31 Aug 2020
Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio
2m FT8
For about 40 minutes I have been on 2m FT8 using 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far 37 stations in 6 countries have spotted me today. Best DX was again a spot from N. Ireland and 2 from Germany.
UPDATE 1747z: So far today, 53 stations in 7 countries have spotted my 10W to the big-wheel omni. 2m FT8 never seems to fail and it amazes me.
Ely sunset - NOT amateur radio
Origins of sayings - NOT amateur radio
Origins of some sayings shared on Facebook yesterday. Assuming these are true, quite fascinating. If not true, I wonder what the origins were?
1. In the 1400s a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb.
Hence we have 'the rule of thumb.'
2. Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled 'Gentlemen Only...
Ladies Forbidden'... and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
3. Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David,
Hearts - Charlemagne,
Clubs -Alexander the Great,
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
4. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... 'goodnight, sleep tight.'
5. It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink.
Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.
6. In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts...
So in old England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them 'Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.'
It's where we get the phrase 'mind your P's and Q's'
7. Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim or handle of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service.
'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by this practice.
8. In 1696, William III of England introduced a property tax that required those living in houses with more than six windows to pay a levy. In order to avoid the tax, house owners would brick up all windows except six. (The Window Tax lasted until 1851, and older houses with bricked-up windows are still a common sight in the U.K.) As the bricked-up windows prevented some rooms from receiving any sunlight, the tax was referred to as “daylight robbery”!
1. In the 1400s a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb.
Hence we have 'the rule of thumb.'
2. Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled 'Gentlemen Only...
Ladies Forbidden'... and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
3. Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David,
Hearts - Charlemagne,
Clubs -Alexander the Great,
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
4. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... 'goodnight, sleep tight.'
5. It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink.
Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.
6. In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts...
So in old England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them 'Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.'
It's where we get the phrase 'mind your P's and Q's'
7. Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim or handle of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service.
'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by this practice.
8. In 1696, William III of England introduced a property tax that required those living in houses with more than six windows to pay a levy. In order to avoid the tax, house owners would brick up all windows except six. (The Window Tax lasted until 1851, and older houses with bricked-up windows are still a common sight in the U.K.) As the bricked-up windows prevented some rooms from receiving any sunlight, the tax was referred to as “daylight robbery”!
30 Aug 2020
2m FT8 (10W and the big-wheel omni antenna)
Been on several hours today. Spotted by 49 stations in 8 countries.
UPDATE 1930z : Now QRT but I was spotted by 63 stations in 9 countries today on 2m FT8 with the big-wheel omni antenna. It never fails.
Time - NOT amateur radio
"Time is just a construct of the human brain" - discuss.
I saw this recently on a Facebook page about research at Durham University into the universe.
I saw this recently on a Facebook page about research at Durham University into the universe.
Broadcast listener resources
In my first years in the hobby my main focus was on broadcast band listening, especially on the shortwave broadcast bands. Often this was with a humble crystal set.
In the past I have copied right across the planet on a crystal set. These were actual broadcasts from the originating countries and not via relays. Radio Australia was a real challenge.
The thrill of copying broadcast stations from great distances was exciting especially on a crystal set in which the only power is that from the originating station.
It was amazing what could be copied on a very simple regen RX. Quite a few of us "cut our teeth" on simple regen receivers.
Some useful links are shown below.
See https://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Shortwave_Radio/BCL_Resources/
In the past I have copied right across the planet on a crystal set. These were actual broadcasts from the originating countries and not via relays. Radio Australia was a real challenge.
The thrill of copying broadcast stations from great distances was exciting especially on a crystal set in which the only power is that from the originating station.
It was amazing what could be copied on a very simple regen RX. Quite a few of us "cut our teeth" on simple regen receivers.
Some useful links are shown below.
See https://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Shortwave_Radio/BCL_Resources/
G4NUA's 100mW WSPR TX
29 Aug 2020
SPAM emails - NOT amateur radio
On the whole the SPAM filter on Gmail works well.
As an example, I have just been informed that my Norton anti-virus software is running out. The only problem is I don't use Norton!
Every day I get messages telling me how my bank balance has gone up as a result of winning a prize. As for Bitcoins, I must get at least 20 SPAM messages every day.
Regarding sexual partners, every day I get requests and I am sure it is not because I am a great stud! 😁
As an example, I have just been informed that my Norton anti-virus software is running out. The only problem is I don't use Norton!
Every day I get messages telling me how my bank balance has gone up as a result of winning a prize. As for Bitcoins, I must get at least 20 SPAM messages every day.
Regarding sexual partners, every day I get requests and I am sure it is not because I am a great stud! 😁
Transatlantic 2m tropo
EA8CXN (IL18) has worked FG8OJ on 2m SSB tropo. This was reported on a Facebook group earlier. He also worked FM5CS.
2m aircraft scatter?
As many will know, I frequently try 2m FT8. What puzzles me is that even will 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna (3dB over a dipole maximum) I seem to get great ranges at any time.
This could be aircraft scatter, but I am puzzled why this is there all the time. If it was just at certain times I would be more inclined to think this is aircraft scatter. Just maybe, there are enough aircraft in the sky to allow brief 15 second periods of FT8 to be reflected at any time.
Another possibility is that FT8, with its additional sensitivity, allows other scatter modes to be possible. Whatever, 2m FT8 seems to allow me to reach incredible distances every single day, even with my very simple antenna and low power. If I had a big beam and 400W, some amazing distances should be possible.
This could be aircraft scatter, but I am puzzled why this is there all the time. If it was just at certain times I would be more inclined to think this is aircraft scatter. Just maybe, there are enough aircraft in the sky to allow brief 15 second periods of FT8 to be reflected at any time.
