Sunspots - Saturday August 17th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 0. A=5 and K=1.

DST100

We all have a tale to tell about how we started. Although I had been interested for several years, my interest was really started when my dad bought me a DST100 receiver from a local garage for £7. It was huge and needed 2 people to lift it. It was "attended to" by local amateur Roger Thorn G3CHN (SK) and this served me well for several years. I think it was designed for use in tanks in WW2.

In the 1950s and 1960s there was a lot of war surplus gear around and many of us used these as a start in amateur radio. Common receivers were the AR88, CR100 and HROs. These days new amateurs often buy a Japanese SSB transceiver.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/dst100

Enough? - NOT amateur radio

The UK pound has been gaining against most major currencies this morning. This may be a blip as BREXIT uncertainties continue. However, maybe the world has said, "enough".

International Politics - NOT amateur radio

The world is in a mess.

Britain is busy navel gazing and losing friends in Europe. North and South Korea have fallen out again, Israel continues to treat Palestine as if it didn't exist, the USA is spoiling for a war with Iran, civil war continues in Syria, Yemen continues to be fought over by proxi, Kashmir continues to be troublesome to Pakistan and India, the USA seems to want a trade war with China, and we have a climate crisis that the world chooses to ignore. These are to name but a few.

Oh for some common sense! Almost all these conflicts could be solved by compromise and talking.

6m FT8 today

Just a few moments ago, I switched to 6m FT8. Initially I called CQ with my best spot one from SP5ENA (1392km). I assume this was Es, but it could be aircraft reflection. At the moment, I am RX only.

UPDATE 1045z:  Unless my internet has been off most of the morning, this looks like a very poor morning on 6m FT8 RX with just 1 G spotted. I shall try another CQ call shortly. Probably more are monitoring than transmitting now that most think the Es season is largely over. This is a pity as I have found 6m open via Es way into September. As user numbers go down, this can lead to feeling the band is dead when it is anything but. With FT8, brief openings can be utilised and users are looking in the same spectrum space. Also, FT8 can work with signals weaker than CW.

UPDATE 1112z: A recent FT8 CQ call was spotted by 7 stations with my best DX being a spot by OH2FQV (1751km). So, there is some Es, just a lack of activity!

UPDATE 1238z:  My recent FT8 CQ was copied as far apart as Spain, Finland and the Faroes. As I said, many think the Es season has ended!

UPDATE 1338z: So, they tell me the Es season is over on 6m. Please tell someone then! The photo shows the stations that have spotted me already today using just the V2000 vertical omni antenna.

UPDATE 1454z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ call resulted in just 2 G spots and no QSOs.

UPDATE 1812z: So far 33 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with the best DX being EA8BEV (3126km). No Es?

UPDATE 1934z: Today, I have been spotted by 27 different stations in 11 countries on 6m FT8 TX with the best DX being SV9CVY (2728km) on Crete.

UPDATE 2023z: I was about to go QRT, but found the 6m band wide open, so for now I am still on. In the last few minutes I have been spotted in Italy and Poland on 6m FT8. The Polish station was worked on FT8.

UPDATE 2055z: Now QRT.

160m FT8 overnight

160m FT8 RX overnight resulted in 117 stations being spotted in 3 continents. The earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was used. 160m certainly was good.

Sunspots - Friday August 16th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN is still 0. A=4 and K=1.

160m FT8

As of a few moments ago (1855z), I am on 160m with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. An FT8 CQ call was spotted by a couple of stations with best DX F1TFT (353km). It is still light here. Nothing yet spotted on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1915z: A recent FT8 call to PA1CC failed, but was spotted by 6 stations including HB9DSZ (822km).

Recent 160m FT8 spots of me using 

the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

UPDATE 2008z: My recent FT8 CQ was spotted by 11 stations with my best DX being a spot by OL7M (1126km). No QSOs resulted. By the way, on RX my noise floor with this antenna is below S1.

UPDATE 2025z: On 160m FT8 RX my best DX so far this evening is LY3BRA (1573km).

