Stroke update - NOT amateur radio

If this is of no interest please feel free to ignore it and look at another post. 

These days (5.5 years after my 2013 stroke) it is hard to tell what is old age and what are the after-effects of the stroke. When on my feet, I feel giddy all the time. I think this is worse than it was. My voice is poor. I find driving stressful. These feel like stroke after-effects.

Life is about making the best of "us" as we are. My main issue is most people assume I am "normal". Indeed I look fine. This is the trouble with hidden disabilities: people simply do not understand.

This is why I use digital modes like WSPR and FT8 a lot: my voice is not needed and I can be "normal". Sadly, my experiments away from home are all but impossible. I get exhausted quite easily with almost any physical or mental activity: after about 25 minutes I am exhausted. By exhausted I really mean exhausted, not just tired. After a rest I am fine again. Thankfully, time on the PC does not wear me out.

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

4m transverter

Some years ago at the old QTH (2012?)  I designed and built this transverter for 4m (70MHz). As I recall I erected a wire dipole for the band just before a contest and worked a few stations on CW.

At the present QTH, I have never been on 4m.

Many years ago (1968?) I recall working ZB2VHF via Es one summer from university with 4W of AM on 70.26MHz. I can't recall the 4m antenna we used, but it was at best a small yagi.

As I recall, this QRP transverter put out 1-2W on the band, but could probably produce a bit more with some optimisation.

These days there are quite a number of countries on the band. This was not the case back in the 1960s when it was mainly a UK allocation and only 70.2-70.4MHz. Maybe I should give the band another go? As I recall it is quite an effective Es band in the Es season, and with a few watts much of the UK can be covered.

Sunspots - Tuesday February 12th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0. A=9 and K=3.

Lock-up - NOT amateur radio

Back in the 1800s, village miscreants were put in the village lock-up. I guess this was a follow-up to the stocks, when rotten eggs and tomatoes were thrown. Maybe we should bring back stocks? Sorry, this would violate the miscreants human rights and heath and safety legislation! The photo shows our village lock-up. These days it is a garage.

Earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground details

Several people have asked for more details of the "antenna" I use on 137kHz, 472kHz and 1.84MHz.

The far end is a ground rod (copper I think) about 1m long. The wire back to the shack is about 12m long and runs along the garden fence (about 1.5m off the ground). At the near (shack end) it connects to the mains ground.

At the old QTH I tried a separate ground just outside the shack and running the "return" wire along the ground. Results were much the same. At 137kHz, 472kHz and 1.84MHz I am pretty sure this structure acts as a loop in the ground.

On VLF earth mode, I suspect the "antenna" is not acting as a loop.

                               --- Sketch and photos to be added on a later post, probably Feb 15th? ---

472kHz WSPR

About 30 minutes ago, I QSYed to 472kHz (630m) WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground (10mW ERP). Even though the transverter crystal takes about 20 minutes to fully settle, plenty of spots on RX and TX. At the moment (it is still light here) best DX on RX is PA3ABK (306km).

Initial 472kHz WSPR spots

10m FT8 - a blank

Most of the day I was on 10m FT8. At first I went on TX, calling CQ (2.5W) and then on RX. Not a single spot all day! I have now QSYed to 630m (472kHz) WSPR with 10mW ERP and already had far more success.

Es'hail2 web SDR now live

Southgate News reports that the Goonhilly based web SDR for Es'hail2 (Oscar 100) is now live, so you can see activity.

Please note: uplinks attempts are not yet allowed!!!

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/february/qata-oscar-100-web-receiver-now-live.htm#.XGFguPZ2u00
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

No less than 395 different stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day, including 23 North Americans and 1 Caribbean station on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I cannot really expect to do much better even with a big 160m antenna and extensive ground system surely. Best DX was W7AO (7688km) on the west coast of the USA.

Stations spotted in last 24 hours here on 160m FT8 RX.

160m FT8

Although I have only just QSYed to 160m FT8, there are already 18 stations logged with best DX UT1AN (2392km). On TX (2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) 9 spots in 4 countries already with best DX DL8BCJ (580km).

UPDATE 1900z: Already 46 stations spotted with best DX R7MA (2859km).

UPDATE 1952z: So far, 91 stations spotted with best DX R8CA (3788km).

UPDATE 2255z: Already 3 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 RX as well as loads of Europeans.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX to 2255z.

472kHz transverter video

The video I made many years ago of my 472kHz transverter was not on my YouTube G3XBM channel, not sure why. It now is. It is also here.

Architypal Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Kings College Chapel (see photo in rare sunshine!) is known the world over for the Nine Lessons of Readings and Carols each Christmas. It is many centuries old and one of the finest buildings in the whole world.

Being locals, we get free entry!

10m FT8

In the last few minutes, I QSYed to 10m FT8. After a brief CQ (2.5W) with no spots, I am now RX only (no spots). Just as I came on, there was a weak signal on FT8, but I did not manage to decode it, so there is some activity!

