Topband Noise

Although I can't speak for you, here in rural Cambridgeshire the noise on 160m is probably at least 20dB worse than 10 years ago. To be honest, noise on the lower HF bands is bad and getting worse. Even on the higher bands it is a real problem for some. In many ways I am quite lucky!

If you are lucky enough to live in a quiet part of the world (do they exist?) you might like this simple 160m antenna I used some years ago. It worked remarkably well.

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

Cottage - NOT amateur radio

Many years ago, my uncle lived on this street. Every day, rain, snow or sun he walked to and from school, a round trip of about 14 miles every day! These days, most of these are yuppy pads, second homes occupied a few weeks a year by people with lots of money, but small brains.

Yellowhammers - NOT amateur radio

These are very common in certain places in the UK. They are on the RSPB red list.

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

Another Rally

7 MAY 2018 (Bank Holiday Monday) : DARTMOOR RADIO RALLY

Tavistock College, Crowndale Road, Tavistock PL19 8DD. Doors open at 10.30am (disabled 10.15am). Admission £2, under 14's free when accompanied by an adult. Ample free car parking and on-site catering. Trade and club stands, usual Bring & Buy. Details from Viv Watson, G7AWG, 01752 823 427, vivwatsondrc@aol.com.

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

A grave mistake? - NOT amateur radio

My wife photographing something last night. Not sure what it was! Thurlestone, Devon.

Sunspots - Saturday May 5th 2018

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number 13. A=4 and K=1.

Breakfast with old friends - NOT amateur radio

We had breakfast with old friends today.

Rally

MAY 2018 : THORPE CAMP HAMFEST (formerly DAMBUSTERS HAMFEST)

Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre, Tattershall Thorpe, Lincoln LN4 4PL. For more information please go to the events page on http://thorpecamp.org or email secretary@thorpecamp.org or phone Anthony on 0795 665 4481.

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

Battery power suggestions

Thank you for your suggestions This sounds like something I should try. Now  I need recommendations for battery packs and chargers! I expect eBay will be the best source at the right place.

Sunspots - Friday May 4th 2018

Solar flux is just 66, which is very low. Sunspot number is zero. A=4 and K=1

Battery power?

Most of my operating is QRP, mostly 2.5W and occasionally 5W. On 472kHz my transverter produces 12W for an ERP of 10mW. Although I currently use an old linear PSU, perhaps I should use a battery pack with a charger to use when the pack is not connected to the rigs. Mains borne noise is likely to be less of a problem. I'd be interested to hear your views.

Puzzled about 10m

Every week Southgate News has a piece about 10m DX. The trouble is it takes reports from all over the world, so what is DX to some is quite inaudible to others. OK, it is a useful indication of stations that were active, but there its usefulness stops.

In my (limited) experience from here in the UK, 10m FT8 often brings in South Americans, but rarely anywhere else that I would call real DX. In my view, this would be more useful if it reported DX being worked by region e.g. from the UK.

See http://southgatearc.org/bands/10metres/2018/may/may-03.htm#.WurJ6ExFzIU

Sunspots - Thursday May 3rd 2018

Solar flux is 67 today. Sunspot number is 0. A=4 and K=1.

The South Hams - NOT amateur radio

I originate from the South Hams in Devon, a most beautiful part of England. The town in the centre is Kingsbridge (shown in the photo). It is a small market town at the head of an estuary.

"Our" windmill - NOT amateur radio

Many times now I have shared photos of our windmill next door. It really is "over the garden wall".  This photo was taken on May 1st when it was sunny. Most times this year, it has been wet.

Sails usually turn only when the museum is open on Thursdays, Sundays and bank holidays. When they do, it is a great sight.

The video shows the official opening after restoration. The chap front left is Richard G3TFX, an old work colleague. The address was given by our local MP.

Sunspots going faster than expected?

According to a report in Southgate News the sunspots are going at a faster rate than expected. They point to Spaceweather.com as their source. According to http://www.solen.info/solar/ sunspot numbers rose in May! Of course we are dealing with averages and we have to look a bit longer to see the trend downwards. I have no idea if this bodes well (or not) for the next solar cycle!

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/may/sunspots-are-vanishing-faster-than-expected.htm#.WunsGUxFzIU

White House Gaffs - NOT amateur radio

The USA administration has, allegedly, made some serious gaffs in what it releases to the press and public.  Often these are corrected later. Some of these are excusable. Some are not, especially those that sour international relations.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43957756 .

Mental Health Article - NOT amateur radio

The following article was written by Molly Anderson and sent to me:

Getting Your Physical and Mental Health Back on Track While in Addiction Recovery

 Photo Credit: 

maxlkt, Pixabay

Getting sober, maintaining sobriety, making healthy changes, resuming a normal lifestyle – the whole process of quitting an addiction and being in recovery are difficult. However, the reward is worth the challenge, as you'll find yourself feeling much better, and you'll get a fresh start in life. The healthy changes you make will aid in getting sober, staying sober, and feeling healthier both physically and mentally.