UPDATE  2120z: On 160m FT8 RX my best DX is 5T5PA (3791km). This "antenna" certainly works!

Then they were gone - NOT amateur radio

Until a few weeks ago, the skies were filled with the sound of swifts screaming overhead. Then, one day you realise they are no longer here. A few stragglers may still be around. Indeed, we saw a single one in Norwich as few days ago, but most have flown south after warmth and insects. They fly thousands of miles returning next April or May. To me the sound of swifts overhead is archetypal English summer.

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

Butterfly - NOT amateur radio

 

This butterfly was spotted earlier today at Anglesey Abbey. We saw quite a few. Anglesey Abbey is about 5 miles away by car. We visit most months.

FT991A software bug?

When I returned to 144.174MHz FT8 earlier, the bandwidth was 500Hz maximum in digital USB. On 160m, 6m and 70cm it was 3000Hz. Now, this may be finger trouble, but I am sure that this was 3000Hz the last time I tried 2m FT8!  I am beginning to doubt my sanity. Reading the manual, I am none the wiser.

Anyone any ideas please?

Rally this Sunday

Sunday 18 AUGUST : RUGBY ARS RALLY

Princethorpe College, Princethorpe, Rugby CV23 9PY. Admission is £3 and the NGR for sat navs is SP395710. Doors open from 10am to 4pm, with traders having access from 8.30am. There is a car boot area. Catering is available on site. Details from Steve, G8LYB on 07956 855816 or email rally@rugbyats.co.uk www.rugbyats.co.uk.

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

Good optical comms site

On my own main website is some information (now very dated!) about my own experiments with optical communications at 481THz (red light). I was mainly interested in over the horizon, weak signal modes.

I was quite amazed to clearly detect my optical beacon over the horizon when nothing was visible in the sky. There were no clouds so I assume this was clear air scattering off dust particles.  This was using QRSS3 and a PC to "see" the signal. My own experiments stopped shortly after my 2013 stroke. I did try one experiment out portable since, but I was too clumsy. I have not tried anything portable since 2014.

All the gear needed is quite simple to make and all the test gear needed easy to fabricate. I made a very weak signal source using a very very dim LED to test the receivers. This was mounted near the ceiling of a darkened room. With a good RX this should be received OK. If you cannot detect modulation on a very dim LED your RX is not good enough.

I still have all my optical kit. If anyone local wants to borrow it to carry on the experiments, I'd be very happy. They must be local as I will want the gear back.

Another good resource is http://www.modulatedlight.org/optical_comms/optical_index.html

6m FT8

Lots of short pings on my waterfall, which I guess could be Perseids MS pings.

So far just a couple of Gs spotted my 6m FT8 TX CQ call just now.

On 6m FT8 RX 10 spots so far (0855z) with best being EA1TF (1164km) in northern Spain.

UPDATE 0908z: A very recent CQ call got only G spots. On 6m FT8 RX 11 stations spotted with best DX being IS0AWZ (1598km).

UPDATE 1010z: Now 15 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX, proving that FT8 allows the Es season to be seen going in far longer than many assume on 6m.  As 6m FT8 is so easy, I may QSY to 2m FT8 or even 70cms FT8.

UPDATE 1745z: It looks like the Es opening(s) today are over. In all, 26 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Soon be time to try another band.

Sunspots - Thursday August 15th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=1.

Out to old neighbours - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon, we visited our old neighbours for a cup of tea, so everything was turned off and disconnected fearing a thunderstorm. Although the power went off for a few minutes, we had no storms locally, so I have reconnected my radio gear and PC.

Nora Quoirin - NOT amateur radio

My heart bleeds for this girl's family. She had learning difficulties and was on holiday in Malaysia when she disappeared from her room. She was found dead a mile away in dense jungle. At the time of writing they are carrying out a post mortem. The family must be in a living hell.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-49340903

6m FT8

At the moment I am on 6m FT8 (RX mainly), but may go QRT later if there is any storm risk. On 6m FT8 TX 7 spots, mostly Gs with best DX HB9CQK (819km). On RX 5 stations spotted with the best being F1HMR (977km).

