Sunspots - Sunday September 5th 2021

 Solar flux is 87 and the SSN 68. A=5 and K=2. 

160m FT8 RX with the active loop

In the end I gave up on 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX and went instead to 160m FT8 RX with the indoor Wellgood active loop. So far this evening, 3 spots including an EA and DO.

UPDATE 2136z:  9 stations spotted mostly in northern Europe.  QRT.

472kHz WSPR RX

 As last night, I am on 472kHz WSPR RX with the Wellgood active loop with the 1m diameter loop indoors on the shack window. It is now 1857z and, so far, no spots.

UPDATE 2136z:  No spots this evening. Very disappointing. I may QSY.

10m WSPR QRP TX (500mW)

At 1424z, I decided to go on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from my 10m WSPR beacon by W5OLF. This is about the size of a pack of cards and 100% TX, although the TX frequency is randomised on each slot.

UPDATE 1437z:  So far, just local spots by G4KPX (14km). From Richard's spots, it looks like the crystal is still settling.

UPDATE 1500z: Still just G4KPX spotting me, although my drift has stopped. It looks like things have stabilised, as usual. This normally takes about 20 minutes.

UPDATE 1510z:  OE3XOE (1233km) now spotting me.

UPDATE 1635z:  No further stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1845z:  QRT. 

Lincoln cathedral - NOT amateur radio

We have been back from Lincoln about a day. It was a good break. 

The photo shows the cathedral from Steep Hill. As Keith said in a comment to an earlier post, it is very steep, especially with shopping. If you want to visit the cathedral it is worth the climb.

Lincoln is an interesting place. We have been there several times. We could probably get there and back in day trip on the train.

10m FT8

In the end I decided to QSY to 10m FT8 RX. 

At 1259z, 5 stations were spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX. I may try 10m FT8 TX with 2.5W shortly. My antenna is a Par end fed dipole antenna at about 3m above ground.

UPDATE 1304z: TX switched on. 1 spot of me on TX by G6TUS (18km).

UPDATE 1318z:  6 stations spotted on RX and 6 stations have spotted me on TX with the furthermost IS0AWZ (1598km).

UPDATE 1359z: So far this afternoon, I have been spotted by 8 stations on TX (as the map shows) and  I have spotted 15 stations on RX.

30m FT8 RX with the indoor active loop

I am trying FT8 on 30m with the Wellgood active loop. I think there is an internet connectivity issue as I am getting local spots, but these are not appearing on PSKreporter. I tried a reboot without success.

UPDATE 1023z:  Working now. 10 EU stations spotted so far.

UPDATE 1206z: 17 stations spotted with the furthermost UA3DPM (2893km).

UPDATE 1233z: 35 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost being JW4PUA (2952km).  Soon be time to QSY, but unsure where to!

40m FT8 RX with the active loop antenna

At the moment, I am on 40m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop stuck to the shack window. Noise level on the FT817ND is about S4.  So far, 8 unique stations spotted (at 0800z) with the furthermost TF5B (1813km) in northern Iceland. 

Although it will probably work at higher frequencies, I doubt it will seriously be used at HF.

See https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood_loop/ .

UPDATE 0858z:   32 stations spotted. The map shows the stations spotted.

UPDATE 0927z:  45 stations spotted.

Lincoln High Street - NOT amateur radio

To those unfamiliar with Lincoln, it is dominated by the cathedral on the hill that is approached by a very steep hill. By steep, I really mean steep. If you have weak heart, you will struggle. 

The photo shows Lincoln High Street before the steep climb starts. The cathedral can be seen and heard from a long way off.

Shield bug - NOT amateur radio

This shield bug was on a post near Lincoln Cathedral. 

It seemed quite happy for me to take its photo.

These are quite common in the UK on roses. They are a kind of beetle usual less than 1cm long.

472kHz WSPR RX with the Wellgood active RX loop

Last evening I was active on 472kHz WSPR RX using the Wellgood active loop RX antenna. This is very similar to the Wellbrook active loop. I swapped my X80 HF vertical for one. 

