160m FT8 TX

Earlier this evening I called CQ (10W) FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Amazingly this was spotted in Finland by OG2A (1693km). Every day the distances amaze me.

Solar forecasts

As you know, I keep an eye on the solar data. According to a piece in Southgate News, the next solar peak is expected around July 2025 and it is expected to be around the same level as the last cycle, so no Maunder minimum as some had been saying.

The next solar minimum is expected around next April. These latter figures contradict the figures I saw for forecasts produced by NOAA/NASA which predicted a later minimum.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/december/two-solar-cycle-25-sunspots-appear.htm

Lighter evenings - NOT amateur radio

From December 22nd the days start to get a bit longer again here. The mornings get darker until next week, but already the evenings are a little better. By the end of January it is much better. It is funny how we adapt to the changing seasons.

Snowdrops - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we went for a walk at Anglesey Abbey. Much to our surprise, the snowdrops were only just on the point of coming out. Snowdrops are a January/ February flower really. Usually we see snowdops then daffodils.

160m - getting worse?

Overnight, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, fewer stations outside Europe were spotted than on the previous nights on 160m FT8 RX.  Not being a serious topband person, I have no idea if this is always so at the end of December or whether it is just conditions and things will get better again.  Overnight, 4 North Americans and 2 Caribbean stations spotted.  426 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in total in the last 12 hours (see map).

Stations spotted overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Sunspots - Tuesday December 31st 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 0.  A=2 and K=2.

Will we see an upturn in 2020?

Family gathering - NOT amateur radio

Our son and his family are here for New Year. The photo was taken just before tea today.

160m FT8 TX

Although my recent 160m FT8 (10W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) CQ resulted in no 2-way QSOs it was spotted by 31 stations. My best DX was I8QJU (1650km). Pretty sure this is my furthermost on 160m so far.

Stolen Repeater

Southgate News, and other sources, reports the theft of a Cambridgeshire repeater. These are the details as they appear on Southgate News. I rarely use repeaters, so I am not even sure of the band or mode! I think it is UHF and DMR enabled.  I wonder if the site has surveillance cameras. At less than £40 for an internet camera, this would be a wise investment.

Let's hope they get it back and the thieves suffer as a result.

"GB7PY has been stolen from Madingley, Cambridge, on 23rd December at approx 2115hrs.

Repeater info -
Motorola SLR5500 UHF
Model: R10QCGANQ1AN
Tanapa : PMUE4392AA
Serial: 478IRW1189
Also stolen Teltonika RUT950 4G router.

IMEI on the Router is 3516220701486502 - which has been network blocked and will therefore not work on any network now.

Any information please pass to Cambridgeshire Police on crime reference number 35/92597/19."

Mahonia (Charity) at Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This bush was at nearby Anglesey Abbey on Sunday. I think the common name for it is "Charity".

2m FT8

As many will be aware I had a stroke in 2013 that makes speaking difficult. I still occasionally use 2m FM and SSB on HF, 6m , 2m and 70cm, but it is hard work. Often I have to repeat myself to be understood, which is exhausting.

Instead I use FT8. This is a weak signal mode, that allows basic QSOs.  It works with signals weaker than SSB and CW. It does not allow "chatting" and if this is what you enjoy avoid FT8. If,  like me, you enjoy exploring propagation on bands thought to be "dead" then you may like FT8. It has certainly transformed many bands for me: on 2m, for example, ranges double what I thought great on SSB in a contest are possible with QRP every day! Totally amazing.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/2m-ft8

160m FT8 RX - over the last day

Last night was disappointing with just 10 North Americans spotted. In all, 688 stations on 4 continents spotted in the last day on 160m FT8 RX. Nothing from South America again. Still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground as I have nothing else. No MF antennas available or in the air.

Stations spotted on 160m
FT8 RX in the last day

Sunspots - Monday December 30th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=2 and K=1.

2m UKAC activity contest results published

In the low power (AL) section I was 75 out of 201 entries. As I rarely stay on for an hour (let alone 2.5 hours!) and only use an omni antenna (big-wheel) I am quite pleased and this is making a silly error with one QTH locator!

