21 Mar 2020
20 Mar 2020
Returning migrant birds - NOT amateur radio
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| Sand Martin |
My dad, who died in 1987, regularly saw returning sand martins on the golf course at Thurlestone in mid-March.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/sand-martin/
Life goes on - NOT amateur radio
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| Mute Swan |
Today we did a walk and saw very few people. Life and nature carry on. Nice to think this mute swan knows nothing of Covid-19!
20m FT8
Once again, I am on 20m FT8 (10W with the indoor loop). So far today 11 stations have spotted me with the best DX being KI8JP (3916 miles). On 20m FT8 RX 125 stations spotted with best DX being K7SCX (7505km).
UPDATE 1617z: 55 stations have now spotted my 10W FT8 and I have spotted 224 stations so far.
UPDATE 1730z: 287 stations spotted so far today. 58 stations spotted here.
UPDATE 1915z: 75 spots of me today. A few QSOs.
UPDATE 1946z: 77 stations spotting me today so far. Activity now dropping off. On 20m FT8 RX 455 stations spotted her.
UPDATE 2011z: The last map shows the stations spotting me on 20m FT8 TX.
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| Stations spotting me to 1730z |
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| Stations spotted today here to 1730z |
UPDATE 1915z: 75 spots of me today. A few QSOs.
UPDATE 1946z: 77 stations spotting me today so far. Activity now dropping off. On 20m FT8 RX 455 stations spotted her.
VHF/UHF beacons on FT8?
It seems to me to be a "good idea" if all beacons had an FT8 transmission slot. A single FT8 TX slot is only 15 seconds, but this would allow monitoring of beacons at great range.
For those not equipped for FT8 there could still be a CW slot. All the beacons in a region could co-exist in a few kilohertz of band which beacon hunters could monitor all the time.
WSPR is too long at 2 minute transmission cycles, but FT8 would be far better. Shorter TX slots would make monitoring by modes like aircraft and other types of scatter more probable.
On reflection, maybe all beacons including HF ones need an FT8 slot?
For those not equipped for FT8 there could still be a CW slot. All the beacons in a region could co-exist in a few kilohertz of band which beacon hunters could monitor all the time.
WSPR is too long at 2 minute transmission cycles, but FT8 would be far better. Shorter TX slots would make monitoring by modes like aircraft and other types of scatter more probable.
On reflection, maybe all beacons including HF ones need an FT8 slot?
19 Mar 2020
2m FT8
As 20m seems to be closed now, I have QSYed to 2m FT8 instead. On 2m FT8 RX stations as far apart as Brittany and Germany spotted.
On 2m FT8 TX (10W to the big-wheel omni) 10 stations have spotted me so far with the best being GD3YEO (384km).
As I have said before, I am convinced this is some sort of scatter mode, but not aircraft. Polarisation does not seem to matter much and it seems to be there nearly all the time.
UPDATE 2140z: 14 spots of me so far this evening with best DX a spot by GI6ATZ (479km) and 10 spots of others.
UPDATE 2310z: After a QSO with a Dutch station, I am now QRT. In the end, 20 stations spotted me.
On 2m FT8 TX (10W to the big-wheel omni) 10 stations have spotted me so far with the best being GD3YEO (384km).
As I have said before, I am convinced this is some sort of scatter mode, but not aircraft. Polarisation does not seem to matter much and it seems to be there nearly all the time.
UPDATE 2140z: 14 spots of me so far this evening with best DX a spot by GI6ATZ (479km) and 10 spots of others.
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| Stations spotting my 10W on 2m FT8 TX this evening |
Covid-19 spread - NOT amateur radio
If you are like me, you are probably fed up with talk about Covid-19.
This map seems quite good. You can animate it to show how the disease has spread across the planet.
With a vaccine likely to be some way in the future, I hope they can re-purpose some existing anti-viral drug to lessen Covid-19s effects. Some are already being trialled.
This map seems quite good. You can animate it to show how the disease has spread across the planet.
With a vaccine likely to be some way in the future, I hope they can re-purpose some existing anti-viral drug to lessen Covid-19s effects. Some are already being trialled.
Another rally postponed
I have been informed about another rally that has been postponed. If the background makes this hard to read I apologise, but this is as I received it.