Assessing the Damage

Abusing drugs or alcohol harms your body, mind, and relationships. Different substances have different effects. Amphetamines can cause insomnia, depression, cardiovascular issues, loss of appetite, and gastrointestinal issues. Cocaine can cause fatigue, depression, anxiety, and restlessness. Other drugs have harmful effects on the mind and organs as well. The negative effects of substance abuse can lead to issues that cause malnutrition and physical and mental illnesses.

Addiction can also harm relationships. Whether it's physical abuse, emotional abuse, or letting others down, friends and family members are often hurt by an addict’s behavior. Finding ways to repair the damaged relationships can help you let go of guilt and any negative feelings you have about yourself, which can help improve your mental health. Consider attending family therapy with your family and friends once you’ve completed recovery. Your counselor can decide the best timing, but it’s usually a few months or a year after treatment begins.

Finding Healing Activities

Most people who abuse drugs or alcohol are probably not involved in healthy activities such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture. In recovery, you can start up these activities to be used as holistic therapies, which can improve your health and keep you on track to remain sober. Meditation teaches you to become aware of your thoughts, emotions, and sensations through breathing and concentration. This technique can be used to fight cravings, to deal with the physical pains many people deal with in recovery, and to fight negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression.

Yoga produces long lasting changes to the body, both physically and mentally, which help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Yoga creates a sense of calm and solace and is a positive coping mechanism when dealing with depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, and other negative emotions. Yoga and mindfulness can be combined to provide energy, satisfaction, and stability during your path to recovery.

Certain points used in acupuncture can address targeted parts of the body – such as the kidney, lungs, and liver – that are damaged from drug or alcohol abuse. Acupuncture can also help calm the body so that you can let go of negative feelings, such as anger or anxiety, and get in touch with your emotions. Acupuncture may also help to alleviate physical pain and insomnia.

Diet and Exercise

Part of addiction recovery includes improved health, which means beginning to exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, so it can be an alternative to drugs. It can also reduce stress, improve mental health and mood, and benefit your organs, bones, and muscles. Getting healthy also involves good nutrition. A well-balanced diet provides energy so you don’t feel fatigued, and it provides the nutrients you need for growth and repair. Your diet affects all parts of your body, including your heart, immune system, bones, teeth, and mental health.

Another important step in your road to recovery is to figure out your goals. This includes both clinical treatment goals and goals for employment, education, social activities, and housing. Once you establish your goals, you can work with a counselor to pursue and achieve them. Recovery gives you a fresh start, so use this opportunity to heal your mind and body with holistic therapies, diet, and exercise. You can then work on healing relationships and accomplishing your goals in life.

6m FT8 today

Yet again, I am on 6m FT8. After a brief CQ period earlier (no spots) I am RX only. So far just a couple of Gs with best DX spotted G4VPD (150km).

UPDATE 1305z: Quite a few UK stations, plus Denmark, Slovak Republic, Belgium and Italy. Best DX currently is I6WJB (1509km).

UPDATE 2106z: Currently 37 unique stations in 6 countries spotted today on 6m FT8. Time to go QRT.

Sunspots - Wednesday May 2nd 2018

Had my dad lived (died 1987) he would have been 100 today. Somehow I can't imagine him being 100!

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number 0. A=3 and K=1.

Grandson's paintings and drawings - NOT amateur radio

We are very proud of our young grandson who has just turned 9. For his age, his artwork is excellent. He has a real gift, unlike his grandparents!

He is good with people, good at swimming and sports - in fact a good all-rounder. Some examples of his art are attached. The Santa Maria and the train were painted some years ago.

SAQ (17.2kHz VLF CW)

SAQ the historic alternator VLF TX was on the air yesterday from Grimeton in Sweden. Paul Nicholson in Todmorden, UK made a complete recording.

Guess who totally forgot?!

See http://78.46.38.217/saq-180501.mp3

2m UKAC contest

Last night was the May leg of the 2m activity contest. 6 QSOs before I had to go QRT (poor voice) with best DX G6DOD/P 213km on the Isle of Wight. I run 5W to a big-wheel omnidirectional antenna.

Rigs

The photo shows my current operating set-up.

Not shown is the 472kHz transverter (about 12W out, 10mW ERP) or ATU.

Mostly I use 2.5W on HF, VHF and UHF.  I receive far more than I transmit. At one time I had the Elecraft auto-ATU but I much prefer the LDG Z817, which seems better suited to home use.

Swan - NOT amateur radio

This swan was enjoying a bit of quiet time at Anglesey Abbey earlier. There is a nest there and I think the pair of swans are taking turns on it.

When we went earlier today we saw no swallows, no house martins, no sand martins and no swifts. In previous years these were quite common by now, so numbers must be down?

