does not, and cannot, live in splendid isolation.

We cannot turn clocks back to the 1950s in the USA or the UK. This is 2018 and not 1952.

2m FT8

Since just before breakfast, I have been on 2m FT8. After a very brief TX period (2.5W to my omni) in which I was copied in Devon, I have been mainly on RX. So far 16 unique stations spotted in 6 countries and it is only 1005z.

UPDATE 1310z:  Currently 32 unique stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 1455z: The score is currently 35 uniques in 7 countries. A few minutes ago I called CQ but got no replies, although I was spotted by 3 Gs (best DX 334km - not bad for 2.5W and an omni!).

UPDATE 1604z: Now 39 uniques in 7 countries. A brief TX period was disappointing with just 2 people spotting me, with the best DX just 80km.

UPDATE 1704z: Now 45 uniques in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today.

Sunspots - Friday March 23rd 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=7 and K=3. Not promising!

Indoor 160m antenna

At the old QTH I was looking for a 160m antenna so I made this one in the loft. It worked very well. This was several years ago.

Sadly, since then, the local noise level has gradually crept upwards.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/160m_loft_ant  .

Home QTH

This is a view of the QTH. The orchard is in a neighbour's garden. Most years, these trees are laden with apples and plums. All my antennas are not visible. My earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is in the back garden.

Bank incompetence - NOT amateur radio

My father-in-law would have turned in his grave.

Yesterday, because a bank letter was unclear, I needed to contact my bank. 33 minutes later and 3 people later, I got my answer. 2 of these people were overseas. Not one knew who I was. A clearer letter would have made this call totally unnecessary.  Could they write this basic data in the letter? No -  idiots.

This week, also, we went into a different bank to close 2 accounts that managed to lose money! Then they wrote a letter to say they could not verify the bank details into which funds should be paid. Thankfully, they enclosed a first class stamped envelope. Whilst in the branch all details could have been verified. Again, idiots.

Why would my father-in-law turn in his grave? Because, years ago, banks were personal, you could ring your local branch and bank officials were respected. Now you are just a number in a call centre overseas. I suspect most bank staff have, maybe, a training in domestic studies or football. Most appear to know nothing about banking. Most seem stupid and incompetent.

Maybe I am just a grumpy old man, but is it really too much to ask for a decent, competent and personal service? Every bank, it seems, makes billions in profits. Maybe they should try harder at making customers feeling more valued. They could start with their staff.

Rally

24 MARCH 2018 : LAUGHARNE RADIO RALLY & MICROWAVE SYMPOSIUM

Millennium Memorial Hall, Clifton Street, Laugharne SA33 4QG. Doors open 10am with disabled visitors gaining access at 9.45am. Entry is £3. Matthew, 07936 152 846, Matthew.twyman63@btinternet.com.

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

Laugharne is in Wales.

OFCOM and mobile phone repeaters

Some mobile phone repeaters will be licence free in future.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/5543AFE536DFD1E52540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Hacking? - NOT amateur radio

For a while now, my own blogs appear to have not been the targets of hackers.

Meanwhile, far more important systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks such as the NHS, banks and our fuel infrastructure. No doubt our "back room boys" in MI5 and GCHQ and the like are keeping a more watchful eye after the nerve gas attacks in Salisbury on an ex Russian spy and his daughter.

There is little doubt that cyber warfare is a real danger to any nation these days.

2m FT8

After yesterday's success with in excess of 77 stations spotted in 10 countries, I am again active on 2m FT8. A couple of brief TX periods (2.5W to my omnidirectional antenna) resulted in spots from as far away as Pembrokeshire and Devon. On RX, I have (so far) spotted 15 unique stations in 5 countries.

UPDATE 1041z:  For the first time I used the "auto sequence" feature in WSJT-X V1.9 to have a QSO with G8ALS (127km). Still 2.5W to the omni antenna here. In all,7 stations have spotted me today on TX.  My "score" today is 22 uniques in 6 countries on 2m FT8. Of course, to spot a station only needs 15 seconds of opening (maybe less as I am no expert!), so even the briefest opening gets spotted.

UPDATE 1230z: Now 25 uniques in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1600z: Now 44 uniques in 8 countries today, so far, on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1632z: Now 45 uniques today. A couple of stations seem unable to get their QTH locators right - either that or they like swimming in the North Sea. I suspect it is the former!

UPDATE 1720z: A very easy QSO with G8NRY (158km) in IO93 square. He answered my CQ call. 2.5W to my omni antenna on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 2050z:   The map shows where my 2.5W (into an omnidirectional antenna) was copied in the last few hours on 2m FT8.

