Seasons - NOT amateur radio

As I get older time seems to pass faster. It seems only a few moments since Christmas 2018. We blink and the clocks will be going back to GMT yet again. We adapt to darker evenings without even noticing.

Sunspots - Thursday January 16th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

160m FT8 RX

About 30 minutes ago I switched to 160m FT8 RX using the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground (see earlier post today for details). So far, 21 stations spotted with best DX RU3FM (2504km).

It will be interesting to see how many North Americans are spotted overnight. 

UPDATE 1730z:  30 stations spotted so far this evening.

Earth-electrode "antenna" in ground

As many know, this simple arrangement has given me great success on 1840kHz FT8 and 472kHz WSPR. I am sure a "proper" antenna and ground would be better, but for me, at 2 QTHs, it has worked.

On 160m QRP TX it has allowed me to be copied in North America! Although I used the mains earth at this QTH (you need to check if this is safe with your mains system), I used an external ground at my old QTH with the interconnecting wire on the ground with broadly similar results. My theory is this arrangement acts as a loop in the ground on VLF, LF and MF. At the old QTH I did not need the matching transformer.

Polyakov RX idea

For modes like WSPR, FT8 and similar you may find inspiration in this very simple RX designed many years ago for 10m WSPR. Although direct conversion and hence DSB, it worked well.

At the time I used very low cost GQRP 14.060MHz crystals, pulled up a little bit. For FT8 you would need low cost crystals at half  28.074MHz. The audio parts alone might give someone ideas.

BBC MW closures - NOT amateur radio

Southgate News has a further piece about BBC Medium Wave local radio closures planned.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/further-changes-to-some-bbc-local-radio-medium-wave-services.htm#.Xh7f8fKTLnE

2m FT8

On 160m FT8 nothing copied for 2 hours now, so  I have QSYed to 2m FT8. Initially I called CQ (10W to the big-wheel) and was spotted by 7 stations including 2 in Cornwall. Best DX was a spot by G7RAU (461km). On 2m FT8 RX 2 spots so far with F5APQ (180km) the best DX.

UPDATE 1104z: 6 stations spotted today so far on 2m FT8 RX. Best DX is G6YBV (261km).

UPDATE 1135z: So far today my 10W 2m FT8 to the big-wheel omni antenna has been spotted by 11 stations with best DX being PE7FG (445km). BTW, I am using WSJT-X v2.1.2. I get very annoyed when people call me after I have finished a TX CQ session. This happened this morning when I was called by a French station way after I had left the shack. Call me when I am on a  transmitting session, or you are very unlikely to a reply! If I am on TX calling CQ I always try to reply.

UPDATE 1155z: Currently 11 stations in 5 countries spotted this morning on 2m FT8 RX with best DX HB9MOZ (765km).

Poor on 160m FT8 RX last night

Overnight was poor on 160m FT8 RX. The number of North American stations spotted was the smallest seen all season. 317 stations spotted in the last 12 hours. Although no 160m expert it looks, to me, as if conditions are changing.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

Sunspots - January 15th 2020

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

70cm activity contest tonight from 2000z

Although I am not really equipped for 70cm SSB, I shall have a go again using the 2m big-wheel and 10W SSB. Because of my poor voice I usually stop after about 40 minutes.

The band can be quite active, although with strong winds and rain, I expect some /P stations will stay at home! Often I manage over 100km on 70cm with this less than optimum set-up. If taking part, have fun. If you are really keen, the contest lasts 2.5 hours I think. My log is usually submitted by 2130z!

UPDATE 2100z: Well tonight with the high winds and rain, conditions were dreadful. After just 2 contacts I gave up and returned to 160m FT8 RX.

Return to topband FT8

A sort while ago I decided to QSY to 160m using the earth-elecrode "antenna" in the ground. My 10W CQ was spotted by 16 stations with best DX being SP1FJZ (1086km). On 160m FT8 RX 24 stations spotted within a few minutes with best DX being 9K2HN (4567km) in Kuwait.

UPDATE 1920z: Now 159 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2200z:  313 stations so far spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX. Nothing from North America spotted yet.

UPDATE  2317z:  378 stations so far spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with best DX WP4G (6803km) in Puerto Rico. No North Americans yet.

ERP solutions? - NOT amateur radio

Today I got an email advertising Microsoft's ERP solutions.