UPDATE 1112z: Now 23 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX, presumably many are via Es.

UPDATE 1641z: Gear was disconnected this afternoon, but now reconnected. 3 spots (all Gs) and 7 spots on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1912z: A recent 6m FT8 TX CQ call was spotted by 5 G stations, but no QSOs resulted. In total, 53 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. As the Es seems to have stopped, I shall be going QRT shortly.

Thunder risk

We have a Met Office warning for possible thunderstorms later. At the moment I am on 6m FT8.

See https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?id=09df0131-989b-4f56-98fa-b14775c4344e&date=2019-08-14

Sunspots - Wednesday August 14th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the sunspot number still 0. A=7 and K=2. Still poor.

UPDATE 1915z:  Latest K=1.

70cm activity contest

After about 30 minutes I (well my voice!) had had enough. With 10W pep SSB 4 stations were worked with G4CLA (105km) as my best DX.  Antenna is just the 2m big-wheel omni.

6m FT8

Since returning from Norwich, I have been on 6m FT8. On RX, 44 stations spotted in about 1 hour. On TX, 12 stations spotted me (no QSOs) with best DX report being from EA5BB (1505km).

UPDATE 2032z: Earlier CQ calls on 6m FT8 were spotted by 25 stations with the best being SV1DH (2430km). 2 QSOs resulted. On 6m FT8 RX 112 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2045z: QRT.

Norwich - NOT amateur radio

As the sun was shining, we decided to go by train to Norwich for the day. It has a fine Norman cathedral and is one of the most delightful cities in the UK. We always enjoy going there. This was the train back home.

Chinese lunar orbiter satellite

According to Southgate News, one of the aims of a Chinese lunar orbiting satellite was to map the interference in the HF spectrum on Earth as seen at the Moon.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/august/chinese-satellite-gives-rf-spectrum-of-earth-seen-from-moon.htm

USA - UK trade deal - NOT amateur radio

Oh yes.

And I am sure this will come with plenty of strings (China, Huawei and Iran being three) and a strong "America first" bias. Personally, I think we should tread very carefully of Americans baring gifts. If it is too good to be true, it probably is.

Every American I have ever met in the flesh has been kind and generous, but I do not trust President Trump or his team.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 13th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2. Pits.

Exhaustion and giddiness - NOT amateur radio

To be honest, the after effects of my 2013 stroke are getting me down. In the last few years there has been no improvement.

Today, the loft ladder beckoned (not actually into the loft, where I've not been since 2013!).

All the time on my feet giddiness and exhaustion are the main issues. Compared with my pre-stroke days, there are many things that can no longer be done. Chatting is now hard! Thinking of the positives, much can still be done. In many ways my life is far better than that of many. For this I am grateful.

At some point I need to re-erect my HF antenna and this involves getting up a ladder to the flat roof of my garage. In the past, this would have been trivial!

Cape Verde Is on 70cm

According to a second hand report on Southgate News the Cape Verde contest group can now operate on 70cms. Does this mean yet more astounding DX records will fall?

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/august/d4c-contest-team-set-up-new-432-mhz-station-on-cape-verde-islands.htm

The original report came from John's excellent blog at https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2019/08/new-432-mhz-station-on-cape-verde.html .

6m FT8

A few moments ago I went on 6m FT8 for the day being spotted by 6 stations with a QSO with 1 Italian. This could have been 2 but I realised too late that I was not on TX . On 6m FT8 RX 4 stations were spotted . There is early Es about .

UPDATE 0850z: 22 stations in 11 countries spotted so far today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1250z: 54 stations spotted so far. Widespread 6m Es again.

UPDATE 1605z: 112 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX with the best DX being EA8AQV (2989km). Plenty of Es still.

UPDATE 1912z: Now 173 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Clearly the Es season is not yet over.

UPDATE 2148z: QRT time. When I turned everything off, 163 stations spotted in the last 12 hours on 6m FT8 RX with the best DX being EA8JK (3022km).