UPDATE 1042z: Just 1 spot so far n 10m FT8  GM4WJA (624km). Es or aircraft?

UPDATE 1303z: No further spots today.

UPDATE 1510z: A few more spots now, although not many. Best DX is DM4KE (956km) on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE  1825z: In the end 5 spots. Time to QSY to 160m FT8 RX.

Es'hail 2 operational later this week

Southgate News reports that Es'hail 2, the first working geosynchronous amateur satellite will be generally available late this week. You may recall this is a Qatari  satellite with 2 amateur transponders in addition to the main TV transmitters. There will be webSDRs to see activity via the internet.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/february/eshail-2-inauguration-day.htm#.XF_06fZ2u00
See also https://eshail.batc.org.uk/

160m FT8 RX overnight

A good night on 160m FT8 RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 23 North Americans, 1 Caribbean and 2 South Americans were spotted. Best DX was HK3W (8507km).

Old Forge - NOT amateur radio

Our village has expanded quite a bit in the last 40 years, but it still has a village feel, which is good. At one time there were 13 pubs and lots more shops. I guess people are more mobile than 100 years ago, with most owning cars. One thing that went many years ago was the blacksmith's forge (see photo). I am not sure when this closed, but it was probably 100 years ago?

Sunspots - Sunday February 10th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number 0.  A=10 and K=2.

160m FT8 RX

About 30 minutes ago I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. Already lots and lots of Europeans, but nothing yet from "across the pond" (2250z). I shall check again at breakfast time. Best DX on 160m FT8 RX is RG4D (3085km).

2m FT8 RX

This morning, I am sticking with 2m FT8 RX rather than 10m FT8. Already, in the last 6 hours alone 11 stations in 3 countries. spotted. Best DX spotted is DF6PW (673km). Once again using the big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 1155z: Now 22 stations in 5 countries spotted today in last 6 hours on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1342z: Again, quite a decent number of stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1546z: Now 37 stations in 5 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1610z: A brief 2m FT8 CQ (2.5W) resulted in a QSO with M0MVB (33km) and spots by 4 stations of which the best was GI6ATZ (479km). If I worked N.Ireland by any mode on 2m in the past, this would have been a cause for celebration!

UPDATE 2155z: 54 stations in 6 countries today on 2m FT8 RX and now it is time to QSY to 160m FT8 for the overnight period.

Stations spotted today on 2m FT8 RX 

with the big-wheel omni antenna

Love is in the air? - NOT amateur radio

As I put food on the birdtable this morning, I saw these collared doves together on the tree in the orchard next door. Until 1955, these were rare in the UK. Their range spread west and now they are very common here.

Sunspots - Saturday February 9th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN still zero. A=8 and K=2.

Vegan lunch - NOT amateur radio

Our elder son is a real carnivore, but he decided to "go vegan" for January. Much to our surprise, he is still vegan. He is a good cook and enjoys making tasty meals, so I guess this is a new challenge.

Joining the dots - NOT amateur radio

I am not sure if this is just old age or yet another after effect of my 2013 stroke. A few moments ago my wife said "carnations last for a long time". I thought she said "car engines last a long time". Clearly I misheard!

Return to 2m FT8

Yet again, I have returned to 2m FT8. G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall once more copied my 2.5W call to my big-wheel omni antenna. This happens nearly every time I go on, so must be tropo. Yes, he has a good site, but this is a very long way!

UPDATE 1301z: 6 stations in 4 countries so far spotted today on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DO7JVK (421km).

UPDATE 1440z: Now 18 stations in 4 countries with best DX DK1FG (815km) in Bavaria.

UPDATE 1545z: Now 23 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2208z:  Now 32 stations spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

160m FT8 RX

Quite a disappointing period with only 8 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 RX (am I really saying this? In the past the thought of just one USA station on 160m would have been amazing!) and nothing from the Caribbean. 2 South Americans were spotted. Best DX spotted last night was PY2IU (9573km) in Brazil.

Also of interest on 160m was S01WS (3043km) in Western Sahara, Africa.

Sunspots - Friday February 8th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number still 0. A=4 and K=2.

Raspberry PI shop in Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

The first Raspberry Pi shop in the world is opening in Cambridge, where it was invented. It is the UK's best computer, selling 55 million units. I have never played with one (yet).

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-47143411

See also https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/raspberry-pi-retail-store-cambridge-3654743?fbclid=IwAR1-n2S5FImPSvQGXNBuvgeIhfNwLCVH-QDpNlch3GpOCK0pXTqa08ygG-M

Visit - NOT amateur radio

Earlier this week we had a visit from one of our nephews who was on a course nearby.

In the background, you can just see "our" windmill.

160m FT8 later?

As 10m seems so dire here today, I shall probably give 160m FT8 a try later. Even with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I am sure 160m RX results are as good as I can expect and even my 2.5W on TX gets spotted over 1000km away on FT8.

