Many digital modes like WSPR and FT8 depend on accurate timing.
For the last few weeks I have just used Windows 10 to sync PC time. As a matter of habit I do a re-sync perhaps once a day "just in case".
Judging by results on FT8, I am perfectly sure this is fine. In the past I used special software for this. My advice is do not bother.
Make sure your settings for time automatically sync. This is extremely easy.
This beacon on 40.050 MHz began operation this weekend.
It is situated in mid-Cornwall near St Austell. It should be very useful to indicate when 8m is open across the Atlantic. It has an FT8 sequence, so can be monitored with WSJT-X free software. The antennas are crossed dipoles.
Initially, it is operated under a test and innovation licence. In my view both the RSGB and OFCOM should have just granted them an NoV to the amateur licence as this truly helps propagation research and self training. The RSGB should have made the case and OFCOM agreed.
OFCOM and the RSGB -- just wake up!!! You are making yourselves look unbelievably stupid! Surely the whole purpose of our hobby is self training and radio research. Is it any wonder we cannot find RF engineers in the UK if there is no support?
8m need not be "more of the same". It is uniquely situated in the radio spectrum, on the HF/VHF boundary, to offer radio amateurs a real chance to contribute to radio propagation research. Instead, both the RSGB and OFCOM appear to be obstructive.
I am still totally puzzled why OFCOM seems so against even 5 kHz (just 5 kilohertz!!) at 8m being allocated to the amateur service by NoV. They could insist on narrow digital only and make us secondary users with limited power. It just seems so short-sighted. Like the Chinese trying to stop Covid or King Canute trying to stop the tide - there are some things in life that make no sense.
UPDATE 0804z: No spots overnight.
UPDATE 1556z: Still not a sign of that beacon. My feeling is that this is a complete waste of time. I thought I might see the odd MS burst, but nothing. Maybe I should remain on until the morning? Probably the 15 second TX period is too long for random MS. In a shower I might have better luck.
These have been published. My position is unchanged in the low power section.
See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=432MHz%20UKAC&year=2022 .
Whenever I ask for help trying to find something, I usually get a positive response within a few hours. There are so many kind people who always offer their help. Thank you!
Don't ever let anyone say the spirit of amateur radio has gone. It most definitely is there. This week alone I have had kind offers from several people.
Back in the 1970s my first outings on 70cm were using a circuit I found in a VHF Communications magazine. I guess it would have been 1971-1974 sometime. I think the magazine came out quarterly.
The circuit used a varicap diode as a tripler on TX and as a mixer on RX. The IF was 2m and on 70cm it produced about 100mW as I recall. In those days most were crystal controlled AM and on RX we tuned "low to high", or similar, to get a QSO.
Do you recall this circuit? If you have a copy of the article I would be most grateful for a copy.
I have no intention of building it, but it would be nice for old time's sake. From an East Anglian "hill" (yes there are a few, HI) it worked as far as Yorkshire with a very small beam.
Later today, I hope to be on 10m FT8. Although some of the time I shall be QRP TX, most of the time I shall be RX only.
If F2 E-W is very good, I may QSY to 8m FT8.
UPDATE 1134z: Been on RX since about 1050z. 62 stations spotted so far today.
UPDATE 1255z: 152 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX (see map). |
| Stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today |
I was going to use other words, but thought the censors might object and ban me.
At one time, a very popular 23cm antenna, for ATV I think, was the bow tie designed by G8GML (now SK). As I recall it was 2 diamond shaped elements with a solid reflector. I think it had a useful (not high) gain and a fairly broad forward lobe.
For DX contacts, a decent beam with lots of forward gain is usually essential, but such an antenna might be better for me than the PCB HB9CV that, I believe, is supplied with the 23cm transverter that should come next month.
What I am wondering is does anyone make this commercially and at what price?
Such an antenna might be useful on 70cm too.
UPDATE 1907z: As David says in the comments, Wimo make such an antenna. It looks expensive.
At the moment, I do not think conditions are good enough for E-W F2 propagation on 8m. Unless things change, I think I shall give 8m a miss today.
