10m WSPR

A few moments ago (it is now 0820z) I turned on my 500mW WSPR beacon to the indoor loop. So far just spots by G4KPX (14km).

UK post Covid-19 - NOT amateur radio

The whole world is having a great shock with this virus. In the 1600s maybe, but in the 21st century?

The expectation is that we will have the deepest recession, probably for a century. We will be in uncharted territory. With stimulus measures some countries may be able to claw back to near normality. Left to purely market forces, many will be very vulnerable.

I suspect long supply chains and "just in time" policies driven by ever lower prices will be ditched in the interests of supply security. Many retail businesses will close for ever and more of us will continue to shop online. I suspect flying will be rarer with higher prices and fewer leisure trips.

We are in for a difficult few years. I hope most governments can stimulate their economies to ease the pain.

6m FT8

At 0810z my 10W to the vertical V2000 omni was turned on. 6 stations, including 2 Scandinavians have spotted me so far. It is now 0815z.

Rainy day - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows an umbrella in a shop window seen recently. Ideal for the UK weather at present - rainy and changeable.

Sunspots - Thursday June 11th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 11. A=7 and K=1.

2m FT8

Stations spotting my 
10W 2m FT8 to 1840z

A few moments ago I went QRT on 6m FT8 and have QSYed to 2m FT8. This was at 1800z. 16 spots in 5 countries so far. Best DX spot is by GI6ATZ (479km) in Northern Ireland.

UPDATE 1945z:  One 2m FT8 QSO so far - G0BNR (37km).

UPDATE 2035z:  22 spots of my 2m FT8 10W this evening.

UPDATE 2100z:  QRT.

VHF/UHF super-DX

Every year about now, 6m opens from Japan to western Europe. For a long time I have been of the view that this is E layer propagation, but not sporadic-E (Es). This is a very long way and it seems to be linked with noctilucent cloud formation. Southgate News reports on a Space weather piece about extremely cold temperatures in the mesosphere. Noctilucent clouds are forming at lower latitudes.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/june/record-cold-in-the-mesosphere.htm#.XuD6RIjYrrcot

I have also got views on some of the other long paths worked on 6m such as the UK to the USA and the UK to South America. I am again convinced this is some sort of E layer propagation, but think it is very unlikely to be Es. OK, some openings could be Es, but the chance of this being multiple hop Es seems very unlikely. Maybe in 20 years' time we will know. In the meantime we have fun!

I also wonder if the Japanese path would also work on microwaves. Maybe one year some suitably equipped 23cm or even 3cm stations could have a try. Quite some firsts! Imagine if some EME equipped stations had a go.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent

Springtime - NOT amateur radio

Spring is a lovely time of year with fresh green leaves, spring flowers, young birds and new life. It is ephemeral and soon goes.

Our local churchyard is at its best. A little while ago the daffodils were out. Now the horse chestnut trees are looking splendid (see photo). These were planted in memory of the battle of Trafalgar many years ago.

Oscar 100 - is there a problem?

Activity at 1100z on Oscar 100

Usually, I check narrowband activity on the geosynchronous satellite by looking at the web SDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall, UK. The last time I checked (0935z) there was no activity at all!! Since then just one station has appeared. At the moment, there are a few more, but not many.

So, activity seems very low. With lockdowns, I was expecting more activity. It looks like the novelty has worn off. Once the gear is in place, many users are saying, "fine, done that" and going QRT.  Like Echolink and repeaters, what is the challenge? After all, it is really just another repeater, if a lot simpler and smaller than a big beam, kWs and a big tower. Once you have worked one station the rest are "same as".

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

6m FT8

My 6m FT8 gear is on again. 14 stations have spotted my 10W to the V2000 vertical omni, but I have only spotted 2 stations so far. No QSOs yet.

UPDATE 1000z: 17 spots of me so far, but no QSOs. My usual technique is to call CQ and reply to the first station calling me. I rarely call others calling CQ. I know this gives me fewer contacts, but I like to see where I am getting.