Dead rose - NOT amateur radio

This was spotted at Anglesey Abbey earlier today. I like the reflections in the water behind.

Modulated light communications

When I was fit and healthy, I enjoyed experimenting with over-the-horizon optical communications using homemade kit and free software. As I recall my RX was based on one from the website below. Personally, I found optical communications more rewarding than microwaves. All the gear was homemade, including the optics and test gear. It was inexpensive and one was working "at the frontiers". Not forgetting the most important thing - it was fun.

See http://www.modulatedlight.org/optical_comms/optical_index.html

See also my own page at https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/optical

Sacred and profane - NOT amateur radio

We are all a mixture of the sacred and the profane. As I get older, I am more aware of this than ever. All of us probably strive to live "better lives", yet we carry on much as ever. I think the first thing is to accept ourselves: we are far from perfect and always will be.

At the moment, I am aware of about 10 close people who may not see next Christmas. Knowing "sod's law" these will still be with us (hopefully) and it will be someone quite unexpected who will go first! Life has a funny habit of going along much as it always has and then something dramatic happens and all changes.

I think we all have to accept that change happens all of the time: what we think will be for ever ends. We have to make the best of our situation, however plain.

At this time of year the sacred and profane intersect. Like many, I am glad when Christmas and New Year are over and we can make a start on 2020, however mundane. There is something "holy" in the ordinary. We take our days for granted. Perhaps we should not.

160m FT8 - daytime

Just now , just after noon, I called CQ (10W) on 160m FT8 with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. No QSOs resulted, but I was spotted by DK1WB (916km) in the daytime!

UPDATE 1500z: My 10W 160m FT8 CQ was spotted by SM0MEM (1326km). As far as I am aware this is the furthermost I have ever got on 160m .... and the sun is still shining brightly! On 160m FT8 RX 13 stations spotted.

Stations that spotted my 160m 10W
FT8 CQ just before 1500z today

UPDATE 1540z:  A very recent FT8 CQ (10W) on 160m was copied by 8 stations in 5 countries, but no QSOs resulted.

UPDATE 1756z: 210 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last 6 hours.

UPDATE 1900z: 293 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last 6 hours. Best DX spotted is R8CA (3788km).

UPDATE 2207z:  Now 473 stations spotted on 160m, FT8 RX including 1 USA station.

Shack

This photo was taken today. It shows the shack. Currently I am trying daytime FT8 on 160m.

Daffodil - NOT amateur radio

On the Winter Walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey is usually a small clump of daffodils. Normally these are the first to appear. A few years ago some were out in November. We were quite surprised that this one (the first) is only now appearing. December 29th is quite late for this clump. Even the snowdrops are only now starting to flower.

160m FT8 overnight

With 27 Stateside stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight, it was not a bad night. Overall 535 stations on 4 continents spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day. Amazingly, a pre-breakfast 160m FT8 CQ (10W) was spotted by 31 stations in 7 countries with the best DX being a spot by DK7KUG (885km) in JO64 square.  Still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground that is invisible to the XYL and neighbours! They don't even know it is there!

160m FT8 RX overnight

Sunspots - Sunday December 29th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=2 and K=0.

160m FT8

Look at all the stations in 2kHz on
160m FT8 RX. I counted 17!

For a change, I am on 160m FT8 with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. A recent 160m FT8 CQ was copied by 3 stations with best DX PA3CSG (402km).  Power into the earth-electrodes is about 10W, although I expect the ERP is milliwatts.

On 160m FT8 RX within a few minutes I spotted 75 stations with best DX spotted RA6HN (3243km).

UPDATE 1946z:  Now 129 stations spotted tonight on 160m FT8 RX well within an hour.

UPDATE 2240z: UN1L (4097km) is currently the best DX on 160m FT8 RX in Kazakhstan. No stateside DX yet.   237 stations spotted so far on 160m FT8 RX this evening. I think most of these are in Europe.