Sunspots - Monday August 12th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0. A=7 and K=2. Still looks to me like we are bumping along the bottom of sunspot minimum.

472kHz (630m) WSPR overnight

In the end 2 stations spotted me on 472kHz WSPR, but no further stations were spotted here. At least the gear works.

Roman Chester - NOT amateur radio

Last week, we stayed with an old friend who is a blue badge guide for Liverpool and Chester. He gave us a free tour of Chester. The photo shows Roman Chester. Pretty sure the Roman soldier is there for the tourists! Small city, but lots to see.

Return to 472kHz WSPR

For the first time in many months I have returned to 472kHz WSPR using 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground using my transverter driven with the FT817ND. G1GKN (99km) is a good signal. So far, I have only been copied by G0VQH (15km).

UPDATE 2015z: Best DX on 472kHz WSPR RX is DL7NN (873km).

UPDATE 2120z: The following unique stations have been spotted:

Best DX on 472kHz WSPR RX is LA8AV (1035km).

UPDATE 2138z: Although I am not that hopeful, I shall stop on 472kHz WSPR overnight. It is still summer and the noise levels will be high, preventing many stations from copying my QRPP signal.

Thunder and Lightning

At the moment we have thunder and lightning, so everything in the shack has been disconnected for now.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?bo_page=map&bo_showmap=uk

6m FT8

A recent 6m FT8 CQ was spotted by 6 stations with best DX being OZ9QV (861km). On RX not a single spot yet.

Stations spotted so far today 

on 6m FT8 RX (to 1252z)

UPDATE 1156z: Plenty of stations (64) now coming through, many by Es, today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1252z: 74 stations from all over Europe spotted in the last 12 hours in 6m FT8 RX. Who said the Es season is over?

UPDATE  1610z: When the storms "stopped play" 96 stations spotted with best DX on 6m FT8 RX being 4X1SK (3566km) in Israel.

UPDATE 1705z: The storm seems to have moved westwards, so everything was reconnected. I called CQ on 6m FT8 and worked a YO2. The best DX of me on 6m FT8 TX was 9H1PI (2130km) on Malta. Now 125 stations spotted here today in the last 12 hours on 6m FT8 RX with the V2000 vertical omni antenna.

UPDATE 2020z: When I eventually "pulled the plug" because of storms (again) 146 stations were spotted on 6m FT8 RX. I have since QSYed to MF WSPR.

The arrow of time - NOT amateur radio

One of the things we take for granted is that the future is the future and the past is the past. Of course time itself could be an illusion. Our limited brains may make this hard to conceive.

If I recall my quantum mechanics correctly, everything can be represented as a wave function in all time and all space. Tunnel diodes only work on the basis of this "probabilistic" world view. They work!

Codar AT5 TX

How times change!

When I was first interested in the hobby we had horrendous noise at the top of 160m from Loran. In recent years we have noise all over the band from switch mode PSUs and other man made noise sources.

In the late 1960s 160m was the main mobile band, using AM of course. A popular TX was the AT5 paired with a T28 RX. The AT5 covered 160m and 80m and produced about 12W output. In its day it was a good radio from the car or at the home QTH. I always wanted one.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/at5

6m MSK144 RX

Overnight, I was monitoring the 6m MS "watering hole" on 50.280MHz MSK144. Certainly now and maybe for some time the Internet has been off, so reports to PSKreporter will not have got through.

UPDATE 0615z: As I was concerned that my internet connection was off, I checked the PC to see what 6m MSK144 signals were received overnight - nothing! This makes me wonder if something was wrong .

Sunspots - Sunday August 11th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 0. A=8 and K=2.

Oscar 100 - is activity increasing?

Last night at about 2022z I took a peak at the activity on the wideband transponder of Oscar 100, the geosynchronous amateur satellite. Perhaps I was lucky but there were 10 active SSB stations, most in QSOs. Now, maybe I chanced on a good time, but this is the busiest I have ever seen on Oscar 100.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/