UPDATE 1254z:  37 stations, all EU, have spotted me so far on 6m FT8 TX. On RX just 8 stations spotted so far. I am sure that better equipped stations will be able to do much better, but I am happy to see results with my little station (FT991A at 10W, V2000 vertical omni, cheap CB coax).

UPDATE 1520z: 72 stations spotted today here, so far, on 6m FT8 RX. On TX 59 stations have spotted me and I have had 1 QSO with an EA4.

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

A few minutes ago (it is now 0916z) I turned on my 10m WSPR beacon. So far just G4KPX (14km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1250z:  Still just G4KPX spotting me.

UPDATE 1505z: Also being spotted by several stations today by Es.

UPDATE 2100z:  QRT.

Sunspots - Wednesday June 10th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 14.  A=5 and K=1.

70cm UKAC

This evening I spent 40 minutes in the 70cm activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB with 10W using the 2m big-wheel omni antenna. In all 4 QSOs with the best being a contact with G4CLA (105km).

Ripening - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the ripening corn seen on our walk earlier. In a few weeks it will be golden.

SPAM comments - NOT amateur radio

Just a few minutes ago, I permanently deleted a comment on one of my blog entries posted today. This had absolutely no relevance.  As soon as such posts are seen they get deleted. SPAM posts have no place here. If any get through, please let me know so I can deal with them.  Most times they are deleted very fast, but some may creep through.

Moon journey - NOT amateur radio

There is a video about the Chinese satellite orbiting the moon. Some people dislike the Chinese, but they will be even more of a super-power this century.

6m FT8

So far today, no QSOs yet (0845z) on 6m FT8. So far 44 spots of my 10W to the V2000 vertical omni mostly EU stations via Es.

UPDATE 1127z:  A couple of 6m FT8 QSOs with EU stations and I have been spotted by 82 stations so far today on 6m. Most are EU with a couple in North Africa.

UPDATE 1312z:  VE3DS (5714km) spotted on 6m FT8. Sadly, no transatlantic 6m FT8 QSOs, just European QSOs so far today.

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

For the last few hours I have been on 10m WSPR TX with the WSPR beacon. So far, 5 unique stations have spotted me, some by Es.

The general level of 10m WSPR activity was a pleasant surprise.

UPDATE 1209z: So far today, spotted by 7 stations with best DX spot being by SM6WZI (1007km).

Stations spotting me to
 1347z on 10m WSPR

UPDATE 1350z:  No further stations spotting me today.

Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we went for a walk around Ely. The cathedral (see photo) was still locked. It is a very fine building.

Sunspots - Tuesday June 9th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 17.  A=4 and K=1.

IC-705 unboxing

As my Japanese is non-existent, I just had to watch the pictures, but it looks like the IC-705 is now on sale in Japan. According to ICOM Japan the IC-705 will be on sale in Japan from mid-June, with international markets following type approvals.

See https://www.icomjapan.com/news/2707/

Poppies - NOT amateur radio

One of the joys of our "lockdown" walks is just seeing the beauty all around us. It is surprising just what you see with your eyes open.

Incidentally, we had a real surprise about an hour ago when a Muntjac deer bounded across the road into a neighbour's garden, but I digress.

The poppies in the photo were on the lane side on our walk yesterday. In June, they are probably at their best.

Promoting amateur radio

From time to time we get a chance to promote our amateur radio hobby at other events. The RSGB has published some notes to help us do the right thing.

See https://rsgb.org/main/clubs/media-guide-for-affiliated-societies/

6m FT8

As usual I am on 6m FT8 with 10W and the V2000 vertical omni.

My own signal is being spotted across Europe with the best DX spot being by OD5ET (3463km). Quite a bit of 6m Es. Best DX here on 6m FT8 RX is 4X4DK (3580km).

No-one has called me yet and no QSOs yet. I guess people are working stronger stations!