UPDATE 2250z: WA2TP (5509km) in New York State has just been spotted!

6m FT8

As we sometimes get winter Es, I decided to try 6m FT8 today (50.313MHz). For 6m, I only have the V2000 vertical antenna.

Although nothing so far spotted on 6m FT8 RX, my own 10W signal was copied by G0LGS (171km) quite well. At the moment I am on 6m FT8 RX only.

UPDATE 1255z: 4 stations in 2 countries spotted so far and a couple of stations spotting my 10W FT8 CQ calls.

UPDATE  1603z:  Just caught a winter Es opening to Poland. 3 stations worked with best DX SP3UR (1230km). I was spotted by 8 stations in 4 countries on 6m FT8 RX with 10W and the omni vertical V2000. On 6m FT8 RX 23 stations in 4 countries spotted today.

UPDATE 1646z: Quite amazing!  A string of 6m FT8 QSOs after my CQ calls and widely spotted despite just 10W and the omni antenna. Typical Es with some very strong signals. Best DX on RX is YL2GJX (1613km) in Riga, Latvia. This is a fine city.

Stations spotting my 10W 6m
FT8 in the last few hours

UPDATE 1649z: On 6m FT8 RX 69 stations spotted so far.

Station spotted this afternoon on 6m FT8 RX

6m FT8

UPDATE 1752z:  Now 83 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

VHF/UHF FT8 activity "contests"

Bas has brought to our attention these sessions which might well appeal to FT8 enthusiasts. Although the first one is on New Year's Day, some may like to take part.

See http://www.ft8activity.eu

Winter sun - NOT amateur radio

On Christmas day we went for a walk around the village. The churchyard looks bare in winter.

Although there were a few snowdrops about to come out, there were no daffodils.

472kHz WSPR overnight

In terms of the number of people spotting me this was the best night ever on 472kHz WSPR TX. In all, 32 stations spotted my 10mW ERP in the last 24 hours including 2 from Norway and 1 from Poland. The fact that so many people were able to spot me is remarkable considering the "antenna" and QRPP.  It is a credit to these stations and the WSPR software.

Stations spotting my 10mW ERP 

472kHz WSPR in the last 24 hours

Sunspots - Saturday December 28th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0.  A=3 and K =0.

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

As usual, I have QSYed to 472kHz WSPR TX for the evening and night. Within the last hour 10 stations have spotted me with best DX F6GEX (590km). Once again using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

2m FT8

Before lunch I QSYed to 2m FT8. I called CQ (2.5W to the big-wheel omni) and was spotted by 4 stations with best being EI2FG (565km).

On 2m FT8 RX 19 stations in 5 countries spotted with best DX spotted being  DK6JU (529km).

By using FT8 I think my range has more than doubled. This is possible at any time.

Stations so far spotted today on 2m FT8 RX
with the FT817ND and big-wheel omni to 1445z

UPDATE 1414z: 26 stations in 5 countries so far spotted on 2m FT8 RX with best DX spotted DF7IW (612km).  On 2m FT8 TX 6 stations have spotted my 2.5W CQs so far.

UPDATE 1416z:  FT8 has totally changed 2m for me!  DX that would once have seemed impossible is there every single day whether conditions are up or not. Even my 2.5W to the big-wheel seems to be quite enough. Amazing is an understatement.

UPDATE 1445z:  So far today, my 2.5W 2m QRP to the big-wheel omni has been spotted by 9 stations in 3 countries on 2m FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1811:  Now 71 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today. Best DX is DL6IAK (669km).

UPDATE 1918z:  Now QRT on 2m FT8 RX. In the end, 77 stations in 7 countries spotted with best DX DL2AKT (761km). QSYed to MF WSPR.

ICOM IC-705

https://icomuk.co.uk/

As of December 27th 2019 I have no further updates on this transceiver other than the expected release date in Japan is around April 2020 and the expected price in the UK is similar to the IC-7300.