Sunspots - Thursday March 22nd 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=4 and K=1.

MLS Open Day to demonstrate IC7610

Although well outside of my price bracket, you may be interested in this special demonstration day featuring the ICOM IC7610 transceiver. At just under £3.5k, there is no way I am ever going to get one unless Father Christmas decides I have been a very good boy and comes in April! Even the PSU is just under £500, which to me is silly money. As I have said before, each to their own when it comes to disposable income. Some spend silly money on other hobbies and I am not one to judge.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/amateur-radio-base-station-radio-icom-base-station-radio/icom/icom-ic-7610-now-in-stock-pd-7032.php

Hidden disabilities - NOT amateur radio

Like many, since my stroke in 2013 I have had a hidden disability. Many say, "you do look well" or similar. Indeed to most people I look just fine.

What few realise is that for over 4 years I have felt unbelievably giddy when on my feet. Looking up is dreadful for me. It is like being permanently drunk. Just walking along a pavement (sidewalk) can be troublesome. Crossing a roads is a nightmare. Rushing along is now very hard. Add to that my voice is now very poor. Just chatting is now much harder to the point that I rarely start a chat because others will probably not understand. I'll have to repeat myself, which is exhausting.

Others too may have impairments that are hidden, making people think there is nothing wrong. To coin a well known expression, "never judge a book by its cover". Other people may well be fighting a battle inside that we cannot see or experience. Never, ever, under-estimate the struggles others may have to deal with.

One thing I have learnt is never judge others. Inside they may be having a very rough time, be it physical or mental.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR

Last night, I stayed on 472kHz WSPR RX until the battery in the shack PC "died". This happened a little after 0310z. No new stations were spotted after I went to bed. In all, 12 unique stations were spotted using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Sunspots - Wednesday March 21st 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number zero. A=8 and K=2.

2m FT8

Just before breakfast I went on 2m FT8 RX, after a few minutes on TX during which short time my 2.5W was spotted by 3 stations.

Up to now (it is only 0908z) I have spotted 16 unique stations in 5 countries. Best DX on RX is EI3KD (583km).

UPDATE 1202z: Already 35 uniques spotted in 6 countries on 2m FT8 RX since breakfast.

UPDATE 1635z: Now 42 uniques in 6 countries with best DX OZ1BEF (721km) in central Jutland, Denmark.

UPDATE 2028z: 64 uniques in 9 countries. What a day!!

472kHz WSPR RX

For the last hour I have been charging the shack PC's battery, so that I can operate on PC battery power this evening. Unbeknown, I had the 472kHz RX connected, even though the noise floor would have been high. Remarkably, 5 unique stations were spotted with the best DX LA2XPA (1310km). I am now operating on battery power with a lower noise floor for the rest of the evening.

UPDATE 2306z: 12 uniques so far. I'll leave things running until the PC battery dies,which should be about 0300z. I doubt I'll spot much more though.

10m FT8 RX

Since just after breakfast, I have been on 28MHz (10m) FT8 RX. Only 2 stations spotted with best DX 9A7JCY (1424km).

UPDATE 1930z: As well as a few EU stations I spotted a couple of Brazilians and VP8LP (12773km) in the Falkland Is on 10m FT8 today. Oh, by the way, the sunspot number is zero!

UPDATE 2012z: Wonder what antenna other people recommend for 10m? Presently I am just using a low Par triband end fed, which is not ideal on 10m. Some have recommended the Solacon I-MAX 2000, which is a CB 5/8 vertical.

Cottage - NOT amateur radio

There are quite a few old houses in our village. The oldest dates back to the 12th century, I think. This cottage is probably much younger - maybe 100 years old. Nonetheless, it is quite fine.

OFCOM - again about auctions!

Why do they spend so much time and effort telling us this again and again?

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/05E79BE1B139A0112540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

In my mind they should work a bit harder on actual enforcement and less on dribble.  As I have said many times, we live in a democracy and others may have totally different views. This is my personal view.

What I see is the law being flouted and little being done to make sure those who break the law are tracked down. I am thinking of dirty SMPSUs and similar.

In the days of the GPO they actually enforced the laws and were less bothered about auctions. Yes, my blood is boiling. All we seem to be driven by these days is money and how to make it. Nothing else, it would appear, matters. Meanwhile, Rome burns.

472kHz (630m) WSPR last evening

Until bedtime, I was monitoring 472kHz WSPR RX.  In all, 14 uniques spotted, although no new stations that I'd not spotted before. Once again, I was using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

4m (70MHz) band

For some time now I have been after a new challenge. A band I have hardly tried is 4m.