Swaziland gets a new name

According to Southgate News, Swaziland has a new name. Although the king announced a new name earlier in April, its DXCC status is unchanged.

We went to Swaziland in 2010. We also went to Lesotho, which was like stepping back 1000 years.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/may/kingdom-of-eswatini.htm#.WuiPT0xFzmI

Es?

At last, we are seeing evidence of sporadic-E (Es) in the northern hemisphere.  Usually this brings lots of Europeans in range on 10m and 6m. Openings get less frequent on 4m and even less frequent on 2m.

FT8 should help as even brief openings get noticed. Most years, much further is also possible on 6m. Whether this is multi-hop Es or some other mechanism is open to debate. Personally, I have my doubts.

Tulips - NOT amateur radio

The formal garden at Anglesey Abbey had a stunning display of tulips (see photo). They were all this colour and white. Most in the grounds are now dying and well past their best.

OFCOM Communications Monthly

OFCOM has just published it monthly update.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/4270C5D1D6C9960D2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

New article added - NOT amateur radio

Some may find this page useful. I have added an article that Molly Anderson sent me as a file at the bottom of the page.

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

6m FT8 today

Yet again, I am on 6m FT8. So far today, just 1 G spotted G4VPD (150km). A brief CQ call at 2.5W earlier brought no spots. Mind you, it was early and most sensible people would have still been asleep!

Stations spotted up to 1321z

UPDATE 1321z:  21 different stations in 4 countries so far spotted today. Best DX so far is 4O6AH (1787km).

UPDATE  1428z: Now 25 different stations in 5 countries today on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 2026z: In the end 29 different stations spotted in 6 countries. Soon be time to go QRT.

UK identity documents? - NOT amateur radio

In the UK we seem to have a problem with illegal immigrants. One solution proposed is an ID card for each legal person living here. You would need this to obtain benefits. I think this would help, but I am not 100% sure.

In the light of the debacle over "the Windrush generation" in which people who were legally here but denied rights and deported (can you believe this?), it might help. This action is wholly inexcusable!!
As for the government I simply do not care whether it is Labour, Conservative or Monster Raving Loony.  This a total balls up.

As a legally here person, I have no problems with such a card, although I have not been through all the arguments.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43949972

Solar figures

Within the next few days we'll see the solar numbers for April.

We are on average on a slow decline to the next solar minimum, yet 10m FT8 has allowed real DX to be copied.

For example, on the 3 occasions recently when I monitored the 10m band it opened to Brazil and Argentina, despite my poor antenna on 10m.

All I am advocating is never give up on 10m. FT8 is a game changer. Even with poor solar conditions 10m openings now get spotted, whereas at the same point in the last solar cycle we might have written off 10m.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/

Sunspots - Tuesday May 1st 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 0.  A=7and K=2.

UK Pound against the Euro - NOT amateur radio

In recent weeks the UK Pound has been weak against the Euro. It has not been helped by BREXIT uncertainty and poor GDP figures. Once the BREXIT deal becomes clearer, I expect the UK Pound to strengthen against the Euro. It is entirely possible I am totally wrong. After all, I was last year!

Mills on the air weekend

May 12/13th will see activations from several mills around the UK.

We live right next door to a windmill, so I may get on sometime over the weekend. Years ago, I got a QSL from a group that activated our local windmill here in Burwell.

I know the Cambridge Club is on from a mill in nearby Willingham.

See http://www.mills-on-the-air.net/

Irish VHF spectrum - big allocations

From John's blog comes news of huge chunks of VHF spectrum being made available to EI amateurs. In my view, this is very enlightened.

I guess it would be too much to expect OFCOM to do similar, even with a very low ERP limit and stations operating on a "strictly no interference to primary users" basis. Of course, this would involve OFCOM staff thinking, so no, no, no.  Silly me for even suggesting this! Personally even 100mW at 40MHz would do me. With FT8 or WSPR we could do some serious radio science.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/irish-radio-amateurs-gain-access-to.html

Sunspots - Monday April 30th 2018

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number has returned to zero. A=4 and K=3.

Tan House - NOT amateur radio

This is probably one of the largest and loveliest homes in our village. Many years ago it was the home of Sir Francis Pym who was British Foreign Secretary. The house has big grounds. I have no idea who lives there now.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Pym

6m FT8

For the last few days I have concentrated on 10m. 10m has opened to South America on several recent evenings on 10m FT8. Already there are signs of Es with quite a few stations from France, Spain and Italy.

Today, I am looking on 6m FT8. After a few early CQ calls at 2.5W (no spots), I am now 6m FT8 RX only. So far, nothing!

UPDATE 1647z: Currently 13 different stations spotted in 3 countries on 6m FT8 RX with best DX SM3LBN (1361km).

UPDATE 1725z: Now 14 stations in 4 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX with best DX IK6CWQ (1512km).

UPDATE 2102z: 16 stations in 5 countries spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. Soon be time to go QRT.