Sunday 22 MARCH : POSTPONED
CW BOOT CAMP. Stirling and District ARS, Unit 68, Bandeath Industrial Estate, Throsk FK7 7NP GMDX in conjunction with Stirling & District ARS are running a CW Boot Camp in Stirling. Great opportunity to improve you CW skills, registration open to all. Further information at https://www.gmdx.org.uk/cwboot
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rall
Sunday 22 MARCH : POSTPONED
CW BOOT CAMP. Stirling and District ARS, Unit 68, Bandeath Industrial Estate, Throsk FK7 7NP GMDX in conjunction with Stirling & District ARS are running a CW Boot Camp in Stirling. Great opportunity to improve you CW skills, registration open to all. Further information at https://www.gmdx.org.uk/cwboot
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rall
20m FT8
For about 15 minutes, I have been on 20m FT8 with 10W to the tiny indoor loop.
Already over 40 stations have been spotted, but no spots yet on TX. Although I thought that I chose a clear frequency, I must be swamped by a big station that I cannot see. If this persists, I might try a QSY.
UPDATE 1047z: Now QSYed. 70 stations spotted and I have been spotted by 3 Europeans so far.
UPDATE 1345z: So far today, 31 stations have spotted my 10W 20m FT8 including 4 in the USA.
UPDATE 1505z: Now 36 stations spotting me today so far.
UPDATE 1703z: Now 77 stations spotting my 10W FT8 on 20m. On 20m FT8 RX 442 stations spotted with best DX E20EHQ (9459km).
Already over 40 stations have been spotted, but no spots yet on TX. Although I thought that I chose a clear frequency, I must be swamped by a big station that I cannot see. If this persists, I might try a QSY.
UPDATE 1047z: Now QSYed. 70 stations spotted and I have been spotted by 3 Europeans so far.
UPDATE 1345z: So far today, 31 stations have spotted my 10W 20m FT8 including 4 in the USA.
UPDATE 1505z: Now 36 stations spotting me today so far.
UPDATE 1703z: Now 77 stations spotting my 10W FT8 on 20m. On 20m FT8 RX 442 stations spotted with best DX E20EHQ (9459km).
Amateur VLF
Amateur VLF activity is only possible with very stable signals and very long integration periods.
The exception is earth-mode, which can cover some remarkable ranges with low power and simple equipment. My best DX on earth-mode is nearly 6km with just 5W.
18 Mar 2020
Eurovision Song Contest cancelled - NOT amateur radio
This event has been cancelled as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51870325
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51870325
OFCOM and shared rural networks
There are more details on the OFCOM website about efforts by the big 4 mobile network providers to provide a shared rural network for 4G in rural areas in the coming years.
20m FT8 (10W) again
At about 1250z I turned on 20m FT8. No spots yet on TX, although the usual clutch on RX. I must be on the same frequency as a "big" station that is not visible here.
UPDATE 1330z : On RX 46 stations spotted so far and just one station spotting me today.
UPDATE 1626z: 28 stations have spotted me so far today. On 20m FT8 RX 223 spots of other stations in 4 continents so far today with the indoor 45cm diameter loop antenna.
UPDATE 2130z: 53 spots of my 10W FT8 today including 12 in the USA. On RX 470 stations spotted. A few QSOs were had too.
UPDATE 1330z : On RX 46 stations spotted so far and just one station spotting me today.
UPDATE 1626z: 28 stations have spotted me so far today. On 20m FT8 RX 223 spots of other stations in 4 continents so far today with the indoor 45cm diameter loop antenna.
UPDATE 2130z: 53 spots of my 10W FT8 today including 12 in the USA. On RX 470 stations spotted. A few QSOs were had too.
Oscar 100 upconverter
At 189.5 Euros this looks quite good value. It means a whole Oscar 100 station could be put together for far less than an HF transceiver. I am not sure if these units can be obtained ready built.
The geosynchronous Oscar 100 has been up for about a year now.
See https://amsat-dl.org/en/der-neue-qo-100-upconverter-mit-integrierter-pa-upcon6w/
Wicken Fen - NOT amateur radio
This has been replaced by a modern wind pump.
17 Mar 2020
QSY to 2m FT8
As it is getting quite late, I have decided to QSY to 2m FT8 (10W to the big-wheel omni antenna). Within the first few minutes 17 stations in 2 countries spotted me. So far, just 1 station spotted on 2m FT8 RX.