Another possibility is that FT8, with its additional sensitivity, allows other scatter modes to be possible. Whatever, 2m FT8 seems to allow me to reach incredible distances every single day, even with my very simple antenna and low power. If I had a big beam and 400W, some amazing distances should be possible.
Hair time - NOT amateur radio
Her family is with us for a few days.
2m FT8
For about 50 minutes, I have been on 2m FT8. So far, my 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna has been spotted by 25 stations in 7 countries. Best DX is a spot by GI6ATZ (479km). Nothing yet spotted on RX.
UPDATE 1502z: 43 spots of me in 8 countries so far..
UPDATE 2002z: 58 stations in 9 countries have spotted me today. QRT soon.
 |
| Stations spotting me with 10W 2m FT8 to the big-wheel so far today to 1502z |
UPDATE 2002z: 58 stations in 9 countries have spotted me today. QRT soon.
IC-705 packaging
Covid-19 vaccine - NOT amateur radio
So the UK government will give temporary approval if clinically necessary for the administration of proven safe and effective vaccines for Covid-19 if available. There is still a way to go. See the UK government website for more information.
28 Aug 2020
10m FT8
Since 0856z I have been on 10m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna and 4W. So far, I have been spotted by just 1 station up in the Faroes. A couple of stations in northern Spain copied. Otherwise very quiet here.
Yet again the Es (if that is what it is) seems to favour more northern stations, much as I found in previous years late in the season.
Yet again the Es (if that is what it is) seems to favour more northern stations, much as I found in previous years late in the season.
8 years ago - NOT amateur radio
Eating out - NOT amateur radio
60m in Australia
As of now, Australia has not allocated the WRC 60m amateur band. The main concern is sharing the band with commercial users. At present there is a consultation about sharing this small allocation.
In the UK we have more slots with higher power limits. Personally, I'd prefer a narrower band with a lower power limit in the UK i.e. swap the various slots for a smaller, contiguous and shared WRC band.
See https://www.acma.gov.au/consultations/2020-05/possible-use-53515-53665-khz-band-amateur-service-consultation-132020
In the UK we have more slots with higher power limits. Personally, I'd prefer a narrower band with a lower power limit in the UK i.e. swap the various slots for a smaller, contiguous and shared WRC band.
See https://www.acma.gov.au/consultations/2020-05/possible-use-53515-53665-khz-band-amateur-service-consultation-132020
Indoor verticals
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/160m_loft_ant
27 Aug 2020
10m FT8 (4W to the indoor loop)
Since late morning, I have been on 10m FT8. So far 2 stations have spotted me: Faroes and Sweden.
UPDATE 2004z: 10 stations have spotted me today.
UPDATE 2004z: 10 stations have spotted me today.
UK rally updates
The following rally updates were received earlier. If the background makes these hard to read on some screens, please accept my apologies, but this is how I get them.
Sunday 30 AUGUST : CANCELLED
MILTON KEYNES ARS RALLY. MKARS, Irish Centre, Manor Fields, Watling Street, Bletchley MK2 2HX Additional information at www.mkars.org.uk/rally.
Sunday 30 AUGUST : POSSIBLY CANCELLED check TARS website
TORBAY ANNUAL COMMUNICATIONS FAIR. Newton Abbot Racecourse, Devon TQ12 3AF. Doors open at 10am with disabled visitors gaining access at 9.30am. Indoor event with plenty of free parking on site. There will be a Bring & Buy as well as an RSGB bookstall. Catering will be available on site. Details & bookings: Mike, G1TUU, 01803 557941 or rally@tars.org.uk.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rall
Sunday 30 AUGUST : CANCELLED
MILTON KEYNES ARS RALLY. MKARS, Irish Centre, Manor Fields, Watling Street, Bletchley MK2 2HX Additional information at www.mkars.org.uk/rally.
Sunday 30 AUGUST : POSSIBLY CANCELLED check TARS website
TORBAY ANNUAL COMMUNICATIONS FAIR. Newton Abbot Racecourse, Devon TQ12 3AF. Doors open at 10am with disabled visitors gaining access at 9.30am. Indoor event with plenty of free parking on site. There will be a Bring & Buy as well as an RSGB bookstall. Catering will be available on site. Details & bookings: Mike, G1TUU, 01803 557941 or rally@tars.org.uk.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rall
Day off amateur radio yesterday
Yesterday for the first time in some time, I decided to take a day off operating. We were out for much of the day and the gear was not turned on when we got back. I shall probably turn things on later although I am unsure which band.
26 Aug 2020
Simple pleasures - NOT amateur radio
Oscar 100 activity
Every few weeks I take a peek at activity levels on the geosynchronous Oscar 100 satellite.
Usually I give a warning that this is very unscientific. I randomly look at the narrowband transponder via the webSDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall. When I looked midweek activity was low.
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/
Usually I give a warning that this is very unscientific. I randomly look at the narrowband transponder via the webSDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall. When I looked midweek activity was low.
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/
WISPY 10m WSPR RX
In 2012 I designed a very simple RX for 10m WSPR as shown in the photo and circuit. It used low cost 14.060MHz crystals and a Polyakov mixer. It worked well. Even now there's WSPR on 10m, although FT8 is more popular.
25 Aug 2020
10m FT8
Since mid morning I have been on 10m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna and 4W.
UPDATE 1130z : So far, 4 stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 2120z: QRT. 6 Europeans spotted me today.
UPDATE 1130z : So far, 4 stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 2120z: QRT. 6 Europeans spotted me today.
Where I come from in 1952 - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday on 2m FT8 using 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna
Quite a quiet day yesterday on 2m FT8 with 21 spots of me with the best DX being a spot by G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall.
24 Aug 2020
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