OK, I have been retired now for almost 12 years, but I have no idea at all what this is about!  Perhaps I am out of touch with modern acronyms used in industry. To me ERP stands for "effective radiated power".

Please would someone enlighten me, and some others?

UPDATE 1015z:  Enterprise Resource Planning. I Googled it!  Sounds a similar idea to throwing cushions to break ice at meetings - equally stupid.

6m FT8 RX

As I am out later at my U3A course, I am on 6m FT8 RX only, so I can monitor the band on my phone. I only go on TX on any band when I am at home and can turn things off within a few seconds. I prefer FT8 on HF, 6m and 2m as I can have basic QSOs.

At the moment, no spots.

UPDATE 1038z: A brief 10W 6m FT8 CQ using the V2000 vertical was spotted by one station G0SYP (222km). Otherwise, no spots.

A better session on 160m FT8 RX

Last night was better with far more North Americans spotted plus a couple of Caribbean stations.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Lundy - NOT amateur radio

Years ago I was fascinated by this island in the Bristol Channel. It has no cars and a turbulent history.

These days it is owned by the Landmark Trust and managed by the National Trust.

At one time it had a black rat problem which decimated some of the bird life. For some years it has been rat free and many of the bird populations have recovered.

See https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/Lundyisland/

2019 70cm activity contests

The results of the 2019 UKAC activity contests have just been published. In the low power section I came 78th out of 155 stations. Considering I was running QRP and a 2m big-wheel omni antenna and always on for less than 40% of the contest time, I am very happy with this. With a beam I am sure a lot better could be achieved.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=432MHz%20UKAC&year=2019

The home QTH

The photo shows my QTH next to the windmill. You can just make out the V2000 triband vertical antenna on the side of the bungalow. Mind you, you have to know where to look!

CQ100 .io group

If you are a fan of "virtual" ham radio, you may want to join this group. As sunspot count is currently very low, this may appeal to some people who enjoy chatting. Although I have tried "virtual" ham radio, it did not appeal to me. It uses software and the internet to simulate the ionosphere.

Sunspots - Tuesday January 14th 2020

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

160m FT8 RX

A few minutes ago I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 57 stations spotted with UA9CGL (3793km) as best DX spotted so far this evening.

View from the London Eye - NOT amateur radio

Years ago we went with our sons and grandsons for a trip on the London Eye. This is the view west on a dull, wet day.

Flybe - NOT amateur radio

As I write there is a danger of Flybe collapsing. This airline is based in Devon and serves many airports around the UK and Europe. I hope this can be avoided.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51089118

2m FT8

A few moments ago I switched to 2m FT8. At first I called CQ (10W to the big-wheel omni) and now I am RX only. Best DX on TX was G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall. All the other spots of me (7) were by G stations. On 2m FT8 RX 3 stations in 2 countries spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1423z: 11 stations in 5 countries so far spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1751z : Now 21 stations spotted.

Stations spotted today on 2m FT8 RX 

UPDATE 2115z: About an hour ago I called CQ (10W) on 2m FT8. In all, 10 stations in 3 countries spotted me. On 2m FT8 RX 40 stations in 6 countries spotted so far today.

UPDATE 2144z: A recent FT8 CQ call on 2m was spotted by several stations including GI6ATZ (479km).

Hyacinths - NOT amateur radio

My wife was given a collection of hyacinths. These came out a few days ago and have given us much pleasure.

G3XBM shack and antennas

Just over a year ago I made a video showing the shack and antennas in use at that time. My voice is very poor!

Since then, I have made a few changes, but still mostly use FT8. There are other videos on the G3XBM channel, most made when my voice was OK!

WISPY

It is some years since I designed this TX. At the time I needed a quick and low cost way to TX WSPR on 10m.

I opted for a DSB TX using low cost 14.060MHz crystals and doubling. The PA used low cost transistors. These days many prefer FT8, although WSPR works with much lower signal levels.

You may find some useful ideas in the circuit even if you do not use it for WSPR. The site below also has a transceive option. This was breadboarded as separate RX and TX units but never tried as a full transceiver. It should work.

The same circuit (and the transceive option) should also work on PSK31. Just think of it: work the world for a few pounds!

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

Worst night yet on 160m FT8

Overnight 160m was the worst I can remember this season with just 9 North Americans spotted. Nothing from the Caribbean or South America. Again, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. A week ago I was spotting more than 50 North Americans on 160m FT8 RX nightly!