In all, just 1 station was spotted - DC0DX (467km) - with the 1m diameter wire stuck to the window indoors. Noise levels are low. This is my first outing on 472kHz RX for some while.

I may try again this evening.

See https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood_loop/ .  George designed this as he was trying to mend his Wellbrook loop. 

Sunspots - Saturday September 4th 2021

Solar flux is 87 and the SSN 33. A=5 and K=1 . 

160m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop

For the first time, I tested the Wellgood active loop antenna briefly on 160m FT8 RX. This is a clone of the Wellbrook RX active antenna. I was only on for about 2 minutes, but spotted 8 stations from across Europe with a 1m diameter wire attached to the shack window indoors. Noise level seems low.

Scottish golf course near Aberdeen - NOT amateur radio

When the sun shines Scotland is beautiful. Conversely, when it rains it can be miserable. 

This photo was recently posted on 365project by a friend who lives in Shetland where it can be very windy. It is of a golf course near Aberdeen on the Scottish mainland.

"You'll be old yourself some day" - NOT amateur radio

My mother-in-law said this about 50 years ago. At the time life seemed to be endless. Now I am 72. 

As Michael Portillo (he was a famous UK politician who now is a well known UK TV personality) said, when you are old every year is a year nearer your end, or similar words. Certainly, I am far more conscious of being old. I get tired more easily and I can no longer do many of the things I took for granted all those years ago.

Things that seemed important at 22 no longer are at 72.

10m FT8 QRP (Friday)

After a couple of nights in Lincoln, I am now back home. Briefly I was on 2.5W TX and was spotted by 3 stations with the furthermost EA1FIR (1263km). On 10m FT8 RX just 2 stations so far. Currently RX only at 1400z.

UPDATE 1456z:  4 stations so far spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1922z:   QRT now. In all, 8 stations spotted. Pretty poor really.

Serious stuff - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo shows one of our grandchildren eating a pizza last evening in Lincoln. 

137kHz 10 years ago

This photo was taken in 2011 and shows my tiny 137kHz QRSS signal over 100km away. 

Rally news

The GQRP convention is again an online event on September 4th and the Telford Hamfest is September 5th. As far as I know this is still on although always check with organisers first to make sure before setting out. 

Sunspots - Friday September 3rd 2021

 Solar flux is 86 and the SSN 33.  A=4 and K=1. 

Birkitt

This is one of the most famous shops in the UK amateur radio world. They used to advertise regularly in the amateur radio magazines. I was so pleased to see it still there and in business in Lincoln. 

In the shack

This photo was taken some years ago and shows me in the shack. 

10m Phaser kit

A very kind amateur in Scotland is building this for me as my fine motor skills are not up to it now. He is making a very good job of it. Hopefully it will be used on 10m FT8. This frees up the main rig. It is a phasing SSB transceiver designed by Dave Benson K1SWL and sold by Midnight Design Solutions in the USA.

Walk - NOT amateur radio

This was my wife and 2 of our grandchildren on a recent walk. 

Sunspots - Thursday September 2nd 2021

 Solar flux is 84 and the SSN 35. A=4 and K=1. 

10m FT8 RX yesterday

 Although the Es season is winding down the F2 propagation to South America is there. Yesterday evening 6 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost LU2MCX (11598km) in Argentina.

Me in 1968 - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows me in 1968 when I still had hair. 

Oscar 100 activity

Every few weeks I take a look at activity on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. My last unscientific peek was Tuesday at about 2115z.  Activity levels remain low. 

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Sunspots - Wednesday September 1st 2021

 Solar flux is 84 and the SSN 37. A=7 and K=2. 

Simple regen RX

 There is little to beat the sheer thrill of copying stations on a very simple homebrew RX. 

The one on my website is one example, but there are plenty on the net. I was surprised just how well something so simple works. Yes, SDRs and complex rigs may be better, but you too may be surprised how well such simple circuits can work.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-or-40m-regen-rx .