This is typical with this set-up on 2m FT8 TX. I am thinking this is some sort of scatter. As mentioned recently I do not think this is aircraft scatter. Polarisation seems not to matter that much but DX ranges seem always possible. If this was flat band tropo, I would have expected polarisation to make much more difference.
UPDATE 2052z: Now spotted by 23 stations in 3 countries with the best being G7RAU (461km) on the Lizard in Cornwall.
UPDATE 2310z: QRT.
This is typical with this set-up on 2m FT8 TX. I am thinking this is some sort of scatter. As mentioned recently I do not think this is aircraft scatter. Polarisation seems not to matter that much but DX ranges seem always possible. If this was flat band tropo, I would have expected polarisation to make much more difference.
UPDATE 2052z: Now spotted by 23 stations in 3 countries with the best being G7RAU (461km) on the Lizard in Cornwall.
UPDATE 2310z: QRT.
VHF QSO Party
Southgate News reports on a VERON QSO Party on March 21 and 22nd.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/march/veron-vhf-qso-party.htm
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/march/veron-vhf-qso-party.htm
Societal changes - NOT amateur radio
The recent Covid-19 outbreak has brought out the best and the worst in people. Overall, when this is behind us (whenever this is!) I hope we are all kinder to each other.
Certainly we have had a couple of offers of help already. In difficult times people are coming up trumps.
Certainly we have had a couple of offers of help already. In difficult times people are coming up trumps.
20m FT8 (again!)
As usual, I have gone on 20m FT8 again with the tiny indoor loop and 10W. At 1545z 34 reports of my 10W, all from Europe with best DX being a spot be OH60KSA (1862km). I guess this must be a special prefix. No QSOs yet, but I was late getting on today. Nothing from the USA yet today.
UPDATE 1734z: Now 63 stations spotting me with best DX a spot by OH6GZD (1998km).today
UPDATE 1950z: 67 stations have spotted my 10W 20m FT8 today so far.
UPDATE 1734z: Now 63 stations spotting me with best DX a spot by OH6GZD (1998km).today
UPDATE 1950z: 67 stations have spotted my 10W 20m FT8 today so far.
Village tragedy - NOT amateur radio
16 Mar 2020
Adverts I HATE - NOT amateur radio
If there is one sort of advert I absolutely hate it is one like this designed to whet our curiosity with words like:
"Seniors born before 1969 are snapping up this new benefit"
In my view this is click bate. Without clicking, we feel we might just be missing out, so many will click.
"Seniors born before 1969 are snapping up this new benefit"
In my view this is click bate. Without clicking, we feel we might just be missing out, so many will click.
20m FT8 with the tiny (45cm diameter) indoor loop
After sorting out the WSJT-X issue, 35 stations have spotted me so far. Best DX was a spot by N4DJT (4213 miles). 312 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1424z: 451 stations have now spotted my 10W with UA9MA (4630km) being the furthermost to the east. On 20m FT8 RX 420 stations spotted so far.
UPDATE 1904z: Now 103 stations in 4 continents have spotted my 10W today. See map to see who spotted me. On 20m FT8 RX 701 stations have been spotted on FT8 today.
UPDATE 1424z: 451 stations have now spotted my 10W with UA9MA (4630km) being the furthermost to the east. On 20m FT8 RX 420 stations spotted so far.
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| Stations spotting my 10W FT8 to the tiny loop on 20m today |
WSJT-X issue
Just now I switched from 2m FT8 to 20m FT8. I was very puzzled that none of my spots were appearing on PSKreporter. I checked on the "all bands" tab and they were there! For some reason PSKreporter was reporting me as still being on 2m!
After a restart, all was well with plenty of 20m RX and TX spots.
It seems that if you change bands you have to restart the programme or even restart the PC.
If you see rare DX stations reported on 2m, blame me!
After a restart, all was well with plenty of 20m RX and TX spots.
It seems that if you change bands you have to restart the programme or even restart the PC.
If you see rare DX stations reported on 2m, blame me!
Rally cancellations and postponements
Understandably in the current situation quite a few rallies are being cancelled or postponed until later in the year.
See https://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/ for the very latest news.
See https://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/ for the very latest news.
