8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My 8m FT8 QRP station was turned on at about 1500z on 40.680 MHz. No spots.

UPDATE 1936z:   No spots.

DMR sked this evening

As readers will be aware, last night I got the time of the CDARC DMR net wrong. Although I know the rig works having had a couple of QSOs on TG91, I have not checked if my settings for the CDARC net are correct, so I am hoping to have a sked at 2000z tonight with a club member to prove all should be OK for next week, at the right time!

UPDATE 2222z:  The DMR test tonight was successful. so I should be able to join the CDARC DMR net next Tuesday at 1700z.

10m FT8 RX ( Wednesday)

Stations spotted on
10m FT8 at 0924z

I am on 10m FT8 RX as usual. If things are promising late this afternoon, I shall QSY to 8m QRP FT8 TX hoping to see if there are any USA stations spotted on 8m FT8, or if anyone spots me.

UPDATE 0929z: 52 stations spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1936z:  533 stations spotted today. Compared with recent days, not too great.

Time - NOT amateur radio

We experience time as a linear thing flowing from the past into the future. 

All our memories are assumed to be the accumulation over our lifetimes. But what if each day we are awake to these memories, but the past never happened?  What I am pondering is this: is our experience of time and living correct?  Could it be that consciousness is not as we thought? Is each moment actually an illusion?

No, I have not been sniffing glue or am not high on something!

If you look back over the last century or two, lots that we just accepted has proved to be doubtful. Many things we believe correct may prove not to be. Think of creation, evolution, the nature of the universe, genetics, quantum theory, relativity etc. We can only know so little. 

I have no idea what is correct, even if there a "correct" answer. All I know is there is so much to know and we are just humans.

We look though a glass dimly...

Sunspots - Wednesday October 26th 2022

Solar flux is 116 and the SSN 72. A=4 and K=1. 

Cambridge club DMR net

 Guess who got the time wrong? I went on at 1900z, but later found out it was at 1600z, so I missed it. I know it basically works as I have already had 2 QSOs, but was disappointed that I got the wrong time! 

10m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

In a few moments, I intend to go on 10m FT8 RX. If this looks good I'll QSY to 8m QRP FT8 TX later.

UPDATE 2210z:  Earlier, I was surprised how few spots I was seeing on 10m. The PC had stopped working as some software had updated. When reset, plenty were copied. 

Central Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

The parts of Cambridge that are most often in photos are the colleges and backs. Rarely do you see the town. This photo taken yesterday shows the "normal" town where the shops are. 

Sunspots - Tuesday October 25th 2022

Solar flux is 115 and the SSN 46. A=8 and K=1. 

Cambridge in autumn - NOT amateur radio

Monday is my day in Cambridge for my University of the Third Age course on Cosmology. I took this photo on the way.

10m FT8 RX (Monday)

All day, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far, quite a good day, but fewer stations spotted than yesterday, so I decided against QSYing to 8m QRP FT8.

DMR joys

It is surprising how well DMR works. I am monitoring TG91 on my network Android handheld T320 using Droidstar. As yet, I am a novice and there are many things still to learn.  Although a vocoder is used to make the signal digital, it does not really make things sound wrong. I can easily detect accents and everything sounds natural.

However, it is fun to have it monitoring on RX in the background. It is amusing to hear USA stations talking to Australia and a station in Ukraine talking with Australians.

The impression is there is more fun getting things working than actually using the mode. Contacts are just too easy!

10m and 8m FT8 yesterday

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.

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!

Sunspots - Monday October 25th 2022

 Solar flux is 108 and the SSN 65. A=16 and K=3.

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.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

10m FT8 RX

Today was the turn of 10m FT8 RX, where I have been on most of the morning. So far, 839 stations spotted from all over the world (see photo).

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

This is the street where I attend my University of the 3rd Age lecture on Cosmology. There are several places to eat here as well as the famous Pepys Library in Magdelene College just over the bridge over the River Cam .

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. 

Sunspots - Sunday October 23rd 2022

Solar flux is 105 and the SSN 55. A=27 and K=2.

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. 

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

Yesterday we had rain most of the day. We have had a hot, dry summer with extremely little rain. 

The photo shows the view looking from our lounge yesterday. The rain is hard to see. 

Sunspots - Friday October 21st 2022

Solar flux is 116 and the SSN 33. A=7 and K=1.

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

This morning, I made some more apple chutney to use up the remaining apples. In the end, 3 jars were made.

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. 

Sunspots - Thursday October 20th 2022

Solar flux is 113 and the SSN 50.  A=5 and K=1.

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

Just had an email saying my 23cm 2W transverter has been dispatched. I have no idea how long it will take to get here. 

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.

See https://www.sg-lab.com/TR1300/tr1300.html .

"Our" windmill next door - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned before, we live next door to a fully restored windmill that is 200 years old.  Every Tuesday, volunteers come to help make sure it is in top condition.

The photo shows Andrew up on one of the sails. Rather him than me!