Every night that I try, I spot many North Americans on 160m FT8 RX as well as bags of Europeans. Most nights I seem to spot several hundred unique stations on topband. On RX with this "antenna" I have an S0 noise floor, which must help. How much longer?

UPDATE 1606z: I QSYed to 160m about 30 minutes ago. At first I called CQ (2.5W), but got no spots. After a period RX only, best DX DL7CX (868km), I am now calling CQ again. It is still quite sunny here.

UPDATE 1616z: Just M0RTP (116km) spotting me so far.

UPDATE 1715z: Lots of Europeans now being spotted.

UPDATE 1950z: A period of CQ calls resulted in lots of spots with best DX being LB7ZG (1058km) despite just using 2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Stations that spotted my 2.5W 

160m FT8 CQ calls this evening.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Last night was average on 472kHz WSPR. In all, I was spotted by 10 stations with best DX PA0O (440km) and I spotted 11 stations.

Then I looked at a well equipped station, EI0CF, who was spotted by 117 different stations including 5 North Americans. So, a decent antenna and ground does make a real difference! Mind you, it proves that even with a very compromised set-up and low ERP like mine results are possible especially with WSPR.

Stations that spotted me overnight on 472kHz WSPR

Stations spotted here on 472kHz  WSPR overnight

10m FT8

Much of the morning I have been on 10m FT8. At the moment, just G4HZW (212km) spotted. A brief CQ earlier was spotted by no-one at all. It looks like this will be another dire day on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1448z: No further spots. All very quiet on 10m FT8.

SETI - NOT amateur radio

In the visible universe there estimated to be 1 billion trillion stars. And that is just the ones we can see!! If you say 1% of these have planets this is still a huge number. Of these, you would have thought some would have life and some of these intelligent life.

To my knowledge, we have been looking for over 50 years yet found nothing via the SETI (search for extra terrestrial intelligence). Either intelligent life is very rare indeed, or we are looking the wrong way, it is too weak to detect, or it is not there.

Should we ever find out that we are not alone, it should have a profound impact on life on Earth.

See https://www.seti.org/

Sunspots Thursday February 7th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0.  A=10 and K=3.

Bouncing along the bottom of the solar cycle?

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

The recent statement by Donald Tusk about there being a "special place in hell for BREXITeers" was ill timed and counter-productive. Yes, Theresa May is struggling to get her plan approved by MPs in UK parliament, but this smacks of sour grapes.

Although I voted "remain", I am probably not alone in wishing the EU gets not a penny of the £39 billion the UK was due to pay unless the EU agrees a sensible deal that suits both the UK and EU.

Mr Tusk, think before speaking.

Wicken cottage - NOT amateur radio

This is one of the cottages we saw on our walk at nearby Wicken last week.

More crappery - NOT amateur radio

This appeared on my blog maintenance pages earlier:

"Following the announcement of Google+ API deprecation scheduled for March 2019, a number of changes will be made to Blogger’s Google+ integration on 4 February 2019. "

So the new buzz word is "depreciation". 

USA rally

8-10 FEBRUARY : 73rd ORLANDO HamCation®

Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park, 4603 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32808, USA. Over 150 commercial vendors, more than 200 swap table vendors and the largest tailgate area in the southeastern US, will show and sell amateur radios, parts, computer hardware and software and other interesting electronic items for a growing group of radio enthusiasts. Over thirty forums held at the Lakeside Pavilion will present a diverse range of topics including digital amateur radio, new software developments, youth and amateur radio. K1AA will be the operating as a special event station and talk-in station. HamCation® is the second largest ham shows in the United States and third largest in the world after Tokyo and Hamvention with over 22.300 visitors last year. www.hamcation.com.

Good night on 160m FT8

Overnight was good on 160m FT8 with lots of North Americans spotted plus 2 Caribbeans. Even my brief CQ call (2.5W) was spotted by 6 stations in 3 countries

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight with 

the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Stations that spotted my 2.5W CQ with 

the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

6m FT8 then MSK144

As no-one has made any suggestions, I am QSYing to 50.313MHz FT8 in a minute. I doubt the activity will be as high as 2m.

UPDATE 0930z: The QSY to 6m FT8 was at 0922z. At first I called CQ (2.5W) and now RX only. So far, no spots!

UPDATE 1018z: A local told me that 50.280MHz MSK144 was the main 6m MS channel, so I QSYed to that mode and frequency. A brief CQ call got no spots, so I am RX only now.

UPDATE 1145z: No spots.

UPDATE 1158z: A CQ call (2.5W to the vertical) bought a spot from M1BXF (13km) of +9dB S/N.

UPDATE 1551z: No further 6m MSK144 RX spots. At the moment I am calling CQ, although 6m seems a dead loss: I have spotted no-one at all and only a local has spotted me! I shall stay on until teatime, then QSY to either 630m WSPR or 160m FT8.

UPDATE 1628z: OK, so 6m MSK144 was a dead loss!! QSYing to 630m WSPR.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 6th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=1.