I even made mine into a simple 80m transceiver!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/feter-80m-qrpp-cw-transceiver .

With the grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken on a walk about the sleepy village of Reach earlier today. It drizzled! We explored some new paths.

It shows my wife with two of the grandchildren 

10m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

As usual, I did a brief TX slot with 2.5W (spotted by 2 stations including EA6) , but now RX only. Es evident with 16 stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1453z:  35 stations (all in Europe) spotted on 10m FT8 so far today.

UPDATE 1914z:  Just 37 Europeans spotted so far with no sign of stations in South America. 

UPDATE 2052z:  Just one South American spotted on 10m FT8 RX and he was only just spotted.

UPDATE 2114z: Now 6 South Americans spotted. I think they seem to be coming through later now. QRT soon.

Ship Wreck - NOT amateur radio

Way back in 1936 one of the most famous clipper ships was shipwrecked in South Devon. My dad saw them getting people ashore. In the distance is the Queen Mary. 

They used a breaches buoy to get the crew ashore.  Later it was towed to the outskirts of Salcombe. In the end it sank.Very sad.

It was on Pathe News and quite famous at the time.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 31st 2021

Solar flux is 91 and the SSN 41. A=7 and K=3. 

Bells - NOT amateur radio

 

Our elder grandson is fascinated by bells and churches even though he is not at all religious This afternoon we spent 20 minutes waiting for the hour bell to chime on this church in Newmarket. It did not chime!! 

10m FT8 QRP (Monday)

In a few moments I intend to go on 10m FT8 with 2.5W. My usual pattern is transmit for a few minutes, then go RX only most of the day. If things follow as normal I will spot Europeans during the day with some South Americans in the early evening. Anything else is a bonus.

UPDATE 1237z: The gear was turned on at 0815z. I was on TX of maybe for 3 minutes, then RX only. On RX 153 stations spotted so far with the furthermost R4PCO (3363km).

UPDATE 1801z:   155 stations spotted on RX so far today.

UPDATE 2130z: QRT. Lots of South America stations spotted. 

Yesterday (Sunday) on 10m FT8 RX

We are now "over the top" in the Es season in the Northern Hemisphere.  

As FT8 and dedicated people prove, Es is not over, just even more sporadic! Yesterday was a case in point: there were still stations coming in from right across Europe, but fewer than in the peak season. There were also South Americans coming in. 

As the sunspot number climbs, I would expect more worldwide DX to come through. I think North Americans will consistently come through this autumn. So far, most have been, I think, due to E layer propagation. 

Come October, I would expect USA and Canadian stations to be appearing in droves via F2. In the better years of the last cycle even AM stations around 29MHz could be easily copied. As much (because of my poor voice these days) as I am a fan of FT8, I hope there is still SSB, FM and AM activity. When good, transatlantic stations can be worked indoors on a whip antenna with QRP SSB!!

In my view, 10m is one of our very best HF bands. For the next 4-5 years 10m should be good.

Sunspots - Monday August 30th 2021

 Solar flux is 89 and the SSN 44.   A=8 and K=3. 

Hoverfly - NOT amateur radio

This harmless hoverfly looks a bit like a hornet. You get these in the UK and see them commonly in the summer.

I think it is nature's way of providing camouflage. 

8m permit next year?

As Keith reports, modified FT817NDs may TX on 40MHz (8m). If mine does, it means I may be able to TX WSPR or FT8 on 8m, albeit with external filters.

I may try asking OFCOM for a permit for the next Es season and see what happens. They can only say no. 

Maybe I should ask for a band and 10W?  Personally I would be happy with a spot frequency, limited time and 5W on an NoV. We shall see. It would pay me to apply in good time. Of course, if there was any "harmful interference" issues, I could be closed down.

I am sure just a few watts of FT8 or WSPR would be audible across Europe given decent Es.

Personally, I think several people should apply. The more stations active, in more countries, the better.