At the moment I have no 4m antennas and my QRP transverter is somewhere! The transverter has not been seen since we moved shortly before my 2013 stroke. It may be somewhere in a box in the loft.

4m sounds like a good band to try as I should be able to work by Es all the EUs allowed access. Also, much of the UK should be workable under normal conditions with a halo and say, 20W SSB. I guess all the UK would be possible with just a few watts on FT8.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/4m_tvtr .

Sunspots - Tuesday March 20th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number 0. A=16 and K=1

137kHz

This winter, I went on 137kHz WSPR RX for the first time at this QTH. I used my earth-electrode antenna in the ground. Really, I ought to try TXing from this QTH. One possibility is my TX transverter on my website (see schematic). I used this at the old QTH before my 2013 stroke with best DX 250km.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/mflf/137khz_tvrtr

Daytime 472kHz

For about 20 minutes now, I have been on 472kHz WSPR RX in the daylight. So far just several spots of G8GPO (36km) and one of  PA3ABK (306km).

UPDATE 1944z: LA2XPA (1340km) is the best DX spotted so far. 8 uniques so far today.

Trumped? - NOT amateur radio

Someone I know works for Qualcomm in California. Apparently President Trump was worried by a possible takeover by Broadcom of Singapore. They have now withdrawn their offer I understand according to the BBC.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43401675 .

472kHz WSPR RX last night

Yesterday evening I was on 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX. In all, 9 unique stations spotted, although I went QRT at bedtime and did not look overnight.

King's - NOT amateur radio

Living near Cambridge, we see many famous places that people travel the world to see. We can get in free too. One such is the world famous King's College Chapel shown here.

Sunspots - Monday March 19th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number 13. A=25 and K=4.

Friedrichshafen - June 2018

Although I have never been, this "rally" in Germany is probably the biggest in Europe.  It is often the place where new products are introduced to Europe for the first time. I expect Yaesu will have the underwhelming FT818 there. WiMo will not be there sadly. Perhaps ICOM will announce a new product? The other "big one" is in the USA at Dayton, Ohio. Again, I have never been.

See http://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de/ham-en/

630m (472kHz) WSPR RX

A few minutes ago I went QRT on 2m FT8 RX and switched to 630m WSPR RX. To be honest, I now know what 2m FT8 can do and I need a new challenge!

UPDATE 1920z: So far this evening 6 uniques with best DX spotted here HF7A (1294km).

UPDATE 2008z: Now 9 uniques spotted.

Super 6m DX

A reminder than 6m propagation often extends far further than traditional 1 or 2 hop Es. Last summer, even with a modest V2000 vertical I spotted Japanese stations on 6m JT65 many times. I am not a great believer that many of these very long 6m paths are due to multi-hop Es. This may account for some, but not all. Personally I think some other mechanism is at work. One example is reflections due to noctilucent clouds. Maybe we are seeing some sort of chordal hop E layer propagation. There is much we do not know.

I guess next Es season the best mode will be FT8. I shall certainly be monitoring this band/mode.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent .

That nerve agent - NOT amateur radio

Although the "considered opinion" is that Russia was behind the nerve agent attack in the UK recently, nagging doubts remain. If we could totally trust our government, I might feel differently.

As it is, we need independent proof that this was definitely Russia and not the UK out to cause mischief. One could argue that the Russians would not be stupid to use a nerve agent clearly with Russian origins. On the other hand, Russia does not exactly have a "whiter than white" record.

But, we have to remember that history often shows we are not always whiter than white. Propaganda is a murky affair: one can never be totally sure who is telling the truth. In reality both the Russians and the UK will have secret agendas and the true story is probably hard to discern.

One thing is likely: the Russians will attempt a cyber attack on the UK in the coming days. If nothing else, this is a perfect excuse. Watch out NHS, National Grid and banks.

Es Season and 10m

It seems scarcely possible, but the northern hemisphere Es (sporadic-E) season will soon be here again. Bands like 10m, 6m, and to a lesser extent 4m and 2m bring in DX from distant places.

If you don't have a suitable antenna, may I suggest my Homebase-10 antenna? 

Although designed for 10m, it can easily be scaled for other bands like 6m or 4m. It is basically a wire halo made from readily available material. It has a near omnidirectional horizontal pattern and is ideal for Es. I have worked the world with mine and all across Europe with 50mW CW, in the days before FT8 and WSPR.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/homebase