Solar flux is 75 and the SSN 13. A=3 and K =1.
20 Sept 2021
10m FT8 RX yesterday
It is getting back in its stride again.
South America seems pretty regular in the evening.
19 Sept 2021
PSKreporter maps
This is a resource I find really useful. Although I use it mostly with FT8, it supports many modes.
My WSJT-X automatically uploads what I receive here. It means I can see (on another PC in the lounge or bed!) in graphical form the stations I am spotting.
When on FT8 TX I can see which stations are spotting me.
Unusual sunflower - NOT amateur radio
Among these is the unusual one shown in the photo, which was given by a friend.
All quiet - NOT amateur radio
Today it was very quiet.
10m FT8 RX (Sunday)
It is now 0820z and I have been on 10m FT8 RX for about 10 minutes. So far, 3 stations spotted with the furthermost IK8UKA (1649km).
UPDATE 0920z: 11 stations so far spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1038z: 28 stations spotted.
UPDATE 1744z: 77 stations spotted. All in Europe so far. Furthermost is SV1EBV (2263km).
UPDATE 1826z: 92 stations spotted with the furthermost PY2XYZ (9585km) in Brazil.
Kitten sitting - NOT amateur radio
He is very lively!
ICOM IC-9700
If I had money to burn, this is a VHF/UHF rig that I might consider. It covers 2m, 70cm and 23cm, all modes. It is an SDR transceiver. It is similar to the IC-7300 in ergonomics. I have an IC-705 that seems to do all I want.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/vhfuhf-commercial-rigs/ic-9700 .
18 Sept 2021
Brighton collage - NOT amateur radio
For about a day now, we have been back home after a short break in Brighton travelling by train. The photo shows some of the scenes. We had a good break.
Internet over free-space optical - NOT amateur radio
The BBC has an interesting piece about the use of free space optical communications to bridge the River Congo in Africa where optical fibre is impractical. This gives very high (not perfect) reliability and, in this case, is destined to carry internet traffic. Of course, this would not be suitable for places where fog is common, such as the bay area of San Francisco.
10m FT8 QRP (Saturday)
The Es season is over. Although there will still be openings via the E layer, these will be more sporadic and short-lived, unlike a few months ago.
This morning, I am again on 10m FT8 (with 2.5W TX initially) although mostly on RX. Just one spot of me so far by local M0NKR (27km). On RX, no stations spotted so far, although it is only 0852z.
UPDATE 0920z: 4 stations spotted with the furthermost EA1FIR (1263km). The very strong signal report (+4dB S/N) suggests aircraft reflection rather than Es. Other spots have been more local.
UPDATE 1153z: 17 stations spotted with the furthermost ZS6BJU (9116km). 10m is again moving to a DX band. As time goes by it will get even better!
160m FT8
As an experiment I tried my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 160m FT8. The match is very good and with QRP I have been spotted all over Europe and I've spotted plenty of stations in South America and North America. If anyone tells you that they have no 160m antenna don't believe them! My 160m antenna is invisible to the neighbours and XYL.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/160m-ft8 .
Our history - NOT amateur radio
For almost 600 years we have lived in South Devon. We were probably here thousands of years earlier. The photo shows where my ancestors lived 600 years ago. The photo was taken about 100 years ago. One interesting fact is that going back a millennium we had more ancestors than the population of the entire country! So, we probably were related to kings and queens.
17 Sept 2021
Hotel breakfast - NOT amateur radio
Holiday drama - NOT amateur radio
We are back from our short break in Brighton. It was good with even the weather being generally hot and sunny.
At breakfast time on the last day we had some drama: the fire alarm went and we all had to evacuate the building. After about 15 minutes, the fire brigade came and gave the all clear, so we all went back inside. Some were still in bed or in the shower when the alarm sounded. I am glad it was not in the middle of the night.
10m FT8 QRP (Friday)
We arrived home after a few days in Brighton at about 1400z. I have been on s 10m FT8 since. After a brief period on 2.5W TX (1 G spotted me), I have been RX only.
No Es spotted at all with furthermost spotted PY3KN (10428km) in Brazil. The other spots were of G stations.
Simple pleasures - NOT amateur radio
16 Sept 2021
Foxton (near Cambridge) rally on Sunday ON
The Cambridgeshire Repeater Group Rally on Sunday September 19th is on as far as I know. Please contact organisers before any long trips.
Tapas - NOT amateur radio
Echolink
Being away from home, a do not have access to "conventional" amateur radio. This phone does have Echolink, but I feel disenclined to use it. It works as I have used it before. To me this is not the same.
Seen on a park bench - NOT amateur radio
15 Sept 2021
Mid September??? - NOT amateur radio
Personally I think all Christmas things should only come out in December.
Oscar 100 update
Every few weeks I try to give an update on activity levels on Oscar 100 using the on-line SDR at Goonhilly Down in Cornwall. The last time I checked was at 2045z in Western Europe evening mid week. Activity levels on the, narrowband transponder remain low.
14 Sept 2021
Crab lunch
A year ago we were in Cromer in North Norfolk. We had an excellent crab meal for less than £10 each. The cafe was very clean. We were very impressed.
2m BITX
Steve G1KQH informs me there is a 2m version of the famous BITX transceiver from India coming. I have no idea about kits or prices.
Hobby Store
Recently I searched for Schottky diodes and ever since I have had targeted adverts for these!! One is hobby-store.co.uk that seems to sell some useful stuff.
Vegan friendly shoes - NOT
Brighton is the UK seaside place that never sleeps. It is also the place where anything goes. The photo shows a shop selling vegan and vegetarian footwear.
13 Sept 2021
VLF Earth-mode blog
Some years ago I enjoyed experimenting with utilities assisted earth-mode at VLF and was amazed by the range I could achieve with 5W. These results were put into a blog that is accessible via my main G3XBM website.
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