Sunspots - Saturday October 8th 2022

 Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 146. A=15 and K=3. 

8m QRP FT8 TX (first)

As 10m was looking promising, I have switched to 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz.

UPDATE 1640z:  No spots on 8m FT8.

UPDATE  1921z:   No spots. Now QRT on 8m.

Autumn splendour

For about 6 years we have been following this tree at Anglesey Abbey nearby.  

At the moment it looks magnificent, but in a few short weeks it will be bare until spring. I just love seasons. 

Reflections - NOT amateur radio

 

We spotted these reflections in the River Wensum in Norwich yesterday.

The Tenner transceiver

Hopefully, this will spark some ideas. I build this rig on the up-slope of solar cycle 24, but with cycle 25 now in good shape, it should be capable of plenty of DX with simple antennas. It worked plenty of DX.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-tenner-qrp-cw .

10m FT8 RX

The 10m FT8 RX gear was switched on about 0851z.  It is now 0907z and, so far, 42 stations have been spotted.

UPDATE 1318z:  571 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far.

Plans for today (Friday)

My current plans are to go on 10m FT8 RX for most of the day and maybe 8m QRP FT8 TX later if things look promising. 

I must remember to go on 10m WSPR then as the antenna will be free and the PC will not be needed. Usually, I forget this!

Common darter (I think) - NOT amateur radio

We saw this some years ago I think this is a common darter, but I am no expert! 

Sunspots - Friday October 7th 2022

Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 139.  A=18 and K=4.

Optical communications 2012

10 years ago I got 3 phlatlights from the USA with the intention of doing more "over the horizon" (NLOS) optical tests at 481 THz. Then my stroke got in the way. There are 3 in the drawer unused. 

Norwich - NOT amateur radio

Norwich Cathedral
West Window

We went to Norwich by train today. We like Norwich a lot. On the train with our senior railcard, it is probably as cheap going by train. I enjoy trains as you can just sit back and enjoy the journey. 

We went to the market, up Tombland Alley,  down Elm Hill, in the cathedral and a nice walk beside the River Wensum where Caen stone was brought up years ago from France to build the cathedral.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

We spent the day in Norwich, but I turned on 8m FT8 QRP shortly after we got back at about 1630z.  At 1827z no spots.

HF conditions

We can all agree that HF conditions are good on the whole. The higher HF bands are suitable for worldwide contacts and conditions are likely to get better still as we run up to the next solar maximum. At the moment this is forecast to be over a year away still. Bands like 15m, 12m and 10m are good again.

You may get some ideas from my Pipit 15m rig that dates from about 30 years ago.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/15m-qrp-cw-pipit .

Sunspots - Thursday October 6th 2022

Solar flux is 161 and the SSN 151. A=14 and K=3. 

2m FT8

A few minutes ago, (about 1715z) I turned to 2m FT8 RX.  

There is an RSGB FT8 activity contest starting at 1900z, but I think there is a European contest earlier.

UPDATE 2021z:  86 stations spotted on 2m FT8 this evening (see map). I was spotted by 5 stations with the furthermost G7RAU in Cornwall.

2m RX this evening

After the rain - NOT amateur radio

We have just had a rain shower passing through. This is the windmill after the shower. The windmill is right next door. This photo was taken from the kitchen window. 

The case for a small 8m amateur band

In my view, the case for a tiny 5 kHz wide amateur band at 8m is overwhelming. Such a narrow allocation has many, many merits:

These are my proposals:

• 40.680-40.685 MHz (just 5 kHz in total)
• 50W maximum (even less would be OK, personally I would settle for 10W)
• Only narrow, digital modes (no speech)
• Only allocated by notice of variation or equivalent
• Strictly non-interference (any trouble, reduced power or be closed down)

Please try to persuade your licencing authority to support this, even by individuals seeking permission in the early years. 

8m is on the very boundary between HF and VHF and radio amateurs could contribute so very much and gain self training.