160m FT8 RX stations spotted overnight

Sunspots - Monday January 13th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K =1.

160m FT8

As it is dark, I have QSYed to 160m FT8. 104 stations spotted so far. Best DX so far this evening is RJ6J (3414km).

UPDATE 2220z: At the moment 225 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX. First North American was spotted at 2112z. This was VY2NA (4445km) on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

G3XBM history

I have been involved with amateur radio since the early 1960s and it still gives me a buzz. Things are very different today, but it is still a hobby with many facets. Looks like I was a great fan of wood effect Fablon!

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

UK royalty in crisis? - NOT amateur radio

When it comes to the royal family I am conflicted. There is little doubt that our history, linked with our king and queens, is a big tourist draw. It probably earns us millions each year. Also, there is little doubt that our queen has done a good job during her long reign.

At the same time, I hate privilege with certain people having too much wealth and power. I have my doubts about royalty continuing in the same way once the queen dies.

There is much evidence of minor royals getting too easy a ride at the expense of the public purse. My wife makes a good suggestion: sell off some royal palaces as hotels and charge huge fees for visitors to stay where royalty once slept. The Americans would love this. Give any revenue generated to the NHS. If some royals want to live abroad let them, but not at our expense. Likewise, cut down on payments to minor royals.

It cannot be easy being a senior royal. The only thing that stops me being a republican is I cannot think of a single person who would make a good president!

Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

We are about 12 miles by road from Ely. Some call the cathedral "the ship of the fens". Ely is a small city built on a hill. The cathedral, like Chartres in France, can be seen for miles around. We have to admit to it being one of our favourites.

Where did it go? - NOT amateur radio

It seems only yesterday I was a teenager. Now I am in my autumn days.

As we get older (I mean old in my case!) it is natural to look back and wonder where those care-free days went. We become more aware of our finality and how short life really is: we blink and we are old.

Advice? Make the most of every moment. We could be dead tomorrow or live to more than 100. Milk life.

6m FT8

Since about 0900z today I have been on 6m FT8 using the V2000 vertical omni antenna. I called CQ initially (10W) but no spots given or received. Now 6m FT8 RX only. In the early morning I guess only Gs are likely to be spotted, unless I get a rare burst of winter Es.

UPDATE 1316z: Still no spots. A recent FT8 CQ call was again spotted by no-one!

UPDATE 1324z: Just a single spot of G8BHX (208km) so far today.

UPDATE 1435z: 3 spots on 6m FT8 RX today with the best being IK6DTB (1529km). The strength (+12dB) makes me wonder of this was aircraft reflection? A 6m FT8 CQ by me shortly after was spotted by no-one.

UPDATE 1617z: And then there was Es.... 8 spots of my CQ calls (10W FT8) with the best being by LY3BRA (1573km). On 6m FT8 RX 19 stations so far spotted with the best DX bing IK6DTB (1539km).

UPDATE 1802z:  At this point 32 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX with best DX OH8JGG (1898km).

160m FT8 overnight - poorest yet

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

Overnight I was on 160m FT8 although fewer North American stations were spotted than on previous occasions this season. In all, just 10 North Americans, 4 Caribbeans and 3 South Americans spotted on 160m FT8 RX. Although South America and Caribbean totals were not too bad, I was disappointed so few North Americans spotted. Not being a 160m expert I have no idea if this is just conditions or normal. Again I am using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE  0950z: It is interesting to see how things change in the daytime. Only 1 station (an OZ) spotted here in the last hour.

Sunspots - Sunday January 12th 2020

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2.

160m FT8

For a couple of hours I have been on 160m FT8 RX. So far 145 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2200z: The first North American was spotted at 2132z.

The future of amateur radio

Many times I have expressed concern that our hobby could just die out as existing amateurs get older and younger generations fail to be interested. I see on Southgate News that the Japanese Amateur Radio League President has used this in his New Year's address.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/jarl-focus-is-on-younger-generations-and-women.htm

Betelgeuse - NOT amateur radio

Southgate News reports that the famous star Betalgeuse is less intense than it was. At some point in the next million years it could turn into a supernova, although I don't expect to see it!

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/the-fainting-of-betelgeuse.htm

Reflections - NOT amateur radio

On our walk yesterday we saw the fine sight in the photo. It was a bright, sunny day.