UPDATE 1425z:  Several QSOs had now on 6m FT8. Best DX spotted on 6m FT8 RX here is A92HK (5064km) in Bahrain. Many of the bigger stations (with far better antennas than I have!) are calling or working the USA.

UPDATE 2045z:   QRT.

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

At about 0930z I turned on my 10m WSPR TX beacon. So far, just spots by G4KPX (14km) with no Es spots yet.

UPDATE 1422z:  Now spotted by 3 different stations with 2 being by Es.

UPDATE 1904z: Now spotted by 3 stations so far today. Earlier I thought it was 5 stations, but some of these were last evening!

UPDATE 2048z:  QRT.

Vancouver BC - NOT amateur radio

Vancouver BC

Many years ago we were in Vancouver in western Canada (see photo). It is a grand city.

Sunspots - Monday June 8th 2020

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 16.  A=9 and K=2.

Strange weather - NOT amateur radiio

We had a lovely April and May, but June has been mixed. We mostly avoided rain on our walk this morning but is a real "sunshine and showers" day today, more typical of the UK in April.

Walk - NOT amateur radio

In the last few "lockdown" months we have done far more local walks. Today was no exception. We chose a path which clearly was not well known. We saw just 3 people walking their dog and we all had plenty of space.

My wife took a photo of this flower, which I think is related to the pea. It is a delicate flower called the sainfoin, I think. If you know better, I am happy to be corrected!

10m WSPR TX today (500mW to the indoor loop)

Just G4KPX (14km) spotting me today so far. It is currently 1407z. Early days yet.

UPDATE 1448z:  Just 11 spots by G4KPX so far today.

Sunday on 6m FT8

A few minutes ago 6m FT8 was turned on with 10W and the vertical omni antenna. So far, 24 stations have spotted me (it is now 1405z). Most of these are Europeans via Es. Fewer stations spotted here.

UPDATE 2115z:   Several stations are calling and working Caribbean and USA stations.

Yesterday on 10m WSPR TX (500mW and the indoor loop)

Much of the day I was on 10m WSPR, although storms forced early closure. No great DX spots.

Yesterday on 6m FT8

Much of the day yesterday I was on 6m FT8, although thunderstorms caused me to go QRT on several occasions.

Sunspots - Sunday June 7th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 15. A=3 and K=2.

Portable operating in the 1980s

The photo shows me operating portable from my parent's garden in the 1980s I think. It is just possible it is the early 1990s. Most of my hair is still there!

Cornwall - NOT amateur radio

Searching through an old box, we came across this old photo of St Ives in Cornwall. I have no idea why we have it or its origin.

Sunspots - Saturday June 6th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 13.  A=4 and K=1.

Thunder risk - everything disconnected

The skies have turned dark and it is windy and rainy. Thunder storms are about 30 kilometres away, so I have disconnected all antennas and plugs.  I am QRT.

If the threat passes I may reconnect things later.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en

UPDATE 1452z:  The storm seems to have bypassed us for now, so everything reconnected for now.

UPDATE 1504z: Well I got that wrong! Lightning, hail, rain - the lot! QRT again. After about 30 minutes I reconnected things.

English weather - NOT amateur radio

April and May have been very pleasant here with lots of sunshine. In fact this was the best spring (sunniest) on record. In the last day, the weather has changed: it is much cooler and more showery.

This good weather coincided with our lockdown. We have done some lovely local walks, in fact more than usual. We have paid more attention to nature this spring.  Now the weather is more changeable, it makes walks less attractive. The ideal weather would be rain at night but dry, bright days!

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

At about 0800z, the 10m WSPR beacon was turned on and already spots from Germany by Es as well as local G4KPX (14km). DJ9PC (825km) has  spotted me a couple of times already by 0824z).

Yesterday, I got 4 different stations spotting me  all day. Today looks more promising.

UPDATE 1112z: Altogether a much better day with spots of me by 9 different stations so far.

10m WSPR unique station spots of me today

UPDATE 1445z :  QRT as thunderstorm risk.

UPDATE 2120z: After about 30 minutes everything was reconnected. Now QRT.