See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-or-40m-regen-rx .
My wife had sea bream caught in the morning and I had slow cooked lamb shank.
Both were perfect as was the tzatziki Greek starter of yoghurt and cucumber.
Results for this activity contest organised by the RSGB have just been published.
See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=432MHz%20UKAC&year=2022 .
John's blog always seems to have interesting stuff on it. He has news of the 40 and 60 MHz bands as well as much more. On the web version of my blog is a link to the EI7GL blog is on the right.
This is a video of the ICOM stand at the Dayton Hamvention. I am underwhelmed.
The VHF transceivers look "same as", the linear looks big, and the SHF concept looks like it will never happen. Where is the truly handheld version of the IC-705?
If Yaesu is similar I can see them both leaving this market within 5 years. I suspect they both can see the writing on the wall.
OFCOM has announced consultations on licence proposals affecting 5G and updates to its weekly updates. See the OFCOM website for details.
It is now early Saturday in central Europe. The big (huge) Dayton Hamvention is on its middle day of 3. I have not yet heard any announcements of new commercial gear in the offing. Have you?
The Dunstable Downs RC rally is in Stockwood Park, Luton this Sunday May 22nd. Check before travelling if there is any uncertainty.
Well, someone has to do the hard tasks!! 😉😉
The recent solar data (flux and sunspots) are better than expected. Does this point to maximum greater than we expected? I hope so. Are we heading for a peak higher than 200?
The better equipped 8m stations have been getting spots from a very long way away such as Argentina, Chile, South Africa and off Angola. With my low ERP I think this will be well beyond my expectations.
My experiment is to find out what is possible with low ERP QRP and modest, low wire dipoles. So far, my conclusions on FT8 and WSPR is that locals and Es stations can spot me, but I have had no success, so far, with other G stations on 8m.
By the way, FT8 or WSPR were used for these DX spots.
The favourite spot seems to be 40.680 MHz USB dial and the favourite mode FT8.
In my view, it seems a pity that all beacons don't have FT8 as part of their cycle and were all at 40.680 MHz USB dial so they all could be monitored 24/7. Of course they would all be on different audio spots so they were separated.
Imagine the excitement of seeing the spots after you'd been out of the shack for a while! I suspect if they were all on a single dial setting then more would be spotted at unusual times.
Many will have bought components from John Birkett in Lincoln. Sadly he has died at aged 93. I have no news about the shop, but I saw it in Lincoln last September. I hope his family carries on the business.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2022/may/john-birkett-g8opp-sk.htm#.YoYAHo7MLrc .
Although I have tried to email him on 3 occasions, I have not had any response. Does anyone have any news please?
I guess a PA could be added to reach a higher power out for a beacon for example.
See https://www.rfzero.net/ .
Now in its 70th year Dayton Hamvention, Ohio is this weekend May 20-22nd. This is massive with trade stands and flea market.
Later this morning I shall be on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF TX WSPR beacon.
UPDATE 0640z: Turned on.
UPDATE 1004z: Spotted by 12 unique stations via Es.
Later today I expect to be on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. Yesterday I was spotted again by EI9KP (649km). If the Es is like yesterday I may be spotted by others.
UPDATE 0637z: TX turned on.
LinkedIn is useful to me to find out how old colleagues are doing. Occasionally, I get job offers. As an old man this is flattering.
Most weeks I get requests from people I don't know asking me to be their friend. These requests are ignored!
In a few minutes time, I shall be on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW. Yesterday was dire. Let's hope today is better!!
UPDATE 0915z: No spots.
In a few minutes time I shall be on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX (first period).
Although I have been widely spotted across Europe mainly by Es, it seems unlikely I shall be copied further with my low ERP.
As my TX seems to lose power after a while, I shall probably stop my experiment for much of the Es season later this week.
Someone suggested a 24/7 WSPR beacon. This is a good idea. My issue is building it: my fine motor skills are poor now, making building impossible. Otherwise I would be on 8m WSPR all the time TX!
UPDATE 0912z: Been on TX since 0856z. No spots yet.
Years ago, in my working life, I used to keep lab books detailing all I had done. When I retired and was still fit, I carried this on. It is surprising what you forget!
I must admit, I haven't written in my lab-book for many years, but I can recommend getting into the habit.
About 10 minutes ago I turned on my 10m 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon. At 1055z, nobody has spotted me yet.
UPDATE 1225z: Still no spots today.
People look at me and often say, "you do look well". Little do they know that for almost 9 years I have felt giddy all my waking hours, I feel tired and my voice is rubbish. It can be extremely frustrating!
I'm not after a sympathy vote, but next time you see someone think how they feel on the inside. Never judge by the "outside of the tin" as they say.
Often people are struggling with a hidden disability be it physical or mental. In my case it is physical.
Although I expect to be on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial at times during the day I suspect my operations will soon be scaled back.
I seem to have proved that all of continental Europe is within range, even with my very modest station, although my low ERP seems to preclude me being copied outside of the local area in the UK.
UPDATE 1024z: A few minutes ago, my 8m FT8 RX was turned on.
UPDATE 1226z: No spots today. Currently rig is off cooling. Hope to be back on at 1300z.
I still miss it, even though I have lived away from the area for over 50 years. In some ways it still feels like "home".
Maybe the fact that my ancestors have probably been hereabouts for thousands of years gives me a "pull" deep within my soul.
This is next weekend and I was wondering if their are rumours of new rigs being announced? As one of the biggest showcases in the world, this is a place to shout from the rooftops.