UPDATE 1659z: On 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 (first). ZS6WAB has been very strong in central Europe on 40.680 MHz FT8 in the last hour, but I doubt he will be spotted further north. I think this is TEP.
Nearly 4 years ago, I did a walk-through of my shack at that time. Since then, the rigs have changed a bit and I have an 8m dipole erected.
 |
| Stations spotted mid-afternoon on 10m FT8 RX |
For several years radio clubs have been unable to meet because of Covid-19. Some turned to Zoom and found it far better than many expected. I have been very impressed how good these meetings have been. With Zoom all participants can chat and see each other if they wish.
The Cambridge Club has started meeting again in person, but has held "virtual" meetings, so that people at home can still see the talks and take part. As I am really unable to drive far by car at night, I have joined the last 2 meetings by Zoom.
Last night there were far more people on Zoom than in person! I just wonder if this is the future of radio clubs? The advantage of Zoom is speakers and listeners can be anywhere in the world. In the past, CDARC has had people give talks from Canada. With screen sharing this has been really good. We have had viewers from all sorts of places, from where they would be totally unable to attend in person.
What I wonder is should clubs do talks via Zoom with "in person" meet ups, say, once a month? No need to hire rooms, members could be from across the world, they could have lower fees. For those without PCs, people could get together in each other's homes. Social meetings could be in a pub or someone's home.
After breakfast, I hope to be on 10m FT8. If 10m is promising, I shall QSY to 8m FT8.
Next year, assuming I am still around (!), I should have some new QRP challenges. I hope to be active on 23cm and on 4m. Both are quite different, but should be fun.
I know 4m is unlikely to be "open" as much as 10m, 8m or 6m, but there should be several Es openings into Europe. Using my transverter, this should allow me some 4m Es QSOs, especially with FT8.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/4m-transverter .
The transverter manufacturer has confirmed it will supply a small test antenna. This means I am probably OK for very local contacts initially.
Many thanks for the offers to build me a 23cm antenna. People in our community are very kind and I am really touched by the kindness. As I have said before, there are far more kind people around than bad ones, but these unsung heros are not newsworthy!
Their email said:
"Weekly publications update 23 October 2022"
Of course, they meant September!!! See the OFCOM website for details of what they hold about us.
This morning, I am on 10m FT8. Initially I was on TX and spotted in the Canary Is, but I am now RX only. No QSOs.
UPDATE 0935z: So far, I have spotted 25 stations on 10m FT8 RX.
As regular readers will know, I am buying a 23cm 2W transverter from SG-Labs in Bulgaria. I think at one time they supplied a small 23cm PCB antenna with it. I have to check if this is still the case.
Looking around, 23cm commercial antennas look very expensive. As the majority of QSOs would be local(ish), I am wondering what you would recommend? As my fine motor skills are not good these days, I don't think I could make one. In the past, I would have made one! Is there one that would be ideal for me?
The following rally is due to take place, but as always check with the organisers first!
Sept 25th - Weston Super Mare RS. See https://e-voice.org.uk/weston-super-mare-radio-society .
As the antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. No spots of me yet today at 1450z.
UPDATE 1521z: As well as spots of me by local G4KPX (14km) I am also getting spotted by KD5DE (7464km). Pretty sure this is by F2.
UPDATE 1655z: I am again getting spotted by 2 stations in the Canary Is. If these RX are on, it is unusual not to be spotted by them these days on 10m QRP WSPR.
Again, I am on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 looking for North America.
UPDATE 1516z: No spots.
UPDATE 1843z: QRT on 8m now. No spots all day. Well, that was a waste!
As I was getting nowhere on 8m, I decided to QSY to 17m FT8 using my 10m end fed antenna.
UPDATE 1749z: 33 stations already spotted.
About an hour ago I QSYed to 8m FT8. hoping to be spotted across the Atlantic or spot someone from over there. A QSO would be magic.
Based on ERP alone, this should be possible as I have done it with less ERP on 10m SSB, so 8m FT8 QRP should be possible.
UPDATE 1733z: Nothing on RX or TX today. QSYing to 17m FT8 RX.
We deliver local Christmas cards by hand. We were going to do it yesterday, but the rain was horrendous so we did it today instead in the co...