Oscar 100 QRPP experiment with FT8
Southgate News reports on a QRPP FT8 experiment from Brazil on the geosynchronous Oscar 100 satellite. The aim is to get people experimenting with real QRP via the satellite.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/march/amsat-brazil-qo-100-experiment.htm#.Xm9HIMiTK00
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/march/amsat-brazil-qo-100-experiment.htm#.Xm9HIMiTK00
President Trump (allegedly) - NOT amateur radio
Sorry that the quotes may not be clear because of the white background.
These were sent to me. I assume they are true, but I have no way of verifying them. They are all supposed to be said by President Trump.
January 22: “We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China. It’s going to be just fine.”
February 2: “We pretty much shut it down coming in from China.”
February 24: “The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA… Stock Market starting to look very good to me!”
February 25: “CDC and my Administration are doing a GREAT job of handling Coronavirus.”
February 25: “I think that's a problem that’s going to go away… They have studied it. They know very much. In fact, we’re very close to a vaccine.”
February 26: “The 15 (cases in the US) within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero.”
February 26: “We're going very substantially down, not up.”
February 27: “One day it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.”
February 28: “We're ordering a lot of supplies. We're ordering a lot of, uh, elements that frankly we wouldn't be ordering unless it was something like this. But we're ordering a lot of different elements of medical.”
March 2: “You take a solid flu vaccine, you don't think that could have an impact, or much of an impact, on corona?”
March 2: “A lot of things are happening, a lot of very exciting things are happening and they’re happening very rapidly.”
March 4: “If we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work — some of them go to work, but they get better.”
March 5: “I NEVER said people that are feeling sick should go to work.”
March 5: “The United States… has, as of now, only 129 cases… and 11 deaths. We are working very hard to keep these numbers as low as possible!”
March 6: “I think we’re doing a really good job in this country at keeping it down… a tremendous job at keeping it down.”
March 6: “Anybody right now, and yesterday, anybody that needs a test gets a test. They’re there. And the tests are beautiful…. the tests are all perfect like the letter was perfect. The transcription was perfect. Right? This was not as perfect as that but pretty good.”
March 6: “I like this stuff. I really get it. People are surprised that I understand it… Every one of these doctors said, ‘How do you know so much about this?’ Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should have done that instead of running for president.”
March 6: “I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn't our fault.”
March 8: “We have a perfectly coordinated and fine tuned plan at the White House for our attack on CoronaVirus.”
March 9: “This blindsided the world.”
These were sent to me. I assume they are true, but I have no way of verifying them. They are all supposed to be said by President Trump.
January 22: “We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China. It’s going to be just fine.”
February 2: “We pretty much shut it down coming in from China.”
February 24: “The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA… Stock Market starting to look very good to me!”
February 25: “CDC and my Administration are doing a GREAT job of handling Coronavirus.”
February 25: “I think that's a problem that’s going to go away… They have studied it. They know very much. In fact, we’re very close to a vaccine.”
February 26: “The 15 (cases in the US) within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero.”
February 26: “We're going very substantially down, not up.”
February 27: “One day it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.”
February 28: “We're ordering a lot of supplies. We're ordering a lot of, uh, elements that frankly we wouldn't be ordering unless it was something like this. But we're ordering a lot of different elements of medical.”
March 2: “You take a solid flu vaccine, you don't think that could have an impact, or much of an impact, on corona?”
March 2: “A lot of things are happening, a lot of very exciting things are happening and they’re happening very rapidly.”
March 4: “If we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work — some of them go to work, but they get better.”
March 5: “I NEVER said people that are feeling sick should go to work.”
March 5: “The United States… has, as of now, only 129 cases… and 11 deaths. We are working very hard to keep these numbers as low as possible!”
March 6: “I think we’re doing a really good job in this country at keeping it down… a tremendous job at keeping it down.”
March 6: “Anybody right now, and yesterday, anybody that needs a test gets a test. They’re there. And the tests are beautiful…. the tests are all perfect like the letter was perfect. The transcription was perfect. Right? This was not as perfect as that but pretty good.”
March 6: “I like this stuff. I really get it. People are surprised that I understand it… Every one of these doctors said, ‘How do you know so much about this?’ Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should have done that instead of running for president.”
March 6: “I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn't our fault.”
March 8: “We have a perfectly coordinated and fine tuned plan at the White House for our attack on CoronaVirus.”
March 9: “This blindsided the world.”