Seagulls - NOT amateur radio

Seagulls are everywhere now. They even go well away from the sea, with rubbish dumps being favourite places. 

They also like to flock behind tractors on farms after seeds as in this photo that was posted on 365project earlier by one of my friends, Susan Wakely. 

I like the clever use of black and white with just a pop of colour.

Southgate amateur radio news

One of the places I look at from time to time is the Southgate News. This often has amateur radio news of interest.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/ .

Alstroemeria - NOT amateur radio

My wife loves these flowers, which last a long time and are colourful. We have some in the garden, but these are in our hall.

See https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/alstroemeria .

2m activity contest last evening

As usual, I entered the low power section of this contest last evening. I get the impression that there are fewer people taking part. 

I only stayed on for under an hour (poor voice), but there seemed fewer people on even though conditions were better than normal. 

Perhaps more people prefer FT8 for contests than SSB? I think the 2m FT8 activity contest is this evening. I often come on, but do not submit a result.

Next Tuesday evening is the 70cm activity contest. Most use SSB.

Windy - NOT amateur radio

At the moment here in East Anglia it is windy, but dry. I know there is rain coming later. Although our brown lawns have recovered somewhat, we still need rain. It was interesting seeing how the flowers perked up with rainwater rather than tap water.

10m FT8 RX

The sunspot count and the solar flux are high, so I am on 10m FT8 RX for signs that is it worth me trying 8m FT8 later for the USA with my QRP FT8. So far, after about 30 minutes, 32 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. 

UPDATE 0949z:  55 stations spotted including China and Mongolia.

UPDATE 1027z:  90 stations spotted today.

UPDATE 1217z:  173 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1715z:  659 stations spotted so far today.

Sunspots - Wednesday October 5th 2022

Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 153. A=16 and K=2.

UK politics - NOT amateur radio

The ruling Conservative party is holding its annual conference this week in Birmingham. 

The prime minister, elected about 4 weeks ago, is having a very hard time along with her chancellor of the exchequer, who is in charge of the money. 

She has gone for a policy to stimulate the economy, and reduce energy bills and inflation. However, she is borrowing money to pay for this and markets don't like this. She is taking a gamble. In the past, these gambles have not worked. 

She also looks to be turning her back on those in our society who are the most vulnerable.

At this rate she could be ousted as party leader quite soon, along with her chancellor.  Unless things rapidly change, I suspect the Conservative party will lose the next general election due in 2024.

8m QRP FT8 TX (Tuesday)

Judging by results on 10m FT8 today, I think it is unlikely I shall try on 8m QRP FT8 today on 40.680 MHz. 

Of course Murphy's law will say, "you should have seen 8m on Tuesday - it was amazing".

Getting ready for winter - NOT amateur radio

It is surprising how quickly the nights get longer and we switch to "winter mode" with the curtains drawn and nights by the fire (assuming we can afford one!). 

In the next few weeks we dig up the bedding plants and put in daffodil bulbs and winter flowering plants like primroses.

This year we may put in some pansies, as our local nursery had some good, colourful ones (see photo). If these flower over winter, we may get some.

E-field probe antennas

 

At VLF, LF and MF, external noise usually is the limiting factor.  Making the RX antenna bigger also increases the noise picked up, meaning that tiny RX antennas can be as effective as huge ones. This is the case with E-field probe antennas, that can be tiny.

Many years ago I made one on a mag-mount for 136 kHz so I could drive around trying to pick up my QRSS 6uW beacon. There are several designs around, some which are untuned. Much to my surprise, I could easily pick up my little beacon at 24km.

As the frequency is increased, external noise ceases to dominate and they become less effective.

You may find one useful for LF or MF bands.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/137khz-efp-rx-antenna .

Signs of autumn - NOT amateur radio

 

It is getting cooler!  Autumn is here. 

We'll blink and it will be Christmas again and days will be getting longer once again.

10m FT8 (Tuesday)

Just before lunch, I went on 10m FT8. I transmitted for a few goes (spotted locally and in Turkey) with QRP, but most of the time I have been RX only.

UPDATE 1405z:  Spotted by 173 stations on RX.

UPDATE 1456z:  239 stations spotted. I think 10m FT8 yesterday was better at this time.

Simple regen RX

This is probably one of the simplest receivers you will find. It is really effective and has copied lots of QRP signals from across Europe.  

It is unbelievably simple. If you can think of a simpler RX that is as effective I would like to know! It is on my main website and in my free PDF book. 

By changing the tuned circuit it would work on other bands like 160m or 60m. Not sure where it originated, but you can find lots of similar circuits. 

Sunspots - Tuesday October 4th 2022

Solar flux is 155 and the SSN 144. A=24 and K=4.

481 THz optical communications

Before my 2013 stroke, I used to do a lot of portable tests on optical communications. My favourite activity was over the horizon optical communications. I was surprised to see my beacon even when nothing could be seen in the sky. On the PC, the signal was very clear.

What is good is that equipment is homemade as well as the testgear.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/optical-nanowaves/over-the-horizon .

Tea in the garden - NOT amateur radio

Even though it is October 3rd, we had a cup of tea in the garden in shirt sleeves. I cannot imagine this being possible for much longer before the spring.

Shetland Islands cliffs - NOT amateur radio

 

This photo was on 365project earlier. 

It was taken by a friend in Shetland. There are few trees there, partly as it is so exposed and windy.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

Later today, I hope to go on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 hoping to be spotted in the USA.  

As F2 improves still further, copy in the USA on 8m by FT8 is certainly possible as I have worked the USA on 10m QRP SSB handheld from the bedroom!

The main issue is there are too few 8m monitors in the USA. Better equipped 8m stations will make QSOs across the Atlantic. I could, but I am not getting my hopes up!

For the avoidance of doubt, I give everyone permission to report my 8m signals and if this is in the form of a 2-way FT8 exchange, so be it.

The photo shows my wire dipole for 8m. I have been spotted in 14 countries so far with it and QRP. 

UPDATE 1715z:   Turned on 8m FT8 at 1700z.

Dahlias - NOT amateur radio

Most weeks we go for a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. The dahlias there are still good, but will soon be gone. 

In the winter we are on the lookout for signs of new life such as daffodils and snowdrops. 

Every season there is something to see. Soon it will be the autumn colours, which always look great.

10m (Monday)

10m has always been my favourite band. On the run-up to the next solar peak, it is great again with worldwide DX. 

In years around the minimum people tend to leave it as it behaves more like a VHF band, although Es is good even at solar minimum. 

It also make a great band for local chats. I am surprised it is just empty (listen on the adjacent CB bands) around solar minimum years.   

Years ago the RSGB organised activity sessions in the evenings on 10m. Even with 10W SSB and simple, low antennas (CB half waves or wire dipoles) I found I could work across the country. With FT8, inter-G DX should be certainly possible.

Stations spotted this morning

Even when the sunspot count has been zero for days on end at solar minimum I have heard and worked DX, even with QRP SSB. With FT8, it is open far more often than people thought. Often at such times it is a lack of people and not a lack of propagation.

At the moment I am on 10m FT8 RX. Already 27 spots at 0830z from across the world.

UPDATE 0959z:  162 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. If 10 withm looks good, I may QSY to 8m FT8 later.

UPDATE 1308z:   467 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1459z:  642 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost VK6AL (14448km). At the moment I am sticking with 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1633z:  839 stations spotted. I may turn to 8m FT8 QRP TX if the number goes over 900. I am not hopeful!

Thatched cottage - NOT amateur radio

A few years ago this cottage was extended. Looking at it one cannot tell. 

They made an excellent job. 

Sunspots - Monday October 3rd 2022

Solar flux is 154 and the SSN 102. A=12 and K=3.