10m was in excellent form yesterday with lots of stations spotted, so I thought the E-W F2 MUF might reach 8m, so I QSYed and went on QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz. Then we had thunder and lightning so I had to go QRT! No spots on 8m yesterday in the brief time I was on.
24 Oct 2022
King's College - NOT amateur radio
The world famous King's College Chapel is often seen, whereas the rest of the college is seen less often.
Usually, the grass is immaculate. Mind you, they probably spend a bit more on weed killer than I do!
23 Oct 2022
8m QRP FT8 (first) on 40.680 MHz TX and RX
Ever hopeful, I am on 8m QRP FT8 once again. 10m was good today, so I live in hope that the E-W F2 MUF to the USA will creep briefly to 8m. This assumes there are people monitoring over there!
UPDATE 1520z: No spots.
EI7GL's blog
John posted on his blog after a break of 5 months. I can honestly say it is probably the very best blog I have ever seen. This is a reminder to us all that this is just a hobby and we can do as much, or as little, as we choose.
A very warm welcome back John.
10m FT8 RX
UPDATE 1446z: 1095 stations spotted on 10m FT8, so I have QSYed to 8m QRP FT8 (RX and TX), ever hopeful
First DMR QSO
My very first DMR QSO!! This morning I worked M7SNS near Leeds on BG-2341 TG91. All seems to be well. As I have no DMR gear, I am using my T320 network radio with Droidstar.
Bridge Street, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday on 10m WSPR
For several days now, I have had no spots. Power and timing seems fine, so I wonder if I am off frequency? More investigation needed.
22 Oct 2022
No sunspot data
It is now very late and for the first time in many years I have not shown the latest solar data. It seems too late now!
The DMR adventure continued
Most of the day I was trying to get DMR working with Droidstar on my Android phone. Unfortunately I couldn't get the vocoder to download even with a mod to allow sideloading.
Switching to my T320 network radio seems to be working as I am hearing plenty. Tomorrow, I shall try for a 2-way DMR QSO.
It seems 90% of my issues were due to the vocoder. What should have been easy was not.
21 Oct 2022
10m QRP (500mW) TX (Friday)
At about 1420z, I turned on my 500mW W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon. No spots of me yet.
I hope WSPRnet is working as I have not had any spots of me today or yesterday which is odd.
8m QRP FT8 TX and RX (Friday)
At about 1420z, I turned on my QRP 8m FT8 on 40.680 MHz. No spots at 1430z.
Plans for the day (Friday)
My plan for the day is to go on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. Later, I may try 8m QRP FT8 TX .
Rain - NOT amateur radio
The photo shows the view looking from our lounge yesterday. The rain is hard to see.
20 Oct 2022
King's Parade, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio
The photo shows the view looking down King's Parade which is right outside King's College and Chapel. In the distance are the Senate House (LHS) where degrees are given out and Great St Mary's, the university church (RHS).
More apple chutney - NOT amateur radio
4m activity contest (UKAC)
This evening is the 4m UKAC activity contest. Although I have no 4m antenna, I may take a peek on RX. The contest starts at 1900z.
UPDATE 1923z: As I have no 4m antenna I tried 4m SSB receive with my transverter and a variety of antennas. Best DX was a station in IO82 square.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)
As the thunder risk has passed, I am on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon. No spots.
Rally
The following should take place on Saturday. If going, please check with organisers first.
October 22nd (Saturday) - Essex CW Boot Camp/CW Convention, Witham Essex, CM8 2HE. Contact g0ibn1@yahoo.com .
8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
As the storm risk seems to have passed, I am again on 8m QRP FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz. I have been on for about 20 minutes.
UPDATE 1054z: No spots.
Thunder risk?
As there is a storm risk, I'm staying off air until the risk has passed. I am keeping a close eye on the lightning map.
19 Oct 2022
8m QRP FT8 TX (Wednesday)
As I was able to sync time on the PC , I am on 40.680 MHz FT8 QRP TX (first) and RX.
UPDATE 1735z: No spots. PSKreporter was reporting long after the event. I checked the PC screen.
23cm transverter dispatched from Bulgaria
Assuming all is OK, I hope to try some local tests this year, with the 23cm UKACs next year. I have no idea how far I can get with the small test antenna supplied with it.
"Our" windmill next door - NOT amateur radio
The photo shows Andrew up on one of the sails. Rather him than me!
10m QRP
The first version of this little transceiver was designed and built in 2011. Shown on my main G3XBM website is the second version, that stopped the chirp. This was called the 10m Lesser Chirpy, for obvious reasons.
8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
Assuming I can sync time, I intend to be on 8m FT8 QRP non 40.680 MHz later.
UPDATE 1455z: As a later post shows, I was able to sync time on the PC.
Where I was born - NOT amateur radio
After WW2, this grand place was a nursing home. I was born here.
This photo here shows the place (Flete in South Devon) well over 100 years ago. At the time, we lived in a modest council house, but I enjoy telling people I was born in a stately home!
10m QRP (500mW) WSPR TX (Wednesday)
Just gone on 10m WSPR QRP TX with my beacon synced using my atomic clock. Thanks *****!
UPDATE 0806z: Spots from the Canary Is already, so a promising start.
UPDATE 1023z: 5 unique stations have spotted me today so far. I get the impression there is now far more F2 propagation on 10m again.
Microsoft time sync - NOT amateur radio
For several weeks now, I have used the internet time sync provided by Microsoft (time.windows.com) quite happily.
This morning, despite the internet being on and working fine, I have been unable to sync time. Hoping this is just a temporary glitch, I shall try again later. If not, I shall have to go back to my original way of doing this.
At first I wondered if it was because I had still to do one of their infernal updates. So I did this, but to no avail. If Microsoft is so wonderful why do they have to do updates so often? In the lounge (and now) I use a Chromebook from Asus that has been fantastic for nearly 3 years.
Just wondering if this is just me?
UPDATE 1015z: Still unable to sync.
UPDATE 1513z: Sync works again, thankfully.
18 Oct 2022
UK Prime Minister - NOT amateur radio
In the last few weeks the UK's new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, has had a very bad time.
Firstly she introduced a mini-budget intended to encourage growth. The markets tanked. Her authority was in tatters. Then she replaced her Chancellor. The new Chancellor cancelled most of her changes, further undermining her. The opposition parties want a General Election.
The next crunch moment is October 31st when the new chancellor has to explain how he will fund the mini-budget. It is likely this will involve cuts to public services. This is likely to anger people both in the general public and Conservative party.
8m FT8 (Tuesday)
Most of the morning I have been on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 TX and RX. So far, no spots.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)
As the 10m antenna is available, I have been on QRP (500mW) with my WSPR beacon most of the morning. It is now 1213z and so far 9 stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 1920z: 45 stations have spotted my 10m 500mW QRP WSPR today.
Punting on the Cam - NOT amateur radio
DMR journey
At the moment, I am trying to get going on DMR. Although without a DMR radio or hot-spot, access DMR should be possible via my Android phone.
Some advice has been forthcoming and am working through this. As I get though this, I shall report back.
UPDATE 1914z: What a mess!!! Getting active on DMR is complicated! You first have to get a DMR ID (done), register on Brandmeister (done) and get a vocoder. If I am struggling, I imagine many will be too. I am still not connected. Hopefully tomorrow ......or 2030?? Getting going on Echolink was so much easier.
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