March 13: "I am declaring a state of emergency"
ARRL HQ
According to Southgate News the ARRL is trying to minimise the risks to its staff by stopping visitors. Someone had better tell the US President.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/march/announcement-from-american-radio-relay-league-headquarters.htm#.Xm6O1MiTK00
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/march/announcement-from-american-radio-relay-league-headquarters.htm#.Xm6O1MiTK00
15 Mar 2020
Lighter evenings - NOT amateur radio
Mid-winter it is dark by 4pm. At the moment it is light to about 6.30pm. In mid summer it is light until about 10.45pm.
This photo shows our windmill right next door shortly before dark.
2m FT8
At about 1730z I QSYed to 2m FT8 from 20m FT8. Still using about 10W to the big-wheel omni.
UPDATE 1744z: So far, 22 stations in 5 countries have already spotted me. I am convinced this is some sort of scatter, not aircraft scatter, as it is so consistent. Polarisation seems less important as I get nearly as many spots with the vertical omni. Best DX is a spot by DF6PW (562km).
UPDATE 1822: Well that was odd! After about 40 minutes I was seeing stations but these were not appearing on PSKreporter. In the end, I restarted the PC and all now seems well. I can only conclude this was some sort of software issue that was cleared by resetting the PC. On RX 2 spots so far in 2 countries with the best DX being GW8ASA (301km). 26 spots of me so far today.
UPDATE 2229z: Now spotted by 31 stations in 5 countries. Going QRT shortly.
UPDATE 1744z: So far, 22 stations in 5 countries have already spotted me. I am convinced this is some sort of scatter, not aircraft scatter, as it is so consistent. Polarisation seems less important as I get nearly as many spots with the vertical omni. Best DX is a spot by DF6PW (562km).
UPDATE 1822: Well that was odd! After about 40 minutes I was seeing stations but these were not appearing on PSKreporter. In the end, I restarted the PC and all now seems well. I can only conclude this was some sort of software issue that was cleared by resetting the PC. On RX 2 spots so far in 2 countries with the best DX being GW8ASA (301km). 26 spots of me so far today.
UPDATE 2229z: Now spotted by 31 stations in 5 countries. Going QRT shortly.
Coronavirus step change - NOT amateur radio
In the last week we have seen a step change in the UK over coronavirus. A week ago we were hardly affected, whereas now we seem to be on a war footing. People seem to have changed.
XBS Telecom
This EU company seems to offer very good prices with VAT added and good guarantees. I have never used them, so have no experience. If other have, perhaps they could share their experiences here.
It is interesting that many dealers are now offering the ICOM IC7300 with free gifts. It appears that ICOM are resisting dropping the basic unit price.
See https://www.xbstelecom.eu/shop/en/12-ham-radio
It is interesting that many dealers are now offering the ICOM IC7300 with free gifts. It appears that ICOM are resisting dropping the basic unit price.
See https://www.xbstelecom.eu/shop/en/12-ham-radio
20m FT8
A few moments ago I went on 20m FT8 with 10W to the tiny indoor loop.
It is now 1426z and 36 stations spotted on RX and just 1 spot on TX by II0IDR (1442km).
UPDATE 1450z: No other spots of me on TX. When a strong signal appears I can get swamped. I have just moved about 100Hz LF to see if that makes a difference. I always check I am on a clear spot, but this does not always work!
UPDATE 1725z: Now spotted by 18 stations across Europe.
It is now 1426z and 36 stations spotted on RX and just 1 spot on TX by II0IDR (1442km).
UPDATE 1450z: No other spots of me on TX. When a strong signal appears I can get swamped. I have just moved about 100Hz LF to see if that makes a difference. I always check I am on a clear spot, but this does not always work!
UPDATE 1725z: Now spotted by 18 stations across Europe.
Webcams - NOT amateur radio
It seems possible that some of the next few months we will be stuck at home under quarantine. Thank goodness for webcams!
Earlier today my brother was in Devon at Buckfastleigh at the South Devon Railway. He alerted me on WhatsApp so I was able to see him on the platform with his grandson. There are plenty of other webcams around the world. Some are live.
See https://www.earthcam.com/
Earlier today my brother was in Devon at Buckfastleigh at the South Devon Railway. He alerted me on WhatsApp so I was able to see him on the platform with his grandson. There are plenty of other webcams around the world. Some are live.
See https://www.earthcam.com/
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