If the price is sensible, I may buy one, once the bugs are overcome. I cannot see it on sale in the UK before the end of 2020. It would not surprise me if this is 2021. The absence of an internal auto-ATU is a big mistake, I think.

At the moment my best advice is keep checking the ICOM UK website.

472kHz WSPR TX overnight

Overnight was another good session on 472kHz WSPR TX. My 10mW ERP was spotted by 2 stations in Norway plus many others. There appear to be more stations monitoring this season.

UPDATE 1147z: At the moment, I am still on 472kHz WSPR TX, although I may QSY to 144MHz  (2m) FT8 soon.

Stations spotting my 472kHz WSPR
10mW ERP signal overnight

Big-wheel 2m antenna.

Most of my 2m activity is FT8 for which I use my big-wheel horizontal antenna.  This works very well. It has a few dB of horizontal gain and being omni-directional does not need a rotator.

Although this has been mentioned before on this blog, some may be interested.

It is mounted on the side of our bungalow at about roof height. If higher it might be even better.

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

Another LW broadcaster closes

According to Southgate News another LW broadcaster (Europe 1)  is closing.

As a recent purchaser of a small internet radio, I can see more and more people moving to these: my unit is able to receive 40000 stations like locals from right across the planet. There is no interference, no fading - perfect. It is as easy to listen to a station in Sydney or Capetown as the BBC and the quality is as good.

Does this mean a greater chance of access to some of this spectrum for radio amateurs? In the USA people can get access to LW frequencies even without a licence with 1W and antennas shorter than 50 feet. It would be good if OFCOM allowed some limited access to some LW frequencies even if by NoV, with very limited power and with antenna restrictions, on a strictly non-interference basis. I have advocated a more liberal approach to spectrum generally before.   If power is limited and no interference is caused why not? If users are traceable they can be closed down very quickly if there is a problem.

In my view radio amateurs in the UK should be given access to all frequencies on a low ERP basis with an NoV and on a strictly non-interference basis. I guess this is too radical! Imagine the real value to radio science if this was possible. There would be few takers with an NoV, so not hard to police.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/december/europe-1-on-183-khz-closure-confirmation.htm#.XgS2Q-iTLnE

SPAM emails - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, I got a couple of spam emails from "friends". I suspect these friends are totally unaware. Usually my Gmail spam filter catches these. I regularly check and delete. If you get any emails from "friends" with odd links just delete them! Do NOT open them, ever.

Some words of advice:

• Change passwords often.
• User virus protection - update this often.
• Use an email service that tries to remove spam links.

Sadly, the internet can be a nasty place these days with all sorts of crooks trying to get viruses and malware on to your PC.

Oscar 100

Periodically I check activity levels on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous  satellite. I do this by looking at the webSDR at Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall, UK. In the UK yesterday was a public holiday. At the moment activity seems lower than a few weeks ago. As this is the holiday season throughout the coverage area, I would have expected to see more activity. Perhaps all operators are busy with families.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Christmas day walk - NOT amateur radio

Christmas day was bright and sunny so we went for a walk in the village. This cat seems to have taken a liking to me! In all, we walked 1.68 miles according to my phone.

Sunspots - Friday December 27th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 11. A=5 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

At about 2000z, I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR TX using my usual 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far 10 stations have spotted me including LA8AV (1035km) at 2012 (early).

QSYed to 2m FT8

It never fails to amaze me just how far 2m FT8 reaches: in just a few minutes I was spotting stations in the Netherlands and Germany on just the omni antenna!  I seem to get this at any time of day and irrespective of conditions. Occasionally there are signals coming in by aircraft reflections, but I am pretty sure the majority are by "flat band tropo", so they are there at any time even with no lifts.

Already 12 stations in 4 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX with the big-wheel omni antenna.  On 2m FT8 TX with 2.5W to the big-wheel omni I have been spotted by 3 stations with the best DX being G4RRA (333km) in Devon.

UPDATE 1328z:  Now 20 stations in 5 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1515z:   Now 30 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1913z:  44 stations in 8 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 2000z